Friday, July 20, 2018

I'll Fly Away

Thought for the day: What the caterpillar calls the end of the world the master calls a butterfly. [Richard Bach]

[image: morguefile]
It'd be kinda cool if we could eat and eat and eat until we're too fat to move, and then sleep for a while, only to wake up transformed into a beautiful creature. With wings!

Yeah, not gonna happen. With my luck, I'd morph into a cockroach. (shudder)

Anyhow, July 21 - 29 is recognized around the world as National Moth Week, so I thought this would be a good time to take a little flit around the Lepidoptera family with you. Although moths make up from 89 to 94% of this family,  most of us are much more familiar with butterflies. Why? Easy. They flutter through our gardens during the day and their brightly-colored wings are usually very beautiful. We associate them with flowers and summertime, and in general, most of us like them. Moths, on the other hand, tend to be rather drab and do most of their flying at night, and we associate them with devouring our trees and snacking on our favorite woolen sweater. (They really do need to get a better PR team!) However, like butterflies, moths also play an important role in plant pollination.

[image: seniorark]


Other differences between moths and butterflies:

  • Butterflies have antennae that are club-shaped with a long shaft, while moths have feathery or saw-edged ones.
  • Moths fold their wings in a tent-like manner to cover their abdomens, while butterflies raise them vertically over their backs.
  • Moth larvae develop in silk cocoons, while butterflies build a more hard-shelled chrysalis.
  • Moths have a gizmo called a frenulum, which couples their wings, allowing them to work in unison. Butterflies do not.
  • When you were a child, did adults dissuade you from handling butterflies and moths by saying they wouldn't be able to fly if you dislodged some of that powdery stuff from their wings? Not true. They actually shed that powdery stuff naturally. It's more like scales than some kind of magical flying dust. 
How about some spiffy pictures and fun facts?

[image: wikipedia]



The lime green luna moth has a wingspan of about four and a half inches, and it glows in the dark! (A built-in night light!) These critters are indigenous to Georgia, but I've never seen one. 








[image: wikipedia]
This hairy-looking guy is a buck moth, and he clearly demonstrates another difference between moths and butterflies. Moths are generally stout and fuzzy, while butterflies are slender and smooth. The larvae of this  Ewok-looking moth have hollow spines, which are attached to a poison sac, and their sting can cause itching, burning and nausea. This moth is also a rebel. Unlike other moths, this guy prefers to fly during the daytime.

[image: wikipedia]






Another day-flying rebel moth is this brightly-colored urania leilus of South America.



[image: wikipedia]



But the biggest rebel of all has to be this Castniid moth of Australia and Indonesia. Not only are they day-fliers, but they have clubbed antennae and brightly-colored wings. (Half of 'em, anyway.)


[image: wikipedia]





Recognize this? It's a tent caterpillar nest. These moths are more sociable than most, and build and share huge silk nests. Where I grew up in Maryland, they were very prevalent, with nests in almost every tree, and bazillions of the caterpillars lumbering all over the place on the ground. I used to kinda like them, until the boy down the street smashed several of them on top of my head. I never felt quite the same about them again...

The largest moth? That would be the Atlas moth, whose wingspan can be as great as twelve inches. The smallest? The appropriately named pygmy moth, which is a teeny 3/32 of an inch. Barely noticeable, right? Not so of this Atlas monster:



[image: wikipedia]


With wingspans measuring an average eleven inches, Birdwings are the largest butterflies. This chart shows males on the left and females on the right.

The smallest? Blues, which are between one quarter and one half inch in size. And, um... they're blue.





[image: wikipedia]




One of the coolest butterflies... and the queen of camouflage... has to be this dead leaf butterfly. Amazing, isn't it?


[image: wikipedia]






When its wings are open, it shows it true colors.














[image: wikipedia]
This is a gypsy moth larva. For a very brief while, our older son had one of them... as a pet. Larry the larva.



