For the identification of insects and other fauna and flora of South Africa.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Very tiny moth - Orange Plume Moth (Crombrugghia wahlbergi) Pterophoridae

While working on the PC, this extremely small moth decided to see what I was doing on it.
It is a very small one with a wingspan of less than half an inch but it had there interesting wings and almost thorn-like appendages on its legs.
Please excuse this bad shot but it is the only other one I have and as it was dark, I had to use the flash which messed up the colors in the body.

34 comments:

Life in Egypt said...

At least your visitors are better looking than mine. not to say cleaner.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Got to agree with you on that one Tony!! I guess in places cockroaches is something one never gets rid of unfortunately. Yuck!!

Diane said...

Interesting little guy, unusual shape. Diane

Firefly the Travel Guy said...

I have seen these around here as well. Very interesting looking. I haven't tried to photograph any moths yet though.

Gaelyn said...

What an unusual looking moth. In the last shot it seems like there should be a very little rider on its back. Hope the thorns help protect it from big things that eat moths.

Glad you liked the bug post. That was such a fun day, along with all the others.

Anonymous said...

I suppose I would think twice about biting down on this if I were a preditr. He is a very unusual bug.

Craver Vii said...

Fascinating little creature, Joan! It is so compact. I'll bet the flight pattern was more like a mosquito than a butterfly.

Martha Z said...

That is a strange looking moth, I've never seen anything like it. It is amazing, the variety of life around the world.

Zane said...

Hi Joan
I took 3 photos of one just before sunset about 2 weeks ago. Plume moths are different - strange, but far better to take photographs of than normal "dull" moths.

One of my next blog posts will be of moths and butterflies.

Great pictures of the plume moth - by the way :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Diane.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

They are not too easy to get Jonker because of the size - extremely small.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

I would love to know what the spurs are for Gaelyn. I have just made contact with someone who is going to help me with identfication so maybe I will begin to get some answer to my questions. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

I think I would leave this one strictly alone too Steve. Not only for the spurs on the legs but he is so small a small bird would need about 20 of them in order to have a decent meal. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

He sure made a good job of impersonating a mosquito when he was flying around Craver and not much bigger than one too. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Hi Martha. Thanks for dropping by. These insects are amazing in their variety. I have seen people posting some from the USA too and they are fantastic as well. We often do not see them in the urban areas or take much notice of them when we are outdoors.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

I have been lucky to find very interesting moths over the years Zane, some of them nicer than butterflies but I do confess most of them are dull brown in colour.

I look forward to seeing your post on the moths and butterflies in your area.

Tony nile life said...

The headers? (2) blog headers
are made up from 3/6 photos. it takes longer to do the photos in photo shop than actually take the photos. You should know how time consuming it is, you do a bit of doodling yourself. I only publish photos I am hapy with like the last 2 on http://skywatchegypt.blogspot.com/2010/05/two-photo-shop-pics.html

Mary said...

What a very odd moth! Never seen anything like it.

Philip said...

what a tiny little fellow I would need my glasses nice shots Joan how close were you ?

Rambling Woods said...

I find it amazing that these little creatures are so delicate looking yet survive...Great macros Joan...

Rambling Woods said...

Oh gosh...my husband came into the bedroom last night and said, 'Don't be alarmed but your bathroom spider on the ceiling over the tub..but it's just hanging out'...LOL..and sure it was...Michelle

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

You are riht about that Tony, It does take a long time but worth it in the end.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Mary. This is only the second time I have seen one like this here.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Philip. He was on my computer stand but I had a problem as I needed to use the flash and if you come too close it leaves a black circle and like this, gets the ful force of the flash which blurs it. No winning in this situation. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Michelle. They are so small that most of the time they are not even noticed.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Michelle: At least you did not freak out. LOL!! I had a Daddy Longlegs forever in my bath and I had to chase it out every morning when I wanted to bath. It would climb to the top and then sit and look at me until I was finished then crawl back down again. :)

Unknown said...

Those spikes on its legs are seriously badass!!!

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

LOL!! For sure!! :) Reminds me of cowboys going to sleep with their spurs on. :)

Becky said...

Indeed a strange little creature. You have some supershots of it.
B.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Becky. It was about 4am and quite dark so I had to use my flash and that really can mess a picture up sometimes.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Joan: Certainly an interesting critter.

Unknown said...

I would never have guessed this is a tiny one! It looks fantastic on the top pic.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Tom.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Jose. It s these small ones we hardly ever notice and they turn out to be the lovliest of them all.