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

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Laterite Matron (Automolis lateritia) Thyretidae

A stunningly beautiful moth.




42 comments:

Diane said...

Stunning photos, wish I could take close ups like that.Diane

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Diane. Just a little bit of practice helps and a fairly good camera of course. :)

A New England Life said...

That certainly is a beautiful moth! Nice red fur coat it's sportin' too!

What an amazing eye shot, Joan. Yes, you must have a good camera, and a patient subject ; )

Craver Vii said...

My, what a fancy coat! Do you suppose it is dressed for a fancy dinner date?

As usual, these details are so precise!! Amazing!

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Sharon. Believe it or not most of my macro shots are taken with a little point and shoot camera. I wonder if I collect enough of them I can make a coat out of it. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Craver. I would like to dress up so fancy for a date too if I could, problem is, my hair is the wrong color. :)

A New England Life said...

Joan,
Funny about using the point and shoot because I feel the same way about my point and shoot, that is takes better macros then my fancy camera. I heard someone else say the same thing once.

Maybe a Barbie doll coat, that's about it : )

Sharon

Andrea said...

Stunning serie,Joan.
The moth is wonderful and your shots so good...

Bye

Becky said...

A simply stunning moth! Never have seen anything like it! You find the most interesting creatures to photograph! Thanks so much for showing us your world.

Diane AZ said...

Wow, that is the most fabulous moth I've ever seen. I like the colors and patterns and long hairs.

Unknown said...

Impressive red and great macro shots!

blog with no name said...

With that red, lokks like he's ready for a dance down in the village...

Becky said...

Wow Joan, I love those antenae! The hairy head is so cool. Almost like our Gypsy moth here, but yours has such an awesome color.
B..

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Sharon: I have a Canon 400D with a dedicated macro lens and I almost never use it. This P&S is so handy as I can have it with me all the time and have now taken over 20,000 pictures with it. What a great little camera.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Andrea. During this holiday with Gaelyn I did not take many pictures except if I found something interesting like this.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Becky (Florida). I wonder if I will ever run out of interesting subjects? We do have such a large variety here.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Diane. I just wish I could do more in identifying these lovely moths. During my holiday someone gave me a lead to a person who might be able to help me more. I need to contact them soon.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Jose. Quite a beautiful specimen.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Hello Mike. yes, he is quite dressed up and rearing to go. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Becky. We have quite a few species with antennae like this so I could not classify it. I have found a few which are colorful but nothing like this.

myonlyphoto said...

Joan he is, never seen red one before, especially that they supposed to camouflage too. Thanks for sharing again, Anna :)

Gaelyn said...

I thought we found that one in the book when looking for the other red one I took pics of. I remember all the bathroom bugs.

Unknown said...

Oh wow! It looks so fancy and "done up", to me it looks like a pimp moth! LOL!

Great shots Joan, of yet another beautiful critter! :o)

Anonymous said...

Stunning!
I like its fluffy body - so squeezable!

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Hello Anna. With those colours, I wonder where he finds to hides unless it is on flowers.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Hello Gaelyn. No the other as stripes. I need to contact the person I gave you the details of to see about identification. Hope I find someone to help me with it.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Krista. You are right, it does. LOL!!

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks for visiting and commenting 1ondoncalling.

Leedra said...

Absolutely stunning!!!!

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Leedra. This has to be one of the prettiest moths I have seen. Nice to hear from you again.

Rambling Woods said...

My goodness...what a beauty and moths will be my new project this season..I hope the weather cooperates......Michelle

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

It is so easy to trap them with putting a light outside on a cloth or tarp Michelle. Good luck. I look forward to seeing them.

Mary said...

wow...that is gorgeous! Wish we had those! such a soft and pretty color and texture.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

I have never seen such a bright one before Mary and so this was a wonderful find.

Zane said...

Lovely macros of the moth.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Zane. A beauty isn't it?

Firefly the Travel Guy said...

Stunning moth. I am glad you and Zane have discovered each other as well. He is starting to take amazing macros.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Jonker. I have been to look at Zane's blog before and left a comment but it was a long time ago. It is nice to have others doing macro too.

Jose's World said...

The second of the moth is my favorite. The antennae are really sharp...

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks you Jose. What a pleasure to have you comment again. I do love to hear from you.

This moth is such a beauty and I am afraid that photographs do not always do them justice.

Philip said...

wow this is a stunning colour :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

I have never seen one so colourful before so it was a great find for me Philip. Thanks.