Feeding Time @ Cyren's

Hey guys!

Its been four days into the New Year and I hope that its been treating ya'll good! But enough of reminiscing with the past, now's the time to move on and get into the spirit of things. Speaking of moving on though, the Butterfly House saw its first arrival of the year 2011 today with this large and beautiful moth!

Tropical Swallowtail Moth (Lyssa Zampa)

The Tropical Swallowtail Moth (Lyssa Zampa) is often mistaken by many to be a rather dull butterfly on account of its butterfly-like wing shapes and its tendency to fly about during the daytime but in actual fact it is a moth of the uranidae family. The Uranidae family is home to some of the world's most magnificent and amazing moth species, often distinguished from other moths by the shape of their wings which posses multiple "tails" more akin to swallowtail butterflies. Both diurnal (day-active) and nocturnal (night-active) some Uranidae posses beautiful patterns and iridescence on their wings. These are often called sunset moths, for the hues reflected in their wings that resemble the colours in the sky during the setting sun.



Madagascan Sunset Moth (Chrysiridia Ripheus)

And yet, what the Lyssa Zampa lacks in colour, it most certainly makes up in size. One of the largest of the moths most commonly found around Malaysia, the Giant Swallowtail Moth is often a common sight to behold, especially around the months of May-June (which suggests a peak season for the species) also implying that this poor girl was off by more than a few months!


Isn't she magnificent in size and form?



Personally I like moths for many reasons. For one, they are often most misunderstood by many to be the less spectacular "sister" to the more vibrant and welcomed butterfly. However I see moths to be creatures that are as interesting as they are different from the butterfly species. Another thing I've noticed as well, in all my years of breeding is that moths tend to be easier to tame than their butterfly cousins in the sense that they are more likely to sit for long periods of time atop one's arm, content in sipping nectar from a fruit sliced or a flower plucked which make them large, intimidating, but gentle giants.


Lyssa Zampa enjoying a slice of Green Apple.

As for the fate of this beautiful and large moth? Well, for now I'm feeding her with a healthy dose of cut fruit and honey solution mixed in water twice a day and she gets her exercise by free flying around the empty storeroom of my house. Perhaps when her natural lifespan has taken its course I can add her to my wall of specimens, and maybe, just maybe if she so inclines to "bless" my Butterfly House with the miracle of eggs then well, I guess there will be a lot more Lyssa Zampa coming soon.

I love the expression on her face. It's almost like she is doing this 8O

Mothra Feeding (Video)