Moths are often thought of as a fearsome version of butterflies, however, classifying them in this way would be a very serious mistake. Moths have their own charms that are hidden in the amazing patterns on their wings, but this species of lepidoptera also has what could be said to be the fluffiest insect of all, which thanks to its appearance is called the poodle moth or moth. poodle.
This beautiful moth is a clear example of how little we know about the amazing creatures of nature, because although biologists have dedicated entire centuries to the study of the tree of life where all the known species are listed, they have not yet been able to know why. complete the biodiversity of the planet.
Just in 2009, while biologist Arthur Parker was on a field expedition in the Venezuelan Great Savannah, he discovered a moth never before seen at that time. He described it as a poodle moth because of its fluffy and hairy appearance, very similar to a dog of this breed. It was then recognized as a new species of insect of the order Lepidoptera.
Since then, this insect has generated curiosity among nature lovers, one of them, Dr. Klaus Shuker, described it as “monstrously adorable” for its bulging eyes and its strange brown antenna that make it look like a creature coming out of a magical story Shuker also speculated that the poodle moth could have an evolutionary relationship with Diaphora mendica, another species of moth that lives in Europe, however, this information has not been proven.
What is the poodle moth like?
This species of lepidoptera has so far only been sighted in situ in the Venezuelan Gran Sabana, although it is unknown if its habitat extends to other regions of South America. The appearance of the moth is simply amazing, with a body completely covered by dense, curly white fur. Even its paws are hidden under its fluffy covering and the wings are no exception, although the fur in this region is shorter than on the rest of its body.
But in addition to its plush appearance, the poodle moth stands out for its large bulging eyes that give it a touch of tenderness to the human eye and its pair of antennae of a brown tone with almost golden reflections that resemble a pair of oversized eyelashes. .
Not much is known about the poodle moth so it is not known if it belongs to a species never seen before or is a variation of a known moth. Its origin is so mysterious that today it does not have a scientific name, the only thing that is known is that it is a lepidopteran from the group of species known as arthropods.