Moth mimicry?

adsposh · #1 (**permalink**) 17-09-2009, 03:05 PM

I wonder if anyone can ID this moth?

As I got close to the moth, it started to vibrate it's wings. I was surprised when I saw the image. It appears to me that the wing markings have highlighted what seems to be a spider about to strike!
Any ideas?

andy brown · #2 (**permalink**) 17-09-2009, 03:15 PM

hi,

It's a silver y, they are quite often very active like that and are easily spooked

Andy

Lance Morgan · #3 (**permalink**) 17-09-2009, 03:38 PM

yes its a silver y

Jenny W · #4 (**permalink**) 17-09-2009, 04:37 PM

Yeah Silver Y's commonly fly during the day as well as night and are very common migrants here. They vibrate their wings to warm themselves up ready for flight. I've never heard of moths vibrating their wings in order to mimic another organism (at least not any British moths) - it would be interesting to know if anyone knows of them doing this

I bet someone's going to say they do it all the time!!