A Big Wig in the Moth World: Emperor Moth

Emperor Moth Syntherata sp.

The rains continue to scuttle-by the Gympie Region, so the rainy season so far has been a bust. But outside the relic rainforest regions, the climates in Australia always tend towards drought and flood with years of 'normal' rainfall not all that normal. The last few years have been flood in southeast Queensland, so drought is to be expected sooner or later. Last night, though, it looked like relief was in sight. A heavy cloud cover blew in, the moon disappeared, the humidity rose, and it looked perfect mothing weather until the rains came. The mothing was quite good, but the rains never came.

Underside of "Empress" Moth

Most of the moths were still on the small-size, but a handful of the medium-sized fluttered in and two on the large end of the spectrum: an as yet unidentified underwing and this striking Giant Silk Moth (Saturniidae). She is a bit battered, but still rather majestic with a wingspread of 12cm or so. She is a member of the genus Syntherata, either S.  janetta (White, 1843) or the more recently described S. escarlata Lane, Edwards & Naumann, 2010.  Apparently, the females are highly variable and the new species is difficult to separate from the old.

A pair of mystery moths of the micro and macro persuasions

So, although the garden is bone dry, I now have a handful of pictures of mostly attractive and interesting moths to try to identify and learn about. The most difficult are the so-called micro-moths:  a large number of families of small to tiny moths. Identifying them usually requires pinning with the wings spread and dissection of the genitalia. That is too barbaric for me (aka it's too much work), so I will putter around with the more accessible macro-moths. The (~4cm long) macro-moth above maybe in the family Cossidae, but if so it is one of the smaller members of the family that includes the Witchity Grubs. Unknown moths are always more fun, at least up to a point: they are a great excuse to while away the hours looking at pictures of one of life's most colourful groups of animals. 

Reference
Lane DA, Edwards, E.D.; Naumann, S. 2010. A revision of the genus Syntherata Maassen, 1873 (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) within Australia, with the description of three new species, and description of their life histories. European Entomologist  3(1): 1-41.

Diversity in conformity: Meet the Hologram Moth

Green-backed Looper by day, Hologram Moth by night

Learning a new group of insects is always a challenge, but some groups are easier than others. Moths are a special challenge because there are so many of them. As of 2010, Greg Pohl and his coauthors have documented 2367 species of Lepidoptera in Alberta and more are added each year. The vast majority of these are moths, but 175 or so are butterflies.

Flash-induced iridescent 'hologram' style Diachrysia balluca Geyer, 1832

Like all living organisms, moths show individual variation within a species, some genetic, some the result of developmental or ecological experiences. Many moths also seem to exhibit a general convergence in patterns among various species and genera.

A pair of 'Carpet Moths', mystery moth on left, Dysstroma hersiliata (Guenée, 1858) on right

This is particularly striking in the many species of moths with forewing patterns that seem to break up their outlines and allow them to blend into the background where they rest during the day - on tree trunks and limbs, among lichens or dead leaves, on the ground, or in a shadow somewhere. Presumably much of the variation in colour and patterns in the wings results from natural selection that improves the survival of moths with patterns appropriately cryptic for the places they like to rest.

Also known as the Large Brassy Plusia, another Diachrysia balluca under the black light

Bird predation is known to have been a primary factor in the classic example of the Peppered Moth (aka Pepper & Salt Geometer) becoming the Carbon Black Moth in industrial England. As the smoke from coal fires coated the bark and branches of light-coloured trees, the white & black patterned Peppered Moth populations became dominated by melanistic forms - dark as coal dust. More impressively, as clean air laws and the change to other fuels resulted in a drastic reduction in particulate pollution, the Peppered Moth morph again became the more common. Such switching between two morphs is easy to understand, but the seemingly random variation in patterns is less so.

