Moth Night #1

As all of you Lepidopteran junkies may or may not know in July they're having the first national moth week of the year where people from around the country (and the world, CYREN DO IT NOW!! :P) record/hunt for moths in their area an am guessing submit their findings to NMW (National Moth Week).

I, of course registered. But I must point out that at least for me Moth "week" had been more like Moth "year" over here as in as soon as it warmed up and the flowers started blooming and the first butterflies of the season started appearing the moths shortly followed.......

.........and simply exploded. There have been so many flying and turning up in the strangest and most unexpected places. There have been so many that I'm seriously considering of dipping into my savings and splurging on some well needed books but I'm going back and forth with that since said savings are for books that aren't easily obtained (they're EXPENSIVE) but I want these books before the year is out so I can properly use them while on my hunts.

Anyway so far I've seen these (around my house and the park):

Ostrinia nubilalis
Hypena scabra
Atteva punctella (FIRST ONE IN YEARS!! I've missed you) *Note now officially Atteva aurea according to Bugguide
Mythmna unipuncta
Unidentified Plusiinae
Unidentified Geometridae (Protoboarmia porcelaria was a contender until experts told me otherwise, will rant later)
Eupithecia spp.
Crocidophora spp.???
Unidentified Yponomeutidae *Researching as I type
Unidentified gray moth in grass
Pyrrharctia isabella
Unidentified White Moth (Geometridae??)

Anxiously awaiting the appearance of Halysidota harrisii. Come on my lovelies!! And now for pictures! These were all on my terrace tonight! ♥

Mythimna unipuncta. There were 4-5 of them flying around the lights. I caught and brought home 2 of them. ^^

Unidentified Yponomeutidae. Currently researching to see if I can narrow it down to at least genius.  Was on my shirt. Was very friendly. *^^*

I dare say to expect more ramblings. I have research to do. Toodles! =)

2012 Year of the Lepidoptera: Pyrrharctia isabella

IT. LAID. EGGS.! OH. MY. GOD.!

I am speechless. Absolutely bloody speechless. I had found this beauty on the steps in the train station of all places on my way to meet a friend and proceeded to take her with me (hence the jar) all the while I was smiling like an idiot on the entire train ride holding said jar with her in there fluttering like mad and looking gorgeous.

And then of course I had to go showing her to anybody and everybody like the trophy she most definitely is. It wasn't until I was on my way to visit family that the icing was added to an already epic cake.

SHE LAID EGGS!!

I then proceeded to jump up and down like a child on Christmas going "OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG" . I'm serious too. XD I literally jumped up and down I was so happy (Is this normal? They literally make me that happy and then some). ^^;;;; So that sealed it for me. I was keeping her (was going to let her go in the park) so I went home and proceeded to set up my little "Lepidopteran pavillion thingy" and make her as comfy as possible while she laid her precious eggs.

Even had the honor of her laying them on my hand has I had held her for a bit to get a better look at her gorgeous self.



Playing around. Was cut short due to memory card being full. XD Don't worry she was safely up righted of course.

Bunking with me of course. Best. Roommate. Ever.

God bless you Lepidoptera

Blogging Fireflies

*Speechless* Look:



Lucidota atra I believe it is. 99% sure. I know it's definitely within the genus Lucidota. =)

5 years since I've last seen thee. What a wonderful day this was. I had an appointment uptown from my house and my friend went with me. There was the most beautiful park in that area (Central Park owns all though, obviously :P) and we went walking through it on our way there.

Epicness had ensued. She (my friend) had told me that this particular park  is always infested with fireflies and that she too hadn't seen them for a while.

I had put this information (along with how to get back up there for future escapades) in the back of my mind never once thinking that I might see a firefly at all. So we get our business done and wind up going around afterwards to some benches and getting some delicious Italian ices.

Got my hands all red and stick from the cherry-y goodness and had my friend laughing (did I mention that for some odd reason I was just happy the entire day?) at my silliness. XD Made reference to the fact that sweet sticky fingers = bugs come a flocking and sure enough the most beautiful firefly came out of nowhere to join us.

*Happy Happy Sigh* First in 5 years, first of the species too. Although I might have to correct myself because a couple of weeks back in May I believe I remember one or two outings where I saw 2 beetles flying through the city that I'm now more sure then ever were fireflies.

Possibly Photinus spp. One individual had yellow within the elytra. When the sunlight had glinted off it you could see it clear as day but I was crossing the street and obviously could not attempt to catch it. ID's: Pyractomena sp.? Guessing here. Wasn't able to see it clearly.

But I know a Lampyrid when I see one in flight. And these 2 individuals were screaming Lampyridae at the top of their precious lungs (spiracles in their case ^^).

Did I mention that I'm absolutely ecstatic? I couldn't stop smiling. My cheeks had started hurting and going numb. It was wonderful. I needed something like this. The entire day was absolutely gorgeous. Thank you Lord.

The butterflies (Pieris rapae) have also left me questions after today's observations. There were so many flying throughout the city and all the beautiful mini gardens (the flowers were INSANE down here) it was wonderfully ridiculous. ^______________^ There was one that flew by me that definitely "earned" the name "butterfly"

It was off-white in color. Not "pure white" like your "regular" Pieris rapae. More like white-yellow? Idk how else to describe it but it lead me to wondering about subspecies (mainly), aberrations & different forms (seasonal or just "normal variation") within Pieris rapae.

So research will commence (with more blog entries possibly too you know how like to ramble ^^;;). Long time no see. *^^*