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May 04, 2008
Hercules Moth
Posted by neil, at 10:10 AM
In matters of antennae, I imagine that surface area correlates with sensitivity. The male Hercules Moth Coscinocera Hercules must find his mate within a very short timeframe.
Adult females emerge from the chrysalis without mouth-parts, her 4-5 day life does not include feeding. After she emerges and her wings unfold and dry, she emits pheromones to attract a male. After mating, she will fly away, lay her eggs on the underside of the leaves of a food plant and die shortly after.
Posted by neil at May 4, 2008 10:10 AM
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Comments
The first photograph is absolutely magnificent! How patient was the hercules moth to let you grab that?
Posted by: Jennifer at May 4, 2008 10:35 AM
Having just emerged from its cocoon, it is unable to fly and very easy to photograph, except for the blustery conditions that required the use of a flash.
Posted by: Neil Hewett at May 4, 2008 12:48 PM
Indeed, that first photo could be the best yet. I think that Neil should publish his collection of Australian wildlife photos in a book.
Posted by: Paul Biggs at May 4, 2008 10:17 PM
Great pic Neil! How cleverly the moth is camoflagued against the tree trunk.
Re your previous pic on the spider, it was a good story that your children took " care" of the spider by feeding it. ( I have two house spiders in the corner of my living room and I never vacuum the corner because I'm a bit scared to hurt the spiders!!! Silly me!
And re the " mask". Might be that the mask have two eyes , some insects mimick huge eyes as to scare away enemied, for example butterflies often have eye patterns.
Posted by: Ann Novek at May 5, 2008 03:41 PM