Date Posted:06:50:13 05/09/06 Tue Author:Beverly Subject: Pearly Wood Nymph
Silly Sam: "Say, George - you know that white stuff in bird poo?"
Goofy George: "Yeah, what about it?"
Silly Sam: "Well, that's bird poo, too!"
Sometimes, something that at first glance looks disgusting, is actually a work of wonder, and artistry. For example, the Pearly Wood Nymph moth (Eudryas unio).
One was on the frame of the kitchen door, this morning. At first glance, it looked like a, well, bird dropping. Still a bit 'runny'. And in fact, lepidopterists believe that is exactly the 'look' the moth is 'going for'. For some moths and butterflies, there is protection in tasting yucky, like the spicebush swallowtail. For others, you just have to 'look' like you'd taste yucky, to be protected! 'Bird dropping' moths look just like a splat of bird dropping! And because birds, one of the moths' most consequential predators, don't eat bird droppings, these moths enjoy some protection with their 'disguise'.
On careful examination (with which this individual was quite cooperative), the Pearly Wood Nymph's white forewings, with their extraordinary marginal markings, remind me of a minature full-feather headdress, as worn by Native American chiefs, with eagle feathers, and rabbit fur.
This moth sits with it's wings tightly together, forming a 'pile of poo' shape, when resting. Then, another burst of colour, when it moves! The hindwings, hidden when the moth is at rest, but exposed when the moth walks or is on the wing, are a beautiful tawny gold colour, with darker marginal markings, much like the edge of the forewing. It was very difficult to capture a photo of this moth, wings open, because when it did open its wings, it took flight. Because my photography must be done with a live moth, I cannot 'pin' the moth for a photo. But this little Pearly did stay with me long enough for me to get something of a 'from beneath' photo, showing some of the remarkable pattern of the moth's body, and another photo that shows a bit more what I mean, when saying the moth's wings looked like a headdress.
Happpy to have made this moth's acquaintance, I watched him flutter into the grass. Reading up on the net, I found that the larva feed on hibiscus, evening primrose, grape and willow-herb leaves.
For excellent close-ups, including 'open' winged views, visit:
http://www.heiconsulting.com/dls/09299.html
