C.Rayz's photos with the keyword: Emperor Moths

Some of my contacts may notice I've been on an uploading frenzy the last few days, getting caught up and this series of photos is exactly why. When we first saw the males diving and flitting around in this bush of nettles we had no idea exactly what was going on, until my other half saw the eyes on them and said to me those magic words..."they're emperor moths". As we moved in to get a closer look I couldn't tell what was going on it was a 'ball' of wings and legs and activity as the other males tried to barge in. I was literally covered from head to ankle in nettle stings after this and would dive into the stinging nettles in a heart beat given the chance again! lol I really appreciate those of you that take the time to view my photos, and to comment when your motivated to do so, Thanks!!

The markings on both the male and female are spectacularly life like. This looks like the eye of a hawk or other larger animal.

Last year in Filsham near the canals and water ways we saw at least two probable Emperor Moth caterpillars in June, since then, this outstanding moth has been on my 'Nature photo wishlist".

Most people will find a caterpillar and rear it to adult hood to see these females.

She is massive and the females usually hide out during the day and feed at night. You might occationaly see them come to light if your lucky.

I can't begin to explain the excitement at being lucky enough to stumble upon this pair. Not just one Emperor but in whole we saw this one female with mate, and at least 4 other males coming to her scent.

The males as you can see in the upper part of this photo just kept coming to her scent and at times we had two and the male mating with her fluttering around like mad in our faces.

We moved them out into a better view ever so carefully as not to disturb them any more than necessary, and I sat in aww of the whole thing.

She is simply massive and his antenna are like nothing I've ever seen before. The 'pheromone radar' they have with these is impressive.

We went back the next day to the area to see if we could get lucky again and we did happen to see two males. The major difference being there was no female scent to cause them to slow down and let me tell you when the sites and books say they are fast flying they are NOT kidding. They fly at speeds much like those of a dragon fly, hug the tree lines and are far more flighty then any butterfly or Dragonfly. Its just a dull brownish-orange blur that if you didn't know better you might think was our small bats.

Just totally a dream come true for any bug lover, let alone a 'mothiologist wannabe' like myself.

Such beauty I had to have a play.