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Indian Luna Moth


Indian Luna Moth
Photo Information
Copyright: kv vral (vral) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 59 W: 0 N: 159] (690)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-06-26
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon 40D DSLR, 18-55 Canon kit
Exposure: f/36.0, 1/250 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-06-30 21:59
Viewed: 474
Points: 32
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hello friends,

This is the Indian Moon Moth or Indian Luna Moth (Actias selene) is a species of moth captured in Yercaud.

Range
This moth is quite widespread, found from India to Japan and then south into Nepal, Ceylon, Borneo, and other islands in eastern Asia. Many subspecies live in Pakistan, Afghanistan, the Philippines, Russia, China, Java, Sri Lanka, Sumatra and Borneo.

Adult
Male: Head, thorax, and abdomen white; palpi pink, prothorax with a dark pink band; legs pink. Fore wing very pale green, white at base; a dark pink costal fascia, darkest along subcostal vein: an outwardly-oblique pale yellow antemedial line ; two inwardly-oblique slightly curved submarginal lines; a pale yellow marginal band; a dark red-brown lunule at end of cell, with a grey line on it, bounding inwardly a round ochreous spot with pinkish centre. Hind wing similar to the fore wing ; the central portion of the tail pinkish. Female: The outer margin less excised and waved; the yellow markings less developed; the antemedial line of fore wing nearer the base., and that on hind wing absent; the tail less pink.

Life Cycle
Eggs are 2 mm, colored white with extensive black and brown mottling. Incubation lasts approximately 12 days and newly hatched larvae are red with a black abdominal saddle. Second instar larvae are all red with black heads. It is not until the third instar that larvae take on a green color. The developing larvae prefer humid conditions.

Larva
Larva apple-green; paired dorsal and lateral yellow spinous tubercles on each somite except the last; dorsal yellow hairs; lateral and ventral black hairs; the pad to anal claspers rufous.

Pupa
Cocoon pale brown and oval.

Host Plants
• Liquidambar (Sweetgum)
• Rhododendron
• Prunus (including Cherry)
• Malus (including Apple)
• Coriaria
• Pieris (Andromeda)
• Hibiscus
• Salix (Willow)
• Crataegus (Hawthorn)

Trivia
In Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, an Indian Moon Moth serves as a messenger between Gwaihir and Gandalf.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Actias_selene

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haraprasan, iris, mayuresh, gracious has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To ramthakur: Thanks Sir.vral 2 07-01 05:02
To gannu: Thanksvral 1 07-01 01:11
To scshekar: Thanksvral 1 06-30 23:24
To haraprasan: Thanksvral 1 06-30 23:23
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi KV,
I have shot a lot of moths. But still I have yet to capture this one. Very nice details and a lovely composition. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Hi Vral,

Nice capture, little space all around perhaps would have still enhanced the picture I feel.TFS.

Goodness Gracious, this is the most fantastic Moth I have ever seen, KV!
Please accept my congratulations for this extraordinarily beautiful and technically outstanding capture.
The membrane like delicate wings with those circular spots on them are just amazing.
The colours too are very subtle on this Moth.
I think this is the first picture of this Moth on TN and I thank you for sharing it with the rest of the world.
Regards,
Ram

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 916 W: 4 N: 2277] (10628)
  • [2008-07-01 1:05]
  • [+]

Hello Friend,
This is just superb. Excellent.Did you shoot in the night? Lovely lighting and great sharpness. Ganesh

helo kv,
what a lovely insect, it must have been a pleasure watching and shooting it, ihave never seen anything like this, nice capture,
well done,
tfs & regards
pankaj

Hello Varal,
what a fantastic and beaytiful image,i never seen before,you are really lucky to get this wonderful moth,very nice composition and lighting with perfect sharpness,
very well done,
TFS.

what an incredible looking moth...great capture.
would be lovely to see this in daylight but i guess they are mainly nocturnal. Or are they?
thanks for sharing a pic of this beauty!!!

rgds

  • Great 
  • Ken52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 663 W: 98 N: 1260] (4179)
  • [2008-07-01 14:36]

Interesting subject, with nice details,excellent focus, and good composition.

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1714 W: 24 N: 4988] (16346)
  • [2008-07-02 21:11]

Hi KV,
Outstanding shot of this majestic looking Luna Moth with such lovely colours and sharp details. Great shape of its wings and the dark BG helps in letting the subject stand out so nicely. Great use of flash lighting and a fine pose captured here. Excellent POV and composition. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • iris Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 389 W: 40 N: 729] (2300)
  • [2008-07-02 21:54]

Hi K V
The cool climes of Yercaud and its veegtative area must be home to quite a good number of animal and wild life isnt it.A really splendid shot of the Indian Moon Moth or Indian Luna Moth.And what an impressive capture and the wing span looks wonderful.Lovely details, colours and contrast.Good sharpness and clarity highlighted by fine lighting.

I have n'ver come across this moth myself and somehow i have always found clicking moths a tad too difficult.I dont know what is it with them.Also their special liking for nocturnal jaunts make its a bit difficult to trace them well.

Very well done.
TFS & Cheers

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 227 W: 0 N: 184] (890)
  • [2008-07-02 22:52]

Hello KV,
a very unique insect. Great positioning of the image and very clear and crispy.
Excellent and thanks for sharing the photo.

Regards,
Foozi

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3446 W: 144 N: 5881] (17425)
  • [2008-07-04 3:42]

Hello Vral, I have NEVER seen a moth like this. I like its colours and shape - it is quite an elegant moth.
Well captured by you and it is very clear to see
TFS
Janice

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 993 W: 6 N: 2650] (9869)
  • [2008-07-06 14:18]

Hi Vral,this is one of the best butterflies pics never seen on TN,very very fantastic artwork,you're lucky to live in a place where this beauty of nature lives!!Simply a wonderfull work,thanks a lot for share,Luciano

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1329 W: 107 N: 4785] (21248)
  • [2008-07-10 13:48]

Hello Vral! Such beauty in nature! Great composition and very a good technique to get this fantastic butterfly so right. Well done, thanks!

Mario

  • Great 
  • efsus Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 184 W: 13 N: 170] (1086)
  • [2008-07-15 4:50]

Merhaba Vral,
Daha önce hiç görmediğim bir kelebek bu. Oldukça ilginç biçimli ve renkli olan bu kelebek fotosunu bizimle paylaştığın için çok teşekkürler.
Eline sağlık.
Hüseyin

Hello Vral,
Many thanks for sharing such impressive Luna Moth which I first encountered!
the colour really nice and beautiful and you had captured it so well with good sharpness and details
very well done
Tony

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