A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Therinia transversaria
Therinia transversaria, until recently was classified Asthenidia transversaria. This is a swallow-tailed moth (foto #3) that has a wingspan of about 7-8 cm. It is a brilliant white with 4 light gray stripes on each set of wings and a pair of black spots on the tip of each tail.
This beautiful moth was photographed in a house in the Amazon rainforest of SE Ecuador @ 700 masl. I would imagine it can also be found outside in a somewhat more natural setting.
This beautiful moth joined me at my desk as many insects seem to. It was most cooperative as far as taking pictures goes. It appeared quite content to sit under the light while I was working.
Spotted on Jul 15, 2017
Submitted on Mar 9, 2019
8 Comments
That gave me a really good laugh. I grant you honourary Australianship. Now was that poor moth really co-operative or just petrified? Still laughing :D
That took me a minute Neil. I was wondering what "There's a rattlesnake in your house" means in Australian :-) Then I looked at the pictures again. Boy, you have sharp eyes. FYI, I've briefly added another picture to this spotting.
Cheers for the update, Tukup. It certainly is a beautiful moth, and so unusual. Btw, there's a rattle snake in your house. Just saying ;)
Hi Neil. Since you were the only one to comment on this, I thought I'd send you and update. Classification updated from Asthernidia sp to Therinia transversaria. See description for reason for change and link in reference box..
You are right! Been there, done that :-)
Mother Nature smiles upon us sometimes :) Beats having to chase it around the yard.
Thanks Neil. That's the easiest spotting I've made. It was sitting a foot away from me while I was on the computer :-)
Wonderful spotting, Tukup. I thought it had 2 heads (from a distance, anyway). Great pics and info.