Anyone else like moths or shall I shut up now?

[Eichhörnchen]

I took this photo of a "Ringlet" when I visited a local butterfly 'hotspot' during my bike ride yesterday.

http://i.imgur.com/pCQw15p.jpg

It's pretty clear where it got that name; the male's top side is a dark plain-chocolate brown with more of these little circles.

Since I heard on the grapevine that we might expect an influx of Large Tortoiseshell butterflies from southern and eastern Europe this summer (normally one of the rarest types you could hope to see in the UK) I thought I might keep a record here of anything unusual I get on our buddleia bushes, or even at the local RSPB reserve; maybe some of the more usual stuff, too.

If you want to, please post pics or descriptions of what you see locally, I'd like to know about it.

If this proves the roaring success we all expect (:D) then I might do moths as well, except I'll have to stay off the beer and go out at night for that. Did you know that moths like beer too? Another story...

[Aktungbby]

In Minnesota we got Luna Moths: here's one at about the right size ! https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/Actias_luna_female_sjh.JPG/1024px-Actias_luna_female_sjh.JPG

[Eichhörnchen]

If we had those over here we'd keep 'em as pets.

[Stealhead]

Luna moths can be found in Florida as well I've seen a few there over the years that fight be as far south as they go.

The Atlas Moth makes a Luna look tiny Atlas can have a 10 inch Wong span they live in Southeast Asia.

[August]

We had a lot of these growing up.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c9/Cecropia_Moth_(Hyalophora_cecropia).jpg

[August]

These days I battle an infestation of the winter moth. It's an invasive species with no local predators. Their caterpillars can strip a full grown maple tree in a few days.

http://www.briggsgarden.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/wintermoth-cycle.jpg

[August]

We also have periodic outbreaks of the Gypsy Moth
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/eek/critter/insect/images/mothstages.jpg

I have several 75ft tall oak trees in my yard that are completely stripped of leaves this year. Whole sections of forest around here look more like November than July.

[Oberon]

We also have periodic outbreaks of the Gypsy Moth.

You can get hangers for that.

We get quite a few moths around here, the bats are rather fond of them, but the ratio of bat to moth is always in the moths favour.
One lovely example that I noticed on a door at work the other night was the Swallow-tailed. Lovely wing colour. :yep:

[August]

You can get hangers for that. \

Hangars?

[Oberon]

Hangars?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Havilland_DH.60_Moth :03:

[Nippelspanner]

He likes Moths
https://laydenrobinson.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/75328_180778_2.jpg

[August]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Havilland_DH.60_Moth :03:

Eh, those only sunk a battleship, the ones I have are far more destructive. :yep:

[Herr-Berbunch]

At least August spelled hangars correctly :D . My stepdaughter used to call moths 'bedtime butterflies', made them more attractive to kids.

[THE_MASK]

These are endangered from here . Too much forest clearing .
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ornithoptera_richmondia

[Jimbuna]

At least August spelled hangars correctly :D .

LOL :)

[Oberon]

At least August spelled hangars correctly :D . My stepdaughter used to call moths 'bedtime butterflies', made them more attractive to kids.

I could have meant coathangers, they were made out of the same material. :O:

Bedtime butterflies, I like that. :yeah:

[Wolferz]

More like night terrors if they get into your woolies.:timeout:

[fred8615]

The only moth I like comes with two tiny Japanese women. :haha:

[Eichhörnchen]

http://i.imgur.com/GbysCLn.jpg

Photographed today when I visited the 'hotspot' on my bike. There was a very large stand of Fleabane which had attracted a number of other species, such as Common Blues and Gatekeepers.

[Oberon]

Found a little 'Small White' butterfly in the birds water bowl today, so I put him on the bird table to dry (there's no seed in the bird table at the moment so the birds don't even look at it), he then promptly kamikazed into the lawn, so I picked him up again and put him in the Buddleja where he seemed more content. It's not called the Butterfly bush for nothing after all. :yep:

[Commander Wallace]

Very nice colors. I have been seeing them a lot lately. I decided to include this guy who in Florida, is big enough to qualify as the state bird :)


https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTO5tSViY83TAZuGQm2-YBgu0ImTfrOI8OG7UiWCQp3a2Fg0nM_ (http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRxqFQoTCNmzr9GymscCFcFWPgod9loJPg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.raidkillsbugs.com%2Fen-us%2Fbug-id%2Fmosquitoes&ei=-m_GVdnOLcGt-QH2taXwAw&bvm=bv.99804247,d.eXY&psig=AFQjCNEMdMkHo9QcY9IIpTfXep5_Ie-CLg&ust=1439154515265703)

[Oberon]

Very nice colors. I have been seeing them a lot lately. I decided to include this guy who in Florida, is big enough to qualify as the state bird :)


https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTO5tSViY83TAZuGQm2-YBgu0ImTfrOI8OG7UiWCQp3a2Fg0nM_ (http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRxqFQoTCNmzr9GymscCFcFWPgod9loJPg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.raidkillsbugs.com%2Fen-us%2Fbug-id%2Fmosquitoes&ei=-m_GVdnOLcGt-QH2taXwAw&bvm=bv.99804247,d.eXY&psig=AFQjCNEMdMkHo9QcY9IIpTfXep5_Ie-CLg&ust=1439154515265703)

I've been seeing (and feeling) more than a few of his smaller English cousins of late. One of the joys of living right next to marshland. The Romans knew what they were doing when they advised against building near marshes. :yep:

[Commander Wallace]

lol

[Oberon]

I just evicted a Hawk moth from the front lobby...

Big sods aren't they? :haha:

[Eichhörnchen]

http://i.imgur.com/w38240J.jpg They're monsters (not my photo)

[Aktungbby]

I just evicted a Hawk moth from the front lobby...

Big sods aren't they? :haha:

Here's a small sod we try to evict; the European Grapevine Moth a serious pest here since 2009. The quarantine was lifted recently as they've been unseen for two years!:up:http://www.countyofnapa.org/uploadedImages/County_Image_Library/Header_Small/EGVM%20moth_county_headergraphic.JPG"Great cooperation by the winegrape industry and local, state and federal departments of agriculture has led to this quarantine area reduction. Growers and wineries that are still operating within the quarantine must continue to follow all requirements outlined in their compliance agreements and be vigilant to prevent any re-infestation of areas removed from quarantine. The lifting of the entire quarantine for Napa County is still two years away given there are no new EGVM detections.

Regions that are out of the quarantine include areas south of Imola Avenue, areas west of Mt. Veeder Road, the Carneros region, and portions of Eastern Napa County." Precisely my turf! Now for the Glassywinged Sharpshooter pest...http://gis.napa.ca.gov/Html5Viewer/Index.html?viewer=egvm_html (http://gis.napa.ca.gov/Html5Viewer/Index.html?viewer=egvm_html) ( Map)

[Aktungbby]

In responding to Nipplespanner's "Pandora's Box" gun-thread comment I came across this:https://scontent-sjc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/1157462_550912668307915_418355312_n.jpg?oh=231a2d3 6a556e51841cf3932db41bf41&oe=56995E6D

[GT182]

I haven't seen any around here in DE, but I need the sphinx moth to pollinate my 2 Night-blooming cereus plant's blossoms.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=night+blooming+cereus+photos&view=detailv2&&id=9CE05539F7F8D053E6632F78F8598F78CD8C5BFA&selectedIndex=161&ccid=yQq9xOnV&simid=608005329336993026&thid=OIP.Mc90abdc4e9d53a7020437bd0e449669fo0&ajaxhist=0

Above is not mine but is the same flower. They bloom only after dark and thru the night giving off a scent that smells like heaven. When daylight comes they're done and close only to die if not pollinated. If the blossom has been pollinated by the sphinx moth or a bat, then it will produce fruit.

Which one needed, I have no idea. LOL
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=sphinx+moth&FORM=IARRTH&ufn=sphingidae&stid=5e2f75ac-85b3-bf8c-afed-e44bb98eeecd&cbn=EntityAnswer&cbi=0&FORM=IARRTH

[Eichhörnchen]

That's a real esoteric hobby you've got there... top man :up: How did you become involved in this, GT182?

