Sunday, August 2, 2015

An Imperial Moth Visits Tiger Way Gardens


DSCN3679
At first glance I surely did think this was a leaf; albeit an interesting but strange one. Doesn't it look just like a leaf?
DSCN3680
Upon closer inspection I could clearly see it was a moth. We leave outside lights on during the night so all sorts of cool and interesting moths are attracted to the lights. This was one of them. Luna moths are another common moth we find outside in the mornings. I have posted on luna moths before as well as leopard and milkweed tussock moths. Moths are the nighttime counterparts to the beautiful butterflies we see during the daytime.
DSCN3681
This one had some amazing colors and patterns. I had to research it to discover its identity.
DSCN3682
It is an Imperial Moth. Adults do not feed and it is possible this one was at the end of its life by this point. The caterpillars feed on multiple host plants including: box elder, sassafras, oaks, maples, and even the Colorado spruce. We have all these trees on our land except the Colorado spruce.
DSCN3686
  We find all wildlife pretty fascinating....

in the garden....

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

6 comments:

  1. That is beautiful. You got a great photo of it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. We too have had one of these beauties in the garden. Isn't it fun to see such colorful wildlife...in the garden.

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a find! I've never seen a moth like this before. Beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Tina, It's beautiful and it does look exactly like a fallen leaf. I've never seen one, thanks for showing it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Such a neat moth and yes, looks just like a leaf!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow. What a disguise. Fooled me for sure....:)

    ReplyDelete

ALL SPAM WILL BE PROMPTLY FRIED. PLEASE DO NOT LIFT PHOTOS OR WORDS. THANKS!