I've seen this species numerous times but photographed it only on 04/17 and 07/11. The small amount of white at mid-costa of the second photo is, I believe, the base of the abdomen. The wings are entirely dark with perhaps some dark gray or brown mixed with the black. To my eye it was entirely black. This photos suggests a touch of light color in the face. I do not recall seeing any white there, but did not keep the specimens.

When I capture these tiny moths under various lights, I usually cannot see much detail of color until they are on the photo table or the photos are enlarged and reviewed. Even after I have looked at the photos I may not see all the colors until I "reduce contrast" in the photo editor. The two photos below are identical. The copy at right has been turned and its contrast reduced to see if the amount of chestnut coloration was more extensive than in the first photo. I think the 08/20 specimen is a species distinct from that of 06/23.

Dean Edwards encountered this species in eastern Tennessee about a month earlier than I did in Maryland. His photo is obviously of a fresher specimen. The fuzziness of his photo here is due to my enlarging it to match my standard photo size. In my photos the moth is just getting to his feet after warming up from the chill of refrigeration. In doing so, it is using its abdomen as a stabilizing prop. Previously I had the erroneous impression that these moths sat back on their wingtips. Thanks go to Don Davis at the USNM who tentatively identified this species for Larry Line.

When I saw Dean Edwards' excellent photo of this species I immediately recalled a moth I had seen a couple of months earlier. My April photos were made before I had my present studio setup with better lighting and (modestly improved) technique. I failed to get a decent lateral view but the white triangle was there. Again, the fuzziness of Dean's photo here is due to my enlargement of it. It is possible that in April I encountered two different but similar species. In the second row, below, a darker form is shown. At the time I thought it was much darker (brown, not reddish) than the moth photographed the week before. But more and better photographs, and close examination of specimens, will be required to decide this point.

I got only one photo of this moth before it disappeared on me. Except for the face and legs there were no white markings. It appears to be a rather plain pinkish-gray. The black area toward the front of the moth may be shadow rather than actual coloring.