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| Blood-vein, Timandra comae |
We might have had some new species today but these particular micromoths cannot be identified by their photographs alone. Some species need to
have their genitalia dissected in order to truly be identified. Dr. Chesmore
would need the actual specimens and we had already released them. It is just as well because we've made a promise not to harm the moths for this blog.
Luckily, some of the most attention-catching moths were new
to me. The Blood-vein (Timandra comae) was
so flighty that I could only photograph it inside a container. However, the moth’s diagnostic details
still showed through, giving the appearance of pink ink streaked across a sheet
of papyrus. Its name, Timandra, comes
from the Greek mythological character, daughter of Tyndareus and Leda. She and
her two beautiful sisters, Helen and Clytemnestra, were all unfaithful to their
husbands. The reason for comae is
unclear but perhaps coma means the
terminal tufts of hair on plant seeds.
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| The Snout, Hypena proboscidalis |
The Snout (Hypena
proboscidalis) also grabbed my attention. Its triangular shape, bulging
eyes and snout are hard to miss. Hypena
(moustache or beard) and proboscidalis (an
elephant’s trunk) make playful references to its labial palpus. Poor thing, its
nose has been mocked since its very discovery!
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| Ingrailed Clay, Diarsia mendica |
Finally, the Ingrailed Clay (Diarsia mendica) slept soundly as I examined its brilliant, unusual
color. The origin of its name is
unclear. Diarsia means ‘a raising
up,’ but it is unclear where this came from. Mendica means ‘a beggar’ or ‘an indigent.’ It was suggested that
this could come from its drab appearance, but that would be unlikely as the
Ingrailed Clay is one of the prettiest of the species within its family.
Post by Helen Levins
