A Touch Of Blue .... Yes, It's a Moth!

Discussion in 'Butterfly / Moth' started by Bernieh, Sep 8, 2011.

  1. Bernieh

    Bernieh In Flower

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    [​IMG]
    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.

    [​IMG]
    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.

    [​IMG]
    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.

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    North Queensland Day Moth ( photo / image / picture from Bernieh's Garden )

    [​IMG]
    North Queensland Day Moth ( photo / image / picture from Bernieh's Garden )

    [​IMG]
    North Queensland Day Moth ( photo / image / picture from Bernieh's Garden )
     
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  3. eileen

    eileen Resident Taxonomist Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    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
     
  4. Bernieh

    Bernieh In Flower

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    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!
     
  5. cherylad

    cherylad Countess of Cute-ification Plants Contributor

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    It sure is a beauty... and some great photos too. Congrats on your new "find".
     



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  6. Sjoerd

    Sjoerd Mighty Oak

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    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.
     
  7. Bernieh

    Bernieh In Flower

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    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.
     
  8. FlowerFreak22

    FlowerFreak22 In Flower Plants Contributor

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    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!
     
  9. Bernieh

    Bernieh In Flower

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    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.
     
  10. kathyd

    kathyd In Flower

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    I love looking at pictures of beautiful moths and butterflies...yours are amazing. Thanks for posting them.
     
  11. calinromania

    calinromania Young Pine

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    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.
    :)
     
  12. Bernieh

    Bernieh In Flower

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    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.
     
  13. Karrma

    Karrma In Flower

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    Beautiful, and thoughtful. What is the difference between a butterfly and a moth? would be a good quiz question.
     
  14. Sjoerd

    Sjoerd Mighty Oak

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    Do you get any of those iridescent blue wrens in your yard?
     
  15. Bernieh

    Bernieh In Flower

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    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.
     
  16. Bernieh

    Bernieh In Flower

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    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.
     

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