Monday, 22 June 2020

A Mercurial Visitor

Not long back in from a sunset 7km run, with the first 5km under 30 minutes again.

It has been gradually warming up as the day went on; I tried sitting in my garden to read, but initially it was a little cool with a noticeable breeze blowing.

The coolness and wind was probably why I had a visitor in the shape of a cinnabar moth, a species not known for being a strong flyer. It settled in the creeper that hangs over my back wall, and I was able to get a decent shot of it.

I presume this species is named after the mineral of the same name, a vivid red ore of the element mercury. As with the mineral, the cinnabar moth is toxic to anything that tries to consume it.

Which is why I didn't try to eat it.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 22.06.20




4 comments:

  1. Never seen a Cinnabar Moth. Will remember not to eat it.

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  2. Red and black, the colour combination is probably saying danger.

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  3. There seem to have been quite a few of them around this year though I've had no success trying to photograph them. Sounds as though it's going to be a bit hot for running in the next few days.

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  4. Thanks for the comments, red admirals were about today

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