Post by trehopr1 on Aug 22, 2016 4:58:53 GMT
Here is one of two drawers that I have featuring our native Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) which is found on the Eastern seaboard of the U.S. I have always liked this most variable of native Saturniidae. The females as can be seen are huge compared to the males. However, they are not nearly collected as often as are the males since they don't seem to be attracted to light in like numbers. Perhaps, their call times are different ? The males can be quite common if you are in the right area at the right time. The amount of purple, yellow, and "freckled" spots varies wildly.
All of my specimens are "wild collected". I enjoy the thrill of the hunt and whenever I find something a little different or simply a fresh hatch I am thrilled with the find and yet thankful at the same time. I have never been a fan of breeding personally. I'd rather take my chances finding something-- so to speak --from Mother nature and her bounty. To me my treasures have all been earned the hard way....
The 2 specimens marked in heavy purple in the 2nd and 3rd columns are of a form which is most uncommon among wild collected material. If you were to collect say 50 males you might find maybe 2 with the heavy purple. No kidding. Females with the heavy purple are almost non-existant. The one which I did find is the only one I've ever found in many trips afield over many years. I'm very picky about what I keep for my collection so what you see here in this drawer is the very best I've found over a 10 year period. My other drawer features another 18 males. Their are 2 color forms of the larvae -- green and brown. I have a brown color form larvae which has been beautifully prepared (not by me) by someone with an advanced knowledge of the art. Found it thru my dealer in a lepi collection he purchased some years ago !
Certainly, a worthy and collectible species !
All specimens collected in Southern
Illinois. Union County.
All of my specimens are "wild collected". I enjoy the thrill of the hunt and whenever I find something a little different or simply a fresh hatch I am thrilled with the find and yet thankful at the same time. I have never been a fan of breeding personally. I'd rather take my chances finding something-- so to speak --from Mother nature and her bounty. To me my treasures have all been earned the hard way....
The 2 specimens marked in heavy purple in the 2nd and 3rd columns are of a form which is most uncommon among wild collected material. If you were to collect say 50 males you might find maybe 2 with the heavy purple. No kidding. Females with the heavy purple are almost non-existant. The one which I did find is the only one I've ever found in many trips afield over many years. I'm very picky about what I keep for my collection so what you see here in this drawer is the very best I've found over a 10 year period. My other drawer features another 18 males. Their are 2 color forms of the larvae -- green and brown. I have a brown color form larvae which has been beautifully prepared (not by me) by someone with an advanced knowledge of the art. Found it thru my dealer in a lepi collection he purchased some years ago !
Certainly, a worthy and collectible species !
All specimens collected in Southern
Illinois. Union County.