Tuesday, 6 July 2010

The Cinnabar Moth

Tyria jacobaeae, the cinnabar moth

the cinnabar moth, Tyria jacobaeae

I first noticed a day-flying cinnabar moth a few weeks ago but as usual I was too slow to take a photo! Luckily I spotted another in the garden at the weekend. The caterpillars feed on ragwort and after a quick search I discovered a couple of plants at the end of the garden :-)

15 comments:

  1. Rick (Ratty)Wednesday, July 07, 2010 3:14:00 am

    This is a very nice looking moth. I like the colors. Dracula would love a cloak like that.

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  2. UnknownWednesday, July 07, 2010 3:16:00 pm

    I have noticed a wealth of unusual moths so far this year. According to the 'old wives' tales - the more moths around the hotter the weather will become. That appears to have been the case over the last week or so.

    Love the picture, as always your pictures are always so clear and sharp! - I know this moth as a Burnet. There are several varieties including one with transparent wings. The family comes under: Zygaenidae and include the Forester moths.
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/family/Zygaenidae

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  3. Sharkbytes (TM)Wednesday, July 07, 2010 6:19:00 pm

    I don't know that one- very pretty!

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  4. C.B.Wednesday, July 07, 2010 9:49:00 pm

    The scarlet against the dark is quite distinct.

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  5. PaulWednesday, July 07, 2010 11:51:00 pm

    I wonder if those colors are used to attract mates, or as a warning that the moth contains some kind of poison if eaten,.. either way, nice catch! :)

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  6. LeslieThursday, July 08, 2010 1:37:00 am

    Cool colors. Do they come in any other colors? Pretty!

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  7. Joanne OlivieriThursday, July 08, 2010 7:14:00 pm

    I'm with Ratty, the first thing that came to my mind was Dracula's cloak. Love the colors.

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  8. rainfield61Friday, July 09, 2010 4:01:00 pm

    Yours is not anonymous.

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  9. ØyvindFriday, July 09, 2010 8:49:00 pm

    That was an awesome moth, it looks like a cartoon superhero.

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  10. RE - RecycledFrockerySunday, July 11, 2010 1:19:00 am

    ooooooooooooo,,, pretty

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  11. TinaMonday, July 12, 2010 10:18:00 am

    cinnabar is that a species of butterfly? its beautiful. never saw one of that colour before.

    Tina from
    Mummy Diaries
    Gossip Avenue
    Travel Shack
    Game FreakZ

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  12. AnonymousMonday, July 12, 2010 2:20:00 pm

    Now that is a cool looking moth :)

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  13. DianeMonday, July 12, 2010 4:18:00 pm

    That is really pretty! I have never seen one like that!

    Diane from: http://mehimandthecats.blogspot.com/

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  14. ashokThursday, July 15, 2010 10:52:00 pm

    Beautiful pics - thanks for sharing, it's been stumbled and placed on reddit.

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  15. JoySunday, July 25, 2010 10:25:00 am

    I've never seen a more colourful moth! I will certainly paying more attention when they are around.

    Thanks for visiting Norwich Daily Photo and leaving your comment. Come visit again tomorrow!

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I love to read your comments. If you're familiar with any of the places, plants or creatures or have anything else to add, please feel free to leave a comment below.