CockHill Moor Field Observations

Took an interesting trip onto the moors today and found the following
1) This 2064 Ruby Tiger Phragmatobia fuliginosa with a damaged forewing just sitting on a rock by the path,
2) There were 100's of these 1162 Rhopobota myrtillana (can anyone confirm this id, seems to be under recorded on UK moths?) all on bilberry.
3) Here is a mystery relatively plain tortrix looking specimen again on bilberry but amongst heather and grasses. Again id sought.
An interesting hour under the whalesong of curlews and lapwings.

 

 

Spectacle outside the shop at Ogden this morning.

More Nettle-tap

Following on from Chris's Nettle-taps in the previous post. I dug out my pic of the same. It revealed a mystery object (bottom left of frame) any ideas, insect related? No idea what the plant is I'm afraid.

Recent sightings

The sunny weather a week or so ago ment lots of butterfly activity on the nature reserves around Halifax. Highlight was a Small Copper at Shibden Park on Friday 7th. Also had an Orange Tip laying eggs on the garlic mustard in the garden, and further investigation found tiny little caterpillars as well. I did come across these 2 micro moths mating in the garden (above). Anyone any idea which species they are?

P. conwagana

What a lovely way to start the morning by finding this, 1011 Pseudargyrotoza conwagana at my back door. Despite being a common species I have never come across it and its food plant (Ash) overhangs the area where it was discovered hovering above a neighbours head. It has such fantastic colours, like a canary yellow bank note threaded through with a metallic silver strip.

I think this spring is the most fun I have ever had finding moths and all without using the light trap.

Moth wing for id...

Found in littlebrough.

Diplodoma laichartingella Update 10 06 13

This Diplodoma laichartingella Adult Emerged early this morning from Larval Case collected on 17 03 13 from Callis Wood found at the base of Mature Beech in South Facing hollow.Bri.PS another emerged today 11 06 13 also early this Morning.

Moths about............

Few moths about at last
Northowram..
Clouded Bordered Brindle
Poplar hawkmoth
Foxglove and Common Pugs
Scalloped Hazels
Flame Shoulder
Spruce Carpet
Knot Grass
Campion

Elephant hawkmoth at heath road thanks Sean

from Luddenden..thanks Martyn
Poplars almost everynight
Coxcomb Prominent
Small Elephant Hawkmoth
Brown Silver-line
Buff (1) and quite a few White Ermine
Common Pugs (I think)
Flame, Common & Garden Carpets
Scalloped Hazels
Knot Grass
Herald

Phyllonorycter rajella 04 06 13

Just got this Phyllonorycter rajella Emerge from a Mine on Grey Alder gathered last autumn,amazin anything emerged,as the Leaf was very dry and Shrivelled up !

Blue Help

When I first took this thought it was brown Argus now I reckon this may be a female Common Blue,,,but has a few bits of Brown Argus/Northern B in it.Taken in South Yorkshire.. Anyone give us a few tips,This is the only photo I got........................

Thinking of getting a trap

Hi guys,

Thinking of getting a trap, just wondered if you guys could offer some advice and also by chance is anyone looking to sell one?

Questions I have are along the lines of, how often do the bulbs need replacing? Do the neighbours complain about bright lights being on during the early hours?

Any advice/opinions very much appreciated.

Green hairstreaks

Plenty Green Hairstreaks about today, up to 20 at the back of fly flats along the bilberry paths...

Grizzled Skipper

This one was seen in Oxfordshire   at Ardley quarry ,a carpet of wildflowers and plenty butterflies.
Well worth a visit...http://www.bbowt.org.uk/reserves/ardley-quarry

Dingy Skipper Erynnis tages

Before viewers get too excited, this was not found in Calderdale. A trip to Warton Crag near Carnforth (on my way to work in Edinburgh) revealed a nice Dingy Skipper amongst the usual butterfly species. I would recommend a visit to this reserve. Good for walking butterflies and birds.

moths

First moths last night included a Cinnabar, Buff ermine , Flame Carpet and 3 early Greys...not much but a nice start..................

