A few More Moths

A few photos of moths trapped on 17th and 21st August.

Square-spot Rustic (Xestia Xanthographa)

Yellow Shell (Camptogramma bilineata)

Flounced Rustic (Luperina testacea) Most of the moths trapped at the moment are either various species of Yellow Underwing, particularly Large, and Flounced Rustic!

Ringed China-mark (Parapoynx stratiota) A new species for the garden and thanks to those on Twitter who helped with id.

Copper Underwing Agg (Amphipyra pyramidea)

Orange Swift (Triodia sylvina) New for Year

Finally, an Antler Moth (Cerapteryx graminis) New for Year. I was really pleased to see this species (from memory I have only trapped one before)

Butterflies

Finally, Peacocks and Red Admirals have started to appear in the garden over the last couple of days. Holly Blues and Gatekeepers have been plentiful this August.


I found this insect on a Cosmos flower - I believe its a Shieldbug (Common Green?) nymph - probably Final Instar

Some of you may already have seen a photo of this book on my other blog but I really am very pleased with it although its more of a reference book than one to read from cover to cover!

Its been quite a few years since I stopped collecting stamps but I really couldn't resist ordering a Presentation Pack of Royal Mail's Bee Stamps.

The delightful stamp illustrations are by Richard Lewington and the text in the pack is written by bee expert Dave Goulson.

Garden Moth Catch-up

A few photos of species trapped in the moth trap during August (all new for year).

The catches at the moment are dominated by various species of Yellow Underwing and now that Flounced Rustic has started to appear I suspect that they will be the second most common moth in the trap. August is exciting for me though as I keep an eye out for Hedge Rustic which is very very rare in Warwickshire and the County Recorder has been over the moon that I have trapped a couple in the last few years. So I will be scrutinising every single small brown noctuid very carefully indeed over the next four weeks! In fact, I thought I had trapped one last weekend but it managed to fly off whilst I was trying to pot it :(



Flounced Rustic (Luperina testacea) The larvae feed on the stems and roots of various grass species.

Willow Beauty (Peribatodes rhomboidaria) This species has appeared here very late this year. Larvae feed on Hawthorn, Plum, Privet, Birch, Ivy, Alder Buckthorn, Honeysuckle and Traveller's Joy.

Straw Underwing (Thalpohila matura). Larvae feed on various grass species. The underwing of this moth is very attractive being a creamy colour with a dark border.

Knot Grass (Acronicta rumicis) I find this moth difficult to distinguish from Poplar Grey so hopefully id is correct. Larvae feed on various herbaceous and woody plants e.g. Dock, Common Sorrel, Ribwort Plantain, Hawthorn and Bramble.

Bird-cherry Ermine (Yponomeura evonymella) Larvae feed on Bird Cherry - living together in silken webs and can sometimes cause much damage to the tree.

Common Rustic agg (Mesapamea secalis agg). Common Rustic is very similar to Lesser Common Rustic and Remm's Rustic - the 3 can only be reliably identified by dissection of genitalia! A route I will not be taking!

Copper Underwing Agg (Amphipyra pyramidea agg). Superficially Copper Underwing is very similar to Svennsons - somewhere hidden away in a storage box I do have a sheet which lists ways of telling the two species apart.

Bright-line Brown-eye (Lacanobia oleracea) Larvae feed on a wide range of herbaceous plants.

Single Dotted Wave (Idaea dimidiata) Larvae feed on Cow Parsley, Burnet Saxifrage and Hedge Bedstraw

A Few Garden Flowers

Just a short post with a few flower pictures from around the garden. I did have some moth photos but for the life of me I can't remember which folder I put them in :( Since putting photos on external hard drive rather than on the computer I seem to be totally disorganised at putting photos in the right place :(


Orange lilies and a blue flower (I bought the plant from Hidcote but can't remember the name! Having far too many CRAFT moments at present :(

Chocolate Scabious - I fell in love with this flower last year at Packwood and my friend gave me one of her plants. Its done really well this year.

We've had this plant for years (haven't a clue what it is!!!) but its developed a new lease of life since B cleared one of the raised beds where it grows. The flowers are very pretty.

Cosmos and Coreopsis growing round the sundial. Coreopsis only lasts a few years in our garden so I am constantly replacing the plants as its one of my favourites.

I've had this Passion Flower for quite a few years but its never flowered.

The wildflower meadow has been disappointing this year as the dreaded couch grass is out competing many of the flowers. Even the half of the meadow that B completely dug over and re-seeded a few years ago is covered with the stuff. As a last resort we have bought a huge packet of Yellow Rattle seeds. This plant is semi-parasitic and out competes grass by feeding on its roots. Whether it will work on couch grass is another matter but I live in hope.

St John's Wort - very attractive to bees and hoverflies

Knapweed - loved especially by Red-tailed bumble bees

Mallow

Scabious

Campion has gone to seed - there is a spider lurking behind the group of 3 seedheads.