Tuesday, 9 August 2011

Bulrush wainscot


Set the actinic in the middle of the reedbed at EGP last night at 10,went to pick it up this morning at 6 .(good new battery)There was one moth in the trap a Bulrush Wainscot..well worth it....

Saturday, 6 August 2011

Cinnabar Moth Revival 06 08 11


Finding more Cinabar Caterpillars this Year,found them in 4 places in Todmorden area today,most being 10 on one clump of Ragwort.anyone else finding many in other areas ? regards Bri.

Hardcastle Craggs Fri 06 08 11


Heres a Pebble Prominent from last night

Friday, 5 August 2011

Friday evening(10 Devons) Hardcastle Craggs

A real autumn feel last night with temps well into single figures and feeling chilly.10 Devon Carpets shows there must be a good healthy breeding population and who knows how many we will end up catching by. September ? Dark Marbled Carpet and Six striped rustic added to the autumn feeling...

1648 Drepana falcataria Pebble Hook-tip 1
1666 Geometra papilionaria Large Emerald 2
1702 Idaea biselata Small Fan-footed Wave 3
1722 Xanthorhoe designata Flame Carpet 2
1738 Epirrhoe alternata Common Carpet 2
1751 Lampropteryx otregiata Devon Carpet 10
1756 Eulithis populata Northern Spinach 1
1758 Eulithis pyraliata Barred Straw 1
1762 Chloroclysta citrata Dark Marbled Carpet 1
1776 Colostygia pectinataria Green Carpet 2
1777 Hydriomena furcata July Highflyer 1
1809 Perizoma didymata didymata Twin-spot Carpet 1
1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 1
1917 Selenia dentaria Early Thorn 1
1921 Crocallis elinguaria Scalloped Oak 1
1937 Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty 2
1947 Ectropis bistortata Engrailed 3
1961 Campaea margaritata Light Emerald 1
2003 Notodonta ziczac Pebble Prominent 1
2006 Pheosia gnoma Lesser Swallow Prominent 2
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 7
2111 Noctua janthe Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing 3
2130 Xestia baja Dotted Clay 25
2133 Xestia sexstrigata Six-striped Rustic 2
2155 Melanchra persicariae Dot Moth 1
2160 Lacanobia oleracea Bright-line Brown-eye 1
2176 Cerapteryx graminis Antler Moth 45
2198 Mythimna impura Smoky Wainscot 3
2268 Parastichtis suspecta Suspected 1
2322 Apamea lithoxylaea Light Arches 1
2326 Apamea crenata ab. combusta Clouded-bordered Brindle [melanic form] 1
2350 Chortodes pygmina Small Wainscot 1
2477 Hypena proboscidalis Snout 2

Tuesday, 2 August 2011

Common Rustic?

Ear ...Ear...............

Now that Ear Moth sp are starting to appear, I am anxious to find out more about

their distribution in the county this year. I would be grateful if people could
send me three or four Ears from each site over the next few weeks for me to
dissect. Stick them in the freezer for half an hour then pop them in any
container or even just in an envelope and post off to me.


Dr Charles Fletcher
The Forge
Hutton Conyers
Ripon
HG4 5EB

Cheers

Charlie

... perhaps I should have said "Friends, Romans, Yorkshiremen, send me your

Ears"

Any thoughts on this one


Caught this the other night, I think its one of the Beauty 's, its the same size as Mottled and Willow Beauty.

Double Lobed or pale Common Rustic agg?


This is really starting to bug me, is this a DL?

Craggs August 1st


Above a Devon Carpet the 16th individual caught this year at hardcastle craggs,and the red form of July Highflyer which i have not seen before.

