Moths Cromwell Bottom LNR Sat 8th/11th August 2015

Sat 8th August 2015 Lagoons Cromwell Bottom LNR

Weather Warm and balmy with midges biting initially preceding day day dry warm and sunny with temperatures approachibng 18 - 20 degrees

Trap MV Robinson 125 W

General Comments & Counts

By far the most common Moth of the evening was theLarge Yellow Unnderwing with well over 50 dropping in. . The shear volume of Moths meant we ran out of pots fairly quickly and missed quite a few micros

Three in attendance CD GW and LF

1906  Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis luteolata    ABH  70.226     x3
2107  Large Yellow Underwing  Noctua pronuba  ABH 73.342       x50
2109  Lesser Yellow Underwing ABH
 2003  Pebble Prominent Notodonta ziczac  ABH 71.013  x2
1648  Pebble Hook-tip Drepana falcataria  ABH 65.005
1645  Scalloped Hook-tip Falcaria lacertinaria ABH 65.001
1887  Clouded Border Lomaspilis marginata  ABH 70.207  x5

0015  Orange Swift Triodia sylvina ABH 3.001                                 x4
2492  Small Fan-foot Herminia grisealis  ABH 72.055
2474  Straw Dot Rivula sericealis  ABH 72.00
1405  Mother of Pearl Pleuroptya ruralis ABH 63.038  x8
1922  Swallow-tailed Moth Ourapteryx sambucaria  ABH 70.243
1732  Shaded Broad-bar Scotopteryx chenopodiata  ABH 70.045        x2

2006  Lesser Swallow Prominent Pheosia gnoma  ABH 71.018            x3
1713  Riband Wave Idaea aversata non-banded form ABH 70.016

1702  Small Fan-footed Wave Idaea biselata  ABH 70.013
2176  Antler Moth Cerapteryx gramini ABH  73.254  x1
2321  Dark Arches Apamea monoglypha  ABH 73.162
1955  Common White Wave Cabera pusaria ABH   70.277
1083  Marbled Orchard Tortrix Hedya nubiferana ABH 49.156  TBC   x1
2198 Smoky Wainscot Mythimna impura ABH 73
1722 Flame Carpet Xanthorhoe designata ABH 70.053
2343 Common Rustic Mesapamea secalis  ABH 73.169

Buff Footman TBC
Common Waimscott  x
Query Rustic
Limnelphilus Caddis Fly

Follow On Tuesday 11th August 2015 Lagoons Cromwell Bottom LNR

Weather Significantly Cooler and High Humidity due to preceding days rain Temp 8 - 10 Degress 9:30 pm  - 12:30 am Lots of moisture and dew

Comments  Unlike previous trap session the main moth of the evening was the Clouded Border

1981  Poplar Hawk-moth Laothoe populi ABH
1083  Marbled Orchard Tortrix Hedya nubiferana ABH 49.156  x1

1887  Clouded Border Lomaspilis marginata  ABH 70.207  x 40

2107  Large Yellow Underwing  Noctua pronuba  ABH 73.342
1913  Canary-shouldered Thorn Ennomos alniaria  ABH 70.234        x1
2006  Lesser Swallow Prominent Pheosia gnoma  ABH 71.018          x2
1405  Mother of Pearl Pleuroptya ruralis ABH 63.038
1956  Common Wave Cabera exanthemata ABH   70.278
1759  Small Phoenix Ecliptopera silaceata ABH  70.094
1764  Common Marbled Carpet Dysstroma truncata  ABH 70.97

2343  Common Rustic  Mesapamea secalis Agg ABH 73.169
1722  Flame Carpet Xanthorhoe designataABH 70.053
2300  Old Lady Mormo maura ABH 73.107
     

          Early / Purple Thorn TBC
     


Caddis Fly X2

1922 Swallow-tailed Moth Ourapteryx sambucaria  ABH 70.243

The larvae feed on a number of trees and shrubs, but prefer ivy (Hedera helix).A  nocturnal moth having quite a short emergence period in July, Late or delay in this years season ?