[Aktungbby]

HUH! In Bride of the Water God (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bride_of_the_Water_God) by Yun Mi-kyung (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yun_Mi-kyung), a night-blooming cereus is referred to as the "Loneliness of the Night" and refers most specifically to Epiphyllum oxypetalum (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiphyllum_oxypetalum). Do try to keep up! https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c6/Epiphyllum-oxypetalum-whitelight-front-long.JPG/1024px-Epiphyllum-oxypetalum-whitelight-front-long.JPG The flowers are described as being paired, so if one flower is plucked, another flower will die somewhere else. Therefore, they are also given the nickname "short-lived love". If you 'd just keep up with esoteric romance trivia you wouldn't need to ask such simple questions:O:. Even Armistead and Wolfertz know this stuff! At least have a Dutchman's Pipe Cactus in your conservatory:hmph: http://pics.davesgarden.com/pics/2002/05/09/cgkathy/aecd30.jpg Naturally I lean toward the Sonoran Desert Cereus Peruvianus myself http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/night-blooming-cereus2-400x300.jpg...being a High Plains Drifter Rider of the Purple Sage anti-hero type. A word of caution: do not ever attempt to induce any of your inamoratii into field-trip night-viewing these baby's; They'll think your on some cheap 'make' and clobber you! (FYI the Peruvianus is pollinated by a moth...but I'm bats about 'em anyhow!)

[Eichhörnchen]

http://i.imgur.com/T2BWOVl.jpg Well you live & learn...

[GT182]

That's a real esoteric hobby you've got there... top man :up: How did you become involved in this, GT182?

I got into it by accident. And partly because my grandmother had one for over 25 years. Tho I only saw hers bloom once.

A friend gave me a cutting off her plant 7 years ago. No flowers until this year. I was literally shocked. 2 years ago a neighbor of hers gave me her huge plant. She had it for 16 years and was sick of messing around with it, even tho she had many flowers on if since she got it from a friend.

You see where I'm going with this? Garden shops don't sell these night blooming cereus plants. 99% of the time someone has to give you one or a cutting off of one for you to start. The other 1% are those that find them growing in the wild and get one that way.... which they eventually pass on as cuttings to start growing a plant, or giving away the whole plant they started.

No matter what, they are a tricky plant to get flowering. They can't be too wet, nor can they be too dry.

[CaptainRamius]

:D I really don't like moths, I don't even remember why I opened this thread :D
Maybe it was to add to my post count. Maybe not :)

[Eichhörnchen]

I used to spend many happy hours wandering up and down the edges of field and wood in the dead of a warm summer night, adding to my collection from the heavily scented brambles. But I got so I couldn't bear the thought of killing them any more just for my own arcane hobby.

You opened this thread because of the secret powers of the forest squirrel, by the way.

[CaptainRamius]

I used to spend many happy hours wandering up and down the edges of field and wood in the dead of a warm summer night, adding to my collection from the heavily scented brambles. But I got so I couldn't bear the thought of killing them any more just for my own arcane hobby.

You opened this thread because of the secret powers of the forest squirrel, by the way.

Oh master, help me to harness the power of the forest squirrel! :D
Fun fact: did you know that Einhörnchen means squirrel in German? I know, because I'm half German, half American.

[CaptainRamius]

I used to spend many happy hours wandering up and down the edges of field and wood in the dead of a warm summer night, adding to my collection from the heavily scented brambles. But I got so I couldn't bear the thought of killing them any more just for my own arcane hobby.

You opened this thread because of the secret powers of the forest squirrel, by the way.

Oh, and that's just wrong.

[Eichhörnchen]

http://i.imgur.com/n2JuBcU.jpg

You don't really know me yet, do you?

And it is wrong, I know, so I don't do it any more :D

[CaptainRamius]

http://i.imgur.com/n2JuBcU.jpg

You don't really know me yet, do you?

And it is wrong, I know, so I don't do it any more :D

No, I don't know you yet, buddy. :D

[Eichhörnchen]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36530758

http://i.imgur.com/kAzwr7K.jpg?1 I'm not keen on these, though

[Wolferz]

He likes to smell moth balls...

Though I am unsure of how he gets their little legs apart.

Not that I want to know.

[Eichhörnchen]

http://i.imgur.com/iRKa6Ws.jpg

[Eichhörnchen]

Yesterday (for only the second time this year) I visited my local butterfly 'hotspot' with my camera but all I found, even though the fleabane is out once again, were a few 'little brown jobs':

http://i.imgur.com/r3E0Xxq.jpg

Peacock, a very familiar butterfly found just about everywhere

http://i.imgur.com/AQDzWp6.jpg

Gatekeeper, common in hedgerows and country lanes

http://i.imgur.com/gg9Q24r.jpg

Meadow Brown, a common butterfly of open countryside

The weather was rather overcast... and brown butterflies, absorbing heat more quickly than others because of their dark colouring, are the ones most often encountered on dull days.

[Eichhörnchen]

http://i.imgur.com/Pi6pMgI.jpg

This morning I revisited that patch of fleabane; some butterflies are more active in the mornings and it's hot again today, so I reckoned I might see some 'blues' or something unusual. No luck... all I saw were the usual brown jobs and this Painted Lady butterfly, very nice but it's a common migrant and might be seen anywhere.

I did come across this next to the churchyard, however. Never seen a white one before.

http://i.imgur.com/nNfitB3.jpg

[Eichhörnchen]

A new season and fresh hopes of finding something special at my butterfly 'hotspot'...

Today is a very hot day indeed, so I visited my secret rough meadow-corner, near to the village church, and found some fast-flying and restless Large Skipper butterflies. Hard to get a shot, but I eventually managed these... I'm going to have to get Moira along here with her super new camera.

Skipper butterflies are often mistaken for moths because of the peculiar way they hold their wings at rest... rather like jet aircraft.

http://i.imgur.com/rD7b3qb.jpg http://i.imgur.com/JhSteeR.jpg

[Aktungbby]

butterfly 'hotspot'...

I'm going to have to get Moira along here with her super new camera.
I think U should mingle both of your photographic talents BBY!:D https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/8f/ca/f4/8fcaf461acad85bfa898904448a57c3e.jpg a combo of:http://i.imgur.com/F3FUJje.jpg+http://i.imgur.com/Pi6pMgI.jpg
=https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/83/4c/6d/834c6dee6771e5dc5ff8d6f97b5a67cc.jpg:yeah:

[Eichhörnchen]

Moira liked that... don't give her ideas :o:)

[August]

Saw one of these in our garden the other day

http://www.massaudubon.org/var/ezdemo_site/storage/images/media/departments/lww/insects/hummingbird-clearwing-moth-c-susan-grimwood/188674-1-eng-US/hummingbird-clearwing-moth-c-susan-grimwood_large.jpg

[Eichhörnchen]

That's a bee hawk-moth. I only ever saw one of those... in the garden here in Lincolnshire.

[STEED]

Sorted..

https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/e640064b-ae2e-421d-a849-4337b0e4ba9b_1.acd21637bbb7e862e28dcf9ffa9f4105.jp eg?odnHeight=450&odnWidth=450&odnBg=FFFFFF

[August]

That's a bee hawk-moth. I only ever saw one of those... in the garden here in Lincolnshire.

http://www.massaudubon.org/learn/nature-wildlife/insects-arachnids/hummingbird-moth-clearwing-moth

[Eichhörnchen]

What can I tell you, August, except that your link is either ignorant or that in the USA these day-flying moths are all known (carelessly, I'd suggest) as Humming-bird Hawk-moths. But as far as I am aware, animal taxonomy is international, which would make your link plain wrong! Anyway, in Britain the Humming-bird Hawk-moth does not have clear wings... these belong to the Narrow-bordered and Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moths... please look at these reliable links:

http://butterfly-conservation.org/51-1087/humming-bird-hawk-moth.html

and

http://butterfly-conservation.org/51-1098/broad-bordered-bee-hawk-moth.html

and

http://butterfly-conservation.org/51-1311/narrow-bordered-bee-hawk-moth.html

Maybe you got hold of some fake news, mate.

[August]

What can I tell you, August, except that your link is either ignorant or that in the USA these day-flying moths are all known (carelessly, I'd suggest) as Humming-bird Hawk-moths.

No "hawk", just "Hummingbird Moths". Related but separate sub species.

From the wiki article on Hummingbird Hawk Moths:

It should not be confused with the moths called hummingbird moths in North America, genus Hemaris (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemaris), members of the same family and with similar appearance and behavior

[Eichhörnchen]

For anyone who might still be interested, this Wiki-link helps clear it up:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hummingbird_hawk-moth

Quote: "Moths in the Hemaris genus of the family Sphingidae are known as "hummingbird moths" in the U.S. and "bee moths" in Europe, which sometimes causes confusion between this species and the North American genus."

Wiki clarifies things here, confirming my suspicions, but still mistakenly says these are known as "bee moths" in Europe, when they are, as I said correctly, known over here as "bee hawk-moths".

