Article on the Madagascan Sunset Moth

[PhilM]

For lovers of overseas lepidopterans here is a link to my own article on the beautiful Madagascan Sunset Moth, my favourite moth on the planet. I've linked to the original on my website rather than repost here as there are several photos within it that I have bought a licence for, also it helps keep file storage sizes down here. If it's not good manners to do this admin, please let me know.

https://philipmorland15.wixsite.com/my- ... a-rhipheus

I hope you like it!



Cheers,
Phil.

[Padfield]

It is indeed a beautiful moth.

The adult pictures appear to be of a dead specimen, stuck or photoshopped onto backgrounds (the exact same upperside picture appears on the internet against several different backgrounds). I have to say, I would prefer to see a living moth, especially in view of your comments elsewhere about collecting.

Guy

[PhilM]

Wow, I didn't realise that, and I will do something about it. How foolish of me not to notice. It just goes to show you can't always rely on other peoples' work. I bought the image in good faith from a stock library.

Thanks though Guy.

Cheers,
Phil.

[Padfield]

I did wonder if you'd noticed!

Until recently, the only comprehensive work I had on Madagascan butterflies was d'Abrera's three Afrotropical volumes. They don't include the skippers, of course, and it's difficult to recommend them as general reading as they cost about £800 to buy new (though they're his best work, I think). Then this year the Siri Scientific Press brought out An Illustrated History of the Butterflies of the Afrotropical Indian Ocean Islands, at a much more reasonable £29.99. All the illustrations are historic paintings (depicting almost all species, the exceptions being mentioned in the text) and there's an interesting introduction on the history of Indian Ocean butterfly works. Definitely worth getting if you're interested in Madagascan lepidoptera.

Guy

[PhilM]

Thanks Guy,

The Butterflies of the Afrotropical Indian Ocean Islands sounds interesting and at that price I can afford it.

I am quite new to studying Lepidoptera and am going through a huge learning curve, to my embarrassment. But I'm trying my best. I think I've sorted out my article on the Madagascan Sunset Moth now, there is no way I would want dead Lepidoptera on my website! Phew, you saved me. If you could just take a peak for me, to see if it is OK now.

Thanks again Guy, I owe you and bugboy a Christmas drink.

Cheers,
Phil.

[Padfield]

That looks a much happier moth, Phil! And all the more beautiful for being alive. I'm accustomed to studying set specimens in books and collections, though I don't collect myself, but there's something fundamentally ugly about dressing a dead insect up as a living one. I didn't feel I could say that until I knew you had made an honest mistake!

I have duly written your name in my list of people who owe me a pint ...

Guy

[David M]

Fabulous moth, Phil. Were it not for the antennae I'd be convinced it was a butterfly.

[PhilM]

They really are magnificent animals David, if things were different I'd go to Madagascar to see them in the wild. Just imagine if you came across a roost of a hundred or so or were lucky enough to witness the 'raining' event. Heaven.... Thanks for reading my article.

Cheers,
Phil.