Panometia condefacta

This particular moth was ided at the CB for the first time last night.  It eats ragweed.  Yet like Red always says, you may think a plant is bad, then you get rid of it, and the Goddess visits you with something worse. 

For example, we went to considerable effort and even expense to get shut of the kr bluestem at the CB.  Then the buffalograss set down to replace the kr, mostly died. Then, in came the speargrass,

Speargrass is native.  But the trouble with speargrass, is spears.  So on balance, speargrass is not much of an improvement over the kr.  Some, but not much. 

Also, besides speargrass, we now have plenty of the annoyingly rhizomatous ragweed, Ambrosia psilostachya.  Seemingly,  most mortals are allergic to this ragweed so Red feels obliged to make Ray or Crumby mow it or pull it up or somehow manage it. 

Yes.  When it comes to nature, human monkeyshines nearly always make the situation we are now discussing worse than pre-shine.  Anyway this little moth, also known as the olive-sided bird dripping moth,  is trying to help out.  Did I already mention that it's babies eat ragweed?

Meanwhile, Crumby is too disgusted with birding to continue his Big Ass Year.  Why?  Because to espy new birds for the annual list, one has to take trips via automobile on crowed, dangerous roadways.  Then, when one arrives at an overcrowded destination, one is liable to espy 1/3 + 1 of the anticipated members of Class Aves leaving nearly 2/3 of the anticipated of the per annum.  Screw that.  It's not worth the trouble.  Bugs at home are better.