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Photography with cameras
Nikon D3x, Nikon D300, Canon 50D
Image editing with Photoshop |
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| | | | Nettle-tap moth | | The nettle-tap moth (Anthophila fabriciana) belongs to the genus Anthophila, in the order Lepidoptera, the suborder Glossata, the infraorder Heteroneura ( unranked: Ditrysia), the superfamily Choreutoidea, the family metalmark moths (Choreutidae), and the subfamily Choreutinae. The nettle-tap moth is encountered almost throughout the world from the Arctic Circle to the subtropical zone (Palearctic). In Europe, this species is found almost everywhere. | | |
| | | | These are relatively small moths with slender, elongated bodies. They can reach body lengths of 10 mm and wingspans of 10-15 mm. Their wings have a metallic sheen and are various shades of brown in colour with slightly raised, white stripes. The front wings have 12 veins, the hind wings 10. The hind wings are rounded, similar in width to the front wings, and have a short fringe at the edge. The head has medium-length filamentous antennae. The proboscis is pronounced and has scales at its base. | | |
| | | | The nettle-tap moth is diurnal. The first generation are active from early May to early July and the second from late July to early October. These moths are found in all habitats where nettles (Urtica) especially Urtica dioica, grow. The caterpillars of the nettle-tap moth reach body lengths of about 10 mm. The body surface is finely ridged, pale yellowish-green to whitish-green, sometimes translucent, and therefore darker in the front half because here the internal organs show through the skin. Their breathing holes are very small and have a brownish periphery. The head is light brown. The head’s capsule has brown and black spots. | | |
| | | | The caterpillars appear from June to July and from August to May in the following year. They live (two generations at once) in a web on the upper side of the leaves of their food plants (including lichwort, comfrey and stinging nettle), and eat the leaves down to the skeleton. At the end of their development, the larvae pupate in a thick, white cocoon inside a leaf or near the veins on the leaf surface, causing the leaf to roll up. The pupae are yellowish-brown and overwinter. | | |
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| | Description of images / photos
Photography with Cameras
Nikon D3x, Nikon D300, Canon 50D
Image editing with Photoshop | | 1. | Nettle-tap moth - Anthophila fabriciana | | 2. | Anthophila fabriciana - Metal mark moth | | 3. | Anthophila fabriciana - Butterfly | | 4. | Anthophila fabriciana - Side view | | 5. | Anthophila fabriciana - Front view |
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