#moths are amazing

[artifacts-and-arthropods]

Yellowjacket-Mimicking Moth: this is just a harmless moth that mimics the appearance and behavior of a yellowjacket/wasp; its disguise is so convincing that it can even fool actual wasps

This species (Myrmecopsis polistes) may be one of the most impressive wasp-mimics in the world. The moth's narrow waist, teardrop-shaped abdomen, black-and-yellow patterning, transparent wings, smooth appearance, and folded wing position all mimic the features of a wasp. Unlike an actual wasp, however, it does not have any mandibles or biting/chewing mouthparts, because it's equipped with a proboscis instead, and it has noticeably "feathery" antennae.

There are many moths that use hymenopteran mimicry (the mimicry of bees, wasps, yellowjackets, hornets, and/or bumblebees, in particular) as a way to deter predators, and those mimics are often incredibly convincing. Myrmecopsis polistes is one of the best examples, but there are several other moths that have also mastered this form of mimicry.

Above: Pseudosphex laticincta, another moth species that mimics a yellowjacket

These disguises often involve more than just a physical resemblance; in many cases, the moths also engage in behavioral and/or acoustic mimicry, meaning that they can mimic the sounds and behaviors of their hymenopteran models. In some cases, the resemblance is so convincing that it even fools actual wasps/yellowjackets.

Above: Pseudosphex laticincta

Such a detailed and intricate disguise is unusual even among mimics. Researchers believe that it developed partly as a way for the moth to trick actual wasps into treating it like one of their own. Wasps frequently prey upon moths, but they are innately non-aggressive toward their own fellow nest-mates, which are identified by sight -- so if the moth can convincingly impersonate one of those nest-mates, then it can avoid being eaten by wasps.

Above: Pseudosphex laticincta

I gave an overview of the moths that mimic bees, wasps, yellowjackets, hornets, and bumblebees in one of my previous posts, but I felt that these two species (Myrmecopsis polistes and Pseudosphex laticincta) deserved to have their own dedicated post, because these are two of the most convincing mimics I have ever seen.

Above: Pseudosphex sp.

I think that moths in general are probably the most talented mimics in the natural world. They have so many intricate, unique disguises, and they often combine visual, behavioral, and acoustic forms of mimicry in order to produce an uncanny resemblance.

Several of these incredible mimics have already been featured on my blog: moths that mimic jumping spiders, a moth that mimics a broken birch twig, a moth caterpillar that can mimic a snake, a moth that disguises itself as two flies feeding on a pile of bird droppings, a moth that mimics a dried-up leaf, a moth that can mimic a cuckoo bee, and a moth that mimics the leaves of a poplar tree.

Moths are just so much more interesting than people generally realize.

Sources & More Info:

Journal of Ecology and Evolution: A Hypothesis to Explain Accuracy of Wasp Resemblances

Entomology Today: In Enemy Garb: A New Explanation for Wasp Mimicry

iNaturalist: Myrmecopsis polistes and Pseudosphex laticincta

Transactions of the Entomological Society of London: A Few Observations on Mimicry

[entomologize]

Pressed flower collage of a comet moth, by Helen Ahpornsiri

[horrorwomen]

the moth inside me (sodaraptor, 2025)

[endomentendo]

some doodles I made on the glitch inn

[bananafire11]

More buggy au refs coming riiight up. BIIIG shoutout to @kitkatbunnies because she helped SOOO much with these designs, give her a round of applause

[deadmothsketches]

Sister Karako and Priest Karamatsu sketches

Love these two as a duo, they work so well together. And I honestly picture them drinking together after a long day and just talking.

He's a lot more serious and reserved while she is more playful and chill. They truly have each others back though.

So a lot of these are just all over the place and I wanted to just see if I could draw it mostly lol I want to do her justice in the story, she deserves it. They both do.

[science-lover2941]

Eudocima phalonia

Also known as the Fruit Piercing Moth.

