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Erebid Moth

Cometaster pyrula

Photo by Tiz
Published on Project Noah
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-26.2994, 32.0087

Field Notes

Description:

30-40 mm wingspan. Two different individuals shown in the spotting.
Probably the most amazing moth-pattern I have seen for myself so far...

Habitat:

Early morning in a bush lodge. High altitude Libombo mountains.

Notes:

The lodge in Mlawula Nature reserve is just full of moths right now. The staff told me that last December they had even more, and during two weeks they saw a houndred different big types of moths every day. The Libombo mountains has a great diversity of plants.
Species specific information: Cometaster pyrula is endemic to Africa, however it got permission to be released in Australia and the insect was first released in north Queensland in October 2004. (http://era.deedi.qld.gov.au/1528/) The idea was to preform biological control of tropical weeds by using arthropods.

Species ID Suggestions

Erebid Moth

Cometaster pyrula

Reference Link
Jacob Gorneau
1

Comments (24)
Johan Heyns
http://www.africanmoths.com/pages/EREBIDAE/EREBINAE/cometaster%20pyrula.html
Sckel
todos sofrendo de apofenia :D
Adarsha B S
As u described, most amazing pattern it is! Spectacular spotting !
Arya
Thats a very nice place to be able to escape to!
Tiz
Thank you for all the great and kind comments and likes ! I cant tell you how relived I am that I am not the only one that saw a mask-face when this moth was turned upside-down... :D Arya, I dont live in Swaziland. I just escape to that country when I have a free weekend. It is only 2 hours drive from the capital city of Mozambique, Maputo, where I life and work for the moment...
dotun55
The revolved view is interesting
RiekoS
Very beautiful. I see the African mask too.
DanielePralong
That one put a smile on my face for the day! Great find Tina.
Arya
I agree with both of them, I like the mask! Tiz, and you living in Swaziland?
Ava T-B
I agree with LaurenZarate; a beautiful mask-face!
Jacob Gorneau
For me, every week is moth week. :-D Looking forward to some more awesome finds!
Tiz
Ye I remember. He was a challenge to shoot, always on the move. :) But I have a lot more beautiful and odd looking moths to upload from Swaziland, seen last weekend and this weekend. Documentation of species from there is a bit "weak", and all contributions are very helpful. But I guess I have to make sure I have some more moths for you next year :)
Jacob Gorneau
I wouldn't say you couldn't contribute to Moth Week…remember this? http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/32120061
Tiz
That was a super-fast ID! Thank you Jakob. Too bad the moth season here is way too late for moth-week research for this year. Thank you!! Luis, thank you for the very nice comment :)

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Butterflies & Moths of the World
Mission
Moths of the World
Mission
Mlawula Nature Reserve
Photographed
PublishedNovember 11, 2013

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