The following photo is from my 'Bible': "Butterflies & Moths of Britain and Europe" by David Carter (ISBN 0 330 26642 X) since of course I stand by the European taxonomy:

http://i.imgur.com/y84gn73.jpg

In the text these are described as "Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth", "Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth" and (below) the "Humming-bird Hawk-moth"... which I am guessing you do not have in the US.

So when I see what you saw in my garden, it is a bee hawk-moth.

[Reece]

Anyone else like moths or shall I shut up now?
You can shut up now!!:yep:

[Eichhörnchen]

:har::har::har::har::har::har::har::har::har::har: :har::har::har::har::har::har:

[Catfish]

Sorted..

https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/e640064b-ae2e-421d-a849-4337b0e4ba9b_1.acd21637bbb7e862e28dcf9ffa9f4105.jp eg?odnHeight=450&odnWidth=450&odnBg=FFFFFF

I've tried moth balls but i never seem to score a hit.


No, i like this thread :)

[Jimbuna]

You can shut up now!!:yep:

:haha:

[August]

For anyone who might still be interested, this Wiki-link helps clear it up:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hummingbird_hawk-moth

Quote: "Moths in the Hemaris genus of the family Sphingidae are known as "hummingbird moths" in the U.S. and "bee moths" in Europe, which sometimes causes confusion between this species and the North American genus."

Wiki clarifies things here, confirming my suspicions, but still mistakenly says these are known as "bee moths" in Europe, when they are, as I said correctly, known over here as "bee hawk-moths".

The following photo is from my 'Bible': "Butterflies & Moths of Britain and Europe" by David Carter (ISBN 0 330 26642 X) since of course I stand by the European taxonomy:

http://i.imgur.com/y84gn73.jpg

In the text these are described as "Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth", "Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth" and (below) the "Humming-bird Hawk-moth"... which I am guessing you do not have in the US.

So when I see what you saw in my garden, it is a bee hawk-moth.


So is there a 4th species that is called the "Hummingbird Hawk Moth" (no bee)?

[Eichhörnchen]

It's not a "4th" species... there are a number of other Hawk-moths, but only one Humming-bird Hawk-moth (in Europe).

[August]

It's not a "4th" species... there are a number of other Hawk-moths, but only one Humming-bird Hawk-moth (in Europe).

Well ok then.

[Eichhörnchen]

Good

[Moonlight]

Is the pressure of the mating season having an adverse effect on you Mr Squirrel, calm down old boy before you turn into a feral one. :O:

[Eichhörnchen]

No I'm just full of beer today and I can lick anyone in the place

[Fubar2Niner]

Now that sounds downright perverted. Even if you are a squirrel that likes moths :doh:

[STEED]

I've tried moth balls but i never seem to score a hit.


No, i like this thread :)

Try scented ones.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61k6mxjyxxL._SY450_.jpg

[August]

Hey Eichhörnchen, the Massachusetts Audubon Society says you can go get stuffed. :O:

[Eichhörnchen]

:har::har::har:

[Moonlight]

Some news on the butterfly front for you Mr Squirrel, the bottom link is very encouraging news.
Funding boost to help save UK's rarest species from extinctionhttp://www.itv.com/news/2017-03-31/funding-boost-to-help-save-uks-rarest-species-from-extinction/
NIEA discovers rare butterfly previously feared extinct in Northern Ireland http://www.irishnews.com/news/2017/06/20/news/niea-discovers-rare-butterfly-previously-feared-extinct-in-northern-ireland-1060840/

[Eichhörnchen]

Thanks for that. I found the Small Blue on the chalk downland on the IOW where we went on our honeymoon. Not so scarce in England, you see.

A butterfly I'd love to see in this country (even more than the Purple Emperor) is the fragile, wraith-like Wood White. Very scarce, believe it or not, and only found in a few ancient places:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2009/jun/08/wood-white-butterfly

http://i.imgur.com/THMgQRb.jpg

[Agiel7]

This hasn't been posted yet?

https://youtu.be/eE6QzDrT_x8

[Eichhörnchen]

:har::haha::har:

[Catfish]

Big:
http://dailynewsdig.com/custom-embroidery/

Bigger:
http://the-legendary-godzilla.wikia.com/wiki/Mothra

[Eichhörnchen]

Moira will love those embroidery moths... I can see her taking that up and she'd be good at it too.

[Catfish]

Yes Okita's models really look great, in all aspects. Phantastic work, and idea :)

[Eichhörnchen]

Moira photographed this when out walking along the riverbank last Sunday:

http://i.imgur.com/o5KInwG.jpg

There is a very, very slim chance it could have been an 'Essex Skipper', since the two are virtually identical but for the antenna-tips, which are different colours underneath.

[Eichhörnchen]

Today I did my bit for the Big Butterfly Count: http://www.bigbutterflycount.org/about

Moira and I visited the "hotspot" but saw nothing special except for one 'Small Copper' butterfly; I already posted a pic of one of these at the start of this thread, so here is the only halfway decent photo I got today of a female 'Gatekeeper'.

https://i.imgur.com/jdqUefj.jpg

The rather ordinary count we got for our 15 minutes included:

Peacock
Common Blue
Small Copper
Gatekeeper
Green-Veined White

[Eichhörnchen]

This year I have found the Brown Argus living in my butterfly hot spot; it's not formally mapped in this area but I photographed this one today in company with a male Common Blue (related species). To distinguish the Argus from a female Common Blue (which is brown) you have to count the spots underneath

https://i.imgur.com/urprsrF.jpg https://i.imgur.com/06luoPT.jpg (This one seen last week)



I got these shots of the rich brown upperside using my wife's camera, which is much better:

https://i.imgur.com/QXj25g3.jpg https://i.imgur.com/cGQKraT.jpg

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/jAUUGqp.jpg At the hotspot today, a handful 'Small Copper' butterflies

[Eichhörnchen]

Today a.m. I found a few Common Blue males, which seem to be more active in the mornings

https://i.imgur.com/yoheOns.jpg https://i.imgur.com/tcBaid2.jpg

[Cybermat47]

Wow, never seen a Moth like that before. The ones around here are more dull camouflage colours. And a few orange weirdos.

EDIT: Wait, that’s a butterfly, isn’t it? I came here for Moths, dammit!

https://wikizilla.org/wiki/images/f/f7/Godzilla.jp_-_28_-_FinalMosuImago_Mothra_2004.jpg?download

[Eichhörnchen]

^:haha: You can post both here, buddy:haha:

[Eichhörnchen]

These pics, taken this morning, show how much markings can differ between two insects of the same kind (Small Copper):

https://i.imgur.com/l9dE4kA.jpg https://i.imgur.com/0JNNPPk.jpg

[Eichhörnchen]

This morning I cycled out to the Wash marshes as I wanted to photograph the Small Heath butterfly, which can usually be found on the hot south side of the sea bank here

https://i.imgur.com/SmVzzDk.jpg

This very small butterfly rarely shows its beautiful yellow-khaki wing tops because it (like many others of this family) it closes them up on landing, then turns to face the sun so that it casts barely any shadow. It's camouflage then completes the job of making it almost impossible to spot

https://i.imgur.com/OTkdfe0.jpg https://i.imgur.com/iT6SKCv.jpg

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/1Ez2RPy.jpg

Moira photographed this Red Admiral sunning itself on a gravestone in the churchyard at Bilsby, Lincolnshire, last month

[Aktungbby]

https://i.imgur.com/1Ez2RPy.jpg

Moira photographed this Red Admiral sunning itself on a gravestone in the churchyard at Bilsby, Lincolnshire, last month So now we know where Reginald Mitchell (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reginald_Mitchell) got his inspiration!:yep: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/03/Spitfire.planform.arp.jpg/220px-Spitfire.planform.arp.jpg (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Spitfire.planform.arp.jpg)leading by and by to some decent artwork http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/picture.php?albumid=940&pictureid=9955
:Kaleun_Thumbs_Up:

[Eichhörnchen]

Thanks, Aktung. Yes... I'd not noticed that but the wingtip shape is there for sure

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/ZURE5vI.jpg

My son found this lovely moth with burnished copper markings, feasting on an old apple core yesterday. I wasn't aquainted with it (I don't have one in my collection) but guessed it was probably not rare. It turns out to be a Herald Moth... widely found in countryside and gardens... although he's not supposed to be around until the Spring

But we've had some exceptionally warm weather in the UK these past few days, so who knows what's going to turn up next... perhaps the Brimstone butterflies will come out of hibernation early

[Eisenwurst]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QisHm9J4xj8

Every good thread should have it's own theme song.

