Libyan
Butterflies and Moths
Macro Photography by Altaher Altabet
Moth Gallery 2
Please click for a big size photo and for slide show
Fairy Longhorn Moth
Adela collicolella is a moth of the Adelidae family. It is found in Spain and Portugal, as well as North Africa.
The wingspan is 11-12.5 mm for males and 13-14.5 mm for females. The forewings are shiny bronzy metallic, with a golden sheen. The costa is tinged with purple throughout. The hindwings are rich purple. The Adelidae or fairy longhorn moths are a family of monotrysian moths in the lepidopteran infraorder
Heteroneura. Most species have at least partially
metallic patterns coloration and are diurnal, sometimes swarming around the tips of branches with an undulating flight. Others are crepuscular and have a drab coloration. Fairy longhorn moths have a wingspan of 4-28 millimeters, and males often have especially long antennae, 1-3 times as long as the forewing. Adelidae are usually closely restricted to particular hostplants [1], in which the females insert their eggs or just lay among leaf litter, and the caterpillars make a case, completing their development on the ground. Fairy longhorn moths feed in sunshine on nectar from the flowers of herbaceous (woody) plants. Photos taken in farm of University of Tripoli, Tripoli- Libya (32.847277, 13.223261).
The Silver Y Moth
Autographa gamma, is a migratory moth of the family Noctuidae which is named for the silvery Y-shaped mark on each of its forewings. The Silver Y is a medium-sized moth with a wingspan of 30 to 45 mm. The wings are intricately patterned with various shades of brown and grey providing excellent camouflage. In the centre of each forewing there is a silver-coloured mark shaped like a letter Y or a Greek letter Gamma. There are several different forms with varying colours depending on the climate in which the larvae grow. The species is widespread across Europe, parts of Asia, and North Africa. Silver Y moths can produce two or three generations in a year with a fourth generation when conditions are particularly good. The eggs are laid on the upper or lower surface of leaves. They are whitish in colour and hemispherical in shape with deep ribbing. They hatch after three to four days (longer in cool conditions).The larvae are about 30 mm long. They feed on a wide variety of low-growing plants and have been recorded on over 200 different species including crops such as the garden pea, sugar beet and cabbage. They can reduce crop yields by damaging leaves and are often considered to be a pest. The pupa is green at first, gradually darkening to black. The adults mate one or two days after emerging from the pupa and start laying eggs one to five days later. They die three to nineteen days after emergence. Photos taken in farm of University of Tripoli, Tripoli- Libya (32.847277, 13.223261).
The Large Tabby Moth
Aglossa pinguinalis, also known as the Large Tabby, is a moth in the Pyralinae subfamily. The larvae feed on dead vegetation, fruit and grasses. Definition of Tabby :A domestic cat with a striped
or brindled coat of a gray or tawny color. Photos taken in farm of University of Tripoli, Tripoli- Libya (32.847277, 13.223261).
The Zygaena Moth
Zygaena moth of the Zygaenidae family. It is found in Algraboli area near Tripoli. Picture is not clear to identify which species but we think is Zygaena (Agrumenia) marcuna. Photos taken in Garboli area, Tripoli- Libya (32.788046, 13.581372).
Note: Picture taken in 21st March 2010 by using Camera Nikon D40 with lens 18-55 mm which is not macro lens.
Nodaria nodosalis is a moth of the Erebidae family. It is found in tropical Africa, Yemen, Oman, North Africa, , southern France, Italy, and Portugal. In Mediterranean Basin there are two generations per year. In the subtropics and tropics there are multiple generations. The larvae feed on Ipomoea and Lactuca species. Photos taken in Alhadba Alkadra (32.838637, 13.218113)
The Slender burnished brass
Thysanoplusia orichalcea, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is polyphagous pest of vegetable crops that originated in Indonesia, from where it spread to Europe, South Asia, India, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. In northern Europe it is a migrant species. The wingspan is 36–44 mm. The fore wings are extensively covered with a metallic golden shimmering surface. Only the Costal field and hem are brown in colour. The reniform and orbicular tain are small and white bordered. The unpatterned hindwings are grey-brown, somewhat darker at the margin. The thorax is furry and with some hair tufts, the proboscis is well developed. The moth flies from August to October, depending on the location. The larvae feed on various herbaceous plants, including crops such as Sunflower, Potato and Soybean. Photos taken in farm of University of Tripoli, Tripoli- Libya (32.847277, 13.223261).
