Saturday, 8 August 2009

Not just black and white










A striking moth of oak woods at this time of year is the Black Arches, Lymantria monacha. This was one of 32 that came to an actinic trap in Potton Wood last night. When disturbed they have a defensive posture that seems to involve arching the body and showing a flash of red along the abdomen, presumably to warn off any inquisitive birds.

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