Spring Moths Fri 24th April 2015

Counts , Comments on ID  

6	Eriocrania subpurpurella..12
663	Diurnea fagella..1
1750	Lampropteryx suffumata	Water Carpet..3
1760	Chloroclysta siterata	Red-green Carpet.1
1775	Colostygia multistrigaria	Mottled Grey..1
1852	Eupithecia abbreviata	Brindled Pug..8
1862	Gymnoscelis rufifasciata	Double-striped Pug..3
1881	Trichopteryx carpinata	Early Tooth-striped…6
1917	Selenia dentaria	Early Thorn..1
1919	Selenia tetralunaria	Purple Thorn…3
1947	Ectropis bistortata	Engrailed…1
2139	Cerastis rubricosa	Red Chestnut..7
2182	Orthosia cruda	Small Quaker..14
2187	Orthosia cerasi	Common Quaker..94
2188	Orthosia incerta	Clouded Drab..1
2189	Orthosia munda	Twin-spotted Quaker..1
2190	Orthosia gothica	Hebrew Character..3
2258	Conistra vaccinii	Chestnut…11

Another great night with 170 + moths in 3 hours trapping, Common Quakers were estimated at 94 and could easily be double that number. 3  freshly emerged Purple Thorn were  a good number for this species. Thanks to Colin, Dave and Bri ... Weather  Preceding days warm and very sunny  with temps exceding 15 degrees  On the evening Cooler circa 9 - 10 degrees with threat of rain and brief intermittent drizzle which in the main remained dry throughout . Periodic breeze caused occasional influxes of large numbers of Common Quaker


Additional Entomology    Also  found throughout the night

Necrorophilus humator ,
Stonefly .
Caddisfly, Limnephilidae
Spider Trochosa terricola ,
Cranefly Tipula (rufina) TBC .

The spectacle of the night was probably the Purple Thorn and the the most prolific the Common Quaker aprox 100 +  had Andy and Brian doing cartwheels

1919 Purple Thorn  Selenia tetralunaria  Two specimens for comparison

An Atypical top view showing the open wing stance of this thorn

1750  Water Carpet Lampropteryx suffumata

A number of variations or aberrations occur, including a striking form ab. porrittii, found in Yorkshire, but scarce elsewhere. and appears with the key band markins in a striking black to white arrangement

1760 Red Green Carpet Chloroclysta siterata

1852 Brindled Pug Eupithecia abbreviata

2190  Hebrew Character Orthosia gothica

Early Tooth-striped Trichopteryx carpinata

The larvae feed on various trees, including honeysuckle (Lonicera), sallow (Salix) and birch (Betula).

663 The March Dagger Moth Diurnea fagella

Fresh Specimen from previous session

This is an early spring species, occurring from March to May. It is quite a small moth, with an average wingspan of about 25mm melanic forms occur  in some northern and industrial areas.

2139 Red Chestnut Cerastis rubricosa

The larvae feed nocturnally in late spring on several herbaceous plants such as groundsel (Senecio vulgaris) and bedstraw (Galium)

Common Quaker

1947 Engrailed Ectropis crepuscularia

E sulpherlla


Cranefly  Tipula rufina

A femaile tipulid of the Genus Tipula most likely to be a Tipula rufina , key ID features Wing Veination match, Body pattern , Distinctive black mark lateral on the thorax , leg banding and Phenology

Friday Night

Hope to be running the trap at hardcastle Craggs on Friday night 8.30..all welcome

Last night at the Craggs

The first bumper night of the year  with over 170 moths recorded of 18 species. Thanks to Dave F , Bri and Colin for all the help. Dave also recorded Birch Shield Bug last night our second species of the year with Hawthorn Shieldbug last time. Looks good all week for Orange Underwingt in the Cromwell area. Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock have been seen at Northowram today.

Last Night at the Craggs

663	Diurnea fagella x  2
688	Agonopterix heracliana x   2
1659	Achlya flavicornis	Yellow Horned x 12
1663	Alsophila aescularia	March Moth x 1
1775	Colostygia multistrigaria	Mottled Greyx 1
1852	Eupithecia abbreviata	Brindled Pug x 32
1881	Trichopteryx carpinata	Early Tooth-striped x 2
1917	Selenia dentaria	Early Thorn x 1
1930	Biston strataria	Oak Beauty x 5
1947	Ectropis bistortata	Engrailed x 1
2139	Cerastis rubricosa	Red Chestnut x 2
2182	Orthosia cruda	Small Quaker x36
2187	Orthosia cerasi	Common Quaker x 37
2188	Orthosia incerta	Clouded Drab x 7
2189	Orthosia munda	Twin-spotted Quaker x 17
2190	Orthosia gothica	Hebrew Character x1
2256	Eupsilia transversa	Satellite x 1
2258	Conistra vaccinii	Chestnut x11

SUNDAY NIGHT AT THE CRAGGS

Depending on the weather , I will be running the trap at the crags on Sunday night..about 8ish.  Colin/anyone if you need a lift just text.
Cheers Andy

Spring Crags 21.03.15

13 Yellow Horned
  3 Oak Beauty
  5 Common Quaker
  2 Satellite
  6 Chestnut
Another excellent night for the time of year..



