Overnight temperatures are still very cool considering its June but I did put out the moth trap for 3 nights over the weekend. Catches are still very low but there were quite a few lovely moths - some new for the year and one new for the garden.
Buff Ermine (Spilosoma lutea) This species is fairly common and widespread but is still a Species of Conservation Concern under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP). The larvae feed on stinging nettle, honeysuckle and wild plum. (New for Year)
Heart and Dart (Agrotis exclamationis) is common and widespread. I trap a lot of this species.
Its very similar to Heart and Club (a species I rarely trap) but you can tell the difference as Heart and Dart has a "bird-like" mark on the front of its head.
Brimstone (Opistograptis luteolata) I rarely find this moth actually in the trap but often see them flying at lighted windows. Unmistakeable and very colourful :) The larvae feed on blackthorn, hawthorn, rowan and wayfaring tree. We have all these tree species in the garden so must remember to look out for caterpillars.
Pale Tussock (Calliteara pudibunda) - new for year and a pleasant surprise as this is a species I've only trapped once or twice before.
Elephant Hawk-moth (Deilephile elpenor) I trap this beautiful species only a few times a year - (this was the first this year). The larvae feed mainly on Rosebay Willowherb and less frequently on other willowherbs and bedstraws.
Beautiful Golden Y (Autographa pulchrina) This is not just a year tick but a new species for the garden. Larvae feed on stinging nettle mainly but also hedge woundwort, common ragwort, honeysuckle and water avens.
Finally, a worn Scalloped Hazel (Odontopera bidentata) - new for the year
Blue Tit Update
Sadly, one of the chicks disappeared yesterday - can only assume it died and perhaps it was removed from the nestbox. Today, we seem to have lost another one. These were the two smallest. Am a little worried as the parents don't seem to be bringing food as often as would be expected.
30 Days Wild
I've done a weekly update on the #30 Days Wild project organised by the Wildlife Trusts but I've posted it on my other blog "Ragged Robin's Nature Notes" mainly because I am trying to keep posts on this blog to items related to the garden only.
Nice photos. Sorry to read about the Blue Tits disappearing, hope the rest make it.
ReplyDeletePS
The link to your other blog 'Ragged Robin's Nature Notes' isn't working. I clicked on it but there is a colon missing from the URL.
Thanks very much Ian. Yes , very sad about the Blue Tits - the main disadvantage of having the nestbox camera :(
DeleteThanks for letting me know the link doesn't work. I will try and re-do it. Last night just after I had added the link I tried to upload the photos for this post and Blogger just wouldn't co-operate. Not sure if the 2 were linked - probably not! But photos uploaded this morning ok.
Hi again Ian. Hopefully, now the link works. I use google chrome which seems to delete the http and www bits so rather than copy and pasting I've typed the web address out. It works for me so I hope its ok for you to now.
DeleteA lovely collection of moths Caroline, especially the Beautiful Golden Y & the Elephant Hawk. Like you I get loads of Heart & Darts at this time of year, though your advice about the bird shape is a useful tip as regards helping to ID them from the much less common Heart & Club.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately it looks like it is set to remain cool for the remainder of this week though despite a low of 5.9 C I did have my best night of the year as regards moths the other day :-)
Sad news about the two Blue tit chicks :-(
Thanks very much David - I spotted that tip on one of the local moth forums and its useful :) I was over the moon with the Beautiful Golden Y and I only catch a few hawk-moths a year so the arrival of one is always special :)
DeleteSo glad you did so well the other night. It was very cool when I caught the ones above too. May be a bit warmer overnight towards the end of the week although Friday rain has been forecast :( I tend not to trap if its raining heavily.
Its very sad about the Blue Tit chicks. Unfortunately have seen it before when two are smaller than the others and fail to get their fair share of the food :(
I just managed to lose my comment and log myself out of Blogger all at the same time! I love the Tussock moth and its wonderful furry legs. Dead envious of the Elephant Hawkmoth too - I've been IDing both cat and moth for people on forums and facebook for years, yet never seen either myself! That's one of the reasons I want a moth trap - especially for the hawkmoths.
ReplyDeleteSad news about the blue tits - I definitely don't need a nestcam or I'd be worried sick and probably crying buckets! I enjoyed seeing the ones fledging on Springwatch though. :-)
Thanks Mandy - I always seem to be losing comments too :( Glad you liked the Tussock - my son is really chuffed as he's been on about me trapping a moth he can christen "Old Man's Trousers" and this was the one. Not so obvious in the photo I put on here but they have two furry feet they put out in front of the head :) I've never seen the Elephant Hawk-moth caterpillar either :( I get a couple of the adults a year and sometimes Small Elephant and Lime Hawks. I really do hope you can get a trap because I think with your garden and surrounding habitat you would catch some real beauties :)
DeleteIts horrible about the Blue Tits and I don't watch at times if they look very sickly. Have been putting out plenty of food for the adults and mealworms for the youngsters but there is not a lot else you can do. I wouldn't intervene when parents are both alive and feeding them but its very upsetting.
