"I guess you would look sad if you had my life. I've just fallen out of a tree, landed with thump on the ground, and my head hurts. Now I have to climb all the way back up or there's no dinner for me tonight. One has to eat ! Yesterday my friend fell too but I haven't seen him since. Maybe he was stepped on by a human, there's a few of them about, or got eaten by one of those nasty Calosoma beetles. I've never even met my mum and dad and so I get no support from them. Life can be really difficult sometimes. Sigh.......!"
Lymantria dispar - the Gypsy Moth (larva), Vallee l'Ibie, Lagorce, Ardèche, France
If you are interested to see more of my most recent pics from Thailand and elsewhere or to learn more about the insects themselves please visit my website -
bugs-alive.blogspot.com
All my insect pics are single, handheld shots of live insects in wild situations.
Tags: moth polilla mot kupu-kupu papillon de nuit มอด Motte 蛾 falena animal outdoor insects insect Lepidoptera macro nature Erebidae Lymantria dispar Gypsy Moth Lymantriinae wildlife Ardèche Vallee l'Ibie Lagorce live insects France
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Doi Suthep-Pui NP, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Nymphalidae
SubFamily : Heliconiinae
Genus : Acraea
Species : Acraea issoria sordice
Although I have seen the larvae several times I have never seen the adult butterfly of this rare species. There is just one generation per year and the larval stage can last up to 6 months. It has limited distribution in northern India, through Bhutan, Myanmar, northern Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and southern China. It is a medium size butterfly, wingspan 40-60mm, and has a rather weak and fluttery flight. Habitat is elevated open forest areas up to around 2000m asl. It is a social species and tends to form colonies, sometimes quite large.
The larval foodplants include Bochmeria nivea, Girardinia diversifolia, Debregeasia hypoleuca (Urticaceae), Rubus ellipticus (Rosaceae), and Buddleja asiatica (Buddlejaceae).
All my insect pics are single, handheld shots of live insects in wild situations.
Tags: butterfly mariposa papillon farfalla Schmetterling бабочка Con bướm ผีเสื้อ animal outdoor insects insect Lepidoptera macro nature Nymphalidae Acraea issoria Yellow Coster Heliconiinae wildlife Doi Suthep-Pui NP Chiang Mai live insects Thailand Thailand butterflies ผีเสื้อหนอนหนามปีกเหลือง เชียงใหม่
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Doi Suthep-Pui NP, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Nymphalidae
Sub-Family : Heliconiinae
Genus : Acraea
Species : Acraea issoria sordice
Unfortunately I have yet to see the adult of this species. They are seasonal and I usually see the larvae, always at the same location, but am always too early for the adult which is quite a rare and beautiful butterfly.
Please have a look at my website - bugs-alive.blogspot.com
All my insect pics are one shot, hand-held macros of live insects in the wild.
Tags: butterfly mariposa papillon farfalla 蝴蝶 Schmetterling бабочка Con bướm ผีเสื้อ animal outdoor insects insect Lepidoptera macro nature Nymphalidae Acraea issoria Yellow Coster Heliconiinae wildlife Doi Suthep-Pui NP Chiang Mai ผีเสื้อในประเทศไทย live insects Thailand Thailand butterflies Nikon 105mm BugsAlive ผีเสื้อหนอนหนามปีกเหลือง larva chenille bruco Larven ตัวอ่อน 幼蟲 личинка
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Stanton Park, Swindon, U.K.
Family : Noctuidae
Subfamily : Acronictinae
Species : Acronicta psi
Tags: moths insects macro nature Noctuidae Grey Dagger Acronicta psi wildlife Wiltshire U.K. Lepidoptera outdoor animal insect moth
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Barbary Castle, Swindon, Wiltshire, U.K.
Family : Erebidae
Sub-Family : Arctiinae
Species : Arctia caja
This caterpillar was known as a 'woolly bear' when I was a kid and were then quite common. Sadly this species seems to have declined over the years. Mature caterpillars are often seen searching rapidly through the undergrowth looking for somewhere to pupate. The adult moth is quite large and colourful with a distinctive pattern, flying in a variety of open habitats during July and August.
Tags: National Geographic Wildlife moths insects macro nature Lepidoptera Garden Tiger Arctia caja Erebidae wildlife Wiltshire UK specinsect moth insect outdoor animal Arctiinae Swindon live insects
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