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I lost the colors
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
It is quite rare to still find this moth in the middle of October, a specimen survived thanks to the still warm days, but really badly reduced. Its bright orange has completely disappeared, and the poor woman is preparing herself for her natural end.
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
(unranked) Macrolepidoptera
Superfamily: Geometroidea
Family: Geometridae
Name: Camptogramma bilineata
The geometer moths or Geometridae are a family of the order Lepidoptera. A very large family with around 26,000 species of moths described (over 300 of which occur in the British Isles), it notably includes the peppered moth, Biston betularia.Many Geometrids have slender abdomens and broad wings which are usually held flat with the hindwings visible. As such they appear rather butterfly-like but in most respects they are typical moths: the majority fly at night, they possess a frenulum to link the wings and the antennae of the males are often feathered. They tend to blend in to the background, often with intricate, wavy patterns on their wings. In some species, females have reduced wings (e.g. winter moth and fall cankerworm).
Most are of moderate size, about 3 cm across but a range of sizes occur. They have distinctive paired tympanal organs at the base of the abdomen (lacking in flightless females).The name Geometer (earth-measurer) refers to the means of locomotion of the larvae or caterpillars, which lack most of the prolegs of other Lepidopteran caterpillars. Equipped with appendages at both ends of the body, a caterpillar will clasp with its front legs and draw up the hind end, then clasp with the hind end (prolegs) and reach out for a new front attachment - creating the impression that it is measuring its journey. The caterpillars are accordingly called loopers, spanworms, or inchworms. They tend to be green, grey, or brownish and hide from predators by fading into the background or resembling twigs. Some have humps or filaments (see Filament-bearer image). They are seldom hairy or gregarious. Typically they eat leaves. However, some eat lichen, flowers or pollen. Some, such as the Hawaiian species of the genus Eupithecia, are even carnivorous.This moth comes in a wide range of colour forms, from bright yellow (more common in the south) through orange to a warm brown. But all forms carry the distinctive pattern of fine wavy lines. Coloration is significantly affected by lighting conditions, the moths appearing much brighter in full sunlight than they do in shade.There is generally only one generation per year and the moths are seen on the wing, usually in the early evening, from late May to August, around hedgerows, meadows, etc.
The larvae, to be found from July through to May, overwinter low down on the foodplant - of which there is a rich variety; cleavers, docks, sorrels, dandelions, etc., and pupatation takes place underground. |
pierrefonds, marine-coeur, mamcg, Hormon_Manyer has marked this note useful
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Bonsoir Luciano,
Les feuilles cadrent bien l'insecte. La prise de vue permet de voir les détails du papillon Geometridae. La lumière donne de belles teintes aux couleurs de l'image. Bonne soirée.
Pierre
A very nice atmosphere by lights and shadows.... shows environment of this specious another excellent documentary picture from your gallery well done again LUCIANO GOLLINI
- mamcg
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(9843) - [2019-10-25 21:58]
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The perfect spot metering the background is at its real mach, though it lost its color but still looking charming, nice catch well placed and TFS.
Ciao Luciano, bel ricordino funebre, ma la macro è di gran qualità, poi di questi tempi ci si accontenta, gran dettagli ecottima nitidezza, bravo, buon weekend, ciao Silvio
So sad to read the obituary for this moth nearing her "natural end", Luc. But what a fine picture to remember her by!! :-)
Hello Luciano,
Semi dark background helps here to stand out this beautiful Moth. Well details as always with natural colors.
Thanks for sharing,
Regards and have a nice weekend,
Srikumar
Hi Luciano,
I did't know the species, but compared to the photos I found on the net this poor moth really lost her colors. But you managed to photograph this female specimen very well, light management is excellent as always, and contrast between the bright moth and the rather dark background cannot even be better. I like composition, sharpness and depth also. Not only extraordinary, but at the same time good photo also. Congratulations!
Kind regards, László
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