A Green-Arches resting on a grill - probably not its natural resting place

These BugGuide Green Arches Anaplectoides prasina (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) are a nice example of variations within a theme. No two moths are exactly the same, yet the underlying patterns are all similar. I'm guessing these moths like to rest on lichen covered surfaces, but it is hard to think like a bird, and perhaps they see it differently. Not much seems to be known about where moths hang out during the day; however, the preponderance of grey to brown to buff patterns resembling bark and lichens among the mid to larger moths seems suggestive.

Aposematic Virgin Tiger Moth Grammia virgo (Linnaeus, 1758)

Not all moths are cryptic, of course, but often the reason for being bold is clear. The Virgin Tiger Moth above, for example, is positively shouting "Do't eat me: I taste badddd!", although that probably wouldn't help much in the dark and one wonders what a bat would think? Spicy?

What is this Hologram Moth trying to tell me?

And I wonder what birds and bats think about the Green-backed Looper? I know what I think - if you are going to use a flash to take pictures of this moth, you will need a flash diffuser. Other than that, though, I find this looper confusing. It is very large for a Plussine, so presumably would make a good meal for a bird or bat. Having now seen the moth resting during the day (picture at the top), however, I'm guessing it may like to hide among dying or damaged leaves. I've got no idea why it has such a strange hairdo though.

Party time at the black light

References
Grant BS. 1999. Fine tuning the Peppered Moth Paradigm. Evolution 53: 980-984. http://bsgran.people.wm.edu/melanism.pdf

Majerus MEN. 1998. Melanism - Evolution in Action. Oxford University Press, NY. http://www.amazon.ca/Melanism-Evolution-Michael-E-Majerus/dp/0198549822

Miller K. The Peppered Moth - An update. http://www.millerandlevine.com/km/evol/Moths/moths.html

Pohl GR, Anweiler GG, Scmidt BC & Kondla NG. 2010. An annotated list of the Lepidoptera of Alberta, Canada. ZooKeys 38: 1–549.
http://www.pensoft.net/journal_home_page.php?journal_id=1&page=article&type=show&article_id=383&abstract=1

Bold-feathered Grass Moth, probably

A dizzy moth, perhaps the Bold-feathered Grass Moth 

If you've read this blog before, you know me for a whinger about the Alberta weather. You probably imagine me as a grouchy old wanker with nothing better to do than look out his window and feel sorry for himself. Well, there is something to that: I often look out my window and feel totally depressed by the weather (the climate is beyond my comprehension).

Herpetogramma pertextalis (Lederer, 1863), most likely

Still, I soldier on and find what I can to be positive about in this land in which I find myself imprisoned (my heroic aspect revealed). This weekend has been a tough one - pretty bloody miserable after a string of ordinary to miserable weekends all 'summer'. Still, I had a few hours last night with the blacklight before the massive thunderstorm hit about 3:40 am. 

Probably Herpetogramma pertextalis, but maybe Sitochroa chortalis 

This moth was one of the several interesting - oh why be coy - very cool moths that fluttered into the light between showers and downpours last night. Took me a long time to figure out its probable name because it looks so geometrioidy. But no, it is a Pyraloidea of one ilk or another, and quite possibly the rather rare (in Alberta) Bold-feathered Grass Moth.

Carpet moth, as yet identified

Should I brave the thunder and lightening again tonight or try to get some sleep? Well, when one sleeps one may, perchance, dream. Is a moth at the light worth a pleasant dream? Well, beats  a nightmare and we have all winter to sleep. My guess is that this is Dysstroma hersiliata (Guenée, 1858), the Orange-barred Carpet Moth, but a better picture would be nice and who knows what else may show up.

A Big Moth with a Mono-ocular gaze: Polyphemus

A big moth with that 'I'm looking at you' attitude

In Alberta, that too far north for comfort latitudinal range, one gets used to being biodiversity-challenged. If you went back in time a decade of thousand years - nada in geological time - you would have nothing living here except very cold-tolerant algae and bacteria. Still, that pallid and unreliable sun has been shinning with what passes for warmth here for more moth generations than one could easily count.

