Erebid Moth

Cometaster pyrula

Description:

30-40 mm wingspan. Two different individuals shown in the spotting. Probably the most amazing moth-pattern I have seen for myself so far...

Habitat:

Early morning in a bush lodge. High altitude Libombo mountains.

Notes:

The lodge in Mlawula Nature reserve is just full of moths right now. The staff told me that last December they had even more, and during two weeks they saw a houndred different big types of moths every day. The Libombo mountains has a great diversity of plants. Species specific information: Cometaster pyrula is endemic to Africa, however it got permission to be released in Australia and the insect was first released in north Queensland in October 2004. (http://era.deedi.qld.gov.au/1528/) The idea was to preform biological control of tropical weeds by using arthropods.

1 Species ID Suggestions

Jacob Gorneau 10 years ago

Erebid Moth

Cometaster pyrula BOLD Systems: Taxonomy Browser - Cometaster pyrula {species}

24 Comments

Johan Heyns 10 years ago

http://www.africanmoths.com/pages/EREBID...

Maria dB 10 years ago

a real beauty!

Sckel 10 years ago

todos sofrendo de apofenia :D

Adarsha B S 10 years ago

As u described, most amazing pattern it is!
Spectacular spotting !

staccyh 10 years ago

Great photos Tiz!

Arya 10 years ago

Thats a very nice place to be able to escape to!

Tiz 10 years ago

Thank you for all the great and kind comments and likes ! I cant tell you how relived I am that I am not the only one that saw a mask-face when this moth was turned upside-down... :D

Arya, I dont live in Swaziland. I just escape to that country when I have a free weekend. It is only 2 hours drive from the capital city of Mozambique, Maputo, where I life and work for the moment...

dotun55 10 years ago

The revolved view is interesting

RiekoS 10 years ago

Very beautiful. I see the African mask too.

DanielePralong 10 years ago

That one put a smile on my face for the day! Great find Tina.

Arya 10 years ago

I agree with both of them, I like the mask! Tiz, and you living in Swaziland?

Ava T-B 10 years ago

I agree with LaurenZarate; a beautiful mask-face!

Joseph CHIEF REDEARTH 10 years ago

WoW! Wow! Teena Its super!

Bhagya Herath 10 years ago

wow!!!! awesome great spotting Tiz.....

LaurenZarate 10 years ago

Beautiful! So African Mask-like!

MacChristiansen 10 years ago

Great spot Tiz

Mark Ridgway 10 years ago

Fabulous mask.

Dilan Chathuranga 10 years ago

Amazing spotting Tiz!!!

Jacob Gorneau 10 years ago

For me, every week is moth week. :-D Looking forward to some more awesome finds!

Tiz 10 years ago

Ye I remember. He was a challenge to shoot, always on the move. :)

But I have a lot more beautiful and odd looking moths to upload from Swaziland, seen last weekend and this weekend. Documentation of species from there is a bit "weak", and all contributions are very helpful.

But I guess I have to make sure I have some more moths for you next year :)

Jacob Gorneau 10 years ago

I wouldn't say you couldn't contribute to Moth Week…remember this?
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/321...

Tiz 10 years ago

That was a super-fast ID! Thank you Jakob. Too bad the moth season here is way too late for moth-week research for this year. Thank you!!

Luis, thank you for the very nice comment :)