sennesands favoriter

These are from a fairly well known population/occurrence. Along this particular slope, the majority of plants had already senesced, and were very dried out. A few individuals were just emerging, and a couple were still in bud. All in all, VERY dry conditions in the area, and this population is far past peak bloom for the season.

This is by far the largest, fanciest moth I have ever seen (and photographed) at about 2 inches head-to-tail and over 3 inches with wings fully expanded.
It has the bright orange-yellow hindwings (see 2nd photo).

These Triteleia laxa are abundant on this urban grassland slope and their purplish blue colour makes a nice contrast to the surrounding dry and pale grasses. And another thing:
Who wouldn't love their common name "Ithuriel's Spear", after the angel Ithuriel from Milton's 'Paradise Lost': perfectly ethereal, isn't it ...