Found this Silver Y moth - Autographa gamma, while on holiday in Cornwall. As an immigrant species this moth can turn up in thousands under the right conditions, especially in southern coastal areas such as Cornwall. The adults can be found from spring to late autumn and can be seen by day as well as night.
Wingspan 3.5-4.2cm. Forewing brown to grey, patterned like bark, with a white mark in the middle that resembles the Greek letter gamma (y); hind wings brown, white edged, front of body with three errect tufts of hairs.
In this capture the white letter Y identification mark can be more clearly seen.
The front of body displaying three errect tufts of hairs is particularly evident at this angle.
MPE at 4x and 14 focus stack using Zerene Stacker.
MPE at 3x and 21 stack.
MPE at 3x and 12 stack.
During the Photoshoot I was very lucky in that the moth for most of the time, stayed still. On several occasions it did start to move but as soon as this happened I placed a transparent plastic dome over it and then waited for the moth to settle down. It didn't take long before the moth fell into a sleep-like trance again from which moment I lifted the dome and resumed the photoshoot.
This capture shows the moth waking-up shortly after the moment in which I placed it back. Once the weather had improved I returned to let it out and see it fly away .
