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Which thistle do I choose?
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
The six-spot burnet moth is brightly coloured and is active by day. As a result it is often mistaken for a butterfly. People generally think that moths only fly at night but in fact a number, including the six-spot burnet moth, fly by day. It has blackish blue front wings which have a metallic shine and are patterned with the six red round spots that give it its name. The hind wings are crimson with a very narrow dark blue/black border. Its wing span is 30–38mm. Its antennae, rather unusually for a moth, are club shaped.
They are used for feeling and smelling.
The caterpillar is short and plump measuring about 22mm. It has a greenish yellow body with two rows of black botches along its back and smaller spots along its sides. It has large jaws for chewing the plants on which it feeds. The bright colours of the moth and its caterpillar make them very conspicuous.
All stages in the life cycle of the six-spot burnet moth contain cyanide in their bodies and their bright colours protect them by warning birds and other predators that they are poisonous.
Where does it live?
The six-spot burnet moth is found in grassy areas where it can find the wild flowers that the caterpillar feeds on. In Scotland it is mainly found near the coast.
What does it eat?
The adults drink nectar from the plants using their proboscis. This is a hollow feeding tube, rather like a drinking straw, which can be coiled up when the moth is
not eating. The caterpillar feeds on the bird’s foot
trefoil, clover and kidney vetch.
Life cycle
The six-spot burnet moth, like other moths, has four different stages in its life cycle. The moth lays its eggs on its food plant in July or August, and the young
caterpillars hatch within a few days. The caterpillars start feeding in the autumn and then hibernate through the winter on the plants. They start feeding again in the spring and are usually fully grown by the end of May.
While they are growing the caterpillars moult several times. Feeding is almost a non stop activity apart from a day or two to rest at each moult and they grow quickly. Sometimes they remain as caterpillars over a second winter. The fully grown caterpillars spin cocoons with silk from their spinnaret, a special gland near their mouth. The tough straw coloured cocoons are attached high up grass stems. They then change into a pupa inside the cocoon. Inside the pupa the body of the caterpillar breaks down and reforms into the body of an adult moth.
The adult moths emerge in June or July, flying on warm sunny days. They only live for a short time. Once they have mated and the female has laid eggs, the adults die.
www.deanstaples.co.uk |
shirgold, inked, Ena, Juyona has marked this note useful
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Hi Dean,
Very nice composition and colors on this one.
After looking at your image I wish spring comes very soon :-)
TFS, Shir
- inked
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 124 W: 0 N: 220]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(654) - [2008-02-18 5:51]
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hi Dean,
great shot.. really nice composition with the group of thistles at various depths and focus. superb focus on the moth, and the color is awesome. thanks for sharing this beauty
Gethin
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- Ena
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 359 W: 61 N: 570]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(2341) - [2008-02-18 6:36]
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Hi Dean,
Very nice composition, colorful and well framed!
Beautiful colors!
TFS
Ena
Hello Dando,
Why not take all of them, hehehe!
A lovely composition with outstanding details, attractive colours...
DOF spot on makes the insect stand out well, and a fishing fly imitating this insect is very effective with the trout under certain conditions!
Greetings,
Pablo -
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- Juyona
(13325)
- [2008-02-18 12:32]
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Hola Dean,
interesante macro,
bella compo. y color,
saludos
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 643 W: 32 N: 790]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif){kind=small}