They’re native to the Indo-Malaysia Region and were first reported in Hawaii in 1985.

The direct feeding by the adult moth on a fruit causes premature ripening and early dropping of fruits.

The caterpillars are either dark green to black or pale green to yellow. They have small creamy-white spots and bars edged with black are visible on the upper surface of the body. They form a silk cocoon between webbed leaves and emerge as a moth 2-3 Weeks later. The adult moth has a lifespan up to 70 days.

[its-a-beautful-day]

Luna Rays are now available as plushies!!

Check out Barks-Bog to get your own!

[itsnixderlol]

So… I have seen multiple more “buff” or big shouldered looking Kinger designs running around. And I kinda wanted to test how my design could look like, if drawn like that.

So, here. Idk how proud I am of this, but atleast I have a good shot of his wings now.

[brooklyn868]

[artifacts-and-arthropods]

The Madagascan Sunset Moth: these moths are often mistaken for butterflies, thanks to their colorful, iridescent appearance

The scientific name of this species is Chrysiridia rhipheus, but it's commonly known as the Madagascan sunset moth. These gorgeous day-flying moths can be found only in Madagascar.

Above: a dorsal view of the same species

The Madagascan sunset moth has a strikingly colorful appearance, especially when its underwings are exposed, as a rainbow-like effect is produced by the iridescent scales that cover the underwings (and appear in smaller sections on the dorsal side of the wing).

Above: some of the iridescent scales on the underwings of Chrysiridia ripheus, as seen through a scanning electron microscope

The markings on the dorsal side are primarily black, with some patches of iridescent green, blue, and red. A "fringe" of white scales can also be seen along the edge of each wing; these are especially prominent on the hindwings.

Above: the dorsal patterns are visible only when the wings are left open

Like most day-flying moths, the adults of this species will often feed on nectar. Their caterpillars are known to consume Omphalea plants, which are toxic; those toxins are sequestered by the caterpillar and then retained through the pupal and adult stages of development, which means that the adult moth is toxic. Their colorful appearance is likely aposomatic, deterring predators by signaling that the moth itself is toxic.

Above: a magnified view of the white scales that outline the hindwings

Sources & More Info:

Navsari Agricultural University: Sunset Moth: the most beautiful insect

Oxford University Museum of Natural History: Madagascar

Moth Identification Guide: Madagascan Sunset Moth

California Academy of Sciences: Sunset Moth

Optica: Polarization-Sensitive Color Mixing in the Wing of the Madagascan Sunset Moth

Wikipedia: Chrysiridia rhipheus

[entomologize]

Look at these amazingly detailed moths by Clemens Söllner, made with inlays of different kinds of wood! Aaaaahhhh! I just love the way the woodgrain textures flow, and it's clear how much love and care went into depicting these beautiful creatures so intricately!

Top moth is Ochropleura plecta, middle is Actinotia polyodon, and bottom is Ceramica pisi.

[maela-the-menace]

I SAW A LUNA MOTH AT THE MOTH LAMP TONIGHT HOLY SHIT THIS IS AMAZING I LOVE THEM THEY’RE SO PRETTY IT WAS AMAZING I’VE HAD A PRESERVED (Albeit damaged) LUNA MOTH WING AND ALSO A DEAD LUNA MOTH BUT I HADN’T SEEN A LIVE ONE UNTIL TODAY HOLY SHIT

I EVEN HELD IT

I HELD THAT MOTH

[diana-andraste]

Illustration for Edgar Allan Poe's 1845 short story, "The Sphinx". Published in Amazing Stories, The Magazine of Scientifiction, 1926.

"…I perceived the huge jaws at the extremity of the proboscis suddenly expand themselves, and from there proceeded a sound so loud and so expressive of woe that it struck upon my nerves like a knell … and I fell at once, fainting, to the floor."

[hana-bobo-finch]

your honor they make me ill. they make me insane your honor. your honor,