21 June 2013

21 June 2013 – Daughter of the Sea.

Common White Wave (Cabera pusaria)

The Common White Wave (Cabera pusaria) is an especially elegant and beautiful moth. We found it perched on top of the moth trap a few mornings ago. It patiently waited for me to finish my photo shoot before making its way. Cabera is the daughter of Proteus, the old man of the sea, a shapeshifter, and teller of prophesies. Pusa means ‘a little girl,’ named so because of the moth’s rather delicate complexion. Perhaps the white evokes a sense of gracefulness and innocence as well, as would a child. The Common White Wave makes number 264 on our species list.

– Post by Jane Wu