Monday 28 July 2014
Sunday 27 July 2014
Perfect Timing.
It seems that it pays to switch the light on just as it begins to get dark and to leave the light on right until day break to attract the maximum number of individuals to the Trap. It sounds an obvious thing, but different species have varying emergence and resting times.
I'll leave you with a Chinese Character to ponder with.
Large Yellow Underwing, Noctua pronuba.
One of two. Reluctant however to show the undergarments. ... but outer clothing attractive anyway!
Bird-cherry Ermine Moth (Yponomeuta evonymella)
Apparently this species larvae produce copious quantities of silk and are in numbers capable of enveloping cars! Who knew?!
Blood Vein, Timandra comae.
Lovely muted tones, beautifully distinctive pinkish patterning. Almost lost this one before a photo. .. gladly it landed on the wall!
Lesser Swallow Prominent, Pheosia gnoma.
I've Never seen one of these before so this was a real treat. What an attractive moth!
Ruby Tiger Moth Phragmatobia fuliginosa fuliginosa.
One of three captured. This was a particularly pretty one.
White Satin Moth, Leucoma salicis.
One of 3 in enticed by the Trap. One was seen on the wall and stayed resting until the sun heated the wall to too unbearable, for Satin Moths.
Third Trap Success
Well, we chose a perfect warm non- moonlit night for the last trapping and again we lured some interesting types- so wonderful to think we have so many beautiful species of moth flying around us at night in this area. There is certainly an abundance of different species that look healthy which is a good reflection of our local ecosystem.
The Poplar Hawk Moth below was a gorgeous example who was getting ready for the off when I held him aloft! What a privilege to see such a handsome moth at such close quarters!
Friday 25 July 2014
Iron Prominent, Notodonta dromedarius.
Lovely colouring. .. clearly we are not North enough for the darker 'Northern ' form!
Not so Early... Early Thorn, Selena dentaria.
A truly beautiful moth with a very butterfly -like resting position. Such lovely burnt orange colouring! This is most likely a second generation male.
Great Brocade Eurois occulata.
This is my conclusion. ..I came to this decision because of this moths size and patterning and slight overlapping of it's forewing.
Dark Brocade Trigonophora flammea.
Quite a difficult moth to define the Noctuidae family has quite a few similar looking members!
Brown-line Bright - eye, Mythimna conigera.
Have seen a variety of this particular moths' s larvae in the Autumn last year... now finally one of the adults! Excellent.
Dingy Footman Eilema griseola.
Distinctive wide forewings that set this and the Buff Footman apart. Lovely straw colouring to its forewings.
Exquisite Yellow-Tail Moth, Euproctis similis.
I love these moths. Was lucky enough to see a caterpillar of this species earlier in May this year.
Mallow, Larentia clavaria
Lovely shades of brown merge to become a rather muted toned moth of distinction.
Marbled Beauty, Cryphia domestica
Spot the face on the thorax? Quite a distinctive example this one... colours can be quite variable with this species I think this one is a blend of all the best looks that are encountered!
Beautiful Acleris forsskaleana
What a lovely micro moth this Acleris forsskaleana is... such a wonderful lattice design. Nature is truly artistic.
Coxcomb Prominent, Pilsdon capucina.
Gorgeous chestnut colour of this Coxcomb Prominent. . With it's distinctive cream quiff on it's thorax!
Tuesday 22 July 2014
Rejoice the Ruby Tiger!
This was one of three gorgeous Ruby Tigers caught in the Trap last night... and I was completely unscathed by the encounter! I have never actually seen one of these moths only a caterpillar or two.. so I feel somewhat privileged today!
The popular Poplar Hawk Moth
This lovely, perfect example of A Poplar Hawk Moth was caught last night... it then resided on the strawberry plant bush all day perfectly still with it's front legs shielding it's eyes from the light! Quite gorgeous is what nature is. It never fails to impress me!
Many species last night!
Over 29 Moth species were trapped last night... with a few resting on the walls around-about the Trap on the walls floor or on surrounding pipes!
Friday 18 July 2014
Gorgeous Micro Moth... The Star of the Night!
This rather Dapper Banana and Chocolate coloured Micro Moth Agapeta zoegana; was captured in the last trapping and was thankfully still in the Trap in the morning even though it had ventured toward the top! A Moth First for me!
The Common Footman Moth
Many of these beautiful moths were captured in the last trapping. Quite posh individuals are they not!
Thursday 17 July 2014
Second Trap Success!
So many beautiful moths were captured during the Moths Trap's second outing! It was a very warm moon lit night. We didn't leave the Trap on all night... it was shining bright from 23.00 PM until 3.00 AM.
This is some of the collection below.
From the top; Scalloped Oak Moth, Rustic, Mother of Pearl Moth, Agapeta hamana (I think! ) Need to look up the other two!
From the top; Scalloped Oak Moth, Rustic, Mother of Pearl Moth, Agapeta hamana (I think! ) Need to look up the other two!
Monday 14 July 2014
First Night Moths
Well last night we had the light on for two and a half hours and caught these little beauties! Clockwise- Two Drinker Moths a A Satin Moth and yes couldn't resist two more photos of the Drinker Moths along with finally a gorgeous Poplar Hawk Moth! Also caught were some Micro Moths too. Will have to brush up on my Micro Moths. #Fantastic
The Moth Trap
Well this is the Trap completely designed and built by Phil Lowe. Commissions welcome. ;o) also available for Bar mitzvah Christmas and Birthday celebrations! #IJoke complete with obligatory Attacus atlas moth design patterning! Love it!
The Northern Moth Trap
This blog is intended to share the fantastic Moths that live around us here in East Yorkshire.
So. Last night was the first night when we set up the new moth trap! It is a totally humane one which uses a gentle pitfall design whereby the moths and indeed other insects are enticed into it via an extremely bright and powerful mercury vapour bulb. This fabulous trap was designed and built by Phil. My Moth Hero! Well, here is said Trap in all it's wonderment. But first...let's have a Moth Selfie! Rude not to!
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