Historical Note

Last night the 25th May and 28th May  2013,I put the trap on at 9 .55and ran it overnight ,
 I emptied the trap at 5.30 this morning the 26th and 29th May 2013 ,,not one moth................


Ghost Moth update

 

Eggs collected from pair in cop 7th june 2011,started to pupate 15th May 2013.

Curse of the Organised event ..strikes again

1 Early Thorn
1 Red  Chestnut
30 people  
+ rain and wind
Thanks to Bri and Nabil

Watch Out For Wood Tiger Moths

Anyone out and about on the Moors watch out for the Spectacular Wood Tiger Moth,.Its about the time to see the Partlially Grown Larvae as they like to Bask in the Sunshine,they never seem so Common,ive only found 2 in 10 years or so,hopefully just Underrecorded ! theres some pics on this blog from last Year of Larva and Moth.Bri.

Emperor Moths, Saturnia Pavonia 5th May, Whiteholme Reservoir

Coming back from a trip to the Llyn peninsular yesterday I decided to stop off at Whiteholme Reservoir just in case Emperors were on the wing. As soon as I got out of the car the sun went in. Very windy too so wasn’t very hopeful as I set off with my net. Nearly 2 hrs later, still no sun and little more to show for my ramble in the heather than a few Philedonides lunana which keep you on your toes (thx Bri’ for the id tip off). Walking home I saw something, or did I? You know those times when something caught your eye but as soon as you noticed you were past it. Retraced a few steps expecting it to be bird droppings or a piece of litter or like the money in the street that turns out to be a smarty tube bottom. Instead it was a female Emperor, Jackpot! I have been walking the moors for 8 years around Calderdale and this is my first sighting of a female. Very fresh and newly emerged it seemed as the hind wings were still showing a few undulations. Next I noticed it was only 6 inches from its cocoon woven into the tops of the heather. There has been a lot of burning on that moor and the cocoon survived in a little 2ft diameter area of unburned heather when all around it was charred stalks. The caterpillar had chosen well. Having taken some photos and whilst packing up my things I became luckier still. From nowhere a male appeared (the only sighting of the day). Landed about 6 inches below the female and climbed up to join her. I was surprised to see them mate as earlier I saw (what I thought) were eggs. Round pale yellow/white spheres dropping into the heather. Maybe they were something else? Taking some final photographs I left them in peace. By this time on the Riponden side of Turvin road the whole moor was ablaze. Driving back down you could feel the heat of the fire inside the car and it made me think how resilient the Emperor pupae must be to be surrounded by fire and still provide me with so much entertainment.

First Trapping Session of the Year

next Sat 11th May ,at Hardcastle crags I will be running a trap/s ,there will be a bat walk as well  .Hope to see some of you as the long winter is now over,,,,,

Late start............

Finally dusted the trap down and stuck it on,1 Twin spotted,1 Small 3 Common Quaker,2 Early Grey.2 Hebrew Character,2 Clouded Drab and a Brown house moth...

Diplodoma laichartingella update 18 04 13

This Diplodoma laichartingella Larva came out of its Torpid State as the Temperatures increased.Seemed to feed on Dead Bark and as here on this Common Tree growing Moss Species ? Bri. Checked Callis Wood yesterday afternoon 26 04 13 ,really Chilly with that wind,struggled to find 1 Larval Case, must have checked most of the Beeches .Bri. Found 2 Active Larval Cases on Old Oak and 1 old case on Beech at Heights Wood on 01 05 13. Retained Larva stopped feeding on 01 05 13 and suspended itself from Anal Tip of Case by Silken Thread,Hopefully in readiness to Pupation !

First moths for ages

Had Hebrew character ,Small Quaker and White Shouldered House moth last night around the house, Tonight  Im gonna put the trap on......

