Moth - with scales ?

[Stagecoach]

Grabbed these the other night as he hung around for a short rest and noticed what appear like scales.

105mm macro, no tubes, 1/60s, f/22, ISO200, off camera flash TTL, hand held.





Comments and suggestions welcome as always............................

Grahame

[Marie Hass]

Hi, Grahame,

Do you know what kind of moth this is? interesting scaling on the body. My first thought was maybe a parasite, but I am clueless. How big is it?

Marie

[Stagecoach]

Hi, Grahame,

Do you know what kind of moth this is? interesting scaling on the body. My first thought was maybe a parasite, but I am clueless. How big is it?

Marie

Hi Marie, I have no idea of the type but it was around 50mm in length from head to the end of it's wings when folded in.

Just after I had packed the camera away it opened it's wings fully, remained there flapping them for about 30 seconds before taking off and disappearing, missed the shot.

Grahame

[deetheturk]

Great shots Grahame,its amazing the detail we miss on these critters until we see them this close upwell done bud!

David

[IzzieK]

Very sharp Grahame. Since Marie beats me to the question I want to ask... let me just assume that maybe this similar to the snake in that when it gets too old, it just shed its outer coat or something. If you ID this moth we can know more about it...just guessing...

[Shadowman]

Nicely done.

[Stagecoach]

Great shots Grahame,its amazing the detail we miss on these critters until we see them this close upwell done bud!

David

Hi David, thanks.

I quite enjoy shooting these guys when they turn up as they remain pretty still until they have had enough.

Cheers, Grahame

[Stagecoach]

Very sharp Grahame. Since Marie beats me to the question I want to ask... let me just assume that maybe this similar to the snake in that when it gets too old, it just shed its outer coat or something. If you ID this moth we can know more about it...just guessing...

Hi Izzie, from what I found out tonight moths do have a type of scales on their wings but no reference to ones such as these. I'm sure an answer will come up with a bit more searching

Grahame

[Stagecoach]

Nicely done.

Thank you John, he did help.

[Rita]

Lots of detail on these shots.....very nice.

[flashback]

Grahame, these shots, and the details, are amazing.
When you say 'scales' are you talking about what appears to be large, fish scale-like scales? If so I suspect they may be arrangements, or clusters of scales at various movable parts of the body. The scales themselves are the hairy or feathery structures you see (on the body, on the wings they tend to be flat and more scale-like.)

[Stagecoach]

Lots of detail on these shots.....very nice.

Thanks Rita, it's the detail I enjoy trying to capture.

[Stagecoach]

Grahame, these shots, and the details, are amazing.
When you say 'scales' are you talking about what appears to be large, fish scale-like scales? If so I suspect they may be arrangements, or clusters of scales at various movable parts of the body. The scales themselves are the hairy or feathery structures you see (on the body, on the wings they tend to be flat and more scale-like.)

Jack, yes, the scales I am referring to are those that can be seen most clearly just behind the head. Some appear as if they are coming out, I suppose it could be said he looks a 'bit moth eaten'.

Grahame

[bnnrcn]

Very nice shots Grahame The posture reminds me a bull actually...serious and angry. I like the silvery look on its back