Moth with Mites by Chipka
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Description
Corey and I had gone for coffee at the local Donut place--the same local donut place where I'd photographed a garish, green fly on a garish, pink table...well...more of a magenta table, truth be told.
On the way back to the apartment, I spied this little moth, resting on a bit of brick-work. I was startled to see it at rest, so perfectly. I'm a yellow jacket kind of guy and so insects on the receiving end of predatory behavior generally tend to flutter, scuttle, or amble away; but this little guy (complete with little, white passengers) decided that getting a moment's rest in the sunlight was a decent thing to do. I suspect that his little passengers didn't really have anywhere to go just yet, but one never knows. Mites aren't the most expressive people around, and their overgrown cousins (bedbugs) are a bit too expressive: at least in terms of their...um...piercing appetites. Insects, I love...and in total truth, there are mite species I love: bedbugs and ticks, however, deserve all of the mayhem I inflict upon them. Well...maybe not, but they do burn nicely. I'd be nicer to them, but they're blood suckers...that in and of itself wouldn't be so bad, but they leave diseases behind. I have nothing against diseases, but I don't want to have any simply because somebody with piercing mouthparts decided to drain one of my veins (for free!)
So yeah, those little red "spider mites" are kinda cute and impossible to photograph, but they do love Weeping Willow trees. I have no idea what these little white critters are. I thought they were eggs until one of them moved, and I'm pretty sure that they're non parasitic--at least to the moth. They're hitch-hikers, probably on their way to some nice, shady spot.
The moth himself...well...just look at those wings and that hair! I was surprised by the details I could capture. As Corey was holding my iced coffee and feeling a bit tired, I decided to take only a few shots of this beauty. This one came out the best, and I love the way he matches the bricks. Urban animal mimicry...ain't Nature grand!
***
Corey is due home today and so I look forward to actually showing him what's been posted in his absence. He is due back home in a few hours; that'll be a good thing! For both of us!
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting...and hopefully not flinching too much at the sight of little pearl-colored hitchhikers.
Comments (26)
kgb224
Tack sharp capture my friend. Outstanding work.
myrrhluz
I hope you are right that they are just hitching a ride. He's such a cute little guy. His hair looks all ruffled like he's had a rough night on the town. Excellent detail! My best to Corey. I'm very glad that he is soon to be home, and after the needed rest will be back out taking pictures, holding iced coffee, exploring the wilds of Chicago with you, and delighting us with his images.
bmac62
Great detail Chip...not a bad looking fellow, mites and all. Tell Corey hi from his fellow surgically restored friend formally from Kansas, now cavorting about the Northwest:)
stonelight
Beautiful capture! Great work!!
mbz2662
Very cool.. I usually have an abundance of these butterfly/moth critters (I think they are called skippers) flying about my garden sipping the nectar from the zinnias and cosmos. I've never seen any smaller critters hitch-hiking though. Welcome home to Corey and I wish him a continuing and fast recovery! HUGS :)
helanker
THat is indeed a beautiful looking Moth. The passengers are hopfully just taking a trip on the moth :-))) Well done Chip :-) Give Corey my very best wishes for his fully recovery :-) Have a cosy time, both.
stolta
Fantastic shot!!!!!!!!!!
Meisiekind
Please allow me to add mosquitos to your tics and bedbugs Chip... Mozzies tend to find me no matter how well I hide... If there is a mozzie in the Southern Hemisphere, it will find me. Super capture of this moth and her passengers! The detail astounds me!!! Well done! Look well after Corey!!! :):)
durleybeachbum
SUPER pic! I have some pics of red spider mite..not very good but enough to see what they looks like..I'll search them out!
jmb007
belle photo!!
sandra46
sublime, stunning image! but keep the mites far from me!
-seek-
cool one chipka!
MagikUnicorn
Gorgeous Macro shot buddy!! Adorable colours
MrsLubner
A "mite-ee" moth. How amusing and very nice detail as well.
jocko500
cool shot
danapommet
Super detail of the moths eye. Nice detail all around and s/he needs a hair cut. :>) Dana
whaleman
Who'da thunk eh? I thought that might just be pollen. Hilarious that poor Corey is holding your iced coffee while you make these forays into the world of insects...
MrsRatbag
Great shot, Chip; I hate the idea of parasites on insects, but I suppose that's nature too. I always thought these were butterflies, we had tons of them when I was a kid!
beachzz
What detail you caught here--and on a MOTH, not the most appealing creature around!!
auntietk
What a fab capture of this little friend! The light was just right for its coloring. I noticed it was resting with its wings up (rather than flat out) so I wondered if it might be a butterfly rather than a moth. You'll be fascinated to read what I found here about how to tell the difference! I believe this is actually a butterfly, hair and all!
lick.a.witch
Wonderful capture of this beautiful mouth and it's non-paying passengers. ^=^
minos_6
This has to be my favourite insect image from your gallery now. The details and clarity are amazing, and I never cease to marvel at the willingness of the Chicago insect population to pose for you!
flavia49
wonderful macro!
KatesFriend
If the feeding habits of bed bugs disturb you then you should shy away from any knowledge of their sex life - true creepiness. Ah, but if only they paid for their little acts of vampirism, that would make all the difference to most people I suspect. Okay, now we're getting into Burroughs territory. But getting back to creatures of the night, your moth looks very handsome in spite of his passengers. And you've captured him/her in very fine detail. Catching and release bugs as my late great kitty cat scoop used to say. She often took pleasure in capturing these critters in her jaws and then bringing them to the bedroom for release. Cat logic - go figure.
Alex_Antonov
Excellent!
RodS
Fascinating macro shot here, Chip! Excellent detail, and wonderful colors and texture!