Once more I'm Outdoors for my letter O and if you are not Over-joyed at seeing a moth I hope you'll be Open-minded because I'm Obsessed about them.
Oak Eggar Lasiocampa quercus
The Oak Eggar is one of the UK's larger resident moths with a wingspan of 58 to 85mm. The darker, smaller male flies by day in sunshine and the paler female at night, sometimes coming to light as did the one above.
The Oak Eggar is single-brooded, flying in woods, hedgerows, dunes, downs, commons, and sea cliffs. The normal flight period in lowland southern Britain is July to August, and in the north from late May to early July. It is found only in Europe and the British Isles but is locally widespread throughout S England and as far North as Durham and Lancashire.
The Oak Eggar is single-brooded, flying in woods, hedgerows, dunes, downs, commons, and sea cliffs. The normal flight period in lowland southern Britain is July to August, and in the north from late May to early July. It is found only in Europe and the British Isles but is locally widespread throughout S England and as far North as Durham and Lancashire.
The Oak Eggar, despite its name, does not feed on Oak, but is so-called because the shape of its cocoon is acorn-like. The hairs of the caterpillar can cause a violent itching skin allergy in some people. The Oak Eggar overwinters as a larva which feeds from September to June on heather (Calluna) and bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), but also include bramble (Rubus), Sallows (Salix), broom (Cytisus scoparius), sloe (Prunus spinosa), hawthorn (Crataegus), hazel (Corylus) and Sea-buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides).
The Oak Eggar got a mention in Charles Darwin's 'The Descent of Man' when he commented “The British moths which differ sexually in colour are all brown, or of various dull yellow tints, or nearly white. In several species the males are much darken then the females. I observe in my son's cabinet that the males are darker than the females in Lasiocampa quercus...”
Does the moth's "fur" feel as soft as it looks? It looks as if he's wearing a lovely fur coat.
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful brown color (sorry, colour!)
ReplyDeleteMr. Senex, you post the most incredible photographs:
ReplyDeleteit's always a delight to check your blog.
Thank you, thank you.
McGregor
Beautiful soft colours, and thank you for the interesting facts about this lovely moth. A fine choice for the letter O.
ReplyDeleteIncredible shots, although I don't share your obsession ;)
ReplyDeleteO is for..
Beautiful pictures of a great moth.
ReplyDeleteA lovely moth. I like them, they have such beautiful faces
ReplyDeleteThat really is a very handsome moth.
ReplyDeleteCan't say that I like close ups of insects, but I admire your observing eye.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures - I know it is not easy to get such brilliant results in close-ups! And the moth is beautiful, I have never seen one like it.
ReplyDeleteThat's one big, and ugly/beautiful bug. well done!
ReplyDeleteROG, ABC Wednesday team
Outstanding picture!
ReplyDeleteThe moth have a very thick 'fur'!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fuzzy guy. Looks like it could get through a Minnesota winter.
ReplyDeleteThey look so lovely and inviting I was all set to pet the next one I see, until you mentioned the "violent itching skin allergy." Thanks for the warning. My ABC Wednesday is O is for Oracle.
ReplyDeleteI wonder why I find moths somewhat creepy but butterflies beautiful? I'm not even sure I know the proper difference. I guess if I bumped into butterflies in the dark I would not like that either. These look soft though! :)
ReplyDelete@Roy: the itching skin CAN (it doesn't have to!) happen only with the caterpillars, not with the adult moth. Still, I doubt they like to be touched, much as their furry backs seem to invite us to.
ReplyDeleteYes, Librarian, I, fortunately, can handle the caterpillars without any ill effect. Hsndling the adult moths is not a good idea as the least brushing of their wings can cause the scales to drop off. Letting them crawl over your hand is a different matter and I love it when they do that - it makes one feel really attached to them.
ReplyDeleteLooks like its wearing a magical cloak. Beautiful photos. I was listening to a item about a group trapping and recording moths on the radio a few weeks ago, I hadn't realised there was such a vast number of species in the UK.
ReplyDeletehe is just beautiful - I loved learning about this amazing creature - thanks
ReplyDeleteFascinating! So furry and soft.
ReplyDeleteCertainly a furry looking fellow. The third shot is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that moths and butterflies have not been my favorites, but that one is just beautiful. He/she has fur! She looks so soft and stroke-able (my word) that I may just have been won over.
ReplyDeletelooks like the insect version of a big cuddly ginger cat! LOL
ReplyDeleteI like moths (and other insects and spiders and ... ) but even if I didn't - this one would look cuddly - LOL (funny how nature likes to play tricks like that ;-)