Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: DoctorBeaver on 30/06/2007 17:12:23

Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 30/06/2007 17:12:23: We came across this creature at the stable yard today. We're not sure if it's a butterfly or a moth. We've never seen anything like it. It was having trouble walking & it couldn't unfold its wings. Would anyone happen to know what it is?

(Unfortunately I only had my little camera with me so the pics are not up to my normal standard)

(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi148.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs26%2FDoctorBeaver%2FS4010024.jpg&hash=9b630c278ccc69aaffd05f38aa35013c)

(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi148.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs26%2FDoctorBeaver%2FS4010015.jpg&hash=65c55cdeb8519ba3c695d05aa45e5080)
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: dentstudent on 30/06/2007 18:15:12: hi doc - from the pics it looks like a cinnabar moth. Its a heathland moth, and is known for its weak flight. its colouration is to deter birds as it is highly distasteful. its main food is ragwort, which if i remember rightly is dangerous for horses, so could be a good idea to check your paddock.
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 30/06/2007 18:18:56: Thanks, Stuart. I just checked a pic of a cinnabar moth & that's definitely what it is. Apparently it's the most poisonous British moth.

I'm a bit concerned about the ragwort thing. We'll have to check all the fields now - 6 bloody acres! [:(!]

I don't know how it got around this way, though, as there are no heathlands anywhere near.
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: Karen W. on 30/06/2007 19:17:47: Quote from: DoctorBeaver on 30/06/2007 17:12:23
We came across this creature at the stable yard today. We're not sure if it's a butterfly or a moth. We've never seen anything like it. It was having trouble walking & it couldn't unfold its wings. Would anyone happen to know what it is?

(Unfortunately I only had my little camera with me so the pics are not up to my normal standard)

(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi148.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs26%2FDoctorBeaver%2FS4010024.jpg&hash=9b630c278ccc69aaffd05f38aa35013c)

(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi148.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs26%2FDoctorBeaver%2FS4010015.jpg&hash=65c55cdeb8519ba3c695d05aa45e5080)

I am glad that someone knew, it looked like a fake to me.. I have never seen one of those odd colors.. Interesting!
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 30/06/2007 19:21:12: Karen - yes, the colours are amazing.
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: Karen W. on 30/06/2007 19:41:13: I actually LOve hot pink and gray, but have never seen it in a creature or insect before!

You know there are just some colors you think are man made....but then you see something natural in nature that is the same color...as what you percieve to be an unnatural color. Do you know what I mean? Hot pink.. have you ever seen it in nature repeated .. you know, that hot pink color naturally occurring in nature somewhere else?
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 30/06/2007 19:54:09: There are certainly some very striking colours in nature - parrots, macaws, snakes, fish, tropical frogs & some plants, for instance - but I've never seen anything so vividly pink as that moth. The nearest I think I've seen was on a bird of paradise.
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: Karen W. on 30/06/2007 19:56:59: I agree I have not either.. A pink flamingo is pink but that is hot pink!.. very nice!
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 30/06/2007 20:02:39: I remember when I first saw Lake Nakuru in Kenya. There were so many flamingoes it was just a sea of pink.

(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi148.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs26%2FDoctorBeaver%2Fnakuru_04.jpg&hash=4480a13328018d1e0db28c11a7da1b1f)
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: Karen W. on 30/06/2007 20:12:53: WOW That is beautiful.. I love flamingos... They are spectacular.. LOL.. Reminds me of a movie I am trying to find.. "Ollie Hobnoodles Haven Of Bliss!" Great movie .. very funny done on the same lines as The christmas story! Same narrator I believe .. wonderful..
The Flamingo brought it all back! I have to find that movie I loved it!
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: ukmicky on 30/06/2007 23:35:14: Thats really pink that one ,they usally have red spots. Nice though
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: kdlynn on 01/07/2007 04:33:16: so you have a poisonous moth eating things that are poisonous to horses... good luck there...
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: Karen W. on 01/07/2007 06:05:14: I think the Ragwort is poison. also the moth too. There favorite food is this poison Ragwort if I understand Stuart correctly! It could be growing in the pastures.. Yikes..
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: dentstudent on 02/07/2007 09:41:00: Quote from: DoctorBeaver on 30/06/2007 18:18:56
Thanks, Stuart. I just checked a pic of a cinnabar moth & that's definitely what it is. Apparently it's the most poisonous British moth.

I'm a bit concerned about the ragwort thing. We'll have to check all the fields now - 6 bloody acres! [:(!]

