Vapourer moth eggs hatch

[LordV]

Took the first pic last year Sept 2nd which shows a female flightless vapourer moth dead after laying eggs all over her pupa case. The second shot taken yesterday shows the same eggs beginning to hatch - 8 months gestation!.
Last shot shows a male that has these amazing antennae to try and locate the flightless female.

Brian V.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1309/1302910289_6cdd0b201a_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3178/2496696190_8278560524_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1229/1414150490_a555146d72_o.jpg

[Zayets]

Beautiful shots Brian.

That moth looks like one mean grouch. :D

[johnkermit1]

great shots...i have a lot of shield bug eggs (i think) on a plant at work, i cant wait til they hatch!

[symby]

Great shots.. and I get to learn too. 8)

[LordV]

Thanks for the comments :)
Have to admit I'd forgotten about them :)
Brian V.

[macro junkie]

wow great shots.

[staceyann]

Interesting shots. I like the 3rd shot!

[eccles]

Amazing stuff Brian. I've always wondered how vapourer moths spread. If the female is flightless, and therefore stuck in one relatively small patch, then how can the species increase their range?

[troypiggo]

Great and interesting series Brian. I'm surprised by the broken egg casings. Actually look like broken poultry eggs. I was expecting them to be, I dunno, more insect-ish - like when they shed etc. That previous sentence is pretty scientific, hey? :)

Love the antennae on #3 too - wonder how many channels he gets.

[Miniflash]

Very cool shot's

[alliec]

Lovley captures Brian, really like the second shot.