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| Dark Spinach (Pelurga comitata) |
Patrick and I had different opinions this morning regarding
the identity of a rather bulky moth with fan-shaped wings and uplifted abdomen.
Patrick reckoned it was a Shaded Broad-bar (Scotopteryx chenopodiata), just
like an earlier visitor to the garden three days ago. I believed (and hoped)
that it was a Dark Spinach (Pelurga comitata), which would be completely new to
the garden.
Superficially, the two moths look alike. Both hold their
wings spread out like a carpet; both display semicircular bands expanding
outwards from the thorax to the wingtips. On a closer look, however, the
decorations on their wings display
different characteristics.
The patterns on the wings of the Shaded Broad-bar are silky
soft. The yellow band at the edge of the wing melds into a dark orange stripe;
the orange, in turn, dissolves to a sea-green color. The wings of the Shaded
Broad-bar form a graceful design, like the smooth curves carved out on a sandy
beach.
Instead of the soft sandy shore, the wings of the Dark
Spinach resemble the hard shoals on a rugged coast. The dark brown bands on the
moth's wings are sharply divided from the beige background. The lines of
division are harsh and uneven. The Dark Spinach's wing-pattern resembles the
geological layers on the body of the rock, preserving the fault-lines as well
as the scars of deep erosion. 'Pelurga', in fact, describes to the moth's
earthen, clay-coloured appearance. ('comitata', the second part of the scientific
name, means 'a companion'.)
Following a consultation with Dave Chesmore it was confirmed
that the specimen found was indeed the hardy, rocky Dark Spinach. This means
Shandy Hall Moths now increases to 350.
---Post by Bowen
Chang
