2019 moths.....

[gary yankech]

Another great year for moths! This year's tally was 382 confirmed moth species photographed...United States (Mothapalooza) and Ontario (various locales). Still trying to eclipse the 500 plus mark for one year. Maybe next year. Here are my top 40 Ontario moths for 2019:

Please let me know which is your favorite from each locale. I would love to hear from you. Enjoy!

Backyard moths, Scarborough

Black-dotted Glyph by Yankech gary, on Flickr
Mother Underwing by Yankech gary, on Flickr
Chickweed Geometer by Yankech gary, on Flickr
Hydrangea Leaftier by Yankech gary, on Flickr
Unspotted Looper by Yankech gary, on Flickr
Asteroid Moth by Yankech gary, on Flickr
Pearly Wood-Nymph by Yankech gary, on Flickr
The Herald by Yankech gary, on Flickr
Ipsilon Dart by Yankech gary, on Flickr
Cream-edged Dichomeris by Yankech gary, on Flickr

High Park Moth Study Group, High Park Toronto

Schaller's Acleris by Yankech gary, on Flickr
Yellow-faced Bell by Yankech gary, on Flickr
Inimical Borer by Yankech gary, on Flickr
Linden Bark Borer by Yankech gary, on Flickr
Yellow Wave Moth by Yankech gary, on Flickr
Pine Tube Moth by Yankech gary, on Flickr
Green Leuconycta by Yankech gary, on Flickr

Carden Plain, Kawartha Lakes

Virgin Tiger Moth by Yankech gary, on Flickr
Small-eyed Sphinx by Yankech gary, on Flickr
Spotted Datana by Yankech gary, on Flickr
Pine Imperial Moth by Yankech gary, on Flickr
Nais Tiger Moth by Yankech gary, on Flickr
Canary Ypsolopha by Yankech gary, on Flickr
Charming Underwing by Yankech gary, on Flickr
Angulose Prominent by Yankech gary, on Flickr
Scarlet-winged Lichen Moth by Yankech gary, on Flickr
Curve-lined Argyria by Yankech gary, on Flickr
Blackberry Looper by Yankech gary, on Flickr

Algonquin Provincial Park, Pog Lake Campground

Variegated Midget by Yankech gary, on Flickr
Big Poplar Sphinx by Yankech gary, on Flickr
American Lappet by Yankech gary, on Flickr
Caloptilia canadensisella by Yankech gary, on Flickr
Azalea Sphinx by Yankech gary, on Flickr
Black Zigzag by Yankech gary, on Flickr
White-dotted Prominent by Yankech gary, on Flickr
Rosy Maple by Yankech gary, on Flickr
Polyphemus Moth by Yankech gary, on Flickr
Harris's Three-spot by Yankech gary, on Flickr
Chocolate Prominent by Yankech gary, on Flickr
Jewel-tailed Slug by Yankech gary, on Flickr

[Dinusaur]

Incredible set Gary; you are master of your craft. 382 is not a small number; wonderful to see so many exists in your backyard which is not that far from backyard. My favorite is that Asteroid Moth, with a name like that it looks quite out worldly.

[gary yankech]

Incredible set Gary; you are master of your craft. 382 is not a small number; wonderful to see so many exists in your backyard which is not that far from backyard. My favorite is that Asteroid Moth, with a name like that it looks quite out worldly.

Thank you for your kind words. 382 is the most species thus far that I have seen in one year, I now total 737 moth species photographed. It has taken many years to learn and recognize the many moths found in S. Ontario and NE America, though many of my new moths seen this year were identified by experts/mothhead friends on iNaturalist. I can now identify most of the common Ontario species and can name most other moths to family and/or genus. Still, there are plenty more moths to see in Ontario! I have also visited Ohio for mothing a few times.

Yes, the Asteroid Moth....are you based in Scarborough? Next summer, we should hook up so you can check out my backyard mothing setup.  Maybe you'll see the Asteroid moth then! My backyard is tiny, but I am very close to the Rouge, my lights draw in many moths from the nearby forest.    

Anyway, keep up the great work with the bird shots! Happy Holidays!

[Axeman]

I'm glad  you make this a regular thing --- OK I set out to pick one for each local and then as I scrolled another would pop up so I'm going to take a closer look....BUT a question...can't recall the species but the one with the eyes you found up at Pog Lake...how big was that?

I truly appreciate the time you took to put that all together...like most people on this board, I love all of nature and when you do your compilations, I learn and get engaged...THANKS!

[gary yankech]

I'm glad  you make this a regular thing --- OK I set out to pick one for each local and then as I scrolled another would pop up so I'm going to take a closer look....BUT a question...can't recall the species but the one with the eyes you found up at Pog Lake...how big was that?

I truly appreciate the time you took to put that all together...like most people on this board, I love all of nature and when you do your compilations, I learn and get engaged...THANKS!

The moth you are referring to, Polyphemus Moth, is a common moth found across Ontario. It is from the family of Giant Silkworm Moths, Family Saturniidae. The Polyphemus Moth is one of the largest moths in Ontario, it's wingspan can get up to 150 mm across! They visit lights in small numbers and are mostly seen in forested areas. I've been seeing at least one annually over the last few years.  

I'm glad you enjoyed my photos. I hope to share more of them, I love learning about all nature too! Feel free to ask any questions, I will try to answer them. Take care.

