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The Moth


The Moth
Photo Information
Copyright: Alan Turvey (liquidsunshine) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1889 W: 112 N: 3371] (11494)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-07-15
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX APO RF, Hoya skylight (1B)
Exposure: f/8, 1/640 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Beautiful Moths, Bellas Polillas, Belles Mites... [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-07-17 12:17
Viewed: 1083
Points: 46
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This is a six-spot Burnet moth. Taken on saturday at College lake nature centre near Tring.

Description
The six-spot burnet is a brightly coloured day-flying moth. Its bright colours warn potential predators that it is poisonous. The blackish forewings have a metallic sheen and feature red spots that earn the species its common name. Despite the name, however, the number of spots can vary between individuals, and may be fused in some cases. The red hind wings have a fine bluish border and the antennae are club-shaped. A colour form known as f. flava has yellow spots in place of the normal red ones. Very occasionally, specimens with brown spots are also seen.

Range
This moth has a wide distribution in Britain and is fairly common. In Scotland it becomes more of a coastal species.

Habitat
Found in a range of habitats including meadows with plenty of flowers, chalk downland, sea-cliffs, woodland rides, railway cuttings, disused quarries, and sand hills. It seems to prefer sites that have a mix of short and long grass, where there are sheltered sunny patches. The larvae need long grasses on which to pupate.

Biology
This moth lives in colonies, and flies in sunshine from June to August. It feeds on the nectar of a large range of flowers, with wild thyme being a particular favourite. On overcast days it tends to retreat deep into grasses and can be difficult to spot. It is a single-brooded species, and the eggs are laid on bird’s-foot-trefoil. The caterpillars overwinter once, and occasionally twice, before pupating in paper-like cocoons on grass stems before emerging in June.

Threats
Although this species is not threatened at present, it seems likely that the widespread loss and agricultural improvement of semi-natural grasslands that has taken place will have impacted on this beautiful moth. Loss of ancient grasslands continues to date, while scrub encroachment is also a problem. Furthermore, colonies are vulnerable to drought.

Notes from arkive.org

Thanks for looking, have a great week.
Fisher, manyee, horia, coasties, AndyB, valy67, red45, dew77, Dando, firelord, scottevers7, ramthakur, pablominto, SkyF, extramundi has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Fisher Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1540 W: 309 N: 2234] (8915)
  • [2006-07-17 12:41]

Sir Alan-mon

Excellent shot and well done on the composition. Beautiful colors and details. Nicely done.

Mike

Hi Alan,
a very ice close-up wiht lovely colours.
Good details and nice composition.
Well done.

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3064 W: 231 N: 6159] (21044)
  • [2006-07-17 12:57]

Hello Alan,
Beautiful moth you caught here.
The sun is a bit harsh, but you managed to get the beautiful colors with sharp details and a great POV.
TFS and have a good week.
Don't work too hard. : P
TFS.: )

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1168 W: 261 N: 3035] (13835)
  • [2006-07-17 13:00]

Hi Alan,

Great composed shot I like the black red spotted moth between the yellow flowers,well seen and captured,

Paul

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2169 W: 218 N: 4383] (14900)
  • [2006-07-17 14:29]

Excellent shot, Alan.
It seems that both our posts today are about an insect on a yellow flower...nice coincidence :)
Very well composed, with beautiful colors and super sharpness.
Bravo and TFS
Horia

Hi Alan,

This is an other great post of yours. I like the way the moth's wings glows. Nice POV, lightning composition and BG. Interesting note too. TFS,

Claudine

Hi Alan

Great array of colours in this shot. Love the big splash of yellow. Has a nice warm feel as opposed to the freezing cold days and even colder nights here in the South Island of New Zealand, but the scenery is stunning.

Lovely work with all the tecnical stuff spot on. :-)

Hi Alan.
Great composition and excellent colors and details.
Excellent POV and DOF and I love the framing.
Regards
JC

  • Great 
  • AndyB Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1391 W: 32 N: 1350] (3982)
  • [2006-07-17 17:56]

Hello Alan,
A very good capture of this Burnet moth.
Nice contrasting colours,excellent exposure and good sharp detail.
A difficult subject to capture,you've done a great job.
Very well done.

TFS

Have a great week,I hope its not too hot for you!

  • Great 
  • valy67 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1880 W: 59 N: 2915] (8733)
  • [2006-07-17 18:04]

Hi Alan !
Wonderful shot of my favourite moth ! Beautiful sunny colors and nice contrasts between the yellow flowers and the dark BG. Excellent details and exposure, nice composition and POV, and a very simple but nice frame. Very well done !
Valérie.

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864] (30243)
  • [2006-07-18 3:14]

Hi Alan!
Very summer, very bright, very colorfull! One of most beautifull European moths, but don't try to eat it :-) I like frame and composition of colours. Great work my friend!

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4774 W: 294 N: 4020] (13209)
  • [2006-07-18 4:24]

Hello Alan,
Wonderful close up.Exposure is spot on.Lighting,POV,colors,contrast,framing and composition are excellent.
TFS...:-)

  • Great 
  • Dando Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 637 W: 32 N: 792] (3084)
  • [2006-07-18 5:21]

Hi Alan, great shot. Beautiful colours and lighting. Also good sharp details and well composed with good detailed notes. Very well done and TFS.
Dean.

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1575 W: 5 N: 2181] (12250)
  • [2006-07-18 6:46]

Bonjour Alan!"

Bravo pour cette belle composition,j'aime bien le contraste de couleurs éclatantes et le belle éclairage qui fait bien ressortir les détails.

Merci.
joseph

  • Great 
  • osse Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 962 W: 0 N: 89] (7801)
  • [2006-07-18 6:49]

Hi Alan
Well seen and captured. Good lights, colours and sharpnes.
Well done mf

osse

Hi Alan,
This looks great. What a strong contrast between the moth and flowers. Beautiful color saturation and sharp detail in this shot. Perfect DOF.
Looks great!
Scott

Hello Allan, excllent colors, BG POV DOF perfect details, very crisp Nice POV and praming, Great work, TFS Kylwe

Beautiful image, Alan.
Thanks for sharing it.

The colors are amazing, the contrast difference between both flower and butterfly make this a fantastic capture. :)

Hi Alan,
Interesting colour palette in this capture!
I like the way you compose the image, good clarity in colours and well done on the macro work...
Greetings,
Pablo -

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2233 W: 188 N: 1929] (8127)
  • [2006-07-18 13:56]

Hello Allan,
great shot, very nice POV and great colors. Nice charpness and excellent details. Very nice composition.
TFS..Sky

Perfect crop on this one, I like a lot.
Very warm and controled tones create a nice atmosphere and lighting. Looks very elegant, well done.
Regards, Felipe.

Hi Alan,
What a beautiful composition with the black and red moth on the bright yellow flowers. The contrast is just amazing. Great detail and DOF.
TFS,
Niek

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