Antheraea polyphemus (Cramer, 1776) - as big as a mouse, but without the Hanta Virus

Gradually, solar cycles allowing, even Alberta will gradually integrate itself into the Greater North American Biome. Who knows, but maybe one day Grizzlies and Armadillos will frolic together beneath the shadows of the Rockies. Well, best not to expect too much from Mother Nature. To her a barren wasteland of ice or volcanic magma is just as natural as a rainforest. So, while we may, let us imagine a diversity of elegant and attractive moths fluttering around our wasteful nocturnal emissions.

A big, bad Polyphemus caterpillar eating my Mayday

Polyphemus is a big moth - wingspan of about 6 inches (15 cm) - not the biggest, Alberta can boast other giant silk moths such as Luna Moth (apparently a recent arrival) and Glover's Silk Moth - but the biggest that has come fluttering to my night lights. Personally, I welcome all and any additions to Alberta's fauna - as long as they come with their baggage of parasites and predators that not only add to our biodiversity, but keep any one species from being too, too common.

A dozen Polyphemus caterpillars in a Mayday is interesting, a thousand would be a disaster

In Greek legend and mythology Polyphemus was a big, bad cyclops. Although much spoken of in ancient times, today he and she are just big moths. Is there a greater thrill than having a mouse-sized moth walk on your hand? Well, yes, many, but it is still a very nice thing.

All moths are interesting, but some are more interesting than others

Two-spotted Looper outshines a Double Dart

Back on the Moth Farm the clouds continue their unending downpour. I huddle next to the wood stove and wonder if the gophers must be learning to swim. The moths, though, seem content to wing their way through the mists between showers and provide some colourful relief from the dreary doldrums of summer in Alberta. Well, some provide colourful relief, but others seem content to blend into the grey background. Compare these two Owlet Moths (Noctuidae): the brightly patterned Two-spotted Looper Autographa bimaculata (Stephens, 1830) and the dull as dishwater Double Dart Graphiphora augur (Fabricius, 1775).

Two-spotted Looper Autographa bimaculata

Bright silver spots, squiggles, scripts and autographs are characteristics of many Owlet Moths but especially those in the subfamily Plusiinae and subtribe Plusiina and are reflected in many generic names based on the Greek root grapho (= write) such as Anagrapha, Autographa, Megalographa, and Syngrapha. What the genus Plusia may refer to, however, is a mystery. 

Putnam's Looper Plusia putnami Grote, 1873

A mystery too is why the silver spots and squiggles? Since similar marking occur on unrelated moths, one might think they serve some function. Perhaps they reflect moonlight or sonar to dazzle bats. In any case, the clouds continue to scuttle across the sky, dropping rain, rain, rain and the moths flutter between squalls and hunker down during them.

The Hooked Silver Y Syngrapha alias (Ottolengui, 1902)

Three Elegant Moths

Diachrysia balluca Geyer, 1832 the Large Brassy Plusia or Green-patched Looper

In the Alberta summer one has to take their enjoyment of nature when they can amongst all of the rains, hail, lightening and strong winds. So far, it has rained two out of every three days in June and July and over 10 inches of rain have fallen in the Home Bug Garden (and much of that has flowed through the basement). However, Saturday night at Gopher Hill from midnight until 1:30 am the rains let up and the black light went out to see what might be roaming around the cloudy darkness.

Malacosoma disstria Hubner, 1820 adult of the Forest Tent Caterpillar

As usual when the black light works its magic here, the response of the nocturnal Lepidoptera overwhelmed all other insects. That's probably an Alberta thing too, at least compared to Queensland and other warmer lands in which I've gone night-lighting - where beetles, wasps, flies and bugs were often almost as diverse as the moths.

Sicya macularia (Harris, 1850) the Sharp-lined Yellow

So, here's a short tribute to just a few of the hardy moths that braved the cool, damp night to flutter around a black-light.

