A small moth emerges from an oak tree with its wings prepped for flight. This macro photograph reveals an almost prehistoric creature that could have just as easily appeared in a sci-fi film. The eyes appear almost as if they were man-made.
Moths evolved long before butterflies, fossils having been found that may be 190 million years old. There are thought to be approximately 160,000 species of moth. Moths frequently appear to circle artificial lights, although the reason for this behavior remains unknown. One hypothesis to explain this behavior is that moths use a technique of celestial navigation called transverse orientation. By maintaining a constant angular relationship to a bright celestial light, such as the moon, they can fly in a straight line.
Likely species: Lunate Zale Moth.
Location: central Arkansas. September, 2009.
Photo # _KS10289.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.
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