Bracket Fungi.

I was making the most of the warm weather this morning in North Dean when I came across a group of Birch Polypore fungi. No, I haven’t posted on the wrong blog for on the underside, where the pores are, were three frass filled holes which may or may not be lepidopterous, hopefully time will tell. If they are I’m assuming it will be one of the Tineids, possibly Cork Moth but maybe something a little less commonly recorded such as Nemapogon clematella. I think it will be worthwhile looking out for more in the next few weeks as I suspect they may be quite common – I only found four brackets today (on Silver Birch) two of which contained holes. It may be worth checking other bracket species as well. Happy hunting!

Orange Underwing 30 03 2013

Saw a Orange Underwing today at Kitson Wood,a bit Bizarre watching it flying around Birches with really Deep Snowdrifts all around ! Bri.

Psychidae, Diplodoma laichartingella a 1st record for Calderdale 17 03 2013

Finally found some Psychidae Cases after quite a few Years of searching ! Found 4 ,2 were in the same Hollow the other 2 were on seperate trees.all were in hollows facing South just above the roots on large Beech Trees,perhaps judging by the size just over 11mm, and bits of insect cases and shape of the case ie Triangular ,they look like Diplodoma laichartingella ? see what others think ? regards Bri.ps Sent some pics to Harry Beaumont he agrees they are Diplodoma laichartingella.thanks for all the comments.Checked some other places today 24 03 13,searched Bob wood Colden Clough with non found,tried Eaves Wood bottom end of Colden where i struggled to find these 2 Cases in the same Hollow at the base of a Beech as previous facing South,maybe the smaller case 2nd pic down left,is a 1st Year and will emerge in 2014 ? I also found one Case in another part of Callis Wood.Bri.29 03 13 found an Old Larval Case at another site today Heights Wood Stoodley Glen and this one was still suspended from Silk Thread,with Pupal Exuvium protruding,maybe the Moth emerged last Year 2012, top pic ! this is the 1st on Oak that ive seen so far,Difficult to find on old knobbly Oaks,maybe thats the reason most are found on Beech !! Found 5 more Cases on 02 04 13 at Middle Dean Wood and a 1st one found on Sycamore.Looks like they are Locally common ! Bri.

Cat ?

I dont think this is a lep cat,anyone any ideads,Bri is it the same as the one you found.??

Quiet at the Sugar Patch 15 03 2013

Very quiet Sugaring at Eaves Wood Colden Clough,although appreciably milder tonight,just 2 Satellites came to feed,still needs to warm up a tad,hard to believe this time last Year we had our best spell of weather all Year !

Petite wave hits the national moth news

http://www.birdguides.com/webzine/article.asp?a=3680

Cave moth talk

The re organised talk by Dave Hodgson re hibernating Tissue and Herald moths in a Dales cave, (see http://calderdalemoths.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/retissue-and-heralds.html) has now been arranged for 23rd March at Crosshills Nats starting at 1930

Spring moths

Brian reports 2 Spring Ushers,1 Satellite at sugar last night and a Dotted border disturbed from the leaf litter last week,I had a dotted border flying around local wood this morning and 10 heralds in Bare head Tunnel.

Petite Wave (Scopula minorata) - A new species for Britain.

I found this moth on Feb.15th this year inside the outer leaves of a cabbage I was dressing which had been imported from Spain. It’s pretty small with a forewing of just 9mm and it was barely alive as it crash landed on to my draining board and in to a small pool of water. Thinking it was something "good" I immediately photographed it in situ (top photo) before potting it up and popping it in the freezer.The next day the light was much better allowing the photo below to be taken. I have since sent it off to Harry Beaumont for a more in-depth look and he has identified it as a male Scopula minorata, a species not recorded before in the UK. It will of course go down as an accidental import and not on to the main list but exciting none the less!