In the early seventies, my mother and aunt came down for a visit, and while Smarticus was at work, we went to Lake Lanier for the day. The place was absolutely swarming with an army of official-looking khaki-clad fellas, but we didn't bother them, and they didn't bother us. In the meantime, our son found the colorful larva and like most little boys, wanted to bring it back home. Well, (ahem) it turned out that those men were on the look-out for gypsy moth larvae... so they could kill them, because the little boogers are extremely destructive. And we, um, brought one home with us. Let's just say the holes we punched in the jar lid had verrrry sharp edges, and Smarticus, being the friendly fellow he is, yelled "Helloooooo, Larry!" to the larva quite often... while, um, shaking the jar vigorously. (What? The rude little guy refused to answer!) And that... was that...for the dearly departed hairy Larry.

I can't resist sharing this video with you. It's another one of the giant Atlas moth. I mean, what kinda person would let a moth do this...?



                                     I would NEVER! But a butterfly? That's a different story...


I'm flitting off to spend some time with our grandchildren, so I won't be responding to your comments right away. Trust me, I will not let our kiddos capture any larvae in a jar.

                           Until next time, take care of yourselves. And each other.





49 comments:

  1. Moffs, like spiders, really need a better PR team. Some of them are incredibly beautiful and many of them are useful.
    Have a wonderful time with your family - which I know you will.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They certainly do! I've seen a lot of beautiful spiders, but most people hear the word "spider" and they screech and run in the opposite direction.

      Thanks. We had a terrific time. Just got home a little while ago. (sigh) Much too short a time, but much better than no time at all.

      Delete
  2. Very interesting article about moths and butterflies. Some are really beautiful, others are creepy. Enjoy your down time! Hugs, Valerie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. I'm glad you found it interesting. You're right. Some of the real hairy moths are a little creepy looking. :)

      Down time is done. (sigh) But it was lots of fun. Hugs back atcha.

      Delete
  3. Most moths I don't mind, but the teeny tiny pantry moths that infested my daughter's entire house are a completely different story. She didn't realise what they were, so didn't know how destructive they can get and of course they laid their little eggs in every room....five years later, I'm STILL setting pheromone traps to capture males and stop the breeding cycle.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh dear! Your poor daughter. Good luck getting rid of them!

      Delete
  4. Never even knew about the magic dust, err umm scales. Guess my parents didn't care when I chased them around haha Larry sounds like one pet we'd stray from.

    Enjoy your time with the kiddos!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You nearly killed my computer lol thanks. I almost spit my water on it after reading your review hahaha

      Delete
    2. I was one of those kinds of kids who was always playing with bugs, frogs, toads, etc., so I guess my parents tried to protect the poor moths and butterflies from my over- exuberance. :)

      We had a great time with the kiddos. Thanks.

      HA Sorry about that, but I still say: WHAT DID I JUST READ??? :)

      Delete
    3. You read words. You can take comfort in that at least lol

      And Pssssst:

      http://www.pathattbooks.com/uncategorized/explosive-beginnings

      Delete
    4. Thanks! I'm glad you liked it. (Enough to want to read book two, anyway!)

      Delete
  5. fly away and enjoy the kiddos!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did... but I'm back. (And we swam in the Gulf while we there too... it was glorious, especially considering the heat index was like 108...)

      Delete
  6. The Retired Man and I were just talking last night about butterflies and moths, or the lack of them this year. Normally we have plenty of both but have seen few moths (or caterpillars) and no butterflies at all this summer.

    That boy and his pet Atlas Moth is disturbing in so many ways.

    I also had an encounter with boy and a butterfly when I was about 12 years old. The boy, thinking it was funny, put one down the back of my tucked in shirt. I can still recall the horror that I felt. Adolescent boys with bugs should never be trusted.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maybe it's just been too darned hot (and wet!) up there for the flutterbys this year.

      I wouldn't have appreciated the butterfly down my shirt, but I think the smooshed caterpillars on top of my head were worse. After all these years, I can still remember how oogy it was. You're right. Little boys and bugs can be a dangerous combination.

      Delete
  7. Moths can be just as beautiful as any butterfly. I've sometime mistaken one for the other. Hope you enjoy your visit with your grands!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're right. I think most people think only butterflies can be beautiful.

      Thanks! It was... grand!

      Delete
  8. The urania leilus looks like a stealth bomber.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is really cool! I like how you explained the differences--I didn't know about these things. We have a butterfly garden in our backyard, so this is good! Love your cockroach comment----dying laughing!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very cool that you have a butterfly garden. I hope it's been attracting a LOT of butterflies.

