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J-Y-M — Isabelle, adult male - 7
Published: 2010-05-02 17:18:35 +0000 UTC; Views: 300; Favourites: 15; Downloads: 10
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Description
Actias [Graellsia] isabellae (Saturnidae), another male emerged on 2010/05/02. Detail of the head.Mythic and wonderful species.
It lives only in some stations of French Alps and Spain mountains. Protected by law.
Breeding specimen, ex ova. (orig. France),
18/04/2010
Caterpillar: [link] [link] [link]
Pupa and cocoon: [link] [link]
Adult moth: [link] [link] [link] [link] [link]
Related content
Comments: 9
Are those antennae some sort of countermeasure for bats maybe? I seem to recall that moths in particular have this feature to save them from hungry bats.
They make it look like a monster of sorts though ...
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Not really; the males have such antennae to detect females pheromones. They can "smell" a calling female from several kilometers!...
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Ah! Of course, stupid me. I did know that now that you mention it.
It's amazing though, isn't it?
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Really amazing indeed.
A lot of Saturniidae are able to do that. Since they do not feed they live only 7-10 days so they have just time for reproducing.
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I see. In that case, it is totally understandable why they would need a such an ingenious way to detect females, even if they're far removed from the males.
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so pretty~o 3 o
I like the angle you took the picture from~
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