Recent Microdust...

Well, what can one say about microdust? Never 'erd of it? Well, think of tiny moths...only smaller! Honestly, some of the little blighters are so rediculously small that I have to check the trap contents twice cuz I'm afraid I've missed one on the first sweep - I often have!

Microdust pose a few problems for the MM. Firstly, they can be very difficult to identify - not only because of their tiny stature but also the relative lack of reference material. Secondly, they often will not stay still! It is maddening when all they really wanna do is run around in little (big would be hard for these pint-sized dwarfs) circles when the MM wants then to pose nicely on a leaf! Finally, it can be hard to get in close enough with the camera to get enough of them in the frame without shading them out too much. Problems, problems...but what would the mothing world be like without the odd challenge or two?

I have really grown to like miocrodust. Many are small, dull and boring. However, others are brilliant and gem-like - like tiny Christmas tree decorations. I've included some micropix for your viewing pleasure...


This little fellow belongs to the genus Phyllonorycter in the family Lithocolletinae. I cannot specifically identify it right now but will add the name once sorted. I caught it in my Toronto garden trap. Very tiny, but lovely nonetheless.


This curious-looking creature is Micrurapteryx salicifoliella and is found within the Gracillariidae. They are odd things what with those long legs and pencil-slim wings. I caught this last night here in Toronto. Oh yes, did I mention that they are mostly...very small...


This one is Chionodes formosella and is found in the huge Gelechiidae complex. Subtle but nice. I trapped this one up at the cottage south of Parry Sound a couple of weeks ago.


Lastly, the smart-looking Epicallima argenticinctella in the family Oecophoridae - a moth with a name several times longed than it's own body! Though still a lot larger than most microdust types. This one is quite common throughout Ontario.

I hope you like these tiny creatures. I think I may show you some more next time...

Play dead...

Play Dead - no, not the dark-sounding, slightly gothic band from the early eighties. No, more the act of fooling the moth Man that he isn't gonna get that vital photo cuz the moth wants him to think it's dead!

Some of the big Silk Moths do it...but none are more accomplished at this devilish performance than the moth below...


This is the Canadian Owlet in the process of "playing dead". It looks like a crumpled Oak leaf - quite fantastic really.


And this is what the snouty devil looks like when it eventually comes back to life - also looking like a crumpled Oak leaf!! But look at those fine whitish vermiculations...

BTW - does anyone out there apart from me actually remember the band Play Dead??? I did see some young lad on Toronto Island this spring wearing an old and tattered Play Dead t-shirt (depicting a skeletonized grim reaper - of course)...so I guess there is at least one other who likes that dark gothic guitar sound...I think I may have to dig deep into my old tape collection and play that old chestnut "Return to the East".

Recent moffs...

Sorry about the lack of posts of late - MM has been very busy with this and that. All better now though...

below are a few mothing highlights from the past few days.


Though by no means rare the Stormy Arches is a smart-looking moth. I caught a few up at the cottage a couple of weeks ago amongst a bumper catch in good mothing conditions. This species is pretty common in well wooded areas, the larva feeds on a variety of trees and Ribes species.


This moth, the lovely Broad-lined Sallow, was my main prize whilst up north. I've only caught it once before (also at the cottage) but that was some ten years ago and I didn't have photos. What's a great moth without photos? Just look at those crisp black lines - very stylish I'd say. The larva feed on Black Walnut.


Lastly we have the handsome Catocala called The Betrothed. This one was here at home, where I catch this species just about annually. This individual is of the dark form "scintillans". The larva feed on Honey Locust