Leopard Moth (Zeuzera pyrina) – I found the blue sparkling spots on this moths wings and head quite beautiful. It belongs to a family of moths called Cossidae, and this is one of only three species that can be found in the British Isles. It flies at night and is attracted to light, but it can also be found resting during the daytime on tree trunks. The adults are not able to feed. They fly June to July, and frequent open woodland, scrub, parks and gardens. The larvae feed on the wood of various deciduous trees.
Attracted to moth trap, rear garden, July 2018. Nikon D7200 Ā© Peter Hillman.
Nature Journeys 
This is really beautiful!
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Thank you š It is quite something.
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Look at this! That’s a very special moth as well! The closer you go the more wonders you discover!
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It sure is special. It is a first for me, and quite a wonder! I have never seen this type of colour on a moth before,
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Wow! These are gorgeous! I felt sad to read that as adults they can’t feed, I guess these beauties don’t last long.
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Thank you, Liz š I don’t really know how long they live for, but their main objective when adults is to mate and lay eggs. Sadly they will eventually starve to death, so I guess they have to get all their living in pretty quick!
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Yes, I guess they do! Very interesting Pete as I’d never have guessed these beautiful creatures don’t eat! Thank you!
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That’s a real beauty Pete, great images, off to the Lakes in the morning catch up next week.
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Thank you, Brian. Have a good trip and I hope you get what you are looking for!
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I know I am not to take literally “gemstones for spots. But am I to take literally what you say: “The adults are not able to feed”? I would think they need some nourishment at least to reproduce. Very nice photos and I like you did detail shots of sections to show the gemstones.
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The adults won’t live long and they will starve to death, so they have to get all their reproducing in very quickly. Thank you, David š
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Very interesting.
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Incredible. What a find!
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It certainly was, Ark! And these things never fly off. They either roll over and play dead, or just sit there for an age.
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One for album, that’s for sure. We have had a dreadful year butterfly wise at our spot. I truly hope things improve when the warm weather returns.
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Sorry about your butterfly numbers there. They haven’t been too bad here with the hot weather, so hopefully they will pick up your end when the weather gets better.
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This has to be one of the most unique and lovely moths you have ever shown us! Thanks.
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Thank you, Marilyn š I am glad you like it so!
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What an incredible looking moth. Beautiful photos Pete!
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Thank you, Belinda š
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I donāt usually think moths are very attractive, but this one is an exception.
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Many folk think the same, but some moths can be as beautiful as butterflies.
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Well, this one convinces me!
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Amazing that a moth would be so startling in colour/wing pattern. Wouldn’t you think it would blend into its surroundings more to avoid predators. I’ve never seen anything remotely like it. Thanks for sharing, Pete.
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I had never seen anything like it either until I saw this one. Maybe the sparkling colours are to ward predators off.
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Wow, extraordinary!
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š
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Exquisite creature …. super close ups reveal his otherworldly appearance! š
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It is quite something of a gem š
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And look at those legs! They sparkle, too. It’s just extraordinary. It does look for all the world as though it’s been decorated with blue glitter — but what a blue. I’m just speechless.
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This was my first ever encounter with this moth, and I thought how beautiful and extraordinary its markings were shining blue as they do.
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It’s a beautiful moth, really extraordinary!
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Thank you, Simone š Extraordinary is the word.
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What an absolute beauty … š
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Thank you, Julie š It certainly does stand out from the rest.
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That is just stunning!
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Thank you, Adele š
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Incredible detail. Wow, I really love this one. I don’t think I’ve seen something similar here at all. Your photos are fabulous!
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Thank you very much, Sumyanna š Nature can indeed be so incredible!
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What an extraordinary moth! I bet it truly embraces the concept of ‘Carpe Diem’ if eating is not on the agenda. Great title for this post too.
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Thank you, Jill š Indeed, it has to do a whole lot of living in a very short amount of time.
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So long as its ok with you Pete I might do a post on my first ‘colour’ day that features this beautiful Leopard Moth, probably I’d choose 2 photos from above. Easing back into colour posts again seems a fine excuse to use your lovely photos of this gorgeous creature!
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You sure can, Liz. Use whatever you like. Again it would be an honour! š
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Thanks! I always like to check in case you license something commercially š
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No problem, Liz! I only get the odd request to use images for educational rather than commercial use, which I usually agree to so long as folk name me as the photographer. If they help folk to undertsand and appreciate the natural world I am all for it! š
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Well… I love your generosity in sharing your beautiful imagery in such a great cause. We’re both so fortunate to have nature all around us aren’t we? Its easy to forget its not the case for many… like the woman from Beijing who’d only ever seen gray sky that I reblogged about!
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Thank you, Liz, and we are so fortunate indeed!
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