Mothing between Storms: Once Married Underwing

Once-married  Underwing Catocala unijuga

The start to [Inter]national Moth Week late last night-early this morning was not salubrious in the extended Home Bug Garden. Actually, in the HBG per se it was even wetter and less mothopilic than in the remote site - about 2 km east of Elk Island National Park. Still, through a process of judiciously applied wine, napping, and radar-gazing, I was able to emerge from the cabin, black-light in hand, just after midnight this morning as the rains receded and start attracting moths (and frogs - rain and moths seem to meet with froggy approval).

Underwing in under position

As usual when the blacklight doesn't have to compete with moon or rain, the results were stunning. I hope to be able to share some of the extraordinary diversity of form with my readers later in the week - as one, by one, names are applied. In the meantime, though, here is the first Catocala of the season and the largest of this morning's visitors. I myself was once married, so the common name of this very large and attractive moth has some resonance beyond its beauty and imposing size.  But much more is in store in the coming week as the smaller, but no less elaborate ad lumina nigra are exposed.

Mystery Moth

[Inter]national Moth Week: Wet Night One

Virgin Tiger (Grammia virgo) over flies a Sharp-angled Carpet Moth (Euphyia intermediata) as coyotes (Canis latrans) howl in the night

Well, the yanks are doing their National Moth Week again and we friendly neighbours to the north are ready to remind them that moths respect not borders. Last week the Environment Canada prediction looked like we would be starting Moth Week with sunshine and clear skies. Well, Edmonton did have on of its rare two days in a row without rain this week; but alas, such perversity is now passed and the clouds and rains have returned.

Haploa lecontei aka LeConte's Haploa, another Tiger Moth

Rain is not so good for mothing, but clouds have a silver lining - cloudy nights are best for blacklighting. So the next week's predicted dreary day after day after day of clouds casts no pall over nights of scaly wonder. As an added bonus, if you stay up late enough each night appreciating moths then you'll probably sleep through most of the dreary day anyway (of course, this could get you fired). With any luck, tonight's rains will have passed before the long northern summer day is done and the black light will once more call forth the amazing diversity of scale-winged beauties. If not, well, I've been saving up moths for you for a rainy night or even a rainy week.

Large Lace-Border Scopula limboundata

Weather Whinging, Camouflage, Violets & Mosquitoes

Bombus rufocinctus queen climbing Jacob's Ladder in a rare ray of sunshine

Those of you who make a habit of reading this blog already know that I make a habit of whinging about Edmonton's weather. Although I have taken every opportunity to point out its failings, the Weather has yet to improve one bit. I give up! If it wants to rain every day in June, then let it. Instead here are a few interesting bugs and flowers from those rare moments between showers. Goldenrod is a great flower for insects, and so, always a joy to see in bloom (even though it means 'summer' is ending), but not especially interesting before it blooms - except this year. 

What the ...? 

Synchlora aerata (Fabricius, 1798), otherwise known as the Wavy-lined Emerald is a new visitor to the Home Bug Garden. Or at least I think it is - the first one I saw looked more like bits of leaves stuck in a spider web than a caterpillar and I wonder how many I'd missed in the past. Also known as the Camouflaged Inchworm (aka Looper), this geometer larva likes to eat a variety of composites - and adorn itself with bits of leaves and flowerheads. Many geometer caterpillars do very good imitations of twigs or are pale green with light longitudinal lines that blend into vegetation, but this was the first I've seen that dresses up the better to not be seen. Miklos Treiber studied some of these caterpillars and found the process was more or less continuous - as the fragments dried out the inchworm added new bits of plant (using a glue-like substance from its mouth).

Synchlora aerata (Fabricius, 1798) inching along

Anyway, there is lots of goldenrod, gayfeather and Joe Pye Weed in the Home Bug Garden, so the Camouflage Inchworm should feel right at home. Also popping up in a brief bit of sun is another native plant, the Prairie Violet Viola pedatifida. 