I don't know how it got around this way, though, as there are no heathlands anywhere near.

It also inhabits open areas, so perhaps it's not fully restricted to heathland sites.

If it's of any use, here is a DEFRA document on the control of ragwort:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/wildlife/weeds/pdf/cop_ragwort.pdf
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: dentstudent on 02/07/2007 09:47:51: Quote from: Karen W. on 30/06/2007 19:56:59
I agree I have not either.. A pink flamingo is pink but that is hot pink!.. very nice!

Did you know that flamingos are this colour becuase of the beta-carotine in the shrimps they eat? This is the same stuff as is found in carrots. I wonder what colour they would be without it(flamingos, that is)? White, I suspect.....
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: dentstudent on 02/07/2007 09:55:55: Quote from: Karen W. on 01/07/2007 06:05:14
I think the Ragwort is poison. also the moth too. There favorite food is this poison Ragwort if I understand Stuart correctly! It could be growing in the pastures.. Yikes..

When I was a teen, my girlfriend at the time had a horse at a stables, and a friends horse ate some ragwort. It died very soon after. I think it disables the liver? It wasn't pleasant anyway......
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: Karen W. on 02/07/2007 11:30:13: HOW SAD! poor horse.. Man it really must be some caustic stuff!
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 03/07/2007 23:04:17: Quote from: dentstudent on 02/07/2007 09:47:51
Quote from: Karen W. on 30/06/2007 19:56:59
I agree I have not either.. A pink flamingo is pink but that is hot pink!.. very nice!

Did you know that flamingos are this colour becuase of the beta-carotine in the shrimps they eat?

Yes
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 03/07/2007 23:05:54: Quote from: Karen W. on 02/07/2007 11:30:13
HOW SAD! poor horse.. Man it really must be some caustic stuff!

Ragword is extremely poisonous to horses. However, if we've got cinnabar caterpillars around, they should keep the ragwort under control.

In any case, I've had a good look round for ragwort and I haven't found any.
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: Karen W. on 04/07/2007 23:51:46: Quote from: DoctorBeaver on 03/07/2007 23:04:17
Quote from: dentstudent on 02/07/2007 09:47:51
Quote from: Karen W. on 30/06/2007 19:56:59
I agree I have not either.. A pink flamingo is pink but that is hot pink!.. very nice!

Did you know that flamingos are this colour becuase of the beta-carotine in the shrimps they eat?

Yes

I did not know that!
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: Karen W. on 04/07/2007 23:52:55: Quote from: DoctorBeaver on 03/07/2007 23:05:54
Quote from: Karen W. on 02/07/2007 11:30:13
HOW SAD! poor horse.. Man it really must be some caustic stuff!

Glad to hear that Doc. I would hate for your pretty little horses to get sick and or DIE! Scary!

Ragword is extremely poisonous to horses. However, if we've got cinnabar caterpillars around, they should keep the ragwort under control.

In any case, I've had a good look round for ragwort and I haven't found any.
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: theresa27 on 07/07/2007 00:14:27: Along the same moth line, does anyone know the name of the moth found here..

(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsignalplusnoise.com%2Fextras%2FMothWingsC.JPG&hash=105f5f702a90f6a7dbc64550cd48b837)

(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsignalplusnoise.com%2Fextras%2FMothHead.JPG&hash=c1e56cebac7b9dc2c37f443b27394351)

(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsignalplusnoise.com%2Fextras%2FMothSpigotSm.JPG&hash=87f06a6fc2b36e8e733a11953fd9bfec)

Found one just like it at work today, quite large and no-one knew too much about it.

Thanks,
Theresa
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 07/07/2007 00:18:27: It may help if we knew where you live.
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: theresa27 on 07/07/2007 00:34:49: I am in Marion, Illinois in the US. The southern tip of Illinois. Not a big city. I found him this morning on a potted plant outside a drycleaning business.
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: Karen W. on 07/07/2007 08:08:09: I believe it a Royal Walnut Moth/Hickory-Horned Devil (Citheronia regalis)

The following info taken from this link!

http://cse-ferg41.unl.edu/pub/leps/index.html?page=royal-walnut

The most distinguishing characteristic of the Royal Walnut Moth (aka the Regal Moth) is its caterpillar, known as the Hickory Horned Devil.

As with all Saturniidae moths, the Regal does all its eating in the larva stage. The adult moth has no mouth and cannot eat. Although the larva is named the :Hickory" Horned Devil, its preferred food source is walnut. It will eat hickory and sweet gum, and a few other nut trees.

