No. Not the catchy songs that get into your head. Oh no. They're earworms aren't they? I mean those rather unpleasant Dermaptera that I really have never been able to bring myself to like. These:
I'm not even sure why I don't like them. They don't don't sting or bite people. Contrary to popular folklore they don't crawl down people's ears and lay eggs in the brain. (They much prefer dark dank habitats to nice warm bedrooms). They don't as a rule do much harm to our gardens. For all that so far as I am aware I don't know anyone who likes them.
On the other hand I've had a good haul of moths in the last few days as well. These are a few of them. If I've got the names wrong please do correct me.
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| Scorched Carpet Moth |
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| Absolutely No Idea Moth |
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| Antler Moth |
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| Antler Moth |
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| Garden Tiger Moth |
A movie I saw as a kid had just such an insect drive a man crazy. So I don't like them either!
ReplyDeletebut...these are fabulous pictures of moths!
Thanks Norma. I love moths: largely thanks to my brother.
DeleteThese are very good. Earwigs are harmless as you say.
ReplyDeleteThe depth of field you get from the bridge camera is amazing.
I've always been pleased with its macro capability Adrian.
DeleteIncredible closeups of the moths, which by the way are all lovely.
ReplyDeleteI love the "Absolutely No Idea" moth caption.
As for the Earwig, that looks like a creature straight out of a horror movie.
Virginia I'm hoping that my brother will read the post: he's my main hope of an identification.
DeleteThat antler moth is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI agree Helen. I've photographed a few here this year.
DeleteGorgeous moths. Btw earwigs are apparently very good mothers. Aaaaaah!
ReplyDeleteYes Frances. They are one of the very few - possibly the only - insect that shows a maternal instinct.
DeleteYuck for the first one. (I quickly closed my eyes while skipping to the moths...) They're creepy. I remember one summer, many years ago... I had somewhat of an invasion of them in the flat where I was living then. They hid in the strangest places - and it's not true that they don't like bedrooms. I found them in my bed when going to bed at night, in my kitchen drawers, under the soap in the bathroom... Brrr!
ReplyDeleteAs it happens Monica we have had a mini plague of them here this year and I've found a lot in the house - probably arrived in with washing or because the doors and windows have been open. They love being under things in dark moist places and, yes, in the bathroom under a moist sponge I found one last night.
DeleteMoths are hard not to like, because they remind me of wonderful garments. I agree I don't really see much to actually like about earwigs (or many other bugs) but I rather admire them for being handsome and designed well for their purpose... whatever that may be. I mean, they clearly ARE designed well for it, otherwise they would have died out centuries ago! :)_
ReplyDeleteI agree Jenny apart from the fact that they flutter and many people don't like that: my Mum was one. I'm not actually sure what purpose earwigs have in the Greater Scheme of Things but they do, I agree, look rather well suited too it. Hmmm. I'm not sure that makes much sense really.
DeleteI remember that Twilight Zone where the man went screaming into the wilds after the earwig egg-laying incident. Creeped me out for years!
DeleteLook how furry those little moth heads are!
Fortunately for me Lisa I never saw that movie - I avoid horror movies at all cost - otherwise I'd have had nightmares for years too.
DeleteWell, it may have been Twilight Zone (30 or 60 minute weekly show, can't remember), or it may have been "Outer Limits." Either way, it was enough to scare so many of us kids!
DeleteNot really a fan of earwigs, either, but I can't even remember when I last saw one.
ReplyDeleteThe moths are all very beautiful and delicate.
I last saw an earwig when i got into bed last night - it was in my bed. I was less than amused. They may prefer dark, damp places according to the nature books but mine do not seem to have read the books.
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