[vienna]

Wow, never seen a Moth like that before. The ones around here are more dull camouflage colours. And a few orange weirdos.

EDIT: Wait, that’s a butterfly, isn’t it? I came here for Moths, dammit!

https://wikizilla.org/wiki/images/f/f7/Godzilla.jp_-_28_-_FinalMosuImago_Mothra_2004.jpg?download



Judging from the wing tips, it might also be from the RAF... :D










<O>

[THE_MASK]

I have quite a few butterfly host plants in the garden . Blue and green triangles always flying around . Zigzag vine and cryptocarya etc .

[em2nought]

The ship I was attached to is coming out of mothballs and headed for the scrap heap in Texas :Kaleun_Salute:



http://www.simonlakeassociation.org/


AS-33 leaving the James River and headed for the scrappers



http://nebula.wsimg.com/6b45b1449e3ac182caa42f955fa13044?AccessKeyId=F9AFA A03D25DA445336B&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

[Eichhörnchen]

^ Very good I see what you did there :haha:

[em2nought]

^ Very good I see what you did there :haha:


I try. :D

[August]

Must be a bit sad to see your old ship go to the breakers.

[em2nought]

Must be a bit sad to see your old ship go to the breakers.


I'm hoping she becomes part of the wall. :03:

[August]

I'm hoping she becomes part of the wall. :03:


Well they brought her to the right spot! :)

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/6U6Ngiy.jpg

A peep into a corner of my butterfly collection: top left are 2 Wall Browns, below them are 2 Small Heaths, below these are 4 Marbled Whites (caught on my honeymoon), then 2 Dark Green Fritillaries at top right, beneath which is a Silver-Washed Fritillary (caught in the ancient St Leonards Forest)

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/yGCcECG.jpg https://i.imgur.com/6RMzRRd.jpg

[August]

Noice!

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/wpGET91.jpg

Brimstone


https://i.imgur.com/qoccqGB.jpg

Green-Veined White above and Orange-Tip below; the female does not have the orange colour

[THE_MASK]

http://i63.tinypic.com/34hx6pc.jpg

[Eichhörnchen]

These framed displays are usually very beautiful, as this one is, and pretend to be a little bit academic, but a true entomological collection will have each specimen labelled to show the scientific name as well as the exact time & place of capture... this is what makes them of value in studies of climate and habitat

[THE_MASK]

I bought it from a garage sale for $10 .

[Eichhörnchen]

:haha::up:

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/5iUwmNi.jpg

The very wet weather we've had at the start of the season will probably decimate many butterfly populations.

A common insect in all localities in high Summer, today I photographed this Red Admiral basking in the late afternoon sun

[Sean C]

I took this picture at work the other day. Don't know what kind of moth it is.


https://i.imgur.com/dkLnI5q.jpg

[Catfish]

Not familiar with US moths, let alone english names. Looks like a yellow woolly bear moth, also called Virginian tiger moth?

[Aktungbby]

^INDEED https://bugguide.net/images/cache/WQJ/0BQ/WQJ0BQ302QBKKKTK8KDK7KOKIK1KZKD0QKNKGQEK2QNKLKC02Q T08QNKKKD0QK6KSKT02QT0LKNK8KAKHK2K8QT0QKB0.jpg https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sites/default/files/styles/bamona_scale_and_crop_480x360/public/bamona_images/p4180422.jpg?itok=8wWerG7D

[Eichhörnchen]

That seems to be one we don't get in the UK, although we have two moths called the Ghost Moth and Muslin Moth which are quite similar

[Skybird]

My home town is haunted by the loopers of the oak processionary moth. We are one of the two worst affected places in whole Germany currently. Evil little critters, the whole town is infested by their poisonous hairs, schools, kindergardens, sport festivals swimming places, parks in parts get sealed off. City cant get too many of these nests although they work on it with total priority, they approach 10.000 nests removed, with an expected 15-20 times as many nests being around. Those hairs can live for years, and the winds can send them on loooong journeys. Many peope already got stuck, so got I, additionally to a photodermatosis (pseudo allergy against light/UV-A) that i already had when I got struck, making thigns worse. It all itches like hell. Itching, this word found a new definition in my awareness this year., and the meds recommended do not help much. Summer's not too good to me so far. I bought special new clothing, with tropical hardenign factors to avoid both the radiation and possible flying looper hairs. No short shirts or trousers.


Its every five years like this, some biological metacycle, but so bad as this year it has never been before, last year already was noticably worse, but this years tops it all. And even just burnign them off the trees is dangerous, since then more hairs get spread and get lifted higher into the air by the heat rising.


Argh!

[Eichhörnchen]

https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-and-resources/pest-and-disease-resources/oak-processionary-moth-thaumetopoea-processionea/

https://i.imgur.com/u0tz5Zc.jpg

Looks as though they're on the march everywhere: now a notifiable species in the UK so thanks for the heads up, mate... I had no idea about any of this and will also post this link on Facebook (we discussed the Asian Hornet on there not so long ago)

[Skybird]

Several people had to undergo pathfinding surgery in the specialised eye hospital here in town at the university hospital UKM. They had gotten these hairs into the eyes, where they hooked up to and embedded themselves into the cornea. Problem was that the hairs are so fine and filigrane that usual surgery instruments find it difficult to handle them.



Ordinary victims try to deal with the allergy and the itching by using anti-histamine drugs and cortisone cremes. The itching is quite a calibre. My knee pits and calfs (calves?) looked like pizza spread. Mayn people got hit this year, it seems, at least here in town.



If you ever meet a nest of these critters - STAY AWAY, and tsaker care of kids and pets as well. I have seen photos of dogs who had terrible wounds on their noses. The hairs can stay chemically active for years, and can be blown up by the wind. Professional pest control is inevitable, these guy wear full isolation suits and face covers with garmasks - a horror of a job in these temperatures. I would prefer to deal with a nest of wasps to these loopers.

[Skybird]

The oak processionary moth epidemy reaches the level of state politics. The ministry of health issues severe warnings and say that things have gotten worse, especially here in the Münsterland county. Medical offices are overcrowded with patients suffering from heavy allergic skin reactions, eye injuries, circulation problems and breathing problems, all caused by contact with the poisonous hairs of the loppers. Emergency ambulances of hospitals are stuck. More schools, open-air baths and parks got evacuated and shut down.

I live in a house with six appartments. Inhabitants in three of these six are hit, and we do not even have nests in our vicinity or street.

I report this only because there is a risk that this thing gets underestimated, because many people sitll have never heard of this aninmal, or may think it is some local news filling the summer news hole. Believe me, it is not that. And it is spreading in several countries of Europe, its a foreign, invasive species.

The state government tries to hire specialists from surrounding countries now who can help collecting nests with vacuums, amongst them French, Dutch and Danes. All local businesses and companies offering pest control, are already engaged and work even beyond their capacities.

These animals may be small and tiny, but they really pull off a show this year.


The hairs not only hold a poisonous proteine causing the allergic reaction, but also are very fragile and covered with microscopic barbs. They not only stick to surfaces and skin they get into contact with, but then break into pieces like splintering crystal and work themselves into the top layers of the skin and underlying tissue, making it even more difficult to remove them again (and very dangeorus if you get them into the eyes). The scars they can leave if things go really bad and extreme, remind of burnings and peeled flesh. The protein causing the allergic reaction also affects the cardiovascular system and breathing apparatus. By experience I can tell you, the itching is nerve-killing, and very heavy.

[Eichhörnchen]

Could this turn into our Ebola? What a nightmare...

[Sean C]

One of my female friends screamed at me yesterday to "Come get this bug!" Turns out it was a rather large moth. Quite a beautiful creature, if you ask me.

https://i.imgur.com/DusUmOfl.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/mkKRzGxl.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/DTWYtRxl.jpg

[Sean C]

...might be a "Regal Moth (https://www.google.com/search?q=regal+moth&hl=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj5kq_eoJjjAhUIOs0KHUENALkQ_AUIECgB&biw=1920&bih=998)".

[Aktungbby]

ALSO HICKORY HORNED DEVIL...PUPATES TO REGAL MOTH! :yeah: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT52brviTGI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT52brviTGI)

[Eichhörnchen]

^ That moth is a beauty... nothing like that here

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/PXV9SFy.jpg

I got this Small Skipper this morning; the thistles are out now and so are the Meadow Browns and Ringlets... all old friends of the Summer

[Skybird]

Moths can be beauties, nothing against them, but still...

