I often go out to see what’s on the Boneset just before going to bed. Last night I found this attractive Master’s Dart-Feltia herilis moth sipping nectar.
The last time I photographed one of this species was 6 years ago to the day. Guess this is their busy season.
I managed three shots before it took off. This was the second composition.
I would have made a couple others but when I moved around to try for a head on shot it didn’t like that and flew away.
A beauty, and another new one to me. The wing markings are just lovely.
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I used to see them often in the yard but this was the first time in a few years.It would be nice to think the insects are making a comeback after several down years and, of course, the international loss of insect population. There’s a lot of beauty in moth world.
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How interesting that your two encounters with this species of moth were exactly six years apart. I sometimes check the date on old pictures of a something so I’ll have an idea of when I might find it again in the current year.
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I was a little surprised by that but insects have their windows when they mature and reproduce so the same approximate date is somewhat expected.. It’s a short life span for many. I do the same although try to remain open to whatever presents itself. Flowers stay relatively put but it’s hard to predict an insect’s whereabouts.
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What a beauty! It almost appears as royalty, cloaked in all of its finery.
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There some truly beautiful moths that can rival most any butterfly. I was happy to see this one again. Thanks, Lori.
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The markings on this moth are really beautiful, aren’t they. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen one like this. Looks like your boneset is like a good train station~ lots of interesting visitors meet there. And how cool that it was exactly 6 years ago!
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Boneset is a wonderful plant for pollinators. The visitors are a true menagerie of species.I try to visit it a few times a day in case someone new and exciting shows up. There are a couple with similar markings and, given the number of moth species, that can often make identification difficult. This one is fairly easy. 🙂
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I didn’t realize it was such a hotspot for pollinators. I’ll have to add it to my little wild planting next year. 🙂
Have you been seeing the lantern flies I’ve been hearing about?
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I have not seen Lantern Flies and that’s just fine with me.
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For sure~long may it be so.
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Nice Steve! Great detail! Never saw one of these before. Great images!
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Thanks, Reed. There’s almost always something new out there but seeing an old “friend” is good too.
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Fuzzy-wuzzy!
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Wuzz a moth. 🙂
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Lovely, Steve!!
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Thanks, Hannah!
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You are most welcome, Steve.
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Photos like this, with their remarkable details, do elevate what might otherwise be seen as a rather ‘blah’ moth. I especially enjoyed seeing the furry ‘decorations’ on those little legs.
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The more detailed an image is of a moth, most of them anyway, the beauty stands out. I always enjoy their leggings too.
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