Here is another link to many more images of your moth!

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0geu7aJO49G2n8AnTdXNyoA?ei=UTF-8&p=Regal%20Moth&fr2=tab-web&fr=ytff1-
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: Karen W. on 07/07/2007 08:17:10: By The way Beautiful Moth very cool looking fellow!

Also here is a wiki write up!

link!http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citheronia_regalis
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: Seany on 07/07/2007 09:34:17: Quote from: theresa27 on 07/07/2007 00:14:27
Along the same moth line, does anyone know the name of the moth found here..

(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsignalplusnoise.com%2Fextras%2FMothWingsC.JPG&hash=105f5f702a90f6a7dbc64550cd48b837)

(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsignalplusnoise.com%2Fextras%2FMothHead.JPG&hash=c1e56cebac7b9dc2c37f443b27394351)

(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsignalplusnoise.com%2Fextras%2FMothSpigotSm.JPG&hash=87f06a6fc2b36e8e733a11953fd9bfec)

Found one just like it at work today, quite large and no-one knew too much about it.

Thanks,
Theresa

Ahhh you scared the hell outta me!!! Wahh its UGLY!!
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: Karen W. on 07/07/2007 14:14:40: It looks so fake
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: Karen W. on 07/07/2007 14:15:31: not ugly though, pretty orange!
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 07/07/2007 16:29:30: Theresa - how big is that moth?
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: Karen W. on 07/07/2007 18:39:28: :Hickory" Horned Devil, otherwise known as the Royal Walnut Moth (aka the Regal Moth) Is cool looking eh Doc! nice close up shot of him Theresa!
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: theresa27 on 07/07/2007 20:37:21: Thank you VERY much!
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 07/07/2007 21:03:33: They are fabulous pics.
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: theresa27 on 07/07/2007 21:32:13: This moth was about 2.5 inches across. The body was about an inch and a half in length and as big around as my index finger. I have never seen one like him. Pretty cool.
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 07/07/2007 22:09:14: Not having seen your index finger...
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: kdlynn on 08/07/2007 06:25:14: even if you haven't seen her index finger... that's big for a moth! ick!
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: Karen W. on 08/07/2007 06:40:09: I think he is an outstanding specimen he looks marvelous!
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 08/07/2007 10:18:50: Quote from: kdlynn on 08/07/2007 06:25:14
even if you haven't seen her index finger... that's big for a moth! ick!

She could be a midget
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: Karen W. on 08/07/2007 11:01:14: HEE HEE A midget Moth! LOL
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: Seany on 08/07/2007 13:59:01: Quote from: Karen W. on 07/07/2007 14:14:40
It looks so fake

Definitely
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: Karen W. on 08/07/2007 15:29:43: LOL Like pipe cleaner etc. LOL!
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: tony6789 on 08/07/2007 17:13:16: wow awsome colors for a moth
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: Karen W. on 09/07/2007 02:34:14: Quote from: tony6789 on 08/07/2007 17:13:16
wow awsome colors for a moth

Quite nice don't you think!
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: ukmicky on 10/07/2007 23:04:27: Moths defiantly outshine butterfly's in the beauty stakes. you would think it would be the other way round since moths are active during the night when there colours cant be seen.
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 11/07/2007 07:06:56: Micky - that's worthy of a new topic, don't you think?
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: ukmicky on 11/07/2007 15:49:49: yes Doc it Certainly does. :)
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: paleoperson on 15/07/2007 10:47:49: Hi, From memory, the Cinnabar and the Burnet moth both have cyanide based bloodstreams. Which is one of the reasons you do not find much eating them. [xx(]
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 15/07/2007 11:41:26: Quote from: paleoperson on 15/07/2007 10:47:49
Hi, From memory, the Cinnabar and the Burnet moth both have cyanide based bloodstreams. Which is one of the reasons you do not find much eating them. [xx(]

Sod that for a game of soldiers!
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: Karen W. on 18/07/2007 23:21:32: OOOH could that hurt an infant if they ate one or mangled one in their mouth.. I remember when Neil's little James got hold of a old moth and gave him a little gum joy! Obviously that moth was not poison or he didn't get enough to hurt him.. So what other moths may be poison?
Title: Anyone know what this little beastie is?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 19/07/2007 18:37:44: Quote from: Karen W. on 18/07/2007 23:21:32
...So what other moths may be poison?

Any that happened across my ex-wife's cooking [:-[]