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48880468

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/5EewcFK.jpg https://i.imgur.com/2uMXZEK.jpg


Today I found some showy 'Comma' butterflies over near the church. These are so called because of the tiny white comma-shaped character on the underside. They are very brave and combative, guarding the same favourite spot against all comers; I was able to get close enough to touch one of them... sitting all the while on his favourite fence post... but as soon as another appeared behind me, he was off to attack it. Their lovely raggedy shape is unique among British butterflies

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/9NnUZw6.jpg https://i.imgur.com/qVJqSVJ.jpg

This a country butterfly and its habit is to flutter lazily up and down the edges of meadows along the hedgerows. It's very likely to be found loitering where there is a gap in the hedge, say where there's a gate... hence its other name of 'Gatekeeper'. Perhaps this enables it to always find a sunny perch throughout the day without having to sit exposed on top of the hedge; it always flies near the ground.

I photographed this male on Monday when I saw the Commas... the male is smaller than the female and has large brown 'scent markings' in the middle of the forewings, to attract a mate

[vienna]

https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/14984641/2012/02/el-segundo-blue-butterfly.jpg?w=420&h=315&crop=1



The El Segundo Blue Butterfly...

This species is native to the area adjacent LA Int'l Airport and is named after the nearby city of El Segundo. The species is considered to be highly endangered, but has staged a rebound in its population thanks to the efforts of conservationists who have pressed for the return of native vegetation and wetlands essential to the survival of the species:


https://www.dailybreeze.com/wp-content/uploads/migration/2017/201707/NEWS_170709623_AR_0_POIJRJIXFWDK.jpg?w=620



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Segundo_blue







<O>

[Eichhörnchen]

Thanks, vienna... that's very interesting

Blue butterfly species (of which there are many) are especially fascinating, and your El Segundo puts me in mind of our own Large Blue (now extinct) with its peculiar life cycle:

https://butterfly-conservation.org/butterflies/large-blue

https://i.imgur.com/qgXjmqO.jpg

I believe that a Continental race has been released in secret locations in the UK in hopes to 'reintroduce' this beautiful insect... but to my mind it could never replace the real Large Blue. They've done the same with the magnificent Swallowtail Butterfly, but I would only travel to the Norfolk Broads if I could see a genuine native Swallowtail

(PS: not my photo)

[Jimbuna]

Large clouds of painted lady butterflies are being spotted across the UK and Ireland - and experts believe we are seeing a mass emergence that happens every 10 years.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-49210010

https://i.postimg.cc/nV0M1yb4/108172364-5eff5513-fa3a-43b9-8fc1-dacf7e2d8745.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

[Aktungbby]

well how ironic...as you've always had a thing for 'painted ladies':O:

[August]

One of the little guys greeted me when I got home from work yesterday.
https://i.imgur.com/iA7edZM.jpg

[Eichhörnchen]

I decided to go have a look today since this time last year the Cats Ear was in flower and attracting Small Copper and Common Blue butterflies. Sure enough I soon snapped these two...

https://i.imgur.com/11bl9Tm.jpg Small Copper

https://i.imgur.com/hmOBrap.jpg Common Blue

[August]

Eichhörnchen you always post such detailed closeups. What kind of camera are you using?

[Eichhörnchen]

It's my wife's Nikon COOLPIX B500... she says it cost just over £200, so not vastly expensive for a digital camera. But I could hardly believe how detailed the photos are compared to my old SLR with Macro lens. I also took this little guy's picture today... now he was tiny!

https://i.imgur.com/XFLOCsF.jpg

[Jimbuna]

Found two in the conservatory last night they were quite large and chocolate brown in colour with a couple of white spots but never thought of taking a picture because the match was on and I was in the middle of a drink or three :doh:

[August]

It's my wife's Nikon COOLPIX B500... she says it cost just over £200, so not vastly expensive for a digital camera. But I could hardly believe how detailed the photos are compared to my old SLR with Macro lens. I also took this little guy's picture today... now he was tiny!


Very detailed and it must have some kind of telephoto aspect to it because I can't get nearly as close as you do without them flying off.

[Eichhörnchen]

^ It has a battery powered zoom with autofocus, controlled by a thumb-lever

[August]

^ It has a battery powered zoom with autofocus, controlled by a thumb-lever
:up::D

[Aktungbby]

It's my wife's Nikon COOLPIX B500... she says it cost just over £200, so not vastly expensive for a digital camera. But I could hardly believe how detailed the photos are compared to my old SLR with Macro lens. tiny!

https://i.imgur.com/XFLOCsF.jpgIt's just not cricket!:shucks:

[vienna]

Oooh, that pun is a bit buggy...








<O>

[Eichhörnchen]

Found two in the conservatory last night they were quite large and chocolate brown in colour with a couple of white spots but never thought of taking a picture because the match was on and I was in the middle of a drink or three :doh:

https://i.imgur.com/pJTSe8J.jpg Maybe one of these, a Ringlet

https://i.imgur.com/fxPy3k0.jpg Or a Meadow Brown

[Jimbuna]

In truth Glynn they could have been either, I wasn't functioning exactly at 100% :doh:

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/TuFCekL.jpg

I was pleased to find a couple of these pretty insects today. The Speckled Wood... like the 'Comma'... will defend a favourite perch from rivals, when they will spiral upwards in a mock combat. It's a butterfly of dappled sunlit woodland rides near the end of Summer, where it may be quite common (not usually found in gardens except they be very rural ones)

[Eichhörnchen]

I found this Brown Argus butterfly in the 'hotspot' today. I photographed one there before... they can sometimes be seen in the company of Common Blues, to which they are related


https://i.imgur.com/WkEltEn.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/atQY7IQ.jpg

[Eichhörnchen]

Underside markings of a Speckled Wood, photographed today

https://i.imgur.com/wnYAhWR.jpg

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/qVSTMlk.jpg

A real herald of Spring, the male Orange Tip butterfly is very fast and hard to photograph. He's usually hunting for a mate, so very restless, whereas she will settle to drink nectar. The sexes of this butterfly are very easy to distinguish, as they are identical but for the male's vivid orange wingtips. The female can be overlooked as just another 'white' until you see the fabulous green-mottling beneath her hind wings; both sexes have this as can be seen on this male I managed to photograph today along a hot sunny bank, among the vetches and cow parsley

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/WfeMksh.jpg

I found this female Holly Blue in our garden today. These butterflies hibernate as a chrysalis so are the first 'blues' to be seen and, as such, this first brood is another signifier of Spring, like the Orange Tip butterfly above

The female has broad sooty borders to the forewings, whereas the male only has a narrow black edge. They are not confined in habitat like some butterflies so can be seen anywhere... town or country

[Catfish]

Very nice and interesting photos :)

I wonder.. i tried to photograph some distant object with a Canon Eos 500 and telephoto lens, and it was "ok". A girlfriend of me and my wife used a Coolpix (don't know which exactly) from the same distance, and it was so much better !
I am looking for a camera that makes good telephoto shots, but is also capable for very near objects. Maybe i should look for the one or similar you mentioned :hmmm:


The one above should be a "Faulbaum-Bläuling" or Celastrina argiolus in cunning notation ?

[Eichhörnchen]

Thanks, Catfish. I'd recommend Moira's camera; if I did get my own then I'd go for one of these for sure

I used just a little bit of telephoto lens, relying on the camera's really super clarity/massive dpi (if that's the correct term) so that I could crop the image later but still get a good "close up". The orange tip was hard to approach without spooking, so I had to do it this way. The photo below is the uncropped original, although reduced in pixels to be able to show it here, otherwise it would be as big as a bedsheet :haha:

https://i.imgur.com/B01ltQw.jpg

As for your other question, we call that the "Holly Blue" here but 'Tree Blue' sounds a good description, since it's often seen high up around trees and bushes rather than flowers or grasses; the Latin name is indeed the one you quote

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/w1Qlkby.jpg

Another very early butterfly is the Green-veined White, here feeding on some rape flowers... headland remnants of a past crop. These were also frisky, so just now I had to take this shot from too far away

[Texas Red]

My brother is a HUGE wildlife enthusiast. He is only 7 though. He catches snaked, butterflies, frogs, and even moths.
This is the only way I like moths:
https://pics.awwmemes.com/hand-over-the-lamps-brother-moth-meme-lamp-t-shirt-by-49001980.png

[Eichhörnchen]

:haha: The best way to get moths is with a light-trap: just a white sheet with a strong lamp in front of it

Collectors in the past used to go "sugaring"... plastering thick mixtures of beer and molasses onto tree trunks on the fringes of woodland. Moths are very sensitive to barometric conditions, though, and not every night is a flight night... even if it seems warm enough to us

Another technique (which I've used successfully) is 'digging'... but I'll shut up now

[Texas Red]

Maybe I should try to convince my brother to join the forums? He'll teach you all a few lessons on wildlife.
But he won't stop posting either.

