Libyan
Butterflies and Moths
Macro Photography by Altaher Altabet
Moth Gallery 1
Please click for a big size photo and for slide show
Crambid Moth
Spoladea recurvalis is a species of moth of the family Crambidae. It is found worldwide, but mainly in the tropics. The wingspan is 22–24 mm. The moth flies from May to September depending on the location. The larvae feed on Spinach, Beet, Cotton, Maize and Soybean. They feed on the underside of the leaves protected by a slight web. The larvae are green and resemble the ribs of the leaf somewhat. Full-grown, they are about 19 mm long. The pupa is formed within a slight cocoon in a folded piece of leaf. It is very pale brown. The pupal period lasts about 12 days.Photos taken in farm of University of Tripoli, Tripoli- Libya (32.847277, 13.223261).
Straw-barred Pearl Moth
Pyrausta despicata, common name Straw-barred Pearl, is a species of moth of the family Crambidae. The wingspan of Pyrausta despicata can reach 14–19 mm. The wings are brown or greysh, with quite variable pale brown markings. The moth flies from May to September depending on the location, in two generations. It is active in the sunshine and at dusk. The larvae feed on Plantago lanceolata and Plantago major. Pyrausta despicata is present in most of Europe and North Africa. This moth prefers chalky and limestone habitats. Photos taken in Abu Gilan, Gharyan- Libya (32.271136, 13.028618).
The Vestal Moth
Rhodometra sacraria, is a moth of the family Geometridae. It has a wingspan reaching 22–28 mm, while the length of the forewings is 12–14 mm. These moths are easily distinguishable from the mahogany or pink stripe, located on yellowish or cream background, crossing diagonally the dorsal sides of the upperwings up to the apex. The dorsal sides of the hind wings are whitish. The intensity and the extent of the pink pigmentation is rather variable, depending on the seasonal temperature in the development of the pupae.The caterpillars mimic twigs and therefore they are quite difficult to locate. These caterpillars feed on knotgrass, dock and other low growing plants. It is found throughout Europe, Africa and large parts of Asia. Photos taken in farm of University of Tripoli, Tripoli- Libya (32.847277, 13.223261).
Crimson-speckled Flunkey Moth
Utetheisa pulchella, is a moth of the family Arctiidae. It is found in Africa, Southern Europe, Central and Southern Asia and Australia. The wingspan is 29–42 mm. The larvae feed on Forget-me not, Echium, Borago and Anchusa species.. Photos taken in farm of University of Tripoli, Tripoli- Libya (32.847277, 13.223261).
Plume Moth
The Pterophoridae or plume moths are a family of Lepidoptera with unusually modified wings. Photos taken in farm of University of Tripoli, Tripoli- Libya (32.847277, 13.223261).
It is similar to Himmelman's Plume Moth or Berry Plume Moth (Geina tenuidactyla), but I'm not sure of the exact classification.
The T- Moth
The T-Moth or Morning-glory Plume Moth (Emmelina monodactyla) is a moth of the family Pterophoridae. It is found in Europe, Japan, central Asia, North Africa and North America. The wingspan is 18–27 mm. The moths fly nearly year-round. The larvae mainly feed on Convolvulaceae species, Atriplex , Chenopodium, Datura stramonium and Hyoscyamus niger. The moths are a pale russet in colour, with a wingspan of 18-27 millimeters. The colouration is extremely variable, ranging from off-white with indistinct markings to a strong rust brown. The markings may vary considerably in size. The second and third abdominal segments are elongate. The caterpillars are greenish-yellow with a broad green band on the back, and a narrow broken yellow line running down the center. Some specimens may also have a wine-red marking on the back. The colour of the pupae may range from green to reddish brown, sometimes with black markings. Photos taken in farm of University of Tripoli, Tripoli- Libya (32.847277, 13.223261).
Small Moth
Agriphila inquinatella is a small moth species of the family Crambidae. It is found in Europe, in the Near East to Jordan and North Africa. The adult moths fly between June to September, depending on the location. Their wingspan is 23–29 mm. The caterpillars feed mainly on Poaceae grasses, such as meadow-grass species (Poa) or Sheep's Fescue (Festuca ovina). They can be found under pebbles adjacent to their foodplants, suggesting that they feed on the plants' roots. A more unusual foodplant is the Pottiales moss Tortula muralis. Photos taken in farm of University of Tripoli, Tripoli- Libya (32.847277, 13.223261).
