Meet A Moth!
May 26, 2009 by Bird
Filed under Blog, Fauna, Good Stuff, On My Travels, Summer
Last Saturday I was lucky enough to be in Durlston for the “Meet a Moth” morning, a short educational event hosted by Durlston Country Park. We arrived at the visitor centre just in time to see Park Ranger Katie Black open the moth trap which had been set up the previous night. The trap contains a bright fluorescent light to attract the moths and a number of egg boxes for the moths to use as shelter once they are in there. The moths are not harmed, and the Rangers get to record numbers and species of moth to be found in the area.
I didn’t do so well at photographing the beautiful smaller moths, plus I neglected to bring a notebook to record what I had learned, but there were one or two that were striking enough (and big enough!) to stick in my mind and record well on camera.
This incredibly handsome Arctia villica, or Cream Spot Tiger Moth got an admiring “oooooh” when revealed, and was obligingly docile while we admired it’s fine antennae and cream, buff, black and crimson markings.
This Spilosoma Lubricipeda, or White Ermine Moth was not quite so obliging, and upon examination it feigned death by falling onto the floor and refusing to move, a ruse commonly employed by this moth. After being gently retrieved it sat calmly enough for me to get a picture. I think it looks like some grand character from a fairy tale, wrapped in a fur cloak.
This Phlogophora Meticulosa, or Angle Shades Moth is a handsome and cryptic beast, apparently they are extremely common but due to having such excellent camouflage it often goes unseen.
Now we come to the scene stealer of the day – a beast that drew disbelieving gasps when it came to light. Hyles Livornica, or the Striped Hawk Moth is a rare immigrant species, and with a wingspan of six to eight centemetres it is a big moth as well.
Hopefully the above picture of this moth perching on the warden’s hand gives you some sense of scale. She said that she couldn’t part her fingers, the moth’s grip was so strong.
We were lucky enough to observe it vibrate it’s wings in preperation for flight. While a butterfly will bask in sunshine, a nocturnal moth will use this technique to warm it’s body enough to fly – you can see how blurred it’s wings are in the picture. This close up view gives it quite an owlish aspect I think. When it finally took to the air it’s size was quite startling – I’d like to see the bat with the courage to take it on.
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Hello Bird! How are you!
Awesome pics and as usual, captions/write up. You make your readers feel they were with you on this trip!
They are so lovely, arent they? I so love the white (that fairy tale character, as you put it
), the angle shades moth and that one which looks like an owl.
I really thought it was an owl! haha!
Hi Brainteaser, I’m so happy that you liked the moths! They really were fascinating, and it was great to have the warden there to answer our questions. It’s inspired me to look for night flying moths in my own back garden… if I get it together to do so, perhaps I’ll have more pictures to share!
Hi Bird,
I never knew moths were so beautiful…it seems as though butterflies, wrongly, get all the attention. How unfair.
The Cream Spot Tiger Moth’s design is so dramatic and yes, the White Ermine does appear to be in a fur cloak…reminds me a little of Cruella De Vil in 1001 Dalmations…but a lot nicer, I’m sure…
And what beautiful brown eyes on that Striped Hawk…
What a nice outing you had…thanks for bringing us such gorgeous pics!
It’s surprising how many people who love butterflies will say they dislike moths, and yet many moths are as beautiful and brightly coloured as any butterfly. Maybe they just think of moths as the hairy things that beat themselves to death on the porch light, but if you see one just sitting calm and uninjured it is a wonderful thing. You are right about the White Ermine, I knew it reminded me of some character, and Cruella it is! The Striped Hawk was one of the most impressive creatures I’ve ever seen, and it’s eyes were wonderful – so huge!
I want to pet the cream spot tiger moth- he looks so luxuriously soft!
The white ermine made me think of the Snow Queen.
And that last picture of the striped hawk moth is STUNNING.
But I think the angle shades moth is my favorite.
The Cream Spot Tiger Moth was very plush, I was quite envious of the person who got to hold it! They were all so different… apart from the smaller ones which were hard to photograph and even harder to identify. I’m not sure which I liked best, of the moths I photographed the Striped Hawk was most spectacular but the delicate beauty of the White Ermine is hard to beat.
Oh, what a delightful event.
I need to get keyed in better with our local Audobon sanctuary’s events, in hopes they’ll have something like this on schedule – I badly need educating about my moths and butterflies. Some of these are just delightful – the white ermine moth looks indeed like royalty of some variety.
Thanks for sharing your experiences, my dear Bird!
You know what Greg, I need to be attending more events like this in my own neighbourhood too. I live in quite an urban, built up part of London but there are wildlife havens close by and it’s crazy that I don’t go to more organised events. It would be fascinating to see what a moth trap in London would turn up!
Oh my word Birdie!!! These are astounding. I am jaw dropped stunned. Lucky you. I have to get my camera out and start looking for moths. They seem much more “fluffy/soft” than butterflies. I love them, especially the white ermine moth. WOW!! He is elegant. And I love how they blend with what they land on. Evolution is so fascinating….the survival techniques. You did a really GREAT job here and what a creative idea. You really got me hopping excited and thinking of ideas. Thank you. Have missed you and not had much time for commenting due to work, but had to stop in and see what I’ve missed. Hugs, Robin.
Hi Robin, I know what you mean about too much work and I know I’ve neglected you badly! I’m hoping to set a moth trap of my own in the garden at some point this summer – there seem to be a LOT of moths flying in London right now, though they are all small, not like these impressive creatures here.
I love moths, they are so varied and very beautiful… but I think the “fluffy/soft” thing you mention is exactly what puts some people off! I just want to stroke them…