[Jimbuna]

Maybe I should try to convince my brother to join the forums? He'll teach you all a few lessons on wildlife.
But he won't stop posting either.

Must run in the family.

[Jimbuna]

The most important part of a camera is the lens and for closeup work the Macro lens is indispensable.

[vienna]

Must run in the family.



https://media.giphy.com/media/1hBpHdYhBykSBSxIVK/giphy.gif



:haha::haha::haha: ...






<O>

[Aktungbby]

Must run in the family.

https://media.giphy.com/media/1hBpHdYhBykSBSxIVK/giphy.gif



:haha::haha::haha: ...






<O> NOT FROM MY FAMILY! :doh::oops: :hmmm: http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/fighting/setting-himself-on-fire.gif:dead:

[Texas Red]

I'm toasted now. :oops:

[Eichhörnchen]

^ :har::haha:

[Sean C]

Years ago I used an old Pentax Optio S40 to take some macro pics of various bugs I found around the house/yard. It's a good camera, but not top-of-the-line and not made for these kinds of shots. But I found that, with the right settings, it worked really well. Granted, I was able to get really close to my subjects (most of the time I trapped them under a glass). But I think any good digital camera that allows enough manual control over the settings should be able to take great macro shots.


Unfortunately, I didn't get any shots of moths/butterflies, so these will have to do as examples. Sorry.

https://i.imgur.com/6bRco6qh.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/uZgbJT3h.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/e5f7B0vh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/2MozuNvh.jpg

[Texas Red]

What country do you live in? Looks like you live in Australia, mate.

[Sean C]

Haha! These were all taken in Virginia. The pictures make them look much bigger than they are.


https://i.imgur.com/WcHl8nyh.jpg

[Eichhörnchen]

I don't think I could sleep nights

[Jimbuna]

We got bigger hair lice up north :O:

[captainadccdacaptain]

Found this guy on the wall of our house.
Pandorus Sphinx Moth

[Eichhörnchen]

We don't have those in the UK (or anywhere in Europe, from what I can see)... looks like a member of the hawk moth family :up:

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/Io7LLFY.jpg

This is a Brimstone butterfly which I caught and pinned many years ago when I used to be a collector. When arranging a collection it was always important to attach a label to the pin noting the date and place of capture, otherwise the specimen is of little scientific value

The Brimstone is perhaps the greatest and best known signifier of Spring in Britain (it hibernates in the ivy to emerge on the first warm days) and is almost impossible to approach, let alone catch or photograph

This is a female, the male being an even richer and darker yellow colour

[Catfish]

Was not able to identify this one. Around 10 cm/4 inches long, no joke. Thought of an "Eichenspinner" (="oak egger" in english?) but really not sure - other thoughts?

https://i.imgur.com/i41eJfVl.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/YacgRDdl.jpg


:hmmm:

[Eichhörnchen]

Yes you got that right, Catfish :yep:

[Catfish]

Hmm, ok i thought the bristles are too short, and the white spots too small. But maybe that varies. Thanks :)

edit: should have taken that for the who/what/where thread, but did not know the answer myself ;)

[Texas Red]

I always thought that King Cobras were the coolest animals ever, they still are the coolest, but the prettiest is the Blue Tang.
https://i.postimg.cc/s23K7W2w/animals-hero-cobra.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/VkWpxmrZ/download-1.jpg

[Jimbuna]

Stay on topic young sir if you'd be so kind.

TIA

[Eichhörnchen]

Hmm, ok i thought the bristles are too short, and the white spots too small. But maybe that varies. Thanks :)

edit: should have taken that for the who/what/where thread, but did not know the answer myself ;)

They aren't particularly fluffy or long-haired (like STEED) and if you'd used that in the Who/What/Where thread then I'd have got it first go

[Texas Red]

Stay on topic young sir if you'd be so kind.

TIA

Yes, sir, old fart.

I think that my favorite moth is the Pandora Sphinx, found in my home state.
https://static.inaturalist.org/photos/8571801/medium.jpg?1498088212

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/7n0ULA1.jpg


Four Marbled White butterflies that I caught and pinned while on honeymoon on the Isle Of Wight, August 1986

[Jimbuna]

Yes, sir, old fart.

I think that my favorite moth is the Pandora Sphinx, found in my home state.
https://static.inaturalist.org/photos/8571801/medium.jpg?1498088212

You've obviously not read I'm the Senior Moderator around this forum.

A request was given in a polite manner.

Ah well, that's strike two.

[Texas Red]

:hmmm::06: It says moths on the title, I assumed that was what it meant, we don't call moths here butterflies.


Monarch butterflies are pretty to me, I am sure they are to everyone else.
https://butterfly-conservation.org/sites/default/files/styles/masthead/public/2019-02/30730637487-monarch-danaus-plexippus.jpg

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/vCW94f8.jpg

Yes they are. My sister killed this one with a baseball bat in a garden in Pennsylvania when she was a kid

[Texas Red]

https://i.imgur.com/vCW94f8.jpg

Yes they are. My sister killed this one with a baseball bat in a garden in Pennsylvania when she was a kid

That same exact one? And you've kept it for all these years? That's cool.

We go camping in Petoskey, Michigan at the State Park there. Beautiful little town, but that's not what I am here to talk about.
We go camping there for like 12-14 days and our grandparents come with. Our grandparents this time arrived a day earlier than us and they took a bike ride down a trail and they (my grandparents) said "The trail was full with flying Monarch butterflies." I wish that I could've had a picture.

[Eichhörnchen]

Yeah same one! Once a butterfly or moth has been properly 'set' and has dried out, it will last for ever... so long as something like napthalene (mothballs) is used around the boxes to keep the wings from getting eaten by other moths

On my one and only trip to the US we visited parks like the one you described... it was weird seeing these unfamiliar butterflies flitting all around us outside. I couldn't name any of them, even though I knew all of ours

[captainadccdacaptain]

Not sure what caterpillar this is, but Im sure it is a type of moth. Found it on our patio and (very carefully) relocated it to a bush

[Eichhörnchen]

I thinks it's more likely to be the larva of one of the Nymphalidae family of butterflies... either a Silver Washed or a High Brown Fritillary, a Painted Lady or a Large Tortoiseshell... something of this kind, but not a moth

I only have reference for European insects, so it could be you have something there related to a British type

Thanks for posting that, mate

[Texas Red]

https://images.fineartamerica.com/images/artworkimages/mediumlarge/1/1-blue-morpho-neil-doren.jpg

I also think that a Blue Morpho is a beautiful butterfly.

What parks did you go to in the US, Eichhornchen?

[Eichhörnchen]

Difficult to recall now... I think one was called Penn State Park, or something like that... and a place with a preserved working timber mill called McConnell Mills, surrounded by woods. We saw a shining blue or purple butterfly rather like the one you posted in those woods, but it may not have been the same ... I don't know my US butterflies

[Texas Red]

I've been in Petoskey State Park, Potato Creek State Park, Brown County, Edisto State Park, and Yellowstone. Petoskey and Edisto were by far my most favorite camping places.

So beautiful, so fun. We will be going to Petoskey in July.

[Eichhörnchen]

Social-Distancing shouldn't be difficult there

[Texas Red]

No, maybe not. But the beach at Petoskey gets crowded, so maybe not. I'm sure that my overprotective grandma will have me not swim within 10 feet of another person :roll:.

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/B2AxYln.jpg

A very hot day today. The thistles are about to open but we're still a week or so away from the time when this hotspot corner should come alive with blues and coppers... plus always the hope of seeing something special. For now it's just the usual crowd of male Meadow Bowns flapping lazily about, looking for a mate

[Jimbuna]

Saw a beauty (overall dark brown and flashes of yellow on the wing tips) on the ground the other day whilst the wife and I were pushing our granddaughters pram in the local park but before I could say anything the wife accidentally ran over it with one of the pram wheels :oops:

[Texas Red]

https://i.imgur.com/B2AxYln.jpg

A very hot day today. The thistles are about to open but we're still a week or so away from the time when this hotspot corner should come alive with blues and coppers... plus always the hope of seeing something special. For now it's just the usual crowd of male Meadow Bowns flapping lazily about, looking for a mate

Oh boy a very hot day today here as well. I was doing yard work with my grandpa, mulching and pulling weeds in 80 degree F weather or 26 degrees C.
Anyways, back to the topic at hand.


https://www.sbbt.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/FILE0015.jpg

The largest butterfly in the world. The Queen Alexandras Birdwing. These monsters can have a wingspan in excess of 25 cm or 9 inches! that is insane!