0015  Orange Swift Triodia sylvina ABH 3.001         

In common with other members of the genus, the larvae feed on the roots of a variety of plants

1906  Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis luteolata    ABH  70.226

The larvae feed on a range of trees and bushes, including hawthorn (Crataegus) and blackthorn (Prunus spinosa).

2006  Lesser Swallow Prominent Pheosia gnoma  ABH 71.018     

The larvae feed on birch (Betula).

1648  Pebble Hook-tip Drepana falcataria  ABH 65.005

The larvae feed usually on birch (Betula), but sometimes on alder (Alnus glutinosa).

1645 Scalloped Hook-tip Falcaria lacertinaria 65.001

Distinct resting position like a half leaf  It is mainly a woodland species, and feeds as a larva on birch (Betula).

2003  Pebble Prominent Notodonta ziczac  ABH 71.013   

It frequents a range of habitats, but has a preference for damper localities, where the caterpillars feed on sallow (Salix) and poplar (Populus).

1405  Mother of Pearl Pleuroptya ruralis ABH 63.038

The larvae feed on nettle (Urtica dioica), in a rolled-up leaf.

2492 Small Fan-foot Herminia grisealis ABH 72.055

The larvae feed on the leaves of a range of deciduous trees, often on withered and fallen leaves.

1887  Clouded Border Lomaspilis marginata  ABH 70.207  x5

 

The larvae feed on sallow (Salix) and poplars (Populus), especially aspen (P. tremula).

TBC To Be Confirmed

2198 Smoky Wainscot Mythimna impura ABH 73.293

Occupying downland, sand dunes and rough grassy areas, the larval foodplants are mainly grasses.

Dingy Footman   

Definitive Link on Footmen

1083  Marbled Orchard Tortrix Hedya nubiferana ABH 49.156

The larvae feed on a variety of trees including hawthorn (Crataegus) and blackthorn (Prunus spinosa).

1759 Small Phoenix Ecliptopera silaceata ABH  70.094

1956 Common Wave Cabera exanthemata ABH   70.278

1722 Flame Carpet Xanthorhoe designata ABH 70.053

1764 Common Marbled Carpet Dysstroma truncata ABH 70,097



2343 Common Rustic Mesapamea secalis ABH 73.169







Note 3 species lumped making agg impossible to distinguish Lesser Rustic without detailed exam



Moths TBC


Purple / Early thorn 

2300  Old Lady Mormo maura ABH 73.107

Was circa 40 mm Large Moth Quite Dark

Hawkmoth day

What a day - this Elephant Hawkmoth was in the moth trap this morning - they are stunning moths!

 

 



 

This afternoon I went looking for Wall Brown Butterflies above Claremount on Pepper Hill (without success) but this turned up instead - A Hummingbird Hawkmoth (my 4th ever and all in Calderdale).
It was patrolling along the stone walls for several minutes but it was not easy to photograph though I did get lucky with a few record shots.

Every time the moth landed on the wall it was half in and half out of shade and I wondered if this is a tactic to avoid predation when at rest and further breaks up its outline (?)

More Help !!

Ghost Moth (female)

This was a special moth for me last night, just a shame I couldn't get it fully in focus

 Northern Spinach ?

Upturned abdomen but it doesn't seem to quite fit the book description !

Dont know what these 2 are ?

Help !!

Struggling with these from the last night or two.

Rustic ?

 Plain Golden Y ?

 No idea - but not a lot to go on and it was the best photo I could get !

 Another Rustic ?

 Baffled !!!

Baffled again !!!!

Scarce Silver Lines

Another Scarce Silver Lines caught last night at Mile Cross Road.

ID Moth- Ermine Yponomeuta sp

A Yorkshire Find Near Pond and reed Swept during the day A slivery little moth with what appears lines of regular spots could be an Ermine of sorts possibly more like Bird Cherry but there is also a Willow Ermine to eliminate

Ringby Lane

Yesterday afternoon I took a walk up Ringby Lane from the top of Ploughcroft. This small area on the left of the track was alive with butterflies. 20+ Ringlets, 20+ Meadow Browns, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Large Skipper, 2 Small Skippers. I think they were not only attracted by the warm sunshine and Willow Herb, Brambles etc as well as very weedy area just behind but also by the large Privet bushes in flower. Privet does attract insects if it's  allowed to flower !