They are a lovely set of moths especially the Elephant Hawk-moth would love to see one of these, and thanks for naming the plants. Are moth caterpillars borne on mass like butterfly caterpillars are ? have found some more cat's to day on nettles just thought they were butterfly ones. Another thing my cat's are doing ok , about how long is it before they start settling down and change, have put some sticks in for them.
ReplyDeleteHope you don't mind all the questions, feel like a expectant mum :)
Amanda xx
Thanks very much Amanda. I think moth caterpillars are in the main born en masse (I'll check in a bit in a couple of books I have upstairs that are mainly on biology, ecology etc. of moths rather than the id guides I have down here.) If you can't find out name of today's caterpillars post a photo and I'll check in my Manley book which has a section on moth and flutter caterpillars. Or if you prefer it email it to me - there's an address on my profile.
DeleteGlad to hear your caterpillars are doing well (I felt like an expectant mum with my Emperors too!!! :) ) Do you know what species they are?I could then look in a book as length of caterpillar stage may vary according to species. I'll also check how long it took the Emperors and get back to you shortly!
Thanks for the reply, as far as I can tell I would say they are Peacock caterpillars, they are quite big now, some have not made it early on, guess that's how it's is, also been watching the group at the park were I got them and to day was the first time I could not find them, up till today they were still staying together. That what made me think it was getting to that time...!
DeleteAmanda xx
Hi again Amanda :) Going back to moth caterpillars first! (I'll check Peacocks in a second :) ) Egglaying of moths varies depending on species - some lay singly, some in one's and two's and some en masse. Most lay on food plant of caterpillars but interestingly some e.g. Chimney Sweeper moth just drop eggs as they fly (was watching some of these today!). Some butterflies lay singly too e.g. Orange Tip as cats are cannibalistic!!
DeleteThe Emperors took about 8 weeks to pupate but species must vary.
I know caterpillars in wild tend to wander from food plant to pupate.My emperors just stopped eating and then spun a woolly white cocoon and pupated inside that.
Back to Peacocks :) Apparently the larva is fully grown after 4th moult when its velvety black with white dots and black spines. The prolegs are ochreous (according to the book I am reading!!!). It looks as though you are right they are ready to pupate when during the final instar they disperse over a wider area and dispense with the larval web. The larval stage lasts about a month.
The pupa will suspend itself by tail hooks from a pad of silk from any suitable support and colour varies from yellowish-green with pink and gold markings to grey/brownish grey with black markings. The pupa hatches after about a fortnight :)
Hope all that helps!!! It sounds as though you won't have long to wait now :) Hope you are going to show us some pics :) Almost feel like an expectant mum myself now :)
Thanks you for the information, have been cleaning them out daily, but from what you have said some have white spots and black spines, so to day I just added some fresh nettles, don't want to bother them to much, they have really quietened down the last few days. Will keep you up dated if any thing else changes.
DeleteAmanda xx
Exciting news Amanda - thanks for the update. It doesn't sound as though you will have long to wait :)
DeleteHope you don't mind me asking but when you added bioblitz records did you upload many photos too? Really must enter my records tonight.
I added a photo for just about all my obsevations, just one. Think I put blue tit and dandelion down with our a photo. Have not checked them yet to see which ones they have not accepted , making most of the weather not had much computer time ( I'm just poping on IPad )
DeleteGood news...had kitchen paper over the top of my tanks as the cat's would escape when little, this morning they have all claimed up and are hanging of the paper, one has found the stick and they are all starting to pupate.
Amanda xx
Great news Amanda :) You must be thrilled and well done on getting them to this stage - its not easy rearing caterpillars at times!
DeleteThanks for help. I was hoping not to have add photos for each and everyone. Can't for the birds as I never took any. Am ashamed to say I still haven't entered records - weather so nice went to a reserve looking for Small Blue and tonight its photography club! Must stay off blogger and twitter tomorrow until I've done it!!!!
They are all now hanging... One now looks like a pupa, quicker than I thought, worried now the little tanks will be to small once the butterflies start emerging ? Can I move them into a larger cage safely ? When they are all out I will take them back to the park were I found them.
DeleteThanks for all your help..
Amanda xx
Exciting news Amanda - I don't think it takes long to actually pupate. The butterflies will probably emerge at slightly different times (not sure how big the tanks are) so once they have dried their wings and are flying around you could probably move them then.
DeleteIf you are worried though I would wait until they have all pupated and leave it a day or two to make sure the pupae cases have hardened and then try and move whatever they are attached to to a larger container. Does that make sense?
I did move my emperor moths cocoons once they had hardened as they take so long before they emerge and it was a bit of a nightmare as some of the cocoons were stuck to kitchen paper and bramble leaves. I just left the cocoons attached to whatever they were on and put them in a larger container to wait until this year in a cool place. Actually now in the process of putting them back in a smaller cage so can store for another year in a cool place as only a few emerged (they can take up to 4 years!!) Although obviously your pupae will emerge much much quicker.
As long as the pupae are dry and you don't tug at them I think it would be ok to move them if you are concerned cage not large enough.
Sorry for such a waffling answer!
It is exciting though - the moment of emergence is just one of those miracles of nature :)