15 Hepialus sylvina Orange Swift 2
1405 Pleuroptya ruralis Mother of Pearl 12
1653 Habrosyne pyritoides Buff Arches 1
1666 Geometra papilionaria Large Emerald 1
1702 Idaea biselata Small Fan-footed Wave 14
1722 Xanthorhoe designata Flame Carpet 1
1727 Xanthorhoe montanata Silver-ground Carpet 1
1738 Epirrhoe alternata Common Carpet 3
1742 Camptogramma bilineata Yellow Shell 5
1751 Lampropteryx otregiata Devon Carpet 2
1756 Eulithis populata Northern Spinach 5
1759 Ecliptopera silaceata Small Phoenix 1
1776 Colostygia pectinataria Green Carpet 5
1777 Hydriomena furcata July Highflyer 12
1809 Perizoma didymata Twin-spot Carpet 7
1858 Chloroclystis v-ata V-Pug 2
1860 Pasiphila rectangulata Green Pug 1
1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 2
1917 Selenia dentaria Early Thorn 1
1922 Ourapteryx sambucaria Swallow-tailed Moth 2
1941 Alcis repandata Mottled Beauty 1
1955 Cabera pusaria Common White Wave 1
1000 Notodonta dromedarius Iron Prominent 1
2006 Pheosia gnoma Lesser Swallow Prominent 2
2102 Ochropleura plecta Flame Shoulder 1
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 12
2111 Noctua janthe Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing 1
2120 Diarsia mendica Ingrailed Clay 1
2122 Diarsia brunnea Purple Clay 11
2176 Cerapteryx graminis Antler Moth 75
2199 Mythimna pallens Common Wainscot 1
2321 Apamea monoglypha Dark Arches 10
2342 Mesoligia literosa Rosy Minor 2
2382 Hoplodrina blanda Rustic 1
2477 Hypena proboscidalis Snout 1
2484 Schrankia costaestrigalis Pinion-streaked Snout 1

Monday, 1 August 2011

Scarce Silver Lines


A good night at Pellon last night with my third ever Scarce Silver Lines being the best.

Micro for id.


anyone help me with this one a rather drab looking thing.Found at elland Gravel Pits the other night.??

Orange Swift


Only recorded one Orange Swift at home in the last 5 years but these two females  of the dark form  last night made up for the  previous barren years. I am going to Hardcastle craggs tonight from about 9.30 /  10ish  if anyone wants to join me.Weather looks good...Managed about 50 Antles Moths ,  4 Twin spot  and 1 Flame carpet in the car headlights last night at walshaw dean......

Sunday, 31 July 2011

Hardcastle Craggs30.07 .2011




Light cloud at first then clearing with temp dropping,49 species of Macros still seen.highlights were 3 Welsh Waves,and the micro Gold Triangle and this freshly emerged. 2nd Generation Devon
Carpet









424 Yponomeuta evonymella Bird-cherry Ermine 4

658 Carcina quercana 3
1356 Evergestis forficalis Garden Pebble 3
1413 Hypsopygia costalis Gold Triangle 1
1702 Idaea biselata Small Fan-footed Wave 13
1713 Idaea aversata Riband Wave 4
1722 Xanthorhoe designata Flame Carpet 2
1738 Epirrhoe alternata Common Carpet 2
1742 Camptogramma bilineata Yellow Shell 1
1751 Lampropteryx otregiata Devon Carpet 1
1754 Eulithis prunata Phoenix 1
1756 Eulithis populata Northern Spinach 4
1758 Eulithis pyraliata Barred Straw 1
1776 Colostygia pectinataria Green Carpet 3
1777 Hydriomena furcata July Highflyer 4
1809 Perizoma didymata Twin-spot Carpet 1
1817 Eupithecia pulchellata Foxglove Pug 1
1873 Venusia cambrica Welsh Wave 3
1887 Lomaspilis marginata Clouded Border 2
1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 1
1919 Selenia tetralunaria Purple Thorn 1
1941 Alcis repandata Mottled Beauty 4
1947 Ectropis bistortata Engrailed 4
1955 Cabera pusaria Common White Wave 2
1961 Campaea margaritata Light Emerald 2
2006 Pheosia gnoma Lesser Swallow Prominent 14
2008 Ptilodon capucina Coxcomb Prominent 1
2102 Ochropleura plecta Flame Shoulder 2
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 7
2110 Noctua fimbriata Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing 1
2118 Lycophotia porphyrea True Lover's Knot 1
2120 Diarsia mendica Ingrailed Clay 3
2130 Xestia baja Dotted Clay 4
2133 Xestia sexstrigata Six-striped Rustic 1
2136 Naenia typica Gothic 1
2176 Cerapteryx graminis Antler Moth 30
2198 Mythimna impura Smoky Wainscot 4
2268 Parastichtis suspecta Suspected 1
2318 Cosmia trapezina Dun-bar 2
2321 Apamea monoglypha Dark Arches 26
2343x Mesapamea secalis agg. Common Rustic agg. 3
2345 Photedes minima Small Dotted Buff 2
2381 Hoplodrina alsines Uncertain 2
2382 Hoplodrina blanda Rustic 1
2434 Diachrysia chrysitis Burnished Brass 3
2439 Plusia festucae Gold Spot 2
2440 Plusia putnami Lempke's Gold Spot 4
2443 Autographa jota Plain Golden Y 2
2444 Autographa bractea Gold Spangle 2
2474 Rivula sericealis Straw Dot 4
2484 Schrankia costaestrigalis Pinion-streaked Snout 1

Saturday, 30 July 2011

Twin - spot Carpet

This emerged today from larvae found at Hardcastle Craggs in May.