 Ringby Lane



 

Also with the butterflies was this moth 'trying hard to get' though I eventually tracked it down to a stone wall though it stayed only briefly before I could get it in good focus. I think it's a Yellow Shell Moth.

 



Yellow Shell ?

Moth i d (2)

And another one from Lee Mount last night...... about 4 cm across very grey looking against the concrete kerb
Having a stab at Willow Beauty but not sure ...as usual...

Moth i d ?

 

Not sure about these two from Tuesday night !

Top one was very small max 2 cm across - perhaps Double-striped Pug ?

Second one maybe Small Fan-footed Wave ?

Help appreciated as usual !



 

Purple Hairstreak

Purple Hairstreak are now on the wing with 2 on the 29th at Only House Wood Northowram. Any area with Oak is worth looking at. Look at the tops of oaks in bright sunshine . Plenty of Gatekeepers and Ringlets about as well..The invasion of Painted \Ladys is still to happen..??

Langfield Common Moorland Moths Sat 26th July 2015

Its always nice to get up to langfield once every now and again , it was cool up there on sat night with clear skies throughout. Highlight was a Grey Moutain carpet  and 3 Confused . Other species - Small Square Spot 10 , Dark Arches 11 , Purple Clay 3 , Clouded Bordered Brindle 2 , Flame Shoulder 1 , Ingrailed Clay 9 , Lempke.s Gold Spot 2 , Common Wainscot 1 , Angle Shades 1 , Broom Moth 1 , Smoky Wainscot 1 , True Lovers Knot 5 and a Large Yellow Underwing..Not one Antler Moth .??



Weather . Day warm Sunny Temp circa 15 -19 o  Evening generally clear , still no significant breezes Temp dropping 10o

Habitat

Langfield Common is upland Moor Trap located in low lying Bog Area with Marsh and run off Springs with varios Rush and sedges at an Altitude on the OS Contour   m

The Following where imaged with the help of Brian and Andy

Other Entomology

The proximity of boggy habitat attracted Homoptera - froghoppers . Mirids Lepopterna sp

FLIKR ISSUE WILL RESOLVE SHORTLY

1744 Grey Mountain Carpet Entephria caesiata ABH 70.072

This specimen worn

A mountain and moorland species,The larvae feed on a number of low heathland plants such as heather (Calluna) and bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus). variable adults fly from July to August.

2120 Ingrailed Clay Diarsia mendica ABH 73.333 Two Specimens





The caterpillars hibernate and feed in the spring on a variety of shrubs and plants, including bramble (Rubus) and bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus).
2329 The Confused Apamea furva ABH 73.165 

The larva feed on the roots and stem bases of meadow grass (Poa spp.) and the moths fly mainly in July and August.







2440 Lempke's Gold Spot Plusia putnami ABH 73.023 
Among the foodplants is small-reed (Calamogrostis spp.).










2321 Dark Arches Apamea monoglypha ABH 73.162 

The larvae feed on the bases and stems of various grasses.likes grassy areas, it is on the wing from July to August, with a later second sotherly brood on the wing from July to August,

2306 Angle Shades Phlogophora meticulosa ABH 73.113

The larvae feed on a variety of herbaceous plants.Adults generally fly between May and October, in at least 2 generations, but found in any month

2118 True Lover's Knot Lycophotia porphyrea ABH 73.338

The well-camouflaged larvae feed on heather (Calluna) and heath (Erica).It flies between June and August in a single generation

2122 Purple Clay Diarsia brunnea ABH 73.332

1. 
   

Common Footman

This moth was recorded near Cullingworth Viaduct a couple of specimens where noted one on Dry stone walling and the other feeding sluggishly on Creeping Thistle and should be ubiquitous in Calderdale

There is an excellent Primer on Footman here Footman Comparisions