Lovely Luna
Over the past couple of weeks we have had a number of lovely Luna moths (Actias luna) appearing around Jamestown in search of a partner to reproduce with before their short lives are over. Adult Luna moths, appropriately named after the moon-like eyespots appearing on their wings, only live for about a week or so. These beautiful moths can reach wingspans of four inches and glide delicately as they move from place to place. For such a gorgeous insect, why is it they only live for such a short time? Well, these moths actually lack any functional mouth parts, hence why they are so short-lived....
Read MoreThe Bee Moth
This pretty moth gave me a tough time trying to pin down an identification, but it looks to be a female Aphomia sociella – The Bee Moth. I was less enthusiastic in learning that Aphomia sociella is a non-native and often pest moth that was likely introduced from Europe via the colonists and bee hives. They often end up destroying those hives from the inside out. Everything has its place, I suppose… Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreMany-lined Carpet Moth
Here is the Many-lined Carpet Moth (Anticlea multiferata) on a recent evening…can’t imagine why they call it that, huh…
Read MoreGrape Leaffolder (Desmia funeralis) Moth
Last year I started looking more at the seemingly endless world of moths, a Roger Tory Peterson tradition and passion when he was a small boy in Jamestown. Day and night, cloudy or clear, cool or hot, forest to shore – there are moths everywhere, and their flight seasons are always changing throughout the spring, summer and fall. I intend to continue to do some mothing this year when I can find a little time here or there. On Friday evening I found several new (to me) and unique moths including this Grape Leaffolder (Desmia funeralis) moth. I will keep doing my best to identify all...
Read MoreSnake Caterpillar?
While transferring photographs from my recent Panama trip onto my computer, another quick pick jumped out at me. This large caterpillar was found by Dave Huth on our first night in Cocobolo Nature Reserve and the longer I watched it, the more its resemblance to a snake blew me away. The indication of scales in just the right places, spots suggesting nostrils, even the white ‘catchlight’ in its fake eyes…and it moves in just the right ways too! I know my Central American snakes pretty well, but even a cursory glance at this caterpillar tripped all sorts of alarm bells in my...
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