Moth of the Week
Antler Moth
Cerapteryx graminis
The antler moth is a part of the family Noctuidae. It was first described in 1758 by Carl Linnaeus. This moth gets its name from the antler shaped mark in its forewings.
Description This moth species has brown forewings, with a “basal streak” of white that branches out. This mark may vary in size per moth. The forewings show a mirrored pattern of the base brown broken up by the branches and a few spots and lines of lighter brown. The forewing also may or may not have black streaks. The hindwing is dark brown with a white fringe.
Males are smaller than females with fluffier antennae.
Male Wingspan: 27 - 32mm (≈1.06 - 1.26in)
Female Wingspan: 35 - 39mm (≈1.38 - 1.53in)
Diet and Habitat The larva of this species feeds on grasses such as Deschampsia, Sheep’s-fescue (Festuca ovina), Mat-grass (Nardus stricta) and Purple Moor-grass (Molinia caerulea). It has also been found on sedges and rushes. When the larva population is concentrated enough, they can damage pastures. Adults feed on flowers such as thistles and ragworts.
This species is common through most of Europe. It’s northernmost reach is Iceland and above the Arctic Circle. It’s easternmost reach is Siberia and North Mongolia. This moth does not occur in the dry southern regions of Europe. It has been introduced to North America. Additionally, this species inhabits the Alps. They prefer habitats of grassland, favouring acid upland pasture, moorland and downland.
Mating Adult moths are seen flying from July to September. They presumably mate in this time frame.
Predators This moth flies during the day, especially in the north, warm weather, and early mornings, and at night. They are presumably preyed on by both daytime and night time predators like birds and bats. They are attracted to light. To protect themselves during the day, this moth hides in the grass.
Fun Fact The antler moth rises to an altitude of 2100 meters in the Alps.
(Source: Wikipedia, Butterfly Conservation)
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Moth of the day #8
Antler moth
Cerapteryx graminis
From the noctuidae family. They have a wingspan of 27-39 mm. They frequently inhabit grassland and moorland. This is a common species all throughout Europe, and has been introduced to North America as well.
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i feel like if you were a moth you'd be either a broad-bordered bee hawkmoth or an antler moth /pos !!!
fun fact!!! hawk moths (or sphinx moths), unlike many other moths, actually have mouths and digestive systems as adults!! and theyre p big moths too, think like the size of a small hummingbird
also i think a bee hawkmoth flew at me a few days ago but i have trash eyesight and look. the bee illusion works. 15/10 i thought an abnormally large and long bee or an unusually chomby wasp was flying at me
I LOVE!!!! MOTHS!!! SO THANK YOU SM THAT IS A WILD COMPLIMENT!!!!!
also this reminded me that theres a moth au somewhere and hfnbdgshdbfnfh 💕💕💕 om nom nom i love it sm
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antler moths!! They get their name form the beautiful white pattern on their hindwings which looks like, you guessed it, antlers!
Somewhat unrelated but is it just me that ADORES brown/reddish brown + white colour scheme stuff, especially these kinds of bone/yellowish white tints <3
And as alwas with moths we get amazing antennae :)
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Not dice related but in between polishing sessions of the dice I already have already demolded I am learning how to paint with watercolors and I am super happy with the results and the progress of my Vi!
(on the dice note I need to learn how to make proper dice molds of my masters though cause I MISS making dice so much!)
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Crown, acrylic on wood panel by KristinaRoseWebb
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