Thursday 15 July 2010

Twisted and Lilac

The Lilac Beauty is a member of the "Thorn" sub-family and is a woodland and hedgerow species that I occasionally catch in the garden. It has been a once a year moth until this year when I've had two so far. All the records here have been in the first half of July.

Lilac Beauty (Apeira syringaria)
Viewed from above

It is an unusual member of the Lepidoptera. Normally we are used to seeing moths and butterflies with their wings flat, whether they have them open or closed, but this species holds them in a different way.

Viewed from in front.

The wings are folded from the front edge making then look like a crumpled leaf. The other species of this group do hold their wings at various angles when at rest, but this is the only one that actually folds the wings in this fashion.

2 comments:

Dave Jordan said...

Hi Tony
That is one great shot of the moth, I have been toying with the idea of aquiring a moth trap as I find I am becoming increasingly more interested in this area, I know that they can be a DIY project but certain disabilities forbid this so I think I will purchase a ready made.
Once again tony you have some great shots,keep posting and stay frosty.
Kind regards
Dave Jordan

sebi_2569 said...

nice photo; nice blog; bravo