Flying Squad

[Dizmo]

Evening (morning or even afternoon; for some).

I know 'tis a strange choice of title but I think rather appropriate given the circumstances.

I've just had 4 Tiger Moths fly straight through my window in arrow formation, fly around the room in formation then directly into my face. I've manage to catch 1 of them but not the rest yet. I don't want to leave them otherwise I could end up accidentally killing them.

Any idea what they eat - I've checked google and the suggestion is nectar. Can I get away with honey or do I have to start mooching around in the dark for flowers that haven't been pollinated?

Before anyone suggest I just get them all and throw them outside or don't attempt to feed them I'll explain why I don't wish to do that; I want to photograph them first and then show them my mum as she is into lepidoptery.

As always - thanks in advance.

Dizmo.

[Ann]

You want to give them to your moth-er? :)

[Obiter]

I presume you mean Tiger Moths as in "insects" and not aircraft?

[Dizmo]

Obiter: If my room was big enough for 4 full size aeroplanes then I'd be more concerned with why I had a room big enough for 4 full size aeroplanes. Also my windows would be very large.

[Dizmo]

Priceless Ann. I've never heard that joke in that sort of context before :)

[Dizmo]

Ok one of them is a Hawkmoth. They must be teaming up on me.

[SpikeyBush]

I had a tortoiseshell butterfly in my drawing room this evening. Needed to get it out before the cat spotted it. Cold and wet outside so I caught it in a pint pot and let it go in my greenhouse where there are a few flowers still on the tomatoes for it to feed on and it can go in the morning to wherever butterflies like to hang out

[Dizmo]

I've put a few drops of sugar solution into the pots and put them in my drawer (keep them in the dark so they don't get too stressed). I'll let them go in the morning - the weather is pretty horrendous here at the moment also. Apparently the weather is going to get a damn sight worse tomorrow! If I let them go now they will just come back in - I can't shut my window and there's enough light coming from power supplies, pc, monitor led standby light, HDD light and even my phone blinking. They seem to like being in this room.

[Obiter]

If the weather is horrendous then don't forget your anorak when you venture outdoors.

[Dizmo]

About 8 years ago I caught a Tiger Moth and we kept hold of it for about a week (we were not aware of what type it was and wanted to photograph and send the photos to a lepidopterologist and await response before we released) and it laid eggs. They all hatched nicely - it was nice to see. I doubt any of them would have survived if not.

[Henrietta]

" If my room was big enough for 4 full size aeroplanes then I'd be more concerned with why I had a room big enough for 4 full size aeroplanes. Also my windows would be very large."

That has to be the most funniest thing I'v read on the net this week!

I hope to not offend any animal lovers out there but earlier this month \i killed 2 giant brown moths which resembled cockroaches which I later found to be moths (giant brown ones) What are they and why have they grown so huge as I've never seen moths this big before.

[Canary42]

The idea of mooching around in the dark seeking un-pollinated flowers is hilarious - good luck if you try it :)

[Dizmo]

Henrietta: Chances are they could be Hawk Moths. Without seeing a photograph I couldn't tell you. They are pretty big moths.

As far as the apologies to animal lovers goes; I know a lot of animal lovers who kill moths, spiders and even butterflies. I shouldn't feel too guilty about it.

[Dizmo]

I/You.

[stuey]

Four Tiger Moths through your window? I do hope that they were not chased in by a Hurricane:)

[Obiter]

^^ or even worse, a Vampire.

[stuey]

If that were the case, Obiter, we would have to put a Skua through its heart.

[Dizmo]

Don't fear the 'Reaper'. Well all plain jokes about planes I too much for me. I'm going to make off like a 'Puma'. Night all.