Ob Khan NP, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Geometridae
SubFamily : Geometrinae
Genus : Dysphania
Species : Dysphania militaris
This beautiful moth is often mistaken for a butterfly due to its bright yellow colour and attractive markings. It is distributed in India, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and China. Although I have seen no recorded sightings it is reasonable to assume that it may also be present in Laos, especially as it appeared on a Laos postage stamp back in 1965. It is a large moth, having a wingspan of around 80-90mm, and flies during the day. It is often seen puddling on damp ground and sometimes, like the individual above, on the very edge of rivers and streams. It flies all year around but numbers peak in the summer months.
Habitat is on the edge of primary and secondary forest, usually near water. The known larval food plants are small trees or shrubs in the Rhizophoraceae family Kandelia candel and Carallia brachiata, and also Rhodomyrtus tomentosa, a tall evergreen shrub in the Myrtaceae family.
All my insect pics are handheld single shots of live animals, usually in the wild.
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