Map of Southern Wainscot distribution in Yorkshire

Friday, 29 July 2011

Hardcastle Craggs Sat 30 07 11

Having a try at Hollin Hall Hardcastle Craggs tomorrow Sat 30 07 11,weather permitting,about 9ish, if anyone can make it let us know on this post.regards Bri.ps theres room for 3 cars up there.

E G P 28 07 11




Heres a few more pics from last night,Angle-striped Sallow,Silky and Southern Wainscots,a superb evenings mothing Andy/Bri.

What a night for Wainscots



Southern wainscot above  (Mc'Enroe headband and all)  and Least Yellow Underwing(below) not seen one for a few years locally.

A night for Wainscots at EGPits last night with 34 Southern and 28 Silky realy amazing numbers of these two locally scarce species.There were only 2 previous records of southern and Silky recorded for the first time locally last year.We thought we were doomed when the rain started at 10ish but when it stopped at 11ish the floodgates opened...Bri and Andy..Angle striped sallow was nice as well....

15 Hepialus sylvina Orange Swift 1
460 Ypsolopha parenthesella 1
937 Agapeta hamana 2
1345 Elophila nymphaeata Brown China-mark 2
1405 Pleuroptya ruralis Mother of Pearl 15
1708 Idaea dimidiata Single-dotted Wave 3
1713 Idaea aversata Riband Wave 3
1725 Xanthorhoe ferrugata Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet 7
1732 Scotopteryx chenopodiata Shaded Broad-bar 2
1738 Epirrhoe alternata Common Carpet 4
1756 Eulithis populata Northern Spinach 2
1758 Eulithis pyraliata Barred Straw 1
1759 Ecliptopera silaceata Small Phoenix 6
1777 Hydriomena furcata July Highflyer 2
1811 Eupithecia tenuiata Slender Pug 3
1887 Lomaspilis marginata Clouded Border 2
1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 5
1913 Ennomos alniaria Canary-shouldered Thorn 1
1917 Selenia dentaria Early Thorn 2
1919 Selenia tetralunaria Purple Thorn 1
1956 Cabera exanthemata Common Wave 4
2006 Pheosia gnoma Lesser Swallow Prominent 2
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 9
2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 2
2111 Noctua janthe Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing 5
2112 Noctua interjecta Least Yellow Underwing 1
2122 Diarsia brunnea Purple Clay 2
2130 Xestia baja Dotted Clay 3
2193 Mythimna ferrago Clay 5
2197 Mythimna straminea Southern Wainscot 34
2198 Mythimna impura Smoky Wainscot 14
2199 Mythimna pallens Common Wainscot 19
2268 Parastichtis suspecta Suspected 3
2293 Cryphia domestica Marbled Beauty 2
2298 Amphipyra berbera Svensson's Copper Underwing 1
2313 Enargia paleacea Angle-striped Sallow 1
2318 Cosmia trapezina Dun-bar 15
2321 Apamea monoglypha Dark Arches 7
2336 Apamea ophiogramma Double Lobed 4
2381 Hoplodrina alsines Uncertain 2
2391 Chilodes maritimus Silky Wainscot 28
2474 Rivula sericealis Straw Dot 1
2484 Schrankia costaestrigalis Pinion-streaked Snout 1

Wednesday, 27 July 2011

Lempke's Gold Spot?







A new one for me in the trap on Monday 25th July ( bottom picture ) Am I correct in identifying as Lempke's Gold Spot? Pretty difficult.......thanks for the comparison shots Andy C. Also first Shuttle-shaped Dart of the year ( top )

Small tortoiseshell and Peacock cats


Meadows Edge Garden 27 07 11


Ros found a Female Gatekeeper whilst gardening today only the 2nd record for meadows edge,also Antlers nectaring on Ragwort,yesterday a Hummingbird Hawkmoth nectaring on Lavender and Red Valerian, also a Cinnabar Moth Adult were seen,found this superb Phoenix today in the garden,1st one ive seen for a few years.Bri.

Tuesday, 26 July 2011

Midgley Strikes again


Scarce Silver Y and Scallop shell last night Nick and sandra

Plain wave

Monday, 25 July 2011

Craggs Sunday night






A good night at the craggs last night whith highlights  Suspected , Small wainscot and Pinion streaked snout but another fruitless search for Devon Carpet larvae.The second generation should be on the wing in a few weeks.?