Gary

[Shortsighted]

A wonderful compilation of moth photographs that make me feel as if I just
visited a museum. I'm sure you did some research on methods of insect photography
because your present technique is working very well indeed. I presume you are using a
macro lens (now that I reflect on it I believe that you already stated as much in
a previous post to me) because that degree of resolution is what is needed to feature
those subtle colours and textures, some of which are truly amazing. Among your back-
yard captures I especially like the Chickweed Geometer, the Virgin Tiger, the Canary
Ypolopha and the Blackberry Looper, although I'm not one for having and proclaiming
a favourite of anything. The Azalea Sphynx from Algonquin Park is also a gem.

Unlike Butterflies, most moths have very soft and subtle earth-tones on their wings
and body with a few bolder exceptions. I would imagine that camouflage is the most
urgent need during the day so that the moth can blend in with the foliage and the bark
of a tree. Bright colour schemes would attract attention from predators. Colour at night
is pointless. The fabulous pastel shades on a few of your species make butterflies seem
like impoverished cousins.  The Cecropia, the Luna and the Atlas moth are the superstars
of the moth world. Have you ever seen a Mottled duskywing? They have been sighted
along the north shore of Lake Ontario but are endangered and may soon be extinct.

Anyway, thanks for posting the fruits of your labour. I was never much of a night owl but
now that I am acting the role of caregiver I go to bed very early, so sitting outside on a
summer night with a lamp seems unimaginable.

[gary yankech]

A wonderful compilation of moth photographs that make me feel as if I just
visited a museum. I'm sure you did some research on methods of insect photography
because your present technique is working very well indeed. I presume you are using a
macro lens (now that I reflect on it I believe that you already stated as much in
a previous post to me) because that degree of resolution is what is needed to feature
those subtle colours and textures, some of which are truly amazing. Among your back-
yard captures I especially like the Chickweed Geometer, the Virgin Tiger, the Canary
Ypolopha and the Blackberry Looper, although I'm not one for having and proclaiming
a favourite of anything. The Azalea Sphynx from Algonquin Park is also a gem.

Unlike Butterflies, most moths have very soft and subtle earth-tones on their wings
and body with a few bolder exceptions. I would imagine that camouflage is the most
urgent need during the day so that the moth can blend in with the foliage and the bark
of a tree. Bright colour schemes would attract attention from predators. Colour at night
is pointless. The fabulous pastel shades on a few of your species make butterflies seem
like impoverished cousins.  The Cecropia, the Luna and the Atlas moth are the superstars
of the moth world. Have you ever seen a Mottled duskywing? They have been sighted
along the north shore of Lake Ontario but are endangered and may soon be extinct.

Anyway, thanks for posting the fruits of your labour. I was never much of a night owl but
now that I am acting the role of caregiver I go to bed very early, so sitting outside on a
summer night with a lamp seems unimaginable.

Thank you. Yes, I myself have noticed an improvement in the quality of my photographs, mostly due to practice and tips from other moth photographers. It's has been a journey for sure, though I won't say I am a master, I still have lots to learn!
The Atlas, that would be a great moth to see!....would have to travel to the Asia to see one.  Here is a Cecropia Moth I  happen to see one early morning in Murphy's Point Provincial Park:

Cecropia Moth by Yankech gary, on Flickr

and its caterpillar.....seen at Mothapalooza in Ohio:
Cecropia Moth caterpillar by Yankech gary, on Flickr

I have not seen a Mottled Duskywing, have you?  Would love to get a photo before they are lost to us forever! Anyway, mothing does require staying up late into the night and early in the morning. Luckily, something I don't do everyday! Thank again for your comments, I appreciate it. Take care.

[Shortsighted]

The profile view of the Cecropia is stunning. I think that the profile approach to curating
through photography often gives the most dramatic results although clearly it doesn't always
work. Your profile shot of the Canary also includes a perfectly circular knot that is satisfyingly
sympathetic with the moth's round eye thus lending greater awareness to both. Although the
moth is the subject and therefore the most important element in the photograph, whatever else
appears within the boundary of the frame not only adds piquancy but it can imprint the subject
into the viewer's mind far more effectively and with retention.

That caterpillar is shear comedy. A shiny silicone clown with sprinkles. Nature's idea of kitsch.
A predator might not eat it because it can't stop laughing. I guess you used a tripod because
no power of IS could keep my camera still when I'm laughing.

I have not seen a Mottled duskywing but I have heard of it. I really do not know moths but
I do know that there are too many of them to comprehend. What, about 20 families? Just
mind boggling.

[gary yankech]

The profile view of the Cecropia is stunning. I think that the profile approach to curating
through photography often gives the most dramatic results although clearly it doesn't always
work. Your profile shot of the Canary also includes a perfectly circular knot that is satisfyingly
sympathetic with the moth's round eye thus lending greater awareness to both. Although the
moth is the subject and therefore the most important element in the photograph, whatever else
appears within the boundary of the frame not only adds piquancy but it can imprint the subject
into the viewer's mind far more effectively and with retention.

That caterpillar is shear comedy. A shiny silicone clown with sprinkles. Nature's idea of kitsch.
A predator might not eat it because it can't stop laughing. I guess you used a tripod because
no power of IS could keep my camera still when I'm laughing.

I have not seen a Mottled duskywing but I have heard of it. I really do not know moths but
I do know that there are too many of them to comprehend. What, about 20 families? Just
mind boggling.

....ironically, the caterpillar shot was staged, presented on a leafy stick supported by a tripod. The shot itself was actually hand-held. The caterpillar, and several other species, were collected locally by "The Caterpillar Lab" and provided to the moth conference for educational and photography opportunities.  I tried my best to make it look as natural as possible.

Because the Cecropia moth is a fairly big moth, I chose to do a portrait shot to capture its size in relation to the post it was on.  

I love your take on the Canary moth....as much as possible, I try to compose shots to be aesthetically pleasing to the eye, including when doing touchup post-processing.