      I'm glad the cockroach comment tickled your funny bone. :)

      Delete
  10. Looking at the Dead Leaf Butterfly, I was sure it was just that--a dead leaf!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me, too! That critter deserves a degree in camouflage.

      Delete
  11. I may have nightmares over the gigantic moth on the face video! Fun post. Cool facts and photos. Have fun with the grands.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HA! Sorry. I don't think I'd want a gigantic moth crawling all over my face, not even in a dream.

      We did have fun. Thanks.

      Delete
  12. I always loved caterpillars, cuz they can change … into somethings beautiful … but also into something awful … Every so often we have tent caterpillars eat all of our poplar leaves … and when we have bare poplar and only a few spruce here and there, country looks pretty sparse some years, friend Sue … anyway, I saw a weasel in ma kitchen the other day prolly looking for mice … That was entertaining, smiles … Love, cat.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, caterpillars are kinda magical, aren't they? But seeing all those wriggly caterpillars inside of one of their tent nests still gives me an icky feeling.

      Wow, a weasel in your kitchen, huh? I betcha not too many people can say that! (I'm glad he wasn't a skunk!)

      Delete
  13. Hi Susan - moth and butterfly week ahead ... and yes I see a lot around here ... and 'dead leaf' looking ones too; nature is just extraordinary in all its wonders ... love the videos etc ... I'll keep my eyes peeled this week ... looking for butter-flying critters or dayglo moths ... cheers and have a lovely week with the kidlies ... Hilary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi-ya, Hilary. I've never seen a dead leaf moth... then again, maybe I DID, but I just didn't SEE him. I thought he was a leaf. (Crafty little bugger!)

      We spent a long weekend with the kiddos, but we're back home now. Cheers back atcha!

      Delete
  14. And who says you don't learn anything on the Internet? This was interesting stuff.

    Enjoy your vacation and grandkids!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HA! I don't say it. There's LOT to be learned on the Internet... just don't count on all of it being TRUE!

      Thanks. We did!

      Delete
  15. Have a wonderful time with the Little Ones !

    cheers, parsnip

    ReplyDelete
  16. It must be difficult if one is both a moth and a sea-captain.
    You see a lighthouse in the distance. You know you shouldn't but...
    CLICK HERE for Bazza’s capricious Blog ‘To Discover Ice’

    ReplyDelete
  17. This was interesting stuff from the internet.

    ReplyDelete
  18. We have a butterfly conservatory locally, specialising in Monarchs. They also have Lady Gouldian Finches there. Enjoyed this blog Susan.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, wow, that must really be cool. We have butterfly festivals and releases, but no conservatory close by.

      Thanks, Jo. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

      Delete
  19. I didn't know there was a Moth Day. Now I know so much more about moths than I ever did. Thank you! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're welcome, but it's actually all WEEK.

      I betcha Bubba would LOVE to have one of those giant Atlas moths for a pet... :)

      Delete
  20. I absolutely love this. That is one heck of a moth!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad you liked it. I'd love to see one of those moths up close and personal... but not THAT in-your-face up close and personal!

      Delete
  21. Such amazing creatures! I think I've seen one of those luna moths here in NC.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oooh, lucky you! They're definitely indigenous to GA, too, but I haven't been out and about at night in the places they're likely to be found. (i.e. None of them have been flitting about in our house...)

      Delete
  22. Well, this matches my post rather splendidly! Great minds, Susan... I love all things metamorphic, especially grandchildren, have a lovely time :-)
    I Loved the book, just waiting for 5 minutes peace at home to get a review done! xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, good! I can't wait to see your post!

      I almost missed your comment altogether, doggone it. Ever since Blogger stopped sending comments to me via email, it's so much easier to miss comments on earlier posts. (They SAID they were gonna "fix it". I wish they'd hurry up!)

      Woo HOO! I'm glad to hear you liked the book. :)

      Delete
  23. Interesting article about moths and butterflies. We went to a butterfly house with the grandchildren, a while back now, but we had a great time.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Butterflies and grandchildren... that's a tough combination to beat!

      All the best back atcha.

      Delete