With apologies to Friend Who Knows Too Much who is not a lover of moths. On Sunday morning a large moth (wingspan about 8 cm) flew into me in the living room. It was a bright sunny morning and the moth was obviously unhappy at being out and about. Originally from Australia the caterpillars eat the leaves of wattle trees. Hence the name Northern Wattle Moth (Dasypodia cymatodes). Maori called the moth Pepe Atua amongst other names all of which refer to the belief that these mysterious moths were the returning spirits of ancestors (a similar belief about noctuid moths is found in Madagascar). It is also known as Owl, Moon or Peacock Moth from the ‘eye’ pattern on the wings which shine like a new moon or the tail feathers of a peacock.
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Oh, that's big. And looks hairy-scary too ;) I suspect I'd scream if I happened to just run into it, especially indoors. Looking at it like this though, the pattern on the wings is quite beautiful. Makes me wonder how well they can see each other in the dark (or what's the use?)
ReplyDeletehow many people that visit you on your blog, do say"i have spent 1 month in the outer heberdies??????????"well i have seen the gypcies of skye, the bogs of harris, the sheep, the cays, the harbors, all the inns{all 2 of them}., the interesting people, it has been 45 years however, and i am sure my brain has lost some of it, buti remember a rugged land, some bad weather, and being warm in a down filled comforter looking out at the sea>>>>so tell me what you can either here or hit my icon and visit me>>>i dare you>>>oh i am 67 , you look much younger
ReplyDeletei forgot to tell you i had a flat bicycle tire in stornaway and couldn't get out of that town for 1 whole week
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ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful moth - I love them! Clever you to get such good photos! This is pulling the coincidence thing a bit but I've always called those moths Owl Moths (you know how I love owls) and today I saw the most beautiful gold ring encrusted with diamonds and emeralds to look like an owl. I think your moth is just as beautiful - am I weird or what?
ReplyDeleteI had to run to get my ruler that has both inches & centimeters on it. That's a BIG moth! I don't want anything landing on me, but that is one gorgeous moth!
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