(The picture and text are from the "Nanling Discoverer" ecological survey project data, author: Ye Hua.) The results of the project have been compiled into the book "South Ridge Nature Observation Handbook" and officially published. Original works, please do not reprint without permission)
South Ridge Nature Observation Handbook
Moths are insects, a common name for insects of the order Lepidoptera heterocephalus. There are many types of moths, but the body is generally large and the abdomen is thick and short. The antennae are divided into whips, filaments, pinnates, ctenophores and spindles, so they are called heterogeneous, to distinguish them from hammer horns (butterflies). Adult moths are mainly active at night and have phototropism, and the natural scientists who live at the South Ridge Conservation Station in the summer are busy photographing various moths flying under the lights every night. What are you waiting for? Let's follow the lenses of these nature photographers and get to know the big moths with bright colors and strange shapes!
Nocturnal moth
The large eye lines on the wings of the nocturnal moth resemble owl glasses
【Features】 Spread wings 5 to 6 cm, the wing surface is gray-brown, the wings are large, the forewings have 3 black transverse bands, and the 2nd column has 1 black eye stripe on the transverse band, which resembles a Taiji pattern, and there are many black corrugated stripes at the ends of the wings.
【Habit】 The larvae feed on acacia, and the adults suck the juice of various fruits such as ripe citrus. It is widely distributed. The large eye lines on its wings resemble owl glasses and can have the effect of deterring predators.
Micro-eyed leopard silkworm moth
【Characteristics】Larger moths. The wings are yellow with white ripples near the outer rim and several black patterns on the inside. The forewings have 1 larger brown eye spot and the hindwing has 1 smaller brown eye spot.
[Habits] Adults are mainly active at night.
Long-tailed silkworm moth
【Features】Large moths. Spreading its wings about 10 cm, the male moth has well-developed pinnate antennae, the wings are predominantly apricot yellow, the outer edge has a wide pink band, and the female moth has pink green wings. Both male and female adults have ocular spots on the forewings, and the hindwings have a pair of very slender tail protrusions, and the flight posture is extremely ethereal.
[Habits] Larvae have a wide range of feeding habits and have a variety of tree hosts. Adults degenerate their mouthparts and do not eat. Although widely distributed, it is still rare. It is easy to see in the South Ridge in summer.
Wang's eyebrow-striped silkworm moth
【Characteristics】A moth with a very large body. The wings are yellowish brown , with an outer protrusion at the apex of the forewings , blunt and rounded ends , and black eye spots on the medial side , resembling a snake's head. The anterior and posterior wings have purple bands on the outside, and there are large crescent-shaped translucent spots at the ventricular end of the wings.
【Habits】The larvae host holly plants. It is found in the southern region and is more common.
Dahlia lamp moth
【Characteristics】Medium and large moths. The black cloth of the forewings has white spots of varying sizes and an orange-yellow spot in the middle. The hindwings are orange-yellow and covered with dark spots.
【Habit】Mainly distributed in low-altitude mountainous areas.