9.03.2009

A Peek Beneath

Sometimes moths require a second glance to truly appreciate their beauty or even understand the names they've been given. This particular moth is called a Pink-spotted Hawk Moth. What? Why? I don't see any pink spots, do you? Those lepidopterists are a crazy bunch...

Hmm, could it be that this moth hides it true nature? Is there more here than is immediately apparent?
Perhaps, if we gently push aside the forewing...

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Aha! Pink spots...maybe those lep folks aren't so peculiar afterall.

Pink-spotted Hawk Moth (Agrius cingulata), a sphinx moth that feeds on jimsonweed, pawpaw, and sweet potato as a caterpillar.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Swampy-WOW! Learned something new! Thank you as always teacher!
Maineiac

sweetbay said...

Beautiful moth.

Ellen Rathbone said...

How lovely!

Jacqueline Donnelly said...

Ooh la la! What racy pink underthings! Thanks for the photos.

R.Powers said...

Neat! ... but they are still peculiar

jason said...

Stunning! I love all these giant sphinx moths. I especially love watching them feed... Like watching a hummingbird float from flower to flower.

swamp4me said...

Maineiac,
The sphinx moths are a pretty cool group - mostly big moths with little surprises tucked here and there.

sweet bay,
Many of the moths in this group are really pretty.

Ellen,
I know, who'd have thunk it?

Woodswalker,
Now, with that image, I'm gonna snicker every time I see one!

FC,
I'm afraid you may be right ;)

jason,
And they are so loud when they fly! Impressive critters.