A sensational photo was presented to the world by a zoologist from Kyrgyzstan Arthur Anker: from a photograph, a bug looks more like a kind of unknown animal.
The author of the photo found his "model" in the Venezuelan national park in 2009. The insect interested the zoologist with a non-standard appearance: such a unique "increased shaggy" that the Venezuelan poodle moth possesses does not exist in any butterfly in the world.
Tropical winged bear?
The species, to which the newly discovered insect can be attributed, has not yet been determined by scientists. The Venezuelan poodle moth is somewhat reminiscent of a shkodnitsa-bear, working in the gardens of central Russia, but it is just too snow-white for such dirty "work".
True, the poodle moth has another type of coloring - reddish-brown, but the color cannot be a reason for classifying the insect as a pest.
In addition, for the entire period during which the poodle-shaped insect is known to the world, it has not yet shown itself on the negative side. Or the broad masses are not informed about this.
The name was invented by Internet users
When the network was literally blown up by a novice in the world of insects, the Venezuelan poodle moth, the photo of which was not discussed only by the lazy, there was no talk of any official name. Actually, it does not exist even now, since scientists cannot determine the characteristics of the moth in order to give it an exact and corresponding zoological "name".
Here, Internet users have no problems with this. The associative series decided everything : white and fluffy, beautiful, noble - a poodle.
The name was surprisingly successful, because the insect is fleecy not only on the back, abdomen and wings, it also has fluffy legs. And in general, the creature looks cozy and plush.
You can only judge by photo
Venezuelan poodle moth Venezuelan Poodle Moth known to the world only by photo - scientists do not have a single specimen on their hands, and therefore they can not only begin research, but even argue whether it actually exists or not.
Having analyzed in detail the material available, that is, the photo, the scientists nevertheless came to some conclusions. They determined that the Venezuelan poodle moth belongs to the family of Lepidoptera. In this study, the photos stopped waiting for at least one living, "natural" insect.
A the Venezuelan poodle moth, whose photos do not give a complete and objective zoological picture, remained a sensation and a mystery.
Where dwells, what eats, what are the sizes?
Strange, but this creature looks like the materialization of someone’s fantasy, a fairy-tale character, an alien from outer space or the earth’s depths, but not the insect familiar to us.
How did it appear on the planet? When exactly - in 2009, or until that time it simply did not show people in the eye? And why did you decide to appear right now? One can speculate on this subject endlessly, building rows of versions. And they will soon be in abundance: from theoretical scientists, practical scientists, esotericists and mystics.
In the meantime, you can just watch the amazing moth: it lives in the tropics, eats grassy plants.
Venezuelan poodle moth, size which is quite impressive - from 2.8 to 4.0 cm - does not have a proboscis characteristic of butterflies, but it does have developed jaws, so it grazes on the lawns.
The poodle moth is nowhere fixed in flight. Perhaps his massive body is a little heavy for flights that are too frequent, so he carries them out only occasionally. Perhaps the fact that his wings are as fluffy as the body does not allow them to be used fully.
"These eyes are opposite."
The Venezuelan poodle moth is all unusual - from the tips of the legs to the tips of the wings. But the most cosmic in his appearance is the eyes. Dark surprised huge beads give the creature a charm and some defenselessness.
Because of these eyes, the author was suspected of using Photoshop. But no! Through constructive discussion, Internet users nevertheless came to the conclusion that such a butterfly, with such eyes, is in Venezuela.
And no matter how many people consider themselves to be the king of nature or their very diligent and inquisitive “junior research associate,” it still harbors millions of puzzles that we have to study and solve for millions of years. One such is a poodle moth.