#865: Yellow-tailed Moth

The furry Yellow-tail Moth is spread throughout Europe and across Russia. Her wingspan can measure up to 45 mm, and she is pure white, except for her yellow abdomen. When at rest, she keeps her wings steepled and, if disturbed, will lie on her side, wings closed, feigning death.

#821: Wasp Moth

There are over 1000 species of Wasp Moth. They are called such due to their resemblance to wasps. this is a form of protective mimicry, designed to deter predators.  This fellow, Euchromia Polymena, is native to India and South-east Asia. She is a diurnal moth. Her eggs are laid on the underside of leaves, and the hatching caterpillars remain together until they are almost fully grown.

#598: Plume Moth

The Plume Moths are a Family of tiny moths with unusual wings. These are often curled up when they are at rest, giving them a resemblance to dried grass and helping camouflage them against predation. There are around 1,000 species, spread throughout the world. Some species have been used as a form of biological control,  helping to control the spread of  invasive plants.

Creature Feature #556: Owl Moth

The name “Owl Moth” is given to several species of moth - and butterfly - characterised by the “eyespots” on their upper or lower, inner or outer, wings.Apart from these spots, the moths are crytpically coloured, offering them ample camouflage as they perch during the night. However, the eyespots are an example of mimicry, designed to fool a potential predator into mistakingly believing that they are to become the prey, and deter it from attacking.

Creature Feature #477: Moon Moth

Moon Moth is the common name given to various species of the Saturniid Silk moths. These include the largest species of moth - the Atlas Moth - as well as the Emperor Gum Moth, the Imperial Moth and the Madagascar Comet Moth, all of which have already been featured. Therefore its additional here is almost redundant, but I felt I needed to have at least one moth species for M - and this one gives me alliteration as well. However, of all the moth species, the Moon Moths are the most spectacular, closely followed by the hawkmoths - of which I've only draw two so far - and the Wasp Moths, which I am totally looking forwarrd to drawing (polka-dot wasp moth, here we come!).

Of course, I should have gone Malaysian Moon Moth for the full effect, but I chose instead to draw this colourful speciman, the Spanish Moon Moth. Her larvae feed on a diet of pine needles, and have very specific eating requirements, being reluctant to dine on the leaves of non-native Pinus trees. The Moth typically spends 6 weeks in caterpillar form, before pupating under leaves. Here she remains over the winter months, emerging with the spring to mate, lay her eggs and then die because, as I am sure you already know, adult Moon Moths cannot feed.





I'm just surprised I skipped the Luna Moth.