Weather 6 deg Cooler with Chill  Cloudy with threat of rain

Thanks to Andy, Colin,  Brian and Dave with assistance on pictures

Yellow Horned and Common Quaker found by torchlight at base of trees in addition to trap , Dave found a Young Adult Hawthorn Shieldbug

The Satelite - Both the Orange and white spot variants found

The Typical Wing Marks

Often overlooked the large eye of the Satelite

1930 Oak Beauty Biston strataria - plumose feathery Antennae. The patterned camouflage makes it  ideal for sit amongst dappled lichen this time of year a great disguise

2187 Common Quaker Orthosia cerasi

1659 Yellow Horned Achlya flavicornis

As per name the Antennae - or - Yellow Horns

Ogden Water

Found this moth at Ogden Water today, under the security door, preety sure it is a dotted border, but if not then please let me know.

Sat night ..Craggs 6.45....21.03.15

Sat Night ..Too cold tonight gonna try next week....

This sat if weather (too cold) is ok at the Craggs...6.30 meet...................Worth a look for Orange Underwing if your out in the sunshine over the next few weeks in Birch woodland................

Spring Moths

A great night at the Craggs last nigt with a total of 70 moths of 10 species.Thanks to Colin for the photos.....


March Moth       33
Common Quaker 2
Chestnut              9
Oak Beauty         2
Yellow Horned   1
Pale brindled Beauty  4
Dotted Border             5
Satellite                      1
Agonoptrix Her          3
Tortricodes alternella   10



 Local weather Still Full Moon Dark 6:30 Temp 10 Deg Sky Clear

 Thanks to Brian Andy and ALL in the group for help with light etc

2258 The Chestnut Conistra vaccinii

 1926 Pale Brindled Beauty Phigalia pilosaria

 1930  Oak Beauty Biston strataria

2 Specimens varying in band and colour

1663 March Moth Alsophila aescularia

Antennae March Moth

 1934 Dotted Border Agriopis marginaria 

1934 Melanic Dotted Border (Agriopis marginaria f. fuscata)

1659 Yellow Horned Achlya flavicornis

2187 Common Quaker Orthosia cerasi 

Wings recently inflated

1025 Winter Shades Tortricodes alternella

Dotted Border Left Pale brindled Beauty Right

 Non Lepidoptera

 Dung Fly

Spider Trochosa sp likely .T. terricola./ ruricola

SAT NIGHT

If the weather is good(or even ok) we will be at Hardcastle Craggs at about 6.30 on Sat ...All welcome

The Craggs

Good to be out and a few moths about in the cold....
Dotted Border      22+
Spring Usher          1
Chestnut                 1
Pale Brindled Beauty    1


Happy Birthday Bri................

Hardcastle Craggs Friday 20th Feb

Meeting at 6 in Hardcastle Craggs , gonna run the trap for a few hours and do some tree searching.All welcome , if anyone needs a lift leave a message.....

Peacock

I got a report  from Nigel G of a Peacock Butterfly sunbathing near Lumb Falls in Crimsworth Dean on 30th November. A nice late record.

Mega Moths...........

Last night saw in the region of 7,500 Winter Moths in Only House Wood one tree have over 200 individuals on it..A few Scarce Umber and many female Winter moths..............have a look in your local wood....!!!!

Only House Wood

Down the woods again tonight with Steve Cummings in tow with all his camera equipment. Steve set up and started filming Winter Moths in cop and emerging from the leaf litter.
   I had a good look round the rest of the wood, as many as 500 + Winter Moths and 10 pairs in cop  , 2 Scarce Umber , 10 Mottled Umber  and  5 Northern Winter Moths

Down the woods

Popped down into the local beech wood last night , ---
200 + Winter moths
24       Mottled Umber
1 female Mottled Umber

Memories of Summer

Forgot to post this in the summer when I spotted this fine example of a really fresh White-letter Hairstreak Satyrium w-album. This is only the second one I have seen near the town centre.

Lee Mount

It was a surprise this afternoon after a cool overcast day with drizzle and very little sunshine to find a very worn Red Admiral on the Erysimum. Also a Comma, but it disappeared before I could get a photo.

Various !