The Diamondback Moth
The diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella), sometimes called cabbage moth, is a European moth believed to originate in the Mediterranean region that has since spread worldwide. The moth has a short life cycle (14 days at 25 °C), is highly fecund and capable of migrating long distances. It is one of the most important pests of cruciferous crops in the world. The diamondback moth has a global distribution and is found in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, Australia, New Zealand and the Hawaiian Islands. Photos taken in farm of University of Tripoli, Tripoli- Libya (32.847277, 13.223261).
Sun Moths
Heliodinidae, commonly known as Sun Moths, is a family of small moths with slender bodies and narrow wings. Members of this family are found in all parts of the world. Photos taken in Agar city, Wadi Ash-Shati, south Libya (27.529654, 14.159466).
The Sycamore
Acronicta aceris, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is distributed through most of Europe, from central England south to Morocco. To the east it is found from the Near East and Middle East to West Asia.
The forewings of this species are pale to dark grey with rather indistinct markings apart from a thin black basal streak. The hindwings are white, sometimes with dark streaks at the margin. The wingspan is 40–45 mm. The adults fly at night from June to August and are attracted to light and sugar. Photos taken in Alhadba Alkadra (32.838637, 13.218113)
Flower moths
Scythris picaepennis (Haworth, 1828). Wingspan c.10mm. This species has a scattered distribution. Adult moths have a purplish sheen to the forewings, often, though not always, with scattered buff scales. Seen in Libya usually in March (huge numbers, as personal observation). The larvae feed in a web on common bird's-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) and wild thyme (Thymus polytrichus). Photos taken in farm of University of Tripoli, Tripoli- Libya (32.847277, 13.223261).
Small moths
Pempelia genistella is a moth of the Pyralidae family. It is native to south-western Europe and north-western Africa. The wingspan is 26–29 mm. The larvae feed on the needles of Ulex europaeus in which they spin a dense, conspicuous silken communal web. Photos taken in farm of Wadi Alrabie, Tripoli- Libya (32.710057, 13.407545).
Palpita vitrealis
Palpita vitrealis is a species of moth of the family Crambidae. It occurs worldwide, including Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and America. In Europe, it is found in southern Europe, but may be found further north due to its migratory nature.The wingspan is 27–31 mm. The moth flies in Autumn depending on the location. The larvae feed on Jasminum officinale, Ligustrum, Forsythia and Olive species. Photos taken in Alhadba Alkadra (32.838637, 13.218113)
The spotted Clover
Schinia scutosa OR Protoschinia scutosa is a moth of the Noctuidae family. It is found from Europe to southern Siberia, the Near East and the Middle East and from central Asia to Japan. In North Africa it is found from Morocco to Egypt.The wingspan is 30–36 mm.Forewing dull whitish, the marginal areas speckled olive-brown; stigmata all large and conspicuous, brown with black outlines; a brown band between the dark outer and white subterminal lines; hindwing white, the veins brown; a broad dark marginal border, with two pale spots between 2 and 4, preceded by a sinuous outer line; a large black discoidal lunule. Adults are on wing from July to September. There are two generations per year in southern Europe.Larva dark green, the sides and venter yellow; lines yellow, the subdorsal freckled with black; head yellow with black spots. The larvae feed on Artemisia species, Photos taken in Algraboli near Tripoli (32.805886, 13.546704) found in 20/2/2016
The Pale Shoulder
Acontia lucida is a moth of the Noctuidae family. It is found in most of Europe, east to Turkey, Iran and India. It has also been recorded from Algeria. The wingspan is 26–30 mm. Adults are on wing in May and August in two generations. The larvae feed on Althaea officinalis, Convolvulus, Chenopodium and Taraxacum. Moths found in 2ed April 2016, Photos taken in farm of University of Tripoli, Tripoli- Libya (32.847277, 13.223261).
The Geometrician
Grammodes stolida, is a moth of the Noctuidae family. It is found in Africa, southern Europe, most of Asia and Australia. It migrates to Central and Northern Europe as far north as England, Denmark and Finland. There are multiple generations per year. Adults are on wing from February to October. Photos taken in farm of University of Tripoli, Tripoli- Libya (32.847277, 13.223261). found 4 April 2016.