|
This is one beautiful moth - especially if you can get up
close to see the iridescent multicolored scales on the wings and the iridescent
blue-black body. The lovely deep orange "collar" is one of the most striking
examples of this color in nature. A very active diurnal moth, I've found the
scape moth nectaring on just about every flower we have here. |
Scape moths mating, male on left
Compare to: Virginia Ctenucha Moth - Ctenucha virginica
| Moths, including scape moths, pollinate many species
of plants. Moth-pollinated flowers tend to have a
strong, sweet scent and are white or pale in color.
Gardens planted with these flowers may attract several
kinds of sphinx moths, including the hummingbird and
bumblebee mimics. While eating the nectar of a flower,
moths receive a dusting of pollen by brushing against
anthers, which produce pollen. Their fuzzy bodies are
excellent pollen carriers. As a moth sips nectar from
another flower of the same species, it transfers pollen
from the previous plant. This cross-pollination is
necessary for many species of plants to produce seeds. |
|
