Ghost moth

Name: Ghostly Silkmoth (Ceranchia apollina)

Ceranchia Apollina(Ghostly Silkmoth) -Male -Madagascar -(4 in wingspan). This is a semi transparent Silk Moth which is endemic to Madagascar. The common name "Ghostly Silkmoth" is due to it being a Silk Moth which is semi transparent white with black highlights, which makes it look ghostly. Note: The abdomen here is stained some as it should be all white with an orange tip.

Their English name is derived from the males of the spp. humuli which are entirely white, however, the females are larger with a striking yellow forewing with distinctive orange markings. The Shetland spp. thulensis is smaller with a creamy white forewing marked with brown. When at rest they hold their elongated wings almost vertically against their body.

Ceranchia apollina - a Madagascar endemic species - in captivity in the Netherlands -- Bart Coppens

Garden, Staining, Lancashire, UK, 19-07-2005

Pu'er, Yunnan, China