424 Yponomeuta evonymella Bird-cherry Ermine 2

969 Pandemis corylana Chequered Fruit-tree Tortrix 1
1168 Gypsonoma sociana 1
1305 Agriphila tristella 1
1356 Evergestis forficalis Garden Pebble 3
1653 Habrosyne pyritoides Buff Arches 1
1702 Idaea biselata Small Fan-footed Wave 3
1713 Idaea aversata Riband Wave 2
1738 Epirrhoe alternata Common Carpet 1
1742 Camptogramma bilineata Yellow Shell 3
1756 Eulithis populata Northern Spinach 3
1758 Eulithis pyraliata Barred Straw 1
1776 Colostygia pectinataria Green Carpet 2
1777 Hydriomena furcata July Highflyer 1
1809 Perizoma didymata Twin-spot Carpet 1
1887 Lomaspilis marginata Clouded Border 5
1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 4
1941 Alcis repandata Mottled Beauty 4
1947 Ectropis bistortata Engrailed 4
1961 Campaea margaritata Light Emerald 4
2006 Pheosia gnoma Lesser Swallow Prominent 2
2102 Ochropleura plecta Flame Shoulder 2
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 5
2120 Diarsia mendica Ingrailed Clay 3
2122 Diarsia brunnea Purple Clay 2
2130 Xestia baja Dotted Clay 5
2138 Anaplectoides prasina Green Arches 1
2176 Cerapteryx graminis Antler Moth 37
2198 Mythimna impura Smoky Wainscot 4
2199 Mythimna pallens Common Wainscot 1
2268 Parastichtis suspecta Suspected 2
2335 Apamea scolopacina Slender Brindle 1
2350 Chortodes pygmina Small Wainscot 1
2389 Paradrina clavipalpis Pale Mottled Willow 2
2434 Diachrysia chrysitis Burnished Brass 6
2439 Plusia festucae Gold Spot 2
2443 Autographa jota Plain Golden Y 1
2450 Abrostola tripartita Spectacle 1
2474 Rivula sericealis Straw Dot 1
2477 Hypena proboscidalis Snout 5
2484 Schrankia costaestrigalis Pinion-streaked Snout 1

Sunday, 24 July 2011

Oak Eggar



I saw this caterpillar yesterday on the lovely heathland on top of Aaron Hill, between Sowerby and Crag Vale. I am guessing at Oak Eggar moth but maybe someone can confirm? Also disturbed a few Small Heath butterflies and saw about a dozen Small Tortoiseshell on the thistle flowers.

Craggs Sunday night

Meeting tonight at Hollins Hall about 9.30.all welcome

Tuesday, 19 July 2011

Roils Head

Took this at Norton Tower end of Roils Head today, any ideas.

Saturday, 16 July 2011

Craggs Friday

A good search for Devon Carpet larvae proved fruitless this time ,but the swarms of biting midges hampered progress, will have better luck next time im sure.The larvae we did find were not leps.!!! A good couple of hours with the traps before the rain.-------Another Blackneck proves Calderdale is a good spot for this species.
424 Yponomeuta evonymella Bird-cherry Ermine 4

1405 Pleuroptya ruralis Mother of Pearl 18
1428 Aphomia sociella Bee Moth 1
1666 Geometra papilionaria Large Emerald 2
1702 Idaea biselata Small Fan-footed Wave 3
1713 Idaea aversata Riband Wave 6
1722 Xanthorhoe designata Flame Carpet 2
1727 Xanthorhoe montanata Silver-ground Carpet 2
1732 Scotopteryx chenopodiata Shaded Broad-bar 3
1738 Epirrhoe alternata Common Carpet 4
1742 Camptogramma bilineata Yellow Shell 3
1756 Eulithis populata Northern Spinach 7
1758 Eulithis pyraliata Barred Straw 3
1776 Colostygia pectinataria Green Carpet 16
1777 Hydriomena furcata July Highflyer 1
1802 Perizoma affinitata Rivulet 1
1803 Perizoma alchemillata Small Rivulet 1
1817 Eupithecia pulchellata Foxglove Pug 1
1887 Lomaspilis marginata Clouded Border 2
1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 5
1921 Crocallis elinguaria Scalloped Oak 1
1941 Alcis repandata Mottled Beauty 3
1958 Lomographa temerata Clouded Silver 4
1961 Campaea margaritata Light Emerald 4
1981 Laothoe populi Poplar Hawk-moth 1
2006 Pheosia gnoma Lesser Swallow Prominent 5
2098 Axylia putris Flame 2
2102 Ochropleura plecta Flame Shoulder 1
2118 Lycophotia porphyrea True Lover's Knot 3
2120 Diarsia mendica Ingrailed Clay 2
2122 Diarsia brunnea Purple Clay 2
2160 Lacanobia oleracea Bright-line Brown-eye 3
2176 Cerapteryx graminis Antler Moth 28
2199 Mythimna pallens Common Wainscot 2
2205 Mythimna comma Shoulder-striped Wainscot 2
2293 Cryphia domestica Marbled Beauty 1
2340 Oligia fasciuncula Middle-barred Minor 4
2439 Plusia festucae Gold Spot 6
2442 Autographa pulchrina Beautiful Golden Y 2
2444 Autographa bractea Gold Spangle 3
2466 Lygephila pastinum Blackneck 1
2474 Rivula sericealis Straw Dot 10
2477 Hypena proboscidalis Snout 15