The Vine Hawk-Moth
Hippotion celerio, known as the Vine Hawk-Moth or Silver-striped Hawk-Moth, is a moth of the Sphingidae family. It is found in Africa, Southern Europe, Central and Southern Asia and Australia. It can be found further north, because of its migratory nature. Larvae may be green, yellowish green or even brown. They have a dark broken mid-dorsal line and a creamy dorso-lateral line from the fifth segment to the horn. The head is round, and usually a dull green colour. The larva has a horn which is usually long and straight. There is a large yellow and green eyespot on the third segment and a smaller one on the fourth segment. Larvae typically feed on the leaves of plants such as the grape vine, Cissus, Impatiens and the Arum lily. Photos taken in Alhadba Alkadra (32.838637, 13.218113)
The Bordered Straw
Heliothis peltigera, is a species of moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found in Southern Europe and the Near East, but can be found further North too, because it is a migratory species. It is also present in most of Africa and in Asia. The wingspan is 34–42 mm. The length of the forewings is 16–19 mm. Forewing greyish ochreous, flushed with pale brown, except the narrow marginal area; lines brown, indistinct;orbicular stigma a dark dot; reniform grey with dark brown edge and centre, joined to a brown mark on middle of costa; a brown band between outer and submarginal lines; a black dot below vein 2 before margin; hindwing with broad brown-black marginal border, containing a pale blotch between 2 and 4; cellspot dark; fringe white. Photos taken in Alhadba Alkadra (32.838637, 13.218113)
The Mediterranean corn borer
Sesamia nonagrioides, , Pink stalk borer or West African pink borer, is a moth of the Noctuidae family. It was described by Lefebvre in 1827. It is found in Spain, southern France, Italy and on the Balkan Peninsula, as well as in north-western, south-western and western Africa.
The wingspan is 30–40 mm. The forewings are grey-yellowish, marked with a marginal band and with rounded spots. The hindwings are white. There is a variable number of generations per year, ranging from two in southern France to up to four in Morocco.
The larvae feed on Phragmites communis and Arundo donax and probably also other grasses with thick stems. It is one of the most damaging pests of maize in the Mediterranean region. Larvae of the first generation are particularly destructive, because they tunnel the maize stem during the whole larval stage. The larvae are yellowish to brownish with a rust-coloured back and reach a length of 30–40 mm when full-grown. Photos taken in farm of University of Tripoli, Tripoli- Libya (32.847277, 13.223261).
Uresiphita gilvata
Uresiphita gilvata is a moth of the Crambidae family, Crambidae Pyraustinae. It is found in Europe and North Africa. The wingspan is 29-37 mm. Adults are on wing from September to October depending on the location. The caterpillar feed on various low-growing herbaceous plants, including Genista, Cytisus and Ulex.
Caterpillar has brought from the university farm and reared in special container in my House until become moth, University of Tripoli, Tripoli- Libya (32.847277, 13.223261).
The Small Marbled
The Small Marbled (Eublemma parva) is a species of moth of the Erebidae family. It is found from North Africa and southern Europe to Central Asia. Also Middle East, Turkey, Caucasus, Transcaucasia, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Northwest India It is a migratory species and is also found north of the Alps. Photos taken in farm of University of Tripoli, Tripoli- Libya (32.847277, 13.223261).
The Green Drab
Ophiusa tirhaca, commonly known as the Green drab, is a moth of the Noctuidae family. It is found in Southern Europe, Africa, Australia and the southern parts of Asia.
The wingspan is about 50 mm. The larvae feed on heath, Pistacia lentiscus, Pistacia terebinthus, Cotinus coggygria, Rhus coriaria, Rhus cotinus, Cistus, Eucalyptus,Osyris,
Viburnum and Pelargonium. Photos taken in farm of University of Tripoli, Tripoli- Libya (32.847277, 13.223261). 4th August 2015
The Convolvilus Hawk-moth
Agrius convolvuli, is a large hawkmoth. It is common throughout Europe, Africa and Australia. partly as a migrant. The wingspan is 80–105 mm. This hawkmoth's basic coloration is in grayish tones, but the abdomen has a broad gray dorsal stripe and pink and black bands edged with white on the sides. The hindwings are light grey with darker broad crosslines.
Its favorite time is around sunset and during the twilight, when it is seen in gardens hovering over the flowers. This moth is very attracted to the lights, so it is often smashed by cars in highways. Its caterpillars eat the leaves of the Convolvulus, therefore its Latin name "convolvuli".
Other recorded foodplant include a wide range of plants in the Araceae, Convolvulaceae, Leguminosae and Malvaceae families. It can be a pest of cultivated Ipomoea. It feeds on the wing and has a very long proboscis (longer than its body) that enables it to feed on long trumpet like flowers such as Nicotiana sylvestris. Photos taken in Alhadba Alkadra (32.838637, 13.218113). 16th August 2015.
Cornifrons ulceratalis
Cornifrons ulceratalis is a species of moth in the Crambidae family. It is found in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Greece, Morocco, Algeria and the Canary Islands.
The wingspan is about 22 mm. The larvae feed on Henophyton deserti and Sesamum indicum. Photos taken in farm of University of Tripoli, Tripoli- Libya (32.847277, 13.223261). 5th April 2016