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Index of Subjects Christopher Majka wrote: > Hi Eleanor, > > On 13-Jun-08, at 6:08 PM, Eleanor Lindsay wrote: > >> A little butterfly, quite unlike any I have ever seen before is >> presently visiting my property; it is small; v. approx 1.5cms with >> wings outstretched, and it is totally black, except for four large >> round white spots on each wing and two little orange oval 'blobs' on >> either side of the head. The white spots are very striking, making it >> looks rather like a flying domino! Can anyone tell me what this is? > > I think you probably mean two large spots on each wing (remember that > butterflies and moths have four wings) and that the oval "blobs" are > actually on the side of the thorax (or on the front and middle legs) > since this sounds very much like a moth (rather than a butterfly) > known as the Eight-spotted Forester (/Alypia octomaculata/ (Fabricius, > 1775)), member of the family Noctudidae. There are some excellent > pictures of this species located at: > > http://www.texasento.net/octomaculata.htm > > In many individuals the yellowish spots on the forewings can look > quite pale giving it the appearance of eight white spots. Also, you'll > notice that there is a patch of yellowish pubescence on the sides of > the thorax where the forewings attach to the body and there are orange > pubescent patches on the femurs of the front and middle legs. Its > a colourful, common species that feeds on grapes and Virginia Creeper, > and is frequently seen flying during daylight hours. > > All the best! > > Chris > > > Christopher Majka > Nova Scotia Museum, 1747 Summer St., Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 3A6 > c.majka@ns.sympatico.ca <mailto:c.majka@ns.sympatico.ca> > > > Thanks Chris; you did an excellent job of deciphering my woeful lack of knowledge about butterflies, moths and their anatomy - and you were spot on - it is indeed an Eight Spotted Forester! Eleanor Lindsay
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