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Text and photographs
protected by Copyright © Adrian Hoskins
2007, and must not be published
in part or in whole elsewhere without prior written permission from the
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Moths of
the Amazon and Andes : Trinidad
Thyridid moth
Siculodes aurorula
Family - THYRIDIDAE
subfamily -
introduction
|
habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
Siculodes
aurorula, Arima valley, Trinidad
Introduction
My very first visit to a
tropical rainforest
was to the Arima valley in northern Trinidad in 1991. While walking along a
trial, my attention was caught by what appeared to be a
dead leaf,
which seemed to have fallen and settled on green foliage. A
spider
appeared to be sitting on it, but somehow it all looked a bit too symmetrical,
so I took a closer look..........
Closer
examination revealed that the "dead leaf" was in fact
the wings of a moth, and the "spider" was it's body and legs.
It
had adopted an extremely odd posture, with it's body,
legs and outstretched wings held in a vertical plane, and had a strange
mesmerising effect on me as I watched it. I gave it the nickname "Sit on it's
bum moth". For many years I was completely mystified by the insect, but it was
was finally identified 10 years later by Mike Shaffer of the
British Natural History
Museum, as
Siculodes aurorula,
a member of the Thyrididae. My specimen was the first ever
recorded in Trinidad.
The
wings are a marvellous example of camouflage - perfectly disguised as a dead
leaf, complete with windows to simulate the nibblings of insects, and spotted
with dark areas that could easily be mistaken for leaf mould.
The photograph finally
revealed the reason for the incredibly long legs which had long puzzled
entomologists who had studied the museum specimen. The moth needed them so that
it could rest in this very odd upright posture. The pose is almost threatening.
Why would a moth need to stand in such a strange position ? Perhaps when viewed
from this angle it might appear sufficiently scary to frighten off a small avian
or reptilian predator ? Perhaps it simply needs to raise itself clear of the
substrate to avoid getting stuck to it
when the leaves are wet with rain ?
Habitats
Mid elevation tropical
rainforest.
Lifecycle
Unknown.
Adult behaviour
Other than the fact that it is nocturnal, little is known. The moth could easily be handled during daylight, which suggests that it remains stationary and relies on disguise for protection from predators, rather than fleeing when feeling threatened.
Text and photographs protected by Copyright © Adrian Hoskins 2007-2008, and must not be reproduced or published in part or in whole elsewhere in any form without written permission from Adrian Hoskins. Breach of copyright will be pursued by litigation. Website designed, produced and owned by Adrian Hoskins |