Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Parasitised moth??

Posted by nick upton on 03-01-2013 15:22
#1
This rather tatty moth found in a chalk grassland meadow - some kind of noctuid?? - had a strange growth attached to the base of its abdomen. It looked like a cylindrical sac full of egg-like structures and one "egg" seemed to be coming out. Maybe it's a parasite of some kind (though I can't find any records of moth parasites with this form) or a deformity of some kind... - like an ovary developed externally... Can anyone ID the moth or shed light on what the growth is?? The close up makes me feel queasy to look at... The poor thing seemed weak and could barely fly.

13.6.12 Chalk grassland meadow, Wiltshire, UK. Moth around 15mm

Posted by nick upton on 03-01-2013 15:23
#2
A close up of the growth/egg sac?
Edited by nick upton on 03-01-2013 15:24

Posted by nick upton on 03-01-2013 15:24
#3
Dorsal view of moth

Posted by Cesa on 03-01-2013 19:36
#4
The moth looks like Apamea sublustris!

Posted by nick upton on 03-01-2013 20:25
#5
Many thanks for the moth ID - that is found in my part of the UK, though in small numbers usually. I'll wait and see if anyone has any ideas about the odd growth on its side!