In the garden last 2 days, at least 7 Red Admirals and 2 Speckled Woods on the Erysimum. and Sedum

Walk over Ovenden Moor, Fly Flatts and Ogden today
c6 Speckled Woods and 2 Red Admirals along the track from Ogden car park this morning.
c20 Red Admirals seen over Ovenden Moor along with 1 Small Tortoiseshell
6+ Speckled Woods along the edge of the tree belt by the golf course this afternoon and c4 Red Admirals with 1 Comma by the former Res'r keepers cottage.

Red Admiral on Sedum

High Brown Knoll

Walking over the highest point in Calderdale yesterday and spotted quite a few Red Admirals in the patchy sun ant this very handsome Cat. Cat someone id it for me please?

Recent news

Lots of Red Admirals about this week along with Small Tortoiseshell ,Small and large Whites ,Speckled woods and a Peacock around the house. Black Rustics seem to having a good year along with Brown Spot Pinion. Lots of Common Marbled Carpets , Lunar underwings and the last of the large yellow underwings.

Ogden (Fox Moth ?)

We found several af these large caterpillars at the lower end of the golf course yesterday in and area of grassland, billberry and heather. They are at least 2 and a half inches long and curl up when disturbed. We think they are Fox Moth caterpillars but would be glad for someone to confirm if our
 i d is correct - or otherwise!.

Lee Mount

A Humming Bird Hawk Moth on Tuesday afternoon was feeding on and around an Erysimum plant in the garden for around 20 minutes. Unfortunately I could not get a photo of it but I am on the lookout for it returning !
This is the only second sighting of this species we have had in the garden since we moved here in 1974 so we made the most of it  while it was here.

Erysimum 'Bowles Mauve' - this plant seems to flower for ever in summer and winter given a reasonably sunny spot (but gets knocked back in winter with hard frosts) a great plant for insects.

Also on the plant there have been numerous Bees and Hover Flies, 4 Red Admirals together, just 1 Small Tortoiseshell and up to 3 Speckled Woods have been around. Several Speckled Woods also seen this week near the Ski-slope at Ploughcroft.

This week in the trap.............

The recent warm nights and easterly winds have not sent us any migrants as yet , but this week , Black Rustic , Lunar Underwing , Red Barred Tortrix , , Beautiful Plume , Blairs Shoulder Knot , Autumnal Rustic and the highlight here a Beaded Chestnut.................

RFI Ghost Moth records

Hi guys, I am trying to collate any info regarding local (West Yorks.) Ghost Moth populations and would welcome any info regarding dates, locations and numbers. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Painted Lady

1 Painted lady , 3 Small Copper , 4 peacock , 20 + Speckled Wood and a large White today at Northowram.in the moth trap last night a Rosy Rustic, Salllow and 33 LYUnderwings.

Cromwell Bottom 30th August moth Night

The friends of  Cromwell Bottom will be running a moth night on sat , usual place by the lagoon, would be nice to see some local moffers there, I will be there from 10ish, the light will be put on at dusk.

Manchester Moth

Sorry AndyC I have belatedly answered your query in the comments box of 'The Manchester Moth' of 20th July, if you care to have a look.

Vapourer

Was walking up above North Dean Woods yesterday and heading back on Scholes Lane and saw a moth going bananas, decided it was worth a look and to see if it landed. Glad I did it was a male Vaporer with a female and cocoon that then started to mate.It was on the wall just before Scholes Farm heading from Greetland.

Painted lady

On the 8th August I found a freshly emerged Painted lady at Northowram , its wings were still unformed as it climbed a large grass stem. After a few minutes its wings started to inflate. A rare local sighting.

Pepper Hill / Claremount

 Wall Brown

 Small Copper

Small Copper and Small Skipper

 

 

What a week or two for butterflies, its been amazing - rounded off today with a walk along Hag Lane at the back of the Ploughcroft  ski-slope and along the track to Claremount and the hillside above Horley Green.

 

We thought we were doing well near Black Boy Farm on a small patch of weeds with Peacocks, Small Skippers and Gatekeepers as well as Small Tortoiseshells when we came across this Small Copper. we watched it with real pleasure.

 

Then as we walked further around the hillside facing over Halifax we had a possible Wall Brown but couldn't confirm it, then we found another two and managed a poor photo but it was enough to confirm identification. We came home well satisfied - as good as birding ! (well nearly)

Also a good number of Speckled Woods in that area too.



Butterfly Count / Wall brown ??

The Big Butterfly count is on at the moment and only takes a few minutes to submit your records.
https://www.bigbutterflycount.org/species


With good numbers of butterfly's recorded in Calderdale over the last couple of years and new species being added over the last couple decades (Ringlet ,Speckled Wood and Gatekeeper etc)  its odd how the Wall Brown is becoming very scarce , 3 years ago I would have had 3 /4 in the garden at this time of year but since then I have had only one sighting in the last 3 years. Has any one seen a Wall Brown this year in Calderdale..??