Saltmarsh Plume

Saltmarsh Plume, Agdistis bennetii.  Riverside Country Park, 10 August 2012.

I said last time that Plume Moths rolled up their wings when at rest.  This is yet another species, an unusual one that lives only on salt marshes, and I have a couple of photos that show the rolling very clearly, quite distinct from any folding action.

The first photo shows the moth in the marsh.  It was very hard to see, resting in a Y-shaped posture rathet than the T shape adopted by most Plumes and looking just like a small twig, an extension of the plant.  If I had not watched it fly up and land I would probably not have seen it.  As it was, I knew where to look more closely.

Saltmarsh Plume, Agdistis bennetii.  Originally from Riverside Country Park, 10 August 2012.

Here is it on measuring paper.  The squares are 5mm across.  And now you can see the rolling of the near wing very clearly, even though that wing is a little out of focus due to the limited depth of field in this sort of photo. 

And now you have a good example of the sort of thing I find interesting!