Search found 10 matches

by AKColias
Sat Jun 03, 2023 2:57 pm
Forum: Open Topics
Topic: Unlocking the Hidden Art of Shingling
Replies: 34
Views: 2186

Re: Unlocking the Hidden Art of Shingling

Impressive ! But I would be afraid to damage some scales or to have vein marks. One aesthetic advice : put the HW a little bit lower like this one from Bicbugs Luehdorfia-japonica.jpg I prefer pulling the hindwing up more, aesthetically. But for species with tails, I make sure the tails do not stic...
by AKColias
Sat Jun 03, 2023 2:53 pm
Forum: Open Topics
Topic: Unlocking the Hidden Art of Shingling
Replies: 34
Views: 2186

Re: Unlocking the Hidden Art of Shingling

entomologist, would you consider making a video of your pinning methods? I am sure both the shingling and the pinning multiple specimens under a single paper would be of interest to many people. Personally, I do shingle sometimes, but I always use a separate strip of paper for each wing...clearly yo...
by AKColias
Fri Jun 02, 2023 4:17 pm
Forum: Insect identification
Topic: moth similar to Orthosia hibisci
Replies: 0
Views: 327

moth similar to Orthosia hibisci

Does anyone recognize this moth? It is similar to Orthosia hibisci but with less pattern on the wings. It is unusually common this spring in South Central Alaska, despite a generally poor spring for moths.
by AKColias
Sat May 13, 2023 5:01 pm
Forum: Open Topics
Topic: Perfect method to relax a butterfly in 4 hours (even Agrias).
Replies: 19
Views: 1345

Re: Perfect method to relax a butterfly in 4 hours (even Agrias).

This is interesting but isn't there a risk of breaking antennas, head or legs in process of injection dry specimen? BTW I always use ammonia to kill butterflies which are resistant to pinch and some moths that can be handle ( sphinx, silk moths ) Do you inject the insects to kill them with ammonia?
by AKColias
Fri May 12, 2023 6:46 pm
Forum: Open Topics
Topic: Beetle elytra
Replies: 9
Views: 833

Re: Beetle elytra

I've experience a similar (or same) with Catocala moths. It's the same muscles, so I'd think it's the same issue. Catocala dispatched by dropping (knocking) into isopropyl alcohol will stiffen the wing muscles such that they cannot be set. I've found no method to subsequently relax these muscles. P...
by AKColias
Wed May 03, 2023 10:27 pm
Forum: Field Reports
Topic: Alaska Butterflies and Moths
Replies: 0
Views: 1797

Alaska Butterflies and Moths

I wanted to start a thread for Alaskan collecting reports. Feel free to contact me if you are planning to visit this year. As of now, we are having a ridiculously late spring. However the Aglais milberti (Milbert's Tortoiseshell) came out of hibernation on time about 3 weeks ago, and are flying in u...
by AKColias
Fri Apr 14, 2023 2:53 pm
Forum: Field Reports
Topic: Black Witch Moths
Replies: 7
Views: 2752

Re: Black Witch Moths

I didn't know about the white monarchs...quick google search fixed that. Now I have a new goal next time I visit Hawaii. ;) I did catch a few monarchs on Molokai and they appeared identical to mainland USA forms to me.
by AKColias
Fri Apr 07, 2023 11:04 pm
Forum: Field Reports
Topic: Black Witch Moths
Replies: 7
Views: 2752

Re: Black Witch Moths

mothman55 wrote: Thu Dec 15, 2022 8:14 pm I am going to Kauai in late January, I will look for the black witch there.
Any luck finding them on Kauai?
by AKColias
Wed Dec 14, 2022 1:20 am
Forum: Field Reports
Topic: Black Witch Moths
Replies: 7
Views: 2752

Re: Black Witch Moths

Molokai
by AKColias
Sun Nov 27, 2022 1:25 am
Forum: Field Reports
Topic: Black Witch Moths
Replies: 7
Views: 2752

Black Witch Moths

I was recently in Hawaii and surprised by the large numbers of black witch moths. They were frequently seen dayflying, and would come to fruit bait or lights almost as soon as the sun set. They appear to host on the introduced and ubiquitous mesquite trees, so they don't lack for food.