David Element
Wildlife Photography and Digital Video Images
___________________________________________________________________Moths
114 – Early Thorn Moths
EARLY THORN MOTH Selenia dentaria
EARLY THORN
MOTH Selenia dentaria (m)
·
The Early Thorn Moth Selenia dentaria
(Geometridae, Ennominae)
is one of several similar species with rather variable markings and a
characteristic wing-shape. In the case of S. dentaria this is also associated
with the time of emergence (as there are two generations each year). These
moths are described as resting with their wings held vertically and touching
each other rather than partly opened, a distinctive behavioural feature that would
apply to other similar ‘Thorns’, but as the markings would appear to be
consistent with S. dentaria the moths illustrated above either hadn’t
read the script, hadn’t finally settled, or perhaps they have been
misidentified by the author! The markings of the male moth in the second
photograph have been partly worn away (therefore making identification less
conclusive), and this individual had almost certainly been bashing himself
against artificial light fittings. The photographs have been scanned from old
transparencies. Ther larvae can feed on a variety of foodplants.
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