Right now our gardens are down to mostly flowers, some non-native, like nasturtium; others like the New England aster are native. There are still a few hot peppers and lots of green tomatoes. Susan is canning green tomato chutney again today. And in the future I will be canning pickled jalapeños and making another batch of kimchi. But the highlight for me was getting to prepare and mount a rare moth.
This rather battered specimen is a Black witch (Ascalapha odorata). In southern Mexico and Central America it can be rather common. However, this specimen was found at Whitefish Point in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, making it one of the northern-most specimens ever found. Interestingly this is the second from Whitefish Point in the past two years. To put the size in perspective the wingspan is close to 5 inches. That makes it one of the largest insects that I have mounted. In the past I have mounted Luna and Cecropia moths as well as Chinese mantis. But this beauty is a monster.
More tomorrow…
Michael's Place 