grebeman
Mu-43 All-Pro
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2010
- Messages
- 1,211
- Real Name
- Barrie
Some moths have flightless females, here's one example.
Vapourer moth caterpillar
after pupating this is what emerged
female Vapourer moth
You can just see the vestigial wings as little stumps behind the antennae. The males are attracted by pheromones that the females pump out, although with this species I'm wondering if it isn't something in the hairs of the cocoon that she is sitting on because it is often the case that males are attracted to the cocoon before the female has even emerged from the pupa.
Panasonic G1 with Sigma 105mm, f/2.8 DG Macro lens.
Barrie
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
Vapourer moth caterpillar
after pupating this is what emerged
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
female Vapourer moth
You can just see the vestigial wings as little stumps behind the antennae. The males are attracted by pheromones that the females pump out, although with this species I'm wondering if it isn't something in the hairs of the cocoon that she is sitting on because it is often the case that males are attracted to the cocoon before the female has even emerged from the pupa.
Panasonic G1 with Sigma 105mm, f/2.8 DG Macro lens.
Barrie