Friday, 15 July 2011

Grey Scalloped Bar 14 07 11


Had a try on Whiteholme Drain with Actinic sky cleared and cool wind blew, full moon didnt help,1 moth came to the actinic a True Lovers Knot ! i did find 2 Grey Scalloped Bars at Langfield Common my target species also 5 Map Winged Swifts and a Dusky Brocade

Burnet Moths


Had a couple of e-mails this week about 5/6 spot Burnet Moths.The common Narrow Bordered 5-spot  Burnet Moth is easily found in calderdale and there white papery cocoons are a common sight at tag loop at cromwell bottom,..in fact some juncuss plants hold 50 or more in one clump.The 6 spot is less common and now is a good time to look for solitry males flying over areas of Birds foot trefoil .I found 8+ today at Cromwell Bottom.This Large Emerald was found dead in the back garden today.Also second generations of Early Thorn ,Currant and Double striped Puggs have been seen this week.

Tuesday, 12 July 2011

Fan -foot or Pyralid

Is this a male fan-foot,,  or a Pyralid.??

Devon Carpet larvae search and Moth trapping

Devon Carpet larvae search and Moth trapping this friday at Hollin Hall,Hardcastle craggs ..Meet about 9ish
If its raining cats and dogs we will not be there ..apologies again for last weeks late cancellation..

Monday, 11 July 2011

Ringlets....continue to spread there wings

The first records for Calderdale was on the 8th July 2006 at Crow Nest Quarry, Lightcliffe, 4 males and two females seen in flight. (C.P.Duke, C.V.Duke).


Single male photographed at Sunnyvale on 10th July 2006 (C. V. Duke.)

On the 19th July 2007 ,2 were briefly observed at Only House Wood Northowram then on the 24th 1 was caught and positively identified as this species, 3 adults were observed around bramble bushes at this site on the 27th July 2007.(AC).

1 at Tag Meadow,Cromwell Bottom on the 1st July 2008 was photographed and identified as a female.(AC)In 2008 the species was recorded from many sites in the eastern area of Calderdale and at least 60+ individuals  recorded.(CS, AC &CSut)
  In 2011 they have been seen in very good numbers so far at Cromwell Bottom,Northowram and two new sites at Pellon and Queensbury.Keep and eye out for this species locally it must be spreading towards Hebden Bridge .??

Keep an eye for these two..


Allthough they are regular locally Light Arches(top) and Slender Brindle(below) can easily be overlooked at htis time of year amounst the masses of Dark Arches...

The amazing Limnaecia phragmitella


Charlie wrote this a week or so ago  ...... Limnaecia phragmitella emerged this morning from larvae found in typha seedheads at Tag meadow this winter.As Paul and others have pointed out the larvae put Houdini to shame when it comes to escaping.I had mine in a tupperware box with the lid firmly snapped to and some rubber bands around the middle for good measure - and yep they just pushed their way out no trouble at all!
Today in Northowram......
They are amazing little things...They just keep on emerging this poped out today and I also found 4 large plump larvae trying to escape...where have they come from.??Larvae and adults together.? There must have been over 100 larvae in  the three seed heads collected.

Moth Night 2012

Moth Night 2012 will be on 21st - 23rd June and the theme is brownfield habitats(quaries,disused railway lines,gravel pits).and will be both night and day searches.

Sunday, 10 July 2011

A couple from Midgely


Hi Nick/Sandra,check this pic of your Rustic out with Andys pics below.hope its of use,ps there will be quite a few that will be difficult to id ! regards Bri.