North Queensland Day Moth ( photo / image / picture from Bernieh's Garden ) I spotted this lovely creature in the garden just the other day. I promptly went off googling 'butterflies' and couldn't come up with a match. Thankfully my hubbie suggested it might be a moth ... and voila! I found out it's a North Queensland Day Moth. North Queensland Day Moth ( photo / image / picture from Bernieh's Garden ) I've never heard of it or see one before but apparently it's Alcides metaurus, a large day-time flying moth that is native to my part of the Australian state of Queensland. North Queensland Day Moth ( photo / image / picture from Bernieh's Garden ) It was a bit of a dull day so all it's wonderful colours didn't show up in these shots, but you do get a sense of the pretty blue on its wings. North Queensland Day Moth ( photo / image / picture from Bernieh's Garden ) North Queensland Day Moth ( photo / image / picture from Bernieh's Garden ) North Queensland Day Moth ( photo / image / picture from Bernieh's Garden )
What a lovely set of photographs Bernieh. A really delightful and colourful moth - neither wonder you thought, initially, that it was a butterfly. It's the first time I've ever seen a blue moth. The fact that it flies by day is an added bonus. :-D
Thanks Eileen. Yes I've had to do a bit or research as I've never heard of day-flying moths before. Apparently they are studied very little because most scientists study moths at night, for obvious reasons. The other interesting fact is that the day-flying moths all tend to be very colourful!! I've lived up here all my life and have never seen this native species before! Maybe I just wasn't looking!
Lovely foto's, B-- My first thought would have been a butterfly also because of the narrow antennae. Ach wel, but you have found it. It is such a superb specimen isn't it? Oz truly is a wonderland of flora and fauna.
Sjoerd, I'm only truly beginning to appreciate just how lucky we are living where we do, out here near the bush, because we do get to see such a variety of beautiful creatures.
When I first saw the pictures, I was sure it had to be a butterfly. It is very beautiful. Usually the moths around here are various colors of black, white, gray, and brown. Great pictures!
FlowerFreak, I've never heard of day-flying moths before and when I started looking into the subject, I was amazed. Most of these moths have the most beautiful colours.
I love looking at pictures of beautiful moths and butterflies...yours are amazing. Thanks for posting them.
WOW. This moth is more beautiful than most butterflies I see around. I'll get a brush and some paint and make them more colorful.
Thanks Kathyd, I'm glad you enjoyed the shots. I took quite a few and luckily most turned out well. I sometimes get lucky with my photos. Calinromania, it's surprising to see such a colourful moth. I didn't realise there could be such lovely ones.
Beautiful, and thoughtful. What is the difference between a butterfly and a moth? would be a good quiz question.
Karrma, a couple of the differences I do know is that a lot of butterflies have a hook at the end of their antenna and they hold their wings together up over their body when they're resting! I'm learning all sorts of new things I didn't know before.
Sjoerd, no we don't see those stunning Wrens up here. I was lucky enough to see one while we were travelling around Oz many years ago. I just love the name of them too ... the Superb Fairy Wren! What a great name.