State of britains larger Moths

http://butterfly-conservation.org/files/state-of-britains-larger-moths-2013-report.pdf


This report just shows how important our records are....Keep on Mothing

395 Glyphipterix haworthana 2013 02 02

Found 15 or so 395 Glyphipterix haworthana Larval Spinnings Yesterday on Whiteholme Drain,Sunny and dry for a change,a lot easier to find when the suns dried the vegetation out ,the ones spun up in Heather and Crowberry being easier to see then the ones lower down spun in Grass,i collected a few hopefully for emergance in late may/june ! going to have another try at finding some Adults in May/June also Hopefully ,if we get decent weather this Year !!.regards Bri

Heralds

 

14 still present in Bare Head tunnel today..Also the Ghost moth larvae has made it through its second winter , it has been feeding throughout feb and is now back to sam size as in autumn...

 

 

Another tunnel,another herald

Barkisland today with SteveB ,an old mine shaft aprox 75m long.Only found one Hearald but a closer look may produce more.

RE..Tissue and heralds

Herald moths go into caves, tunnels, old mines and old buildings to hibernate and only in exceptional cases i.e. very cold snaps, will they move further into the cave. Tissues on the other hand do not hibernate but go into periods of torpor for a week or two but are active all winter. Heralds in a way are similar to bats and often are covered in condensation droplets; this will stop the body from dehydrating. I have been working on these two species for 10 years now and have picked up all sorts of things and am trying to write it all up so will keep you in touch. You ask if the Tissues feed and am currently working on this by analysing the condensation water in caves looking for carbon in the form of sugars and also the bacteria on the cave walls but it is a very slow job. If you send me an address I will send you a paper I did for a field day a couple of years ago if you like. I also think food plants may be other species as well as what is written in books, I have yet to find a caterpillar. Best wishes David. .....................
Many thanks to David hodson for this info

Bare head tunnel

Had another look in Bare Head tunnel today with Steve B and Charlie but no Tissue could be found.There were at least 14 heralds and i will be having another look over the weekend. The best thing about this record is it shows species recorded 100 years ago are still around if you look hard enough.There is still hope of finding Northern rustic and Brindled Ochre

First moth of the year a Tissue....(no I havnt got a cold)

Brilliant a first for calderdale since the early part of last century and a rare resident of Yorkshire.ive been looking for once since 2010 when i found the Heralds in Bare Head Tunnel.I found 12 Heralds today and a Tissue.If you click on the pics and view it gives a lot better quality.Well chuffed with this find ,The Tissue over winters as an adult in caves and tunnels ,and in some parts of the dales upto 200 can be found in caves,but this is the first local record that i know of for a long time...

227 Monopis laevigella,Skin Moth 12 01 13

I collected about 8 Owl Pellets last October which were kept in cold cellar,and on 12 01 13 at least 25 of these Skin Moths emerged,which usually emerge from March,maybe the mild temperatures have brought them on a bit ! Bri. Heres a pic of Pupal Case after Moths emergance.regards Bri.

Another Skin Moth emerged 22 01 13,thats 26 from 8 Owl Pellets,il keep the Pellets see if anything else emerges later on .Bri

Monday Night in Hebden Bridge

Had the Skinner trap on for a few nights during the milder spell which sadly seems to have passed. Tuesday 7th saw two visitors. 1) The Satellite Eupsilia transversa and 2) Pale Brindled Beauty (male) Phigalia pilosaria , this one being the melanic form f. monacharia

Moth Whispering

Viewers of the Lord of The Rings trillogy of films and the recent Hobbit, may have seen the amazing 'moth whispering' abilities of the wizard, Gandalf. He uses his powers to send a message of help to the eagles via a moth. I have been trying to id this moth and a strong contender is the Emperor Gum Moth Opodipthera eucalypti . A New Zealand species (Where the filming was done). See pics of the moth on Gandalf's hand and the Gum Moth. Happy new year and Happy hunting in this mild spell (nothing here yet) Winston (Hebden Bridge)