Prairie Violet Viola pedatifida

Also called the Crowfoot, Birdfoot or Larkspur Violet because of its dissected leaves, unlike most violets, this one likes it relatively hot and dry - gravelly hillsides and prairie grasslands being it usual habitats in Alberta. 'Hot and dry' are not appropriate terms for a garden in Edmonton, but two of the three plants I put into the southwest corner of the Home Bug Garden survived the winter and bloomed. 

AKA Crowfoot, Birdfoot and Larkspur Violet

Finally who can resist the charms of Edmonton's most famous flying insect, the mosquito. We bug paparazzi flock to them whenever we see them and try to annoy them as much as they annoy us. Here's one mugging for two cameras.

Two views of one mozzie.

Home Bug Garden: Austral Version

Toothed White Banded Moth

There is a land far, far away, where the summers are as long as an Alberta winter and the winters as mild as an Alberta summer. Once, long ago, I inhabited such a dreamland. I was content with the land, if not the job, but the Home Bug Gardener's other half was content with neither and longed for the cold, dark whiteness of the North. White is a funny shade: it reflects all light and so seems to dominate the mind. For example, the large Toothed White Banded Moth Donuca orbigera (Guenée, 1852) above is more brown than white, but is not known as the 'brown-banded white moth'. It is related to the Alberta Underwing Moths (Noctuidae: Catocalinae) and the Fruit-piercing Moths that are such pests here. Larval hosts for the caterpillars of this moth are apparently unknown, but may possibly be trees in the genus Acacia.

Glasswing or Little Greasy Butterfly

Sometimes white can fade away to nothing but a smear (or a mess, as in the Alberta thaw) as with the Glasswing or Little Greasy Acraea andromacha (Fabricius, 1775). For some reason, the scales are shed from the front wings of this Nymphalidae butterfly (related to the Monarch, Painted Ladies, Satyrs - but in a different subfamily - Acraeinae). Caterpillars feed on the leaves of Passionfruit vines (Passiflora) and Spade Flower (Hybanthus spp.). Believe it or not, Spade Flowers were once put in the genus Viola and are still retained in the Violet family.

A Spade Flower, possibly Hybanthus enneaspermus 

Not all Queensland butterflies are white or greasy (although some Papilionidae also have transparent front wings). Most are quite spectacular, for example the Common Eggfly  Hypolimnas bolina (Linnaeus, 1758).

Male Eggfly showing eggs in wings

This is another Nymphalidae and in the nominate subfamily. It is a large butterfly and the males patrol territories about 30m long on gravel roads and trails in the hereabouts (near Miva, Queensland). The upper surfaces are brilliantly iridescent purple in the sun.

A female Eggfly, Sunshine Coast Hinterlands version

In contrast, the female is spectacular too, but looks nothing like the male. Here in the Sunshine Coast Hinterlands, she may be trying to look like a cross between a Lesser Wanderer and an Orchard Swallowtail. I don't know, but the female morph varies geographically and tends to look like distasteful crows (Euploea - another genus of Nymphalidae).

Love Flower  Pseuderanthemum variabile

In Queensland, the Eggflies use a plant with a vaguely violet-like flower as their primary host - the Love Flower Pseuderanthemum variabile. Although these plants look a bit like violets and grow on the forest floor, they actually belong to the family Acanthaceae. You can watch the females seemingly ovipositing in the ground near the plants. Or, perhaps, they are just practicing. In Australia, one must always test one's assumptions.

A Dainty, Dingy or Small Citrus Swallowtail

For example, consider the butterfly family Papilionidae, better known as Swallowtails. Above is a female of Papilio anactus Macleay, 1826. This butterfly goes by a number of nome de plumes, but I prefer 'Dainty'. But 'swallowtail' wherefore art thou? Clearly this 'swallowtail' is laying eggs on the orange tree out back, but swallowtail seems to be stretching a point. In Australia, it is always a good idea to leave your preconceptions behind, if visiting from a more northern locale.