Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (June 3, 2015)
Wednesday, June 3, 2015 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Tales from a Sisters Naturalist by Jim Anderson Prominent moths are here Of the many pleasant times I have — and enjoy — within the awesome World of Nature is when someone sends me an image of some- thing they can’t figure out. They come via email, text, or snail mail. That photo at right had me scratching my head for quite a while when it popped up on an email from Kim Long, who used to live in Bend. Kim and her family moved off to Texas a while back (the land of fossil shark teeth), but while they lived here they were regulars on bird-banding and butterfly trips, and one day before they moved away, Kim sent me the above image with the comment, “Look at this!” Yeah, look at that will you? If you hadn’t spent some time watching moths and butterflies, that thing could escape the most primi- tive ID. But after looking at it for a moment you can see physical characteristics that tell you it’s a lepidopteran, but even that’s fuzzy (pun intended). My pal Eric Eaton, who lives with his dear wife, Heidi, in Colorado Springs, is an entomologist’s ento- mologist. I’ve known him since he was 12 years old and he was hooked on creepy- crawlies then; today he’s one of the nation’s experts at IDing arthropods. I sent Kim’s photo to Eric, and he sent back an email stating it’s one of the (many) “prominent moths” found throughout the U.S., and other parts of the world. All told, there are about 3,800 known species. Because of their dull col- ors and night-flying hab- its, some people think they should be in with the noc- tuids — the more common of our nighttime moths that bats love to gobble up in great numbers all summer. However, because of the tufts of “hair” on the trailing edge of the forewing — which is turned upward at rest, a posi- tion that makes them appear “prominent” — they’ve been placed in the family notodontidae. The puss moth is in the same family, and it got that name for their hairiness (which really isn’t “hair”). Smaller species are known as “kittens,” a smaller version of the puss moth. The so-called “hair” on insects should really be referred to as bristles, but the hairs are formally known as cetae, stiff bristles present on the body and limbs. They are unicellular and are generally hollow and project through a secondary or accessory cell as it/they develops; move- ment is possible, which serves to protect the body, waft sex pheromones into the air and camouflage the animal. As with several of our moths, the prominents do all their eating as larvae (cater- pillars), such as the giant silk moths. (Except the gorgeous hummingbird moths that act like — and sometimes look like — their namesakes.) The adult prominent meta- morphose without mouths and are therefore only fly- ing about looking for oppo- site sexes, and laying eggs is their last function on earth. To p r o t e c t t h e m - selves from marauding 15 caterpillar-eaters, some of the promi- nent larvae defend themselves with a variety of chemi- cal sprays, squirting cyanic acid, for- mic acid and other ketones in the faces of their would-be predators. But the cater- pillars’ ability to change color and become something that looks like they are the last thing one of our local from a juicy cater- prominent moths, pillar saves them as Clostera albosigma. well. The larvae of the puss moth has a fearsome-looking “face” and two long photo by kim lonG whip-like “tails” (actually highly modified The bad news is, in some prolegs). When danger is areas of their range, a large near, it rears both ends of group of prominent caterpil- its squishy body into a fear- lars can — and do — defoli- some, grotesque threatening ate their host plants; such as display, while other promi- poplars, oak, beech and wal- nents appear to resemble a nut of California. lobster when threatened. In Sisters Country they’re It’s not a one-way street not a threat to any of our for bats that eat them, trees and shrubs, and for me, either. Adult prominents I’m still looking for my first posses tympana (hearing) live sighting of Kim’s adult organs that warn them of an prominent moth to put on approaching bat, and go into my Life List of Insects. If defensive diving, twisting you see one, please call me flight that confuses the bat’s at 541-480-3728 and I’ll be echolocation. right over... We’re not pushing up daisies... es s o r p u g in m o c We’re right next door! Check out our new location at 411 E. Main Ave. 541-549-8198 (Across from The Nugget) ThreeSistersFloral.com Ke vin Spencer Maso nry Kevin Spencer Masonry has been the premier masonry company in Central Oregon for over 25 years. They specialize in custom interior and exterior stonework and have been involved in some of the area’s most unique and prestigious homes and commercial buildings. Their craftsmanship and commitment to detail, quality and customer service are second to none. One of their latest projects was the sidewalk pavers, lamp- posts and walls down West Cascade Avenue here in Sisters. With their qualified team of specialized masons you will get quality work at a reasonable price, every time. Their decades of experience in the industry have given them connections in every facet of the stonework community. They receive the best deals on material, which they pass on to you. GROHE Parkfi eld I�s��re� By N���r� With its sweeping lines and smooth curves the new Parkfi eld™ fl ows effortlessly like water itself and, like the arching curve of a water fountain, the spout guides water to the perfect position for function and comfort. 541-549-4349 260 N. Pine St., Sisters Licensed, Bonded, Insured | CCB#87587 • Tree Trimming • Hazard Removal • Thinning • Mowing • MautiGating • Foreutry Conuulting • Grantu • Fuelu ReduGtion • PreuGribed Fire • Fire Suppreuuion