Coenipeta sp., La Isla Escondida, Colombia

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comments (14)

Christine Young

Lion

Love this one! Posted 6 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks! It's slightly moved so not entirely sharp. It's one of those moths completely black to the naked eye that reveal interesting patterns when lighting it up. Posted 6 years ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    This is one of my favorites that you've posted! Interesting that its beautiful pattern is not obvious without illumination. I find this a lot with moths and find it odd. In these cases, I wonder if their colors are structural rather than due to pigment....For example, we can see their colors due to diffraction, scattering of light, etc. when we flash light at them. Or, are they colorful due to pigments in their scales, and we can only see them when we shine light on them because of our lack of nighttime color vision? This makes sense, I suppose, since humans don't have good night vision and we rely on our rods to see at low light, which don't detect color. So, we need a lot of light (camera flash) for the cones in our eyes to detect and appreciate their colors. I suppose it doesn't really matter since the moths can see each other and their colors just fine thanks to their superior night color vision. Anyway...these are things that make me go "hmmm..." Posted 6 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      By the way, this reminds me of a lichen moth. But, it may or may not be. The wing shape doesn't seem right. *This comment is not particularly helpful, but I'm putting it out there anyway* Posted 6 years ago
    2. 1. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        It is helpful, just say what you think, it may be a useful clue.
        *well not everything you think, but the moth-related part* Posted 6 years ago
    3. Ferdy Christant
      
      Lion
      
      Whoa, you blew my mind with that question actually. Is night vision of moths so good as to see their colors just as well when we see it by daytime? I thought night vision would show contrasts and shapes, but not a lot of actual color? Posted 6 years ago
    4. 1. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        I'm not sure how perfect it is, but they do have good color vision at night! They have larger lenses, which let in more light. It's more complicated than that, but I can't remember all the details. Pretty amazing though! Posted 6 years ago

Flown Kimmerling

Lion

Cladara sp. possibly? I'm thinking Carpet Moths (Subfamily Larentiinae).
Posted 6 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  Quite sure you're right, Cladara matches in body shape, size, antennae. Excellent! Posted 6 years ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    What about Coenipeta sp. (Erebidae)? Posted 6 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      https://www.flickr.com/photos/andreaskay/27609337109/in/album-72157629662947575/ Posted 6 years ago
    2. 1. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        That looks identical, brilliant! Posted 6 years ago