[Aktungbby]

https://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uuuploads/strange-animals-you-didnt-know-2/strange-animals-you-didnt-know-2-5.jpgthe HAWK MOTH https://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uuuploads/strange-animals-you-didnt-know-2/strange-animals-you-didnt-know-2-5-2.jpg

[Eichhörnchen]

^ Yes, they are magical things...

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/lXj0Y4o.jpg

This is a bit anorakky, but I believe I've found here an Essex Skipper (today) in my butterfly 'hotspot' near the church. It looks much like the widespread Small Skipper, except that the club-ends of the Essex Skipper's antenna are wholly black, whereas they have a pale underside on the Small Skipper, Also, the dark stripe of the male's scent gland (the short black line on the forewing) runs in a different direction here to that of the other butterfly

I don't know whether the Essex Skipper's distribution is recorded here on the Northern edge of the Wash

[Catfish]

Or maybe the spread changes with the climate ..?



Recently found this in the rain, saw no antennas but two humps.. anyone knows what that is?

https://i.imgur.com/5qYhPJIl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/0qxYf2Cl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/jqsudsal.jpg

:hmmm:

[Eichhörnchen]

It looks like a Green-brindled Crescent moth. It does have very long whip-like antennae but it often tucks them back out of sight

https://i.imgur.com/TyZxZjp.jpg

[Texas Red]

It looks like a Green-brindled Crescent moth. It does have very long whip-like antennae but it often tucks them back out of sight

https://i.imgur.com/TyZxZjp.jpg


Can you identify these from memory or do you have to look them up?

[Eichhörnchen]

Books, although I know quite a few moths by sight (not 100% sure about this one though)

I can id nearly all the British butterflies by sight... some you need to count the spots on the undersides before being sure though

[Eichhörnchen]

Nope... I was wrong. It looks to be one of these (we don't get them in the UK so I'd never seen even a photo of one before). It seems only to have a Latin name... no common name. I believe it's a noctuid (like the previous guess) and has the long slender antannae, which it keeps out of sight when not needed

http://www.lepiforum.de/lepiwiki.pl?Diachrysia_Zosimi

https://i.imgur.com/7bPQUmY.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/NhAxmif.jpg https://i.imgur.com/C4RvpLT.jpg

[Texas Red]

Books, although I know quite a few moths by sight (not 100% sure about this one though)

I can id nearly all the British butterflies by sight... some you need to count the spots on the undersides before being sure though

Most of my knowledge on WWII comes from books and documentaries. I like to read 600-page historical books on whatever WW2 subject I can find, at least ones that are interesting.

[Eichhörnchen]

See whether you can read anything about "Operation Veritable"... my dad was in that

[Catfish]

@Eichhörnchen: Hmm thanks i'm not completely convinced but the first photo comes a bit closer, it had a definite metallic copper 'spot' :hmmm:. The folded antennas and the two humps are there.

Can well be the one if the species differs a bit depending on location etc.

[Eichhörnchen]

If you could maybe pull its wings off and send them to me...

[Catfish]

i could send a bag of bed bugs first to test your identifying skills ...

[Eichhörnchen]

:haha::har:

[Eichhörnchen]

A hot day today behing the church, and here I found these: a comma butterfly, a green-veined white and a ringlet... all feasting on nectar from ragwort, which seems to be everywhere this year

https://i.imgur.com/99SZJ3e.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/KJUzXCA.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/jD6JbPk.jpg

[Sean C]

There must be something about my local grocery store that attracts these things. Probably all the lights.



https://i.imgur.com/eJi9uush.jpg



https://i.imgur.com/rmk9vbjh.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/S1FzOxLh.jpg

[Eichhörnchen]

^ Thanks for that. My books only cover British moths and you have a lot over there that we don't, so I was unable to identify it. The nearest related thing looks to be our "Garden Carpet" moth, but I don't think it's that


https://i.imgur.com/iRsRd21.jpg

[Sean C]

My guess from looking at this site (https://www.butterflyidentification.org/moths-by-state-listing.php?reach=Virginia) is that it might be a Rustic Sphinx (https://www.butterflyidentification.org/information.php?primary_name=rustic-sphinx-moth).

[Eichhörnchen]

Yes you nailed that for sure, and what a great resource that online site is. This moth isn't found in the UK at all so thanks for showing me that, buddy :up:

[Cybermat47]

So yes, this is a real moth:

https://youtu.be/HoGRmiVioTE

[Eichhörnchen]

Wow... Iwoudn't want that getting up my trouser leg

[Sean C]

Here are some more that I've just seen:


I wasn't able to identify this one.


https://i.imgur.com/AsKIq0oh.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/reVwh7Yh.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/1oWJIUgh.jpg






This one was on my front porch just a few moments ago. I believe it might be a Banded Tiger Moth (https://www.butterflyidentification.org/information.php?primary_name=banded-tiger-moth).


https://i.imgur.com/gI17AIch.jpg








And here is what I think is a Virginian Tiger Moth (https://www.butterflyidentification.org/information.php?primary_name=virginian-tiger-moth) with a Clover mite (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryobia_praetiosa) (or a Clover mite egg) on its wing.


https://i.imgur.com/tjjH6EXh.jpg

[Eichhörnchen]

^ Fabulous pics... I've been trying to get photos of moths recently but had no luck during the day. So I'm thinking of setting up a light trap now we're getting these damp nights... or maybe sugaring some tree trunks with molasses and beer, which they love

Again, your moths are different to ours... and I'm sure you identified those correctly... but my books can't help with the first one. That banded tiger is very like our european ermine moth, but with fewer spots

Thanks for posting

[vienna]

Wow... Iwoudn't want that getting up my trouser leg


Er...umm...

...are you prone to getting moths up yer trouser leg...?...

...hey, I'm not judging...





<O>

[vienna]

@ Eichhörnchen...


Found this NPR (National Public Radio, a US non-commercial public network) program on butterflies and the way the see and other curiosities:


Butterflies Have Hearts In Their Wings. You'll Never Guess Where They Have Eyes -

https://www.npr.org/2020/07/24/895174775/butterflies-have-hearts-in-their-wings-youll-never-guess-where-they-have-eyes


The first bit of info about a place where they have eyes gives a whole new meaning t the phrase "Why are you looking at me that way..."...




<O>

[Eichhörnchen]

Thanks, vienna... I almost missed that

Although the tiny haemolymph pumps have been known about for many years, this business about them having photo-receptors in their arses is fascinating news (some people could probably do with those when they visit the can)

Butterflies and moths do often have to place their eggs with enormous precision, and since they can't turn their heads this is the perfect solution. I wonder whether they'll find these receptors in othe insects now

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/irOdfaE.jpg

This is not my photo but one borrowed from elsewhere. I saw one of these for the first time in my life today, in the meadow behind the church.
Unfortunately (and no surprise at all) the camera refused to co-operate and I got no pictures. I'll be going back to look for him, though. Moira insisted on going back with me later but there was no sign of him

It's a migrant butterfly... a 'blow in' from the Continent... so you're only likely to see one if you live in East Anglia, as I do, and even then only by chance

[Aktungbby]

related toColias eurytheme https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Male_Orange_Sulphur_Megan_McCarty18.jpg/1024px-Male_Orange_Sulphur_Megan_McCarty18.jpg It is orangier; found throughout North America from southern Canada to Mexico. The shape of the eyedots is remarkably similar.

