Moth trapping sessions recently have been dominated by Heart and Dart and the Large Yellow Underwings have also started to appear.
A few photos of moths trapped in the last 10 days.
I am really over the moon with this Maiden's Blush (Cyclophora punctuaria) which is a new species for the garden.
Larvae feed on Sessile and Pedunculate Oak. According to the "Larger Moths of Warwickshire" by the County Recorder, David Brown, the moth is found locally in broadleaved woodlands in the County and its occasionally recorded from gardens in the vicinity of Oak trees. We do have at least a dozen oak trees about a quarter of a mile away or less (I am always hoping they will produce a Merveille du Jour for me one day!).
Square-spot Rustic Xestia xanthographa. New for Year. Larvae feed on various grasses. Not 100 per cent sure about this identification so please let me know if I am wrong.
Silver y (Autographa gamma) A Common migrant from Europe. Often seen in the daytime nectaring on various flowers. In our garden it loves Red Valerian. Larvae feed on stinging nettles, brassicas, clovers, hedge bedstraw and legumes. (New for Year).
Buff Ermine - love this moth so another photo!
Middle-barred Minor (Oligia fasciuncula (New for Year). Larvae feed on various grasses.
Uncertain (yes, there is a species of moth with this name!) (Hoplodrina octogenaria) have started to appear in large numbers. This species is easily confused with Rustic!
Finally, a worn Pug. Pugs are notoriously difficult to identify and when they are worn like this one I more or less give up! They are also very active moths and its difficult to get a decent photo even after they have been chilled in the fridge.
Edit
Apologies I finished the post in a rush due to family complaining I spend all my time on Blogger!!!
Meant to say that I have done a #30 Days Wild post on my other Blog - Ragged Robin's Nature Notes and to give the sad news that the last Blue Tit chick also died. Not sure of the reasons why the clutch failed - there may have been a lack of caterpillars?
Nice Moth photos.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ian :)
DeleteSo pleased the moths are back up and running, might get a flush of them if the weather stays warm.
ReplyDeleteYou will be pleased to Know my first butterfly hatched this morning, we notice the change in colour of the pupa last night and when I got up this morning there was a butterfly... all very exciting it was... it look till about dinner time for it to start moving, then after one photo out of the cage it look of, calmed it down and took it straight back to the release site and watched it fly off....
Keeping a close eye on the others, turns out they were Small Tortoiseshell !
will do a full post when they have all hatched. Just wanted to say a big thank you for all your help and encouragement, this some thing I will be doing again next year...
Amanda xx
Congratulations re: the butterflies Amanda - I am so very pleased for you. Its such a thrilling moment and even more special when you have raised them yourself! The moment of release is very wonderful too :) I bet you can't wait for the others to emerge :) Well done too because its not easy raising them.
DeleteLots of moths appearing now - its been warm and humid overnight. Had a Lime Hawkmoth last night :) Took ages to pot and thank goodness it didn't escape and fly off into the night! If the weather is the same by you it might be worth trying your trap again.
Good selection of moths RR, things have certainly improved since the start of the month haven't they! I have never had a Maiden's Blush (infact I am not sure we have them up here) so I am super envious :-)
ReplyDeleteSad news about the last Blue tit chick :-(
Hope you are well and kindest regards :-)
Hi David - so sorry for late publication of your comment - we've been away for a week. I was really chuffed with Maiden's Blush - had to put a photo on Twitter for verification in case I was getting carried away!! Will catch up on your posts soon.
DeleteBest wishes Caroline
Happy you are getting more variety now! The only moth I know from these ones is the Silver Y, but I haven't seen any yet. Oooh I just read that you got a lime hawkmoth - one of the reasons I want a moth trap, because I have found their cats around my lime trees so know they are around!
ReplyDeleteHi - so sorry for late publication of your comment - we've been away for a week!! Moth trap hasn't been on again but will publish photo of Lime Hawkmoth when I get back to normal!!!Wish I could have taken it to Isle of Wight with us!
DeleteSorry Millymollymandy - Meant to add will catch up with your latest post soon - its been a long drive home (awful traffic!!)>
DeleteHope you are well and have just popped of some were for sand and sea...
ReplyDeleteAmanda xx
Hi Amanda - Thanks so much for your kind comment. Yes we have been away to Isle of Wight for a week. Sorry I couldn't publish comments when away. I see you have done a post on your caterpillars to butterflies - so looking forward to reading and apologies for not commenting earlier this week on it.
DeleteI hope lots of photos were taken :0
DeleteAmanda xx
Far too many!!! Will do a series of posts on RRNN when I get chance! Another family birthday today plus unpacking, washing and shopping! So sorry I couldn't comment on your caterpillar to butterfly post - so frustrating as I could see it on my Kindle but had no idea of my password :(
Delete