Hi All,
Happy Valentine's Day!
The winter storms have set in on Prince Edward Island. Lots of snow here now and very cold. There is a blizzard warning for January 23.
Yes, it's here! We've got over sixteen inches (40cm) of snow with more on the way and high winds.
Another storm is headed our way for Wednesday.
The first week of February has been relatively mild and sunny! Yes, it's actually been nice since it stopped snowing.
*******************************
Before the WLSS was officialy launched I received a gift copy of John Cody's Wings of Paradise from Kathleen Hawkins in appreciation for some information and encouragement that I had provided. The book features seventy-two of Cody's Saturniidae paintings. Kathleen writes, "John Cody, the author and illustrator, shares your passion for moths and has traveled the world to see them and draw them. I have seen some of his original drawings, pastels, and they are incredibly beautiful. He grew up in Brooklyn and started "mothing" there, but has lived in Kansas for years. He is/was a psychiatrist, when he is not drawing moths. Hope you enjoy the book."
Quite recently, Adam Fleishman, who lives not too far from my parents in New Jersey, teamed up with John Cody and now maintains the "John Cody Gallery" at http://www.johncodygallery.com/
Adam has also assisted my father and me over the years with cocoon sales via a link from his website with a very positive "review".
Adam teamed with me in providing copies of Ric Peigler's Samia revision to two WLSS award winners, Robert Thompson and Eric van Schayck.
Perhaps some of you can help Adam and John Cody with "subjects" for
their work. Of John's paintings, Adam writes,
"They have an inspiring effect on people.
I've had the chance to see this at exhibits. I would imagine many of
the people who are members of WLSS would be glad to learn about his
work".
With the beauty of the giant Saturniidae, it is not surprising that they attract much attention as focal points for many artists. I continue to be amazed at the image quality and sheer beauty of the many pictures that are being sent to me as electronic images or hard copy "prints".
I recently framed two drawings sent to me by John Ciseski, several Catocala prints sent by Tim Dyson, a promethea print sent by Darrell Gulin and most recently a very large Actias dubernardi print by Robert Thompson, not to mention the caticature sent by Taylor Jones.
Four of Jan Hellert's coloured pencil drawings, some of Pam Sharp's Kaleidoscope Moth Patterns, and some of Scott Serano's drawings are on display in the Members' Sidelines section.
I know that Kirby Wolfe has helped several people develop their skills with cameras, and the quality and scope of Kirby's coverage is amazing.
Robert Jenson, Darrell Gulin and many others have also sent many images that are astounding.
*******************************
I will shortly be launching the Robert Thompson Gallery of Limited Edition Fine Art Exhibition Prints.
My youngest son, who is far more interested in sports and music than in moths, was totally in awe of the Actias dubernardi print which Robert sent me.
These Fine Art pieces will attract much attention wherever they are displayed, whether on office walls, as living room focal points, stairways, or just above your computer.
Visit http://www.insectcompany.com/silkmoth/rthome.html
Great as collector's items or as gifts. Tell your spouse or children, "Wow, would I ever like to have one of those, and see what happens!"
Don't wait too long, though, as these are "limited edition" prints with only twenty of any one subject ever to be prepared.
Robert is keenly interested in obtaining livestock of species he has not yet photographed and will consider exchanges of "cocoons for prints".
Robert writes, "The only thing that remains is the price and the size. All of my art work is printed at 16 by 20 inches. I will have to think about the price as this is slightly different to my normal artwork which usually starts at £50 per print."
As of February 8, 2005, £50 is equivalent to $93.00 U.S. dollars. Robert has indicated the price for the prints will be $45.00 U.S.
The images I display on the WLSS are at a resolution of 72 dpi. The prints that Robert makes are at a much higher resolution and produce a much finer print!
*******************************
New member, Franz Ziereis writes,
"In the last twenty years I have bred over 260 species of
Saturniidae. I have larva pictures from all species."
Regards
Franz Ziereis
Elsa-Brandström-Str. 63
D-93413 Cham
Germany
You can contact Franz at franzziereis@freenet.de
Visit Franz's website at Website
Franz also offers a cd of his Saturniidae. Information on his site.
*******************************
Darrell Gulin has just sent a series of images, now posted to Photography section: Actias luna, Actias selene, Antheraea polyphemus, Attacus atlas, Automeris io and Eupackardia calleta.
*******************************
Steve Kohll has sent me images of the following:
live male of Automeris innoxia, posted to individual file and Photo 2005 section
live male of Dirphia tarquinia, posted to individual file and Photo 2005 section
live larva of Gonimbrasia conradsi, from Burundi, Forêt de la
Kibira posted to individual file and Photo 2005 section
Hybrid male and female of the cross Actias maenas male X
Actias isis female, posted to Hybrid section
live larva of Pseudodirphia infuscata, reared on Carpinus betulus,
posted to individual file and Photo 2005 section
spread female of Pseudodirphia infuscata from Ecuador, Napo,
Puerto Misahualli, posted to individual file
*******************************
Teemu Klemetti has just sent me two images of spread specimens of species not previously displayed. Both moths are from Tanzania, the new species Nudaurelia flammeola and Tagoropsis sabulosa have been posted to individual files with collection data.
Teemu also advised that Nudaurelia venus and N. nyassana images had not been uploaded. The pics are now up.
*******************************
Al Hill pointed out some missing images and missing files and I have uploaded those files except for the species whose descriptions are not yet published.
*******************************
Hubert Mayer has sent me an images of a male Copiopteryx semiramis andensis and of a female Copiopteryx derceto (not previously depicted on WLSS). I will be adding many outstanding images from Hubert's collection over the next couple of weeks.
I have added Automeris belti zaruma female, Rachesa breteuili male, Rothschildia orizaba equatorialis male and female, and many more.
*******************************
Russell Witkop has sent me some images, among them habitat for Hemileuca griffini. Hope to work the image into the individual file soon (now up). Russell also sent me images of Hemileuca nuttali in flight (now up), a male maia trying to mate with a female nuttalli and a male H. hera magnifica (now up) hanging to inflate its wings.
*******************************
I am working on maps and checklists for Australia and Papua New Guinea. Hope to have them up before Valentine's Day. (now up,linked from main page)
*******************************
Kirby Wolfe has sent me beautiful images of the following:
Attacus caesar male and larva
Automeris jucunda male and larva,
Epiphora bauhinia male,
Hemileuca stonei male and larva,
Pseudautomeris pohli female and larva,
Kirby welcomes comments on his images and has been extremely helpful to other photographers.
Click on the flashing butterfly at bottom of his page to help promote Kirby's public site.
*******************************
Robert J. Nuelle, III, sent me very beautiful images of a prepupal Eacles imperialis larva. The pictures were taken by Clayton Bownds.
*******************************
The dark Syssphinx montana specimens are not nearly as rare as once thought. See comments from Scott Smith, Kirby Wolfe, Chris Conlan and Jim Tuttle in the species file.
*******************************
Jim Tuttle is now in Australia and sent me very nice images of Coscinocera hercules from Queensland. Image of female is especially nice. See Photography 2005 section.
Jim also reminded me of new genus addition (Neodiphthera) and some recently classified moths from Australia.
I have added a Neodiphthera section and hope to have individual files done soon.
*******************************
Contests 2005
The images that members have been sending are very much appreciated and do much to make the site attractive and helpful to those who have collections and wish to identify specimens. Even some experienced veterans are making corrections to their collection data.
I am constantly upgrading the site, also, to make corrections and add new images.
There will be two main Photography contests in 2005. We will continue with the Best Individual Photo and Best Life Cycle Composite.
The winning photographer in each category will have his/her choice of any one of the following prizes:
1) Peigler's and Naumann's Samia Revision
2) Five rearing sleeves, any combination of standard sizes
3) Cds of both North American Saturniidae and WLSS
4) Free lifetime membership to Caterpillars Too!
5) Three 8.5" x 11" prints of Tim Dyson's Catocala
Members who participate in the vote in the Best Individual Photo competition will have their ballots entered into a draw for same set of prizes.
Images of spread specimens, species checklists and rearing articles are also very much appreciated. I will designate an "Article of the Year" award (same choice of prizes).
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Livestock still available includes Actias luna, Automeris io, Callosamia promethea and Samia cynthia cocoons as well as butterfly pupae: Papilio glaucus,. All are $4.00 U.S.
Minimum order is five pieces, and there is one shipping and handling fee of $7.00 in U.S.; $10.00 overseas.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Please check the Members' Wish list periodically and help when you can.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sphingidae Express
Nice images of female Arctonotus lucidus courtesy of Dennis Haines, Manduca dalica anthina and Isognathus caricae from Minas Gerais, Brazil, courtesy of Frederik Goussey have been posted.
Also a larvae from Nigel Venters from Argentina has been posted to Manduca sexta saliensis and Manduca sexta paphus files.
Both Jean Marie Cadiou and Jean Haxaire think it is a Manduca sexta subspecies, or possibly an undescribed species.
Hopefully Nigel will have a successful eclosion of moth soon.
Beautiful images of Euproserpinus euterpe, courtesy of Paul Johnson, have recently been posted.
I have begun posting a series of beautiful images of Sphingidae spread specimens from Hubert Mayer: Adhemarius dentoni, Adhemarius mexicanus, Adhemarius sexoculata , Amphimoea walkeri, Callionima parce, Eumorpha typhon, Manduca mossi, and many many more to come.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Catocala Capers
Ron Nelson has just sent me images of larvae of c. cerogama, C parta, C. piatrix dionza, C. relicta, C. cara and C. amica linellla curvifascia (adult too). Images are posted.
Ron has been working with Gabriel Larrabee and has also sent images of eggs and pupae of cara and ilia and eggs of cerogama, palaeogama and retecta.
I have eggs of coelebs, concumbens and relicta in the fridge.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I have been steadily pecking away at checklists for states of Mexico, but it will probably be several months before I have all the Hemileucinae completed.
If you wish to help or want to watch development, the states' checklists can be accessed from the Mexico file.
Return to Main Menu
Return to "Mothly Newsletters"