Venezuelan poodle moth

The Venezuelan poodle moth is an as-yet unidentified moth photographed in 2009 by Kyrgyzstani zoologist Dr. Arthur Anker[2] in the Gran Sabana region of Venezuela.[1]

External image
Venezuelan poodle moth image from Dr. Arthur Anker's Flickrfeed[1]

The name derives from a comparison of its physical appearance to a cross between a moth and a poodle. Dr. Anker took a total of 75 photos of the species, yet only a few are available to view.

Classification

Anker and another scientist hypothesized it could be a member of the genus Artace,[3] though it may or may not be one of the >20 described species in the genus. The moth is often confused online with images of other furry moths, such as Bombyx mori,[4] while "one of Anker's colleagues speculated that the Venezuelan poodle moth bears some small resemblance to Diaphora mendica",[1] a tiger moth from Eurasia.

Measurements derived from Dr. Anker's photographs show the moth to be about 1 in (2.5 cm) in length. The physical appearance and dearth of actual information has led to its existence being treated as an internet hoax. Subsequent expeditions to the region have been unable to spot the moth again.

Habitat

The photographs were taken in Venezuela, South America, in the Canaima National Park. The region includes diverse habitat types, including moist forest and high rock plateaus known as tepuis.

References
  1. Distant, Daniel (29 Aug 2012). "Venezuelan Poodle Moth Confuses Scientists". The Christian Post. Retrieved 2012-08-29.
  2. "Arthur Anker - Wikispecies".
  3. "Venezuelan Poodle Moth Is the Internet's Favorite Pet This Week". The Atlantic Wire. 30 Aug 2012. Retrieved 2012-12-12.
  4. Mikkelson, David (2013-07-10). "Venezuelan Poodle Moth: Photograph purportedly shows a newly discovered species of 'Venezuelan poodle moth.'". Snopes.com. Retrieved 2018-05-13.
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