Plutella xylostella – This small micro moth has been quite a regular visitor to the garden over the years. As can be seen, it has quite a distinctive pattern.
Copyright: Peter Hillman
Camera used: Nikon D7200
Date taken: 15th July 2017
Place: Attracted to moth trap, rear garden, Staffordshire
Nature Journeys 
I think I might like that green leaf background almost as much as the moth, especially in the second photo.
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Thank you, David 🙂 Sometimes I am taken by the details and colours of the background in images too, which can be quite interesting and beautiful in their own right.
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Fine detail and so lovely against the green of the leaf!
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Thank you, Belinda 🙂 The are quite detailed considering how small they are.
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Hello cutie 😊
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Hi 🙂
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Very impressive images Pete! With your blog I learn to like insects…Mots I have always liked…Take care 🙂 (No spring yet!)
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Thank you, Beth 🙂 I am very pleased you are liking insects more as a result of my blog! No, no spring, snow cover here now, and more on it’s way from Siberia.
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Amazing find and shot!!
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Thank you very much, Indira 🙂
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It’s beautiful!
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Thank you 🙂
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Pete, I have decided to purchase the Sigma 105mm macro lens this year, I will probably get the 1×4 converter as well. Have you any experience with converters? will they decrease sharpness? regards Brian.
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Hi Brain, The Sigma is certainly a really fine lens, especially for the price, an you should get a lot of fun and pleasure out of usin it. Last year I bought the Raynox DCR-250 conversion lens and found it quite an exceptional lens, very sharp, but you need to make sure you have plenty of light because of the narrowing depth of field and having to compensate with the aperture. I found it best used in manual mode for focusing. I managed all my images hand held, but usually by bracing my hand against something solid. This was my first foray into convertors, and I was fairly pleased with the results as you could get up pretty close to some of the really small critters like springtails and small moths such as these. See the posts below when I first bought my Raynox for more info if you wish, regards Pete.
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Thanks for this insight Pete. The sigma 1×4 converter which fits between camera body and lens would increase the focal length of the 105 to 150 with the advantage of costing £200 less than the Sigma 150mm macro and weighing nearly half as much! I love what I have seen of the 105 but with butterflies I don’t want to get too close, sometimes you can’t. Obviously when I purchase the lens I will practice loads on easy subjects and not try and get that special one till I know it’s limits. Regards Brian.
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No problem, Brian. That 1×4 convertor sounds pretty cool and was one I was looking at last year but decided on the Raynox. It will be interesting to see what results you can get with it. I have the same problem with some butterflies and dragonflies, and sometimes rely on my 70-300mm telephoto for these, but it is not as a good as a dedicated macro. Best wishes, Pete
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Well Pete I took the plunge and purchased the Sigma 105 macro and Sigma 1.4x converter today (thanks to my Waitrose bonus) now roll on spring so I can put it in action! Not seen you on my site lately hope you are ok. Brian
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That’s fantastic Brian! I will look forward to seeing your photos when the weather permits and when you post! If the converter works well fr you I may be tempted to get one myself. I am good thanks. Just having a break from PC Land for a short while. Best wishes, Pete
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Fascinating. There are so many small creatures to learn about. I’m getting hopeful that spring has remembered the UK after all…a patch of grass has escaped from the snow cover on my front lawn!
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Thank you, Aele 🙂 I know what you mean with spring, after a brief respite the cold is on its way back.
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Wonderful shots-they are very clear and well executed! The subject is also very interesting. I’ve never seen a moth like that in real life!
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Many thanks, Crystal 🙂 I am always amazed at how diverse moths can be.
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I agree, I need to upload my post on different moth species. I hope that you will check it out!
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I’m sitting here shivering as it snowed yesterday and it is rather cold outside today. This image brings me warmth… what a beautiful creature!
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Thank you 🙂
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