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Injured!


Injured!
Photo Information
Copyright: Joe Kellard (joey) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1996 W: 245 N: 6508] (23200)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-10-21
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon Powershot S3 IS, Kenko 58mm UV filter
Exposure: f/3.5, 1/320 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-10-21 10:14
Viewed: 568
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 36
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This is the mind-blowingly big Atlas Moth. I took this earlier today at the London Butterfly House. I was lucky enough to be able to meet up with Nick (nglen) and Paul (paulh) at this amazing butterfly house.
You will probably see a lot of butterfly shots in the next few weeks ;)
I hope you like it.

Here's some info on this whopper...

The Atlas moth (Attacus atlas) is a large saturniid moth found in the tropical and subtropical forests of Southeast Asia, southern China, common across the Malay archipelago, Thailand to Indonesia. In India, Atlas moths are cultivated for their silk in a non-commercial capacity; unlike that produced by the related Silkworm moth (Bombyx mori), Atlas moth silk is secreted as broken strands. This brown, wool-like silk is thought to have greater durability and is known as "fagara." Atlas moth cocoons have been employed as purses in Taiwan.

Atlas moths are considered to be the largest moths in the world in terms of total wing surface area (upwards of c. 400 square cm or 65 square inches). Their wingspans are also amongst the largest, from 25-30 cm (10-12 inches). Females are appreciably larger and heavier. (The largest lepidopteran in terms of wingspan is thought to be the White Witch Thysania agrippina.) Atlas moths are said to be named after either the Titan of Greek mythology, or their map-like wing patterns. In Hong Kong the Cantonese name translates as "snake's head moth", referring to apical extension of the forewing, which bears a passing resemblance to a snake's head.

Atlas moths are predominantly tawny to maroon in colour with roughly triangular, diaphanous "eyes" on both forewing and hindwing, bordered in black. The purpose of these dramatic, gossamer portals is not clear, but they are thought to play a role in predator avoidance. Their bodies are hairy and disproportionately small compared to their wings. Patterns and colouration vary among the many described subspecies. Male Atlas moths are distinguished from females by their smaller size, more tapered wings, and larger, bushier antennae. Neither sex possess fully-formed mouthparts and therefore do not feed; they survive entirely on larval fat reserves throughout their 1-2 week adult life.

Females are sexually passive, releasing powerful pheromones which males detect and home in on with the help of chemoreceptors located on their large feathery antennae. Males may thus be attracted from several kilometres downwind. Atlas moths are unsteady fliers and the female does not stray far from the location of her discarded chrysalis: she seeks a perch where the air currents will best carry her pheromones.

Once mated the female lays a number of spherical eggs 2.5 mm in diameter on the undersides of leaves. Dusty-green caterpillars hatch after about two weeks and feed voraciously on the foliage of certain citrus and other evergreen trees. The caterpillars are adorned with fleshy spines along their backs which are covered in a waxy white substance. After reaching a length of about 115 mm (4.5 inches), the caterpillars pupate within papery chrysalids redolent of desiccated leaves. The adult moths emerge after about four weeks.

Thankyou for looking :)
nglen, XOTAELE, PaulH, Silvio2006, phlr, eqshannon, Jamesp, MMM, LordPotty, jrobertop, pierrefonds, angybone, ridvan has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To eqshannon: Navajo Rugjoey 1 10-22 00:38
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Critiques [Translate]

Poor little thing - such amazing colors! You have captured this moth very well. TFS!

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2225 W: 10 N: 6271] (23562)
  • [2007-10-21 11:02]

Hi Joe . That was quick staight out the camera and on to TN. good to meet up with you today. this is a very good well detailed shot. you use that camera so well. to give rich but natural colour. very well done TFS. good notes too.
Nick..
lookfoward to some more.

Hola Joe.
Preciosa macro, con muy buenos detalles y genial nitidez.
Estupenda nota.
Saludos y tfs, JL.

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1086 W: 29 N: 3294] (11787)
  • [2007-10-21 12:23]

Hi Joe,
very nice indeed, yours have obviously come out very well! The colours here are excellent, pin sharp focus and excellent exposure. Good to meet up today, looking forward to more.
tfs
Paul

Hi Joe, poor moth with damaged wings, splendid Atlas with superb colors, lovely deatails and great sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

Not at all sure how I missed this one this morning...Perhaps it was trying so hard to repair my own damaged picture. But my damage was in my shooting...basic mistakes made...yuck. But folks like youwho are consistent came along and saved my day by doing so well. It is a wonderful capture image.
Let me share you a story. Native American Navajo rugs made prior to 1950 (I have one as a gift from a Native) well every one they make has a slight imperfection in it. It is tradition for NA's to so this letting the Great Spirit know they are not perfect..only He is. So if you ever see a perfect Navajo rug? It is a fake:-) true story handed down by my cousin Patty who worked for 30 years on the reservation as a public healthy nurse before retiring and passing in the 1980's.
Bob

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1330 W: 0 N: 5286] (15770)
  • [2007-10-21 15:20]

Hi Joe

Just marking - back later.

James

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 795 W: 0 N: 1600] (7392)
  • [2007-10-21 15:24]

Hello Joe
Very nice composition.Good POV and very sharp image .Good details and lovely colors.
TFS Michel

Hi Joe,
It may be injured but it looks amazing,especially on the plant you shot ot on.
The composition and colours are great.
A very impressive specimen.
Nice work.
Cheers
Steve

Maravillosa toma con un buen control de la luz que reproduce fielmente los colores de la mariposa. Preciosa.
Saludos Joe.

Hi Joe.
Great capture of this exuberant moth!
Excellent colors and sharpness.
Very good contrast and POV.
Congratulations for the wealth of details.
Well done!
Best regards!
José Roberto

hello joe,
nice capture of the atlas moth, seems as if it has faced tough time, well saturated colours, nice composition,
well done,
tfs & regards
pankaj

Hi Joe,

A nice image of the Atlas Moth on the leave, the photo has a good composition, sharpness and nice colors. Thanks for sharing.

Pierre

So beautiful - such wonderfully vivid color and clear details. It's amazing how well these creatures do even when injured. They just keep on going! :)

  • Great 
  • Silke Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 753 W: 108 N: 1730] (5406)
  • [2007-10-22 7:07]

Stunning details and wonderfully rich colours on this -- and a realy pity that the details show the extent of the injury!
Superb capture -- excellent handling of the flash -- not too much at all
TFS
silke

  • Great 
  • ridvan Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 563 W: 0 N: 1148] (5188)
  • [2007-10-22 11:40]

selam joey; excellent shot and very good composition of this buttterfly.nice pov with splendid colours.well presented pose
Well done my friend!
Regards ridvan

hi joe!
+++what a great shot great colours and great sharpness of the shot.
well done
---nothing
TFS
jemima

Magnifique, quelles couleurs, dommage pour lui qu'il ait l'aile brisée j'espère que cela ne l'empêche pas de voler
Bravo
Marie

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