#Royal moth

[onenicebugperday]

Gomez silk moth, Syssphinx gomezi, Saturniidae

Found in Mexico and Central America

Photos 1-5 by laurenzarate and 6 by franciscomanuel77

[nhuliek]

[faerieheartdesign]

A moth tooth fairy

[jonnysinsectcatalogue]

Io Moth and Luna Moth - Automeris io & Actias luna

Today, with the Canada Day long weekend on the horizon and an upcoming cottage trip to enjoy, I have two Royal Moths to share with you today! These species were both previously seen during 2020's summer Moth-Mania alongside fellow Royal Moths of the Muskoka cottage country. While you'd expect to see them flying nocturnally, occasionally being drawn to lights, but it seems a few are active during the day, or at least have chosen some conspicuous places to rest. When you're a large, brightly colored Moth, concealment is all the more important when there are hungry birds and arthropods looking for a source of protein. The large eyespots of the Io Moth (eye-oh, that's a capital "I", not a small "l") and the tails of the Luna Moth do help against predation however, so the battle they fight isn't an uphill one. Better to live with a bit of bitten wing than be eaten altogether, and the Io Moth here is a testament to that. The yellow (male) Io Moth specimen in Picture 1 has had a bite taken out of its right hindwing, In the picture, he has taken a defensive posture which is intended to frighten off attackers.

The head is tucked in and the Moth begins to shake the wings and expose the "eyes". That's the description I received from my friend who sent the picture to me, but I have yet to see this behavior for myself. This is isn't the only tactic this insect uses for defense (throughout its life cycle): the Caterpillars of the Io Moth are coated in spines which can sting terribly if rubbed. Best to avoid tiny orange Caterpillars and large green Caterpillars that have tiny branches and fennel fronds coating their body respectively. Meanwhile, the Luna Moth is at rest and unbothered by the presence of a photographer in the daylight. This is a male specimen as the feathery antennae will prove, and good thing too! With a weeklong lifespan, the male Luna Moth needs every advantage it can get to find a female, and those feathered antennae provide for opportunities to pick up the female's alluring pheromones! The reason for such a short lifespan is the lack of mouthparts; the Luna Moth feeds on internal reserves gained from its time as a green Caterpillar with red bumps. The adult's life is fleeting, but ever so beautiful to behold. With both tails intact, this specimen can fly with a few chances to escape danger, and hopefully that's enough time. If you see one of these, you're very lucky! And if you see an adult emerging from its leaf litter concealed cocoon to grow its wings, you're even luckier!

The Io Moth’s picture was taken on June 21, 2023 in Muskoka and the Luna Moth’s picture was taken June 10, 2023 also in Muskoka; both insects were captured with a Samsung Galaxy S8. Happy Canada Day and long weekend! And thank you brother for sending me these regal Moths!

[maxxinsstuff]

Happy 8 months to the most amazing couple ❤️🤍💙

[talulamerriwether]

miniature paintings by Talula Merriwether, available here (commissions open)

[dizzy-lights]

Phantom Thieves matching icons!

I couldn't find a set with Yoshizawa so I just made some.

[alexis-royce]

Your Nightmares are reaching a dangerous level.

[catboydivorce]

more rimworld creatures

[belzeboba]

Sona redesign, a couple years passed

[artianwen]

Crow (silly very normal guy)

[onenicebugperday]

May I request some black caterpillars? Some very cool goth caterpillars??

There’s just no contest, this is The Gothest Dude

Citheronia phoronea photo by vireolanius

[year2000electronics]

since i got asked abt it i thought i’d share here too!! dress codes for each of the Big Four royal flush casinos!

[xusha2]

Favorite place.

[missabbynormal]

[maxxinsstuff]

Happy 6 months of this absolutely insane journey of film, I can believe that we have Alex and Henry in the screen and not just in the little pink book anymore. We love them so much and we can for the sequel ❤️🤍💙