David Element
Wildlife Photography and Digital Video Images
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Moths 63 – Scarce Merveille du Jour Moths
SCARCE MERVEILLE DU JOUR MOTH Moma alpium
SCARCE
MERVEILLE DU JOUR MOTH Moma alpium
·
The exquisitely marked Scarce Merveille du Jour Moth Moma alpium, family Noctuidae (Acronictinae), can rest on the trunks of lichen-covered Oak Quercus spp. trees with comparatively little risk of detection
by predators as the moth’s camouflage is so effective. This subterfuge is far
less effective when the moth is observed against other backgrounds. The above
example was photographed in France some years ago, back in the days of
pre-digital photography, so the images have been scanned from transparencies. This
early summer-flying species is uncommon, with a distribution limited to a small
number of mature Oak-woods in southern England. The only likely confusion
species is the superficially similar Merveille
du Jour Dichonia aprilina, but examination of the markings should easily
separate the two, and there is no overlapping of the flight seasons as this
moth is on the wing in the autumn.
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