( Eight-Spotted Forester ~ notice the blue patches between the white spots)
This moth ranges from Canada and Maine all the way down to Florida and eastward to Minnesota and Texas. It drinks nectar during the day, so be on the lookout. It was a perfect weather day here in Houston, so I got home from work and dug up some unsightly weeds. It was not a glamorous garden chore, but I had to move some rocks. I moved one and there...there it was!
This most beautiful moth. I always have my camera in my pocket (advice from Carol at May Dreams Gardens...she is very wise) and I snapped a few as it was growing dark.
This is called an Eight-spotted Forester moth and you can see why. My surprise of the day was when I touched it. Instead of flying away, it shot up its wings in this warning display. It didn't budge but sat there as if to say 'back off..can't you see my dangerous coloration!"
This wonderful creature struts around with bright orange tufts of fur on its legs.
Best of all, it eats native Virginia creeper along with native Mustang grape vines.
It's no harm to have them around. It's Latin name is Alypia octomaculata
and there are a number of species which all have black and white markings.
So my drab weedpulling event turned into a Safari.
Thanks for stopping by. David/ Tropical Texana/ Houston
