A lovely moth.
By Geraniumdad
- 28 Sep, 2010
- 11 likes
This is a Leopard Moth, Zeuzera pyrina.
I found 2 of these moths in my back garden in 2009.
Comments on this photo
He's a beaut!!
28 Sep, 2010
Beautiful but hope he doesnt fly my way!
28 Sep, 2010
Yes it is really nice, and quite large. I have to admit that i fed one of them to my pet tarantula who wolfed it down! Sorry nature lovers.
From Wikipedia:
The Leopard Moth (Zeuzera pyrina) is a moth of the family Cossidae. It is found primarily in Europe. It was introduced into the northeastern United States prior to 1879 and has a range extending from Maine to Pennsylvania.
This is a highly distinctive species with a very furry white thorax marked with six black spots and heavily spotted white wings. The wingspan is 35–60 mm. The moth flies from June to September depending on the location.
The caterpillars feed on various deciduous trees and shrubs (see list below), feeding internally for two or three years in the stems and branches before emerging to pupate under the bark. It can be a pest of fruit production.
Recorded food plants
Acer
Aesculus
Broussonetia
Carya
Castanea
Celtis
Ceratonia
Cotoneaster
Crataegus
Cydonia
Fagus
Fraxinus
Ilex
Juglans
Ligustrum
Liquidambar
Liriodendron
Lonicera
Malus
Olea
Prunus
Punica
Pyrus
Quercus
Rhododendron
Ribes
Robinia
Rubus
Salix
Syringa
Tilia
Ulmus
Viburnum
Wingspan 35-60 mm.
Distributed over the southern half of England and South Wales, associated with woodland, gardens and orchards.
The adults fly during June and July and the larvae feed on the wood of a variety of deciduous trees.
Though nocturnal in habits, the adults can sometimes be found resting conspicuously in the daytime.
28 Sep, 2010
C*****, i hope it doesn't head here :-/
28 Sep, 2010
Geez, would have to get rid of half the shrubs in my garden...just have to keep my head down I guess!
28 Sep, 2010
Or get some tarantulas..........
28 Sep, 2010
Shriek!!!!!!!
28 Sep, 2010
lol....Tarantulas...you out to scare us all, Richard!!! Well on second thought.....keep feeding the spider! Don't think we need another garden pest in the UK so the less of these moths the better.
28 Sep, 2010
Beautiful markings on this moth and already wearing its fur coat!!!
3 Oct, 2010
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This photo is of species Zeuzera pyrina (leopard moth)..
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7 Jun, 2012
Hmmm, not seen anything like that before, which plants do they feed on and what's their habitat ?
28 Sep, 2010