by another heterocera
Once again I find a tiny dead moth in my studio, wings perched as if ready to fly, as if still alive. Its rich colours, patterns and textures reveal themselves in their full glory in the scanner. Above is the top view, below the underside.
How come butterflies never come visit my studio, or even the solarium where the flowers are? They must be smarter knowing they may never find their way out again.
July 3, 2014 in Nature, Photoworks by Marja-Leena
Beautiful images. And a name unknown to me. Well, all botanical names are outside my knowledge base but this one has such a ring to it. Curious, I googled, found Heterocera Press which I had to flee for fear of getting caught up in watching one winged image after another.
Hi Naomi, I’m pleased you like these images. The name Heterocera was new and unusual to me too until I discovered it while doing an earlier moth scan and post (the link is in the beginning of the text above). I shall have a cautious look at the site you mention!
He’s another beauty, or rather, was a beauty. I’m guessing the crooked antennae were a dead giveaway for his current status as a deceased member of the Heterocera family. Whenever I think of reincarnation I can’t help but remember all the possible life forms on Earth and wonder.. That’s one reason it’s likely many of us choose not to believe in return. It seems so logical, but I’ve never quite been able to embrace the theory myself. Still, it’s best to be kind to all.
Interesting thoughts on reincarnation, Susan. I’m not sure how I feel about it. If it means coming back as a moth…. hmmm. Yes, best be kind to all!
As ever, the beauty of these creatures is astonishing. Perhaps our appreciation of beauty is developed according to what creatures we should admire, leave alone, and even respect.
Marja-Leena, I have wondered the same myself about moths and butterflies. So few butterflies even come into my large greenhouse when the door and the windows are open all day, and there are plentiful blooms that the bees visit.
Some of the moths are so tiny, like this one, that I become curious to see the details closer so my scanner allows that. What surprises and delight! It would be exciting to look at a butterfly that closely.
I’ve been getting a lot of wasps coming into the solarium and had to knock of a wee nest that was being built against a window frame…just like this one.
From the top, it looks as if it’s wearing the most exquisite royal robe. “Surely Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed as one of these.”
But I had almost forgotten before I came by your blog tonight that a friend had pointed out what we both thought was an exotic moth on his doorjamb this morning, one that neither of us had seen before. What do you think of it?
https://flic.kr/p/odvMvC
Peter, I love the comparison to Solomon’s robe – thank you for that!
I’ve never seen a black and white polka-dotted moth – wow, that is amazing! Have you and your friend been able to identify it?
Thanks! And, no, we haven’t. Is Dave Bonta an entomologist, along with everything else?
Dave is certainly pretty knowledgeable — whether in entomology, I don’t know.
Readers, Peter sent the question to Dave who identified that linked moth as a Giant Leopard Moth! Thanks, Dave!
I am afraid that I thought of Miss Havisham again–a beautiful long cape and fur collar!
Marly, yes, she’s very havishamish indeed! Sorry for my long silence – it’s been TOO hot so keeping busy watering and with family visits et al!
No worry–I’ve been away and then rather less active online… You may, however, send me some of that hot air!
Marly, how I wish I could send this hot air away, your way. I see that this summer eastern North America is quite cool compared to the west, where heat, droughts and forest fires rage.
Yes, it has been a real Yankee summer… That doesn’t fortify me for the cold and snows!