This is a tiny moth and moths can be hard to find because they are well-camouflaged and like to stay hidden during the day. I usually see moths when I accidentally disturb them from the side of a tree, in the grass, etc. Last year while I was on an insect walk Karen Richards showed us these extraordinary moths flitting along the river.
If you can see where one lands and slowly go over to it, you will see how beautiful its coloration and markings are. Its wings fold over the back of its body like an elegant cape with shimmering sequins ringed by black at the base with a little fringe below.
These moths have an amazing life cycle. Read what the BugGuide said about Petrophila confusalis: “Adult females enter the water, up to 4 meters deep, to oviposit (200 - 300 eggs), carrying a plastronlike layer of air as a source of oxygen that sustains them from 4 to 12 hours. After ovipositing they die in the water. Some females only submerge partially, without fully breaking the water tension, and deposit eggs shallowly over several days.”
This little moth is a reminder to me to slow down and notice the small creatures. They are beautiful and can have miraculous stories. I hope that you are enjoying your summer.
Resource
Species Petrophila Confusalis - Confusing Petrophila - Hodges#4780. https://bugguide.net/node/view/39602. Accessed 29 June 2024.