[Eichhörnchen]

Yes it looks the same... although if it were then I'd expect the scientific name to be the same for both countries, whatever the common label. There are a number of different Clouded Yellows in Europe (Berger's, Moorland and Pale) but our plain Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) does seem to be identical to your Alfalfa Butterfly. Having said all that, there are further variations seen within Colias croceus... with some having large orange spots across the black areas, and others being a much lighter, striking lemon yellow colour

[Eichhörnchen]

On monday (24th) I paid a final visit to my favourite spot on what might turn out to be the last really hot day of the year. Still no sign of the Clouded Yellow butterfly, just this one Small Copper... and a now faded and tattered Commom Blue

https://i.imgur.com/HukyoPk.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/elH5OUs.jpg

The worrying scarcity of butterflies of all kinds this year caused me to reflect on one of the reasons why some of our most beautiful species went extinct in the past... and this is it:

https://i.imgur.com/oBBQ5QE.jpg

Our Victorian forebears gathered differences in markings with the same zeal as modern-day diecast bus collectors; they had an overpowering need to possess as many variations of the same thing as they possibly could, no matter how small the differences. So much so that they often paid small boys to go out and net specimens in their hundreds, which ultimately drove down the numbers of butterflies such as the Large Blue (shown here) and the Large Copper to extinction levels

[Aktungbby]

^ When https://i.imgur.com/jXet0kL.jpg was king!:O:

[Texas Red]

^ When https://i.imgur.com/jXet0kL.jpg was king!:O:

Oh, god. That gave me a headache that lasted for a day. I was thoroughly stumped. :doh:

[Sean C]

Saw this thread in the "New Posts" and remembered I took these over the past couple weeks (I haven't identified them yet):


https://i.imgur.com/qY5epJih.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/7CEWORqh.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/Qi4mb5sh.jpg

[Eichhörnchen]

Thanks for posting these... I'd love to get out there and take some moth photos, but I think I said before that I'd need to set up something that would lure them into the garden, rather than rely on random finds... I haven't had the luck you've had so far

Again these aren't in my books; the clear winged moth looks rather like our Wainscot Moth, or maybe even a Ghost Moth, but unlike this one those two have fluffy bodies

As for the big one... that's quite spectacular and would certainly be well-known if he were resident here... I've never seen anything quite like it! This photo is a good illustration of camouflage: if he were on a silver birch tree then he'd be very hard to spot

[Sean C]

As for the big one... that's quite spectacular and would certainly be well-known if he were resident here... I've never seen anything quite like it! This photo is a good illustration of camouflage: if he were on a silver birch tree then he'd be very hard to spot


It was actually flopping around on some concrete under a very bright light. I picked it up and tried to move it away from the light as carefully as I could ... but it looks like I tore his wing a little.


There's a Buddhist parable about this, but I don't want to bore you.

[Eichhörnchen]

Are you and the moths okay? I've got a nephew lives in Staunton and there was a tornado or something due through there over the weekend...

[Sean C]

Everything's fine here. It's been a little stormy lately, but nothing out of the ordinary.


Well, we did have to have our cat put down a few days ago. And some ******* idiot backed into my brand new truck in a parking lot. And, well ... other things. But it could always be worse. :yeah:

[Eichhörnchen]

I'm most sorry about the cat. I won't have any more as it was too hard seeing the life go out of their eyes

[Sean C]

Thank you. My wife says the same.


I want another one ... eventually. But nothing will ever take the place of our girls. :wah:


https://i.imgur.com/iDvuEwCh.jpg

[Sean C]

I saw this Luna Moth the other day.
I think it's dead. :(


https://i.imgur.com/OVSD8mSh.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/ssl1bdih.jpg

[Eichhörnchen]

Poke it with a stick

[Aktungbby]

In Minnesota we got Luna Moths: here's one at about the right size ! https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/Actias_luna_female_sjh.JPG/1024px-Actias_luna_female_sjh.JPG

I saw this Luna Moth the other day.
I think it's dead. :(


https://i.imgur.com/OVSD8mSh.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/ssl1bdih.jpg

Poke it with a stick I thought you kerpt 'em as pets:O:

[Eichhörnchen]

That looks very Art Nouveaux that moth

@ Aktung: I did go pupa-digging once and recovered a very large hawk moth pupa. I hatched him successfully and released him when he was ready to go. very satisfying

[Eichhörnchen]

Quite a nice start to this year for me: I finally got pics of a Brimstone butterfly (see my pinned specimen here https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2670297&postcount=163

https://i.imgur.com/w8piMzL.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/dcaCOS0.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/WIAiHPv.jpg

Not great photos but these are fast-flying unapproachable creatures who never hang around for long... unlike colony butterflies who stick to a particular locality

Being a female she was after the strong nectar from the lilacs in the front garden, in preparation for egg-laying. A male (a vivid lemon yellow, unlike the female's pale primrose hue) would probably not have stopped here at all in his restless search for a mate. In the Spring male Orange Tip butterflies also seem completely uninterested in feeding and rarely settle while looking for females. So I'll be very lucky to get a picture of a male Brimstone butterfly. When I used to go netting they were just about impossible to catch too

[Catfish]

I already some of those here some weeks ago, but only had the mobile "camera". They are called 'Zitronenfalter' here for obvious reasons, and are among the earliest to appear :)
A welcome hint for summer coming..
Nice photo , i really need one of those small tele cameras :hmmm:

[Eichhörnchen]

I wonder why they are not named "Schwefelfalter" in Germany also... after brimstone?

[Catfish]

The name 'Schwefelfalter' is already given to this one, but it is only common in the Americas :

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoebis_philea

There is also the cloudless sulphur or cloudless giant sulphur (Phoebis sennae), but also only in the Americas :hmmm:
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datei:Cloudless_Sulphur_(Phoebis_sennae)_(78007694 44).jpg

[Eichhörnchen]

Thanks for that, Kai... very interesting :yep:

[Catfish]

We are planning the ideal birdhouse, along with something to drink for them, and bath, and for two different foods. Far away from the moths and butterfly feeding fields of course.

You have no idea how complicated this can get :wah::oops:

[Sean C]

I saw this one today while visiting my mother:

https://i.imgur.com/mcdsKNch.jpg

I think it might be an "Eastern Comma (https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/gallery?species=Eastern+Comma&family=All&subfamily=All&type=All&view=All&stage=All&sex=All&region=All)".

[Eichhörnchen]

^ Yes you're spot on with that. I could see it was some kind of Comma but our UK race doesn't have the sooty hind wings. The Comma's beautiful, raggedy shape is unlike any other's

That's such a great photo, btw... thanks for posting it

[vienna]

A guy goes into a dentist's office. The dentist says, "How can I help you?"

The guy says, "I'm a moth."

The dentist says, "Excuse me?"

The guy says again, "I'm a moth."

The dentist says, "I think maybe you should be seeing a psychiatrist, not a dentist."

The guy says, "I saw a psychiatrist."

The dentist says, "So what are you doing here?"

The guy says,...


"Your light was on."




<O>

[Sean C]

A little OT:



My wife caught this guy trying to sneak his way through our kitchen. For scale: those are either human or cat hairs to his (her?) left. I rather liked him. But the Admiral insisted he walk the plank. He landed gently in the fern outside.


https://i.imgur.com/voC9A9dh.jpg

[Eichhörnchen]

My mother-in-law would faint if she saw that :yep:

[Catfish]

I think those big eyed spiders, along with the jumping varieties, are quite cute :)

But then .. only "man or cat hairs .. left" :hmmm:

[Moonlight]

Mine would have killed it from a glare at twenty paces. :O:

[vienna]

Hereabouts, at this time of year, the spiders abound; I usually just leave them be since the varieties seen here are mainly benign, and I kind of enjoy watching them as they move about...




<O>

[Catfish]

Children of time ..

[August]

My mother-in-law would faint if she saw that :yep:


Show her this.


https://i.imgur.com/9cOQWJM.jpg

[Sean C]

Saw this one today:


https://i.imgur.com/vVKQw1Th.jpg


It appears to be a Giant Leopard Moth. Aptly named for the spots, but I wouldn't call it "giant".



It also appears I am now interested in moths, too. :yawn:

[Catfish]

Show her this.


https://i.imgur.com/9cOQWJM.jpg
:haha:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHsWXSk7nL0

[Moonlight]

Show her this.


Saw this one today:

It appears to be a Giant Leopard Moth. Aptly named for the spots, but I wouldn't call it "giant".
It also appears I am now interested in moths, too. :yawn:

These two images are not viewable, do I need to bend the knee or something?. I'll let you know now that I wouldn't bend the knee for god almighty or even the devil himself if he ever paid me a visit. :o

Edit.
All good now, after a bit of research I've found out that it was all linked to a worldwide error with a CDN. A Content Distribution Network, is a network of proxy servers and their data centres distributed across a wide area. The goal of this set-up is to provide high performance to end users by ensuring that whatever service they're trying to access – whether it be a Californian website or Australian retailer – is always spatially relatively close to the end users' computer.

:hmmm: I blame Obama. :O:

[Eichhörnchen]

Saw this one today:


https://i.imgur.com/vVKQw1Th.jpg


It appears to be a Giant Leopard Moth. Aptly named for the spots, but I wouldn't call it "giant".



It also appears I am now interested in moths, too. :yawn:

They're actually far more numerous and diverse than butterflies, also more interesting because of it

We don'r get that moth over here, just the plain old Leopard Moth which is very similar except that it doesn't have those cute rings... which are much more like a leopard's spots... just plain spots

[Catfish]

[...] :hmmm: I blame Obama. :O:
I was tempted to propose you should blame the EU :O: