text: St Margaret's at Cliffe Photo Diary: Living works of art?
  Living works of art?
  Two things conspired to keep me at home today. One was the amount of top sport on the TV, and the other is that my car has decided not to start! As England are no longer in the World Cup, and my youngest grandson, Sam is currently proudly wearing his Espana shirt, while he and Rocio are visiting Rocio's family in Spain So Sam's Uncles, Aunts and cousins will all be celebrating tonight. I was pleased to see them get through, although the next match will be tough.
  Each day is now bringing in a few interesting species and today one of my favourites was this Scorched Wing. I've always found the pattern on this moth fascinating, a real work of art, and this was a nice pristine specimen.
  This one is slightly tatty, but it is an good name, even if, in this immodest age we live in, it does seem an unlikely proposition.
  Another good name and a moth with a clever defence mechanism. A soon as this moth is touched it feigns death and lies on it's side, looking for all the world a dead leaf. I had to wait for it to come alive and stand up for it's picture!
  I hope you can answer an off-topic question:
  Approx. what size are the Abraxas grossulariata adult moth and the caterpillar? Any idea?
  I have a larva that needs identifying. It is about 7 cm. Would that rule out an Abraxas?
  I so agree with the sentiment in your profile.
  Although, on second thoughts, ducktape across the mouth would do.:-)
  7 July 2010 at 11:39:00 BST
  Hi Jo, 7cm is way too large for Magpie Moth, that's about 3cm long. The best site for larvae I know is: