This beautiful day-flying moth is not rare and during this time of the year, many can be seen migrating.
But they never sit still! Well, at least not where we live. But yesterday one took shelter from an incoming tropical shower. It landed on a bush in the garden. Can you spot it?
This moth is a migrating species. Around October many of those moths are flying northwards, often along rivers. I’ve seen many of those moths crossing the Commewijne River flying low over the water.
I could not find out why they migrate around this time of the year. But my guess is that they migrate to breed.
I was very pleased that I was finally able to take a few photographs. It was on my wish list for a long time. Look at the beautiful details of its wings.
They are a big species of moths. They almost look like little birds when they fly through the sky with their long tails.
They rest during the night. They hide in trees. I’ve seen one going in to a tree just before nighttime. I was surprised because there were many birds in that tree as well. But apparently these moths are toxic and fear no predators. Their bright colours signal their toxicity.
- Green-banded Urania
- Urania leilus LINNAEUS, 1758
- Superfamily - GEOMETROIDEA
- Superfamily - URANIOIDEA
- Family - URANIIDAE
- subfamily - URANIINAE
Believe it or not but you can buy dead ones on Amazon. I was very surprised but there's a whole butterfly trade online. I rather have them alive in our garden.
Much love,
Gardenbsquared
PS
This is my latest gif btw. Feel free to use it.
OMG, @gardenbsquered I am in love with your photoes!! They are so so so nice!!
Butterflies for me always remind of a soul! this one such a special one!
Reselling butterflies - I do agree with you - what is the point having one stuck in the glass if you can see her in motion!
I am almost jealous of you as you live in such a bio-diverse environment!!! I thank you for sharing this real gem to us!
Image Source
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From an old perspective I can understand that people in the past wanted to collect them. But now it's so much more fun to photograph them and enjoy nature. Thank you.
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Your posts always stir in me many thoughts!
How do you identify the butterflies and moths! We take many lovely photos but never know 'who' they are!
As we are always in discussions about sustainable development and how to achieve sustainable economic outcomes - the selling of insect bodies is a surprising common topic of discussion here.
Would you feel differently if you could buy them live, for open and release at an even like a wedding?
Keep up the FANTASTIC work (and photography) GBS!
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I haven't seen that many species of butterflies but the ones that I do are quite common. But it takes me hours every week trying to identify everything that I photograph. I'm a bit more lucky with the birds but insects are a nightmare.
If one would keep butterflies say, for the purpose of selling them. That's kinda the same as keeping hamsters and sell those.
The people here capture a lot from the wild. It's cultural. There's also a lot of wild. When we just arrived here we saw parrots being sold at the street. My wife and I were thinking whether to buy them or not. Just to set them free. We didn't because buying them would only be an incentive to cage more of these birds who mate for live. So yeah, I feel much better when people release them at a wedding. Thank you. I hope I can, birds tomorrow.
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It looks like a butterfly! And I love that green pattern on it.
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It looks like a butterfly but it is a moth. I'm no expert but that's what I read. They sure are beautiful.
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