Your dark green body had almost tricked me if not seen you stopping by when I was doing my gardening work. Those were not your real pair of eyes but you had them in such a way always stared at me, and although that was not your mouth, I still tried to read your lips unconsciously.
I did not know you until my son showed me your identity in Chinese, "夹竹桃天蛾", that he had learned from an encyclopedia, only then I knew you are named Oleander Hawk-moth.
One's poison maybe other's favourite, and your caterpillars are immune and highly enjoyable to the highly toxic Oleander plant.
You were very inactive. My experience insists me on taking instantaneous shots of butterfly, no waiting, but when I returned with my camera and start shooting, you never looked like being annoyed, even we were finger pointing at you.
I did not know you until my son showed me your identity in Chinese, "夹竹桃天蛾", that he had learned from an encyclopedia, only then I knew you are named Oleander Hawk-moth.One's poison maybe other's favourite, and your caterpillars are immune and highly enjoyable to the highly toxic Oleander plant.
This was my uninvited guest today.
"Knock, knock, knock."
"Yes, I'm coming."
(It is not proper and impolite to tell how beautiful a girl is in front of another girl; but I set a target to look for a lunar moth when found her accidentally in the web just beside this Oleander Hawk-moth.)
Now with your picture, the name oleander hawk moth makes sense. I dont think I have seen this before.. Have a great weekend Rainnie! I hope it will not rain tomorrow and spoil your hike or gardening... haha... ~bangchik
ReplyDeleteBangchik: My family does a lot of gardening recently. Chinese New Year is coming. Hehe...
ReplyDeleteThis is a new type of moth for me. Thanks for the fascinating photos and the information. I'm glad it waited while you got your camera.
ReplyDeletewhat a fascinating creature. i don't think i've come across such moths before. happy weekend.
ReplyDeleteyour picture of the oleander hawk-moth is so vivid and the eyes stare powerfully like a hawk. i don't think i have seen one before, you really have him close. love it.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post and photos! Cool looking critters.
ReplyDeleteI have many oleanders in my yard, but I've never noticed the hawk-moth. I like the smiley face on yours. I just looked up lunar moth indeed she's a beauty too.
ReplyDeletei like the way this tale was told. and i learned something new too... the Oleander Hawk-moth
ReplyDeleteHave not seen an Oleander Hawk-moth yet, now I do with your great photos and what a nice treat to see.
ReplyDeleteGuess what, this was exactly the pair of oleander hawk moth I saw in my garden in 2005. Yes! they were together as a pair early in the morning. They were there for 1 day and only flew away the next morning. Unfortunately, I didn't have a camera to photograph it then and I have regretted it since. I still cannot forget until today. Their catepillars like to eat the Vinca (periwinkle) leaves.
ReplyDeleteA new species of moth for me as well, she is beautiful. I am so happy she waited for you to retrieve you camera so her beauty could be shared with us.
ReplyDeleteLovely damselflies, each photo is beautiful.
ReplyDeletewow, nice shot!
ReplyDeleteRainfields, I have not seen these before. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI have seen similar bug here too! Lovely shots! I like the design on its wing.
ReplyDeleteAn amazing moth. Glad you were able to capture a photo.
ReplyDeleteImpressive capture in deed! Your work is getting more interesting each day
ReplyDeleteThis is a new one I have never seen and although very cool photos, he's a little too creepy looking :D
ReplyDeleteI have never seen one before. The designs on it is quite exquisite.
ReplyDeleteThat's a huge moth!
ReplyDeleteThis is a very beautiful moth. I( love the patterns on it. It always seems strange to see those false eyes on moths and butterflies, but it's so fascinating.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely critter. I like the first photo. And as always, you have a lovely way of writing your post. Thanks for the info too, oh the credit must be given to your son hahaha.
ReplyDeleteAm glad that I have uploaded the google chrome , i find it easy to browse you site. With IE , it takes ages to open the page.
A great start of the week to you rainfield.
Good capture, Rainy! I can see his eyes staring. I can see the details clearly, amazing. I do not think I've seen one. I've learned something new -Oleander Hawk-moth.
ReplyDeleteWoW! I don't know that I've ever seen even a picture of that moth. It is awesome. So are the moths toxic to others from eating the oleander?
ReplyDeleteWow.....What an unusually marked moth...amazing!
ReplyDeleteI love this Delta-wings air-fighter.
ReplyDeleteawesome pics in this post.. luckily they stayed put in the same spot for u to take the pic.. normally they fly about
ReplyDeleteWow, what a beautiful visitor you had rain. I missed this post...
ReplyDeletewow, it has a perfect camou!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your post and photo. I was waked sometime in the wee hours by a heavy bodied insect banging on the window by my bed. In the morning I found a moth of extraordinary beauty on the window frame. Very carefully I moved it to a light bedcover where I could take a few pictures with my cell phone camera. I can't find the device to download the pics, but you may be surprised (as I am) that this insect is here at 3600 ft elevation in the mountains of East Tennessee, USA! How I wonder how it managed to get here!!!
ReplyDelete