Eressa Moth

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Photographer: deadmanswill

Insect Scout: deadmanswill

Location: Miryalaguda, AP, India

Species Identifier(s): claypa, suunto (http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/912378/)

Points to appreciate:

• Observe the orange bands on the body of the moth. It is a predatory deterrent making the moth appear like a bee or a wasp.
• This is the reason they are commonly called wasp moths.

Wikipedia Notes:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctiidae

• Eressa moths belong to the family Arctiidae.
• Arctiidae is a large and diverse family of moths with around 11,000 species found all over the world.
• The most distinctive feature of the family is a tymbal organ on the metathorax. This organ has membranes which are vibrated to produce ultrasonic sounds.
• They also have thoracic tympanal organs for hearing.
• The sounds are used in mating and defense against predators.
• The insects advertise these defenses with aposematic bright coloration, unusual postures, odours, or, in adults, ultrasonic vibrations. Some mimic moths that are poisonous, or wasps that sting like the ones above.

Darkling Beetle - Tenebrionidae

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All the images in this blog are copyrighted. You are free to use these images for non-commercial purposes, such as desktop wallpapers, etc. For commercial use contact us at deadmanswill@gmail.com.

Photographer: deadmanswill

Insect Scout: Nanda

Location: Avantipuram, AP, India

Species Identifier(s): suunto (http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/910704/)

Points to appreciate:

• Observe the finely segemented antennae of the beetle. If you count the segments, you will find there are 11 of them.
• Also notice the vertical ridge running down the center of the lower body segment. The hard shell-like covering is a actually modified forewings called elytra. In some insects it acts as a protection for the hindwings while in some cases the elytra are fused together and the insect becomes flightless.

Wikipedia Notes:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darkling_beetle

Darkling beetles (also known as Darkening beetles) are a family of beetles found worldwide, estimated at more than 20,000 species. This family of beetles may be identified by a combination of features, including :

• An 11-segmented antenna which may be filiform, moniliform, or weakly clubbed.
• First abdominal sternite entire and not divided by the hind coxae.
• Eyes notched by a frontal ridge.
• Tarsi have four segments in the hind pair and 5 in the fore and mid legs. The tarsal claws are simple.