Thanks to the help of 1nmbirder for assistance in correctly identifying this moth. WordPress readers are the best. Always ready to help in identifying and teaching about all the things we run across outside.
At first I thought it was a Ranchman’s Tiger Moth but it does appear to be a Police Car Moth. We came across these guys while they were feeding on wild aster and sunflowers high up on the trail in Central Colorado.
nature has no boss 
No correction from me. Nice shots.
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Hi Jim, I stand corrected as this is a police car moth.
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That is a weird name for a moth. But, it seems to fit.
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The blue and black says it all.
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I saw this moth for the first time this summer. I too had a hard time identifying it. It is considered part of the Tiger moth genus but it’s known as Police Car Moth. Fun name huh?! 🙂 It is one of the few moths that feed during the day. Great photos!
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Thanks so much and it is a fun name. It is a really cool moth and it was indeed feeding during the day. I did spend quite some time on professor google last night trying to find out who this guys was. Time to edit the post to reflect the correct information.
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This is wonderful Mike. I love the light and detail, particularly in the top image.
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Thanks Pete, it is our stab at macro-ish photography. Nothing like yours. Your use of a soft flash seems to be just the ticket. How do you do it?
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You are welcome Mike. Presently I use a softbox flash diffuser which I slip over the camera’s flash unit. Before this I used to reduce the amount of flash used via the camera settings, but you can still get those blown white spots with that. Ideally I try and use natural light, but it is not always possible. Have a great weekend coming up, Pete.
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Pete, thanks for sharing you techniques. Macro photography is tough, wind low light etc. Your documentation of the small wonders is something yu should be proud of.
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Macro can be a challenge, with many factors against you, and I appreciate your kind and encouraging words Mike.
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Your welcome pete and we will keep trying.
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Haha! ‘Police car’ certainly works. Beautiful, but then I think all bugs are. 😀
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Hi Shannon, it is a cool name and the spots are much bluer on some of these guys. Yes insects are indeed pretty fascinating.
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Wonderful shots.
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Thanks and thanks for taking the time to leave us some feedback. We really appreciate it. It is always fun to stop and see a new variety of living creature along the trail.
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Once more, you’ve shown me something I’ve never seen before!!
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Hi and thanks, these guys were new to me only a week ago. It is so much fun to experience new sights and sounds out on a hike.
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And the WordPress community is so good to throw things out to when you don’t know what something is! I do it with plants fairly frequently.
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I agree, I learn much from everyone out there both in the comments I receive and by reading others blogs.
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A striking moth, shown to perfection by your photography skills. Love the common name, the scientific is not so much fun, like Gnophaela vermiculata. Not on the British list, so not one I am likely to come across, so a big THANK YOU for sharing.
A link to my blog https://skcimgolb.me/ and to my page on moths and butterflies, and like the blog, it too is work in progress, https://skcimgolb.me/about/world-butterflies-moths/
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Hi and thanks for the feedback and links to your site. Identification of butterflies and moths is a weak link in my naturalist skill set right now so it has been fun trying to put names to faces as we have seen quite a few the last month or so. You site is quite extensive and a work well done for a work in progress. Now I know about it and have it marked I can browse at leisure. Thanks for supplying the links. Hope it progresses well and the journey is well work it. Cheers and have a great weekend.
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Great name… love the feathered antennae.
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Hi Eliza those antennae are striking for sure.
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