Solving the riddle of matching up moths and their larvae is always a nice little challenge. I haven’t yet got a positive identification on this moth which fluttered through the open kitchen window a couple of nights ago. I was chuffed to see it’s rather elegant markings and aimed to take photos the next day. It looked very sluggish in the morning and I didn’t think it would revive. Yet once outside I managed to take a couple of shots when it’s antennae started vibrating and with a revving up of the wings it was off, winging it’s way over the garden hedge. Meanwhile I’m taking a guess that this is the larva. I think the species belongs to the Tussock’s and that the colours and design cross match rather nicely. During autumn the caterpillars were pretty active devouring a patch of statice plants situated quite close to the kitchen so the odds are good that this could be a positive match.
Wow Liz, this is stunning!!
What a beauty – looks like s/he is wearing a fur coat in that second image. I remember the hairy caterpillars, my husband at the time used to warn me and the kids against picking them up.
Great images!!
Beautiful pics
The Pics give them such an elegant look!
The detail on the antennae is amazing!
Thanks, Gilly. Love my macro lens… would not have picked that up without the close-up magnification.
Amazing detail esp in the antennae!
I was chuffed to discover this little moth – and would you believe it’s common name is ” Bar Maiden”!!
You make it beautiful!
That moth is fabulous – both in markings and antennae – great macro, Liz!
Thanks Eliza. Yes, it’s a beauty 🙂 It’s my first sighting so was pretty chuffed, and found out it’s common name is “Bar Maiden” Thyretes caffre.
Interesting name!
The antennae are amazing. Such great shots, Liz! 🙂
Thanks, macro really brings out the details 🙂
The second image looks like a piece of jewellery. Beautiful.
Yes, isn’t a gorgeous … my mom had a beautiful marcasite butterfly brooch.
Mine too. 🙂
These are wonderful Liz! It’s amazing when we really look at the seemingly simplest of creatures. The large section of the body in the second shot looks like the face of an African Pronghorn!
Like the comparison to the Pronghorn 🙂 thanks Tina.
Fantastic pics!