Observation date: July 07, 2013
Submitted by: Ann and Rob Simpson
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: The Yellow-faced Bumblebee, Bombus vosnesenskii appears to be a model for two day flying moths that were flying with it - the Sierra Pericopid, Gnophaela latipennis and the Golden-shouldered Ctenucha, C. multifaria luteoscapus (id needs checking - pic is posted to bugguide). The wings and the body of the moths even had an iridescent bluish sheen like the bumblebee wings. Does anyone know if the moths are poisonous to eat which would give further mimicry protection to both species? There was a very large stand of California Coneflower, Rudbeckia californica and Horsemint, Agastache urticifolia which the moths and bumblebees were heavily visiting.
Status: Unknown
Verified by: Robert Martin
Verified date: September 30, 2013
Coordinator notes: None.
