Monday, 17 August 2015

Moths Cunnery Wood Sun 16th August 2015


Weather Still no breezes Temp warm 11 -12 Degree

Habitat  Cunnery wood LNR

Trap Robininson MV 125 W

Comments By far the most common Moth this evening was the Bird Cherry Ermine following by Large Yellow Underwing. as to be expected  . An interesting selection of micros and pugs where also noted 1470 Ash-bark Knot-Horn - Euzophera pingus ABH 62.048   3 Micros , 3 Pugs . The Golden Moth was first taken to be Argyresthia goedartella but is I believe Argyresthia brockeella

Bird Cherry Ermine 2093

0424 Bird-cherry Ermine Yponomeuta evonymella ABH  16.001   x 200 +
1470 Ash-bark Knot-Horn - Euzophera pinguis ABH 62.048        x3
1083 Marbled Orchard Tortrix Hedya nubiferana ABH 49.156      x1
1887 Clouded Border Lomaspilis marginata ABH 70.207              x2
1405 Mother of Pearl Pleuroptya ruralis ABH 63.038                    x4
2006 Lesser Swallow Prominent Pheosia gnoma ABH 71.018        x1
1906 Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis luteolata ABH 70.226           x2
2050 Common Footman Eilema lurideola ABH 72.045                   x1
1713 Riband Wave Idaea aversata ABH 72.045                            x2
1754 The Phoenix Eulithis prunata ABH 70.089                             x1
1858 The V-Pug Chloroclystis v-ata ABH 70.142                          x1
0410 Argyresthia brockeella  ABJ 20.011                                      x1
0873 Blastobasis adustella  ABH 41.0002                                    x 70+
1777 July Highflyer Hydriomena furcata ABH 70.074                    x1
1722 Flame Carpet Xanthorhoe designata ABH 70.053                x1
2199 Common Wainscot Mythimna pallens ABH 73.291              x3
2318 The Dun-bar Cosmia trapezina ABH 73.216                        x3
2089 Heart & Dart Agrotis exclamationis ABH 72.217                     x1
0969 Chequered Fruit-tree Tortrix Pandemis corylana ABH 49.024  x2
2176 Antler Moth Cerapteryx gramini ABH 73.254                      x2
1304 Grass Veneer Agriphila straminella ABH 63.093

TBC

1817 Foxglove Pug Eupithecia pulchellata ABH 70.142      or         x1
1816 Toadflax Pug Eupithecia linariata ABH 70.150

Confusion Species Useful Link 


1470 Ash-bark Knot-Horn - Euzophera pinguis ABH 62.048

Euzophera pinguis 2102

Euzophera pinguis 2103

Local species, occurring in the southern half of Britain, chiefly among ash (Fraxinus), the foodplant.

2006 Lesser Swallow Prominent Pheosia gnoma ABH 71.018 

Lesser Swallow 2235

2318 The Dun-bar Cosmia trapezina ABH 73.216 


Dunbar 2362

1754 The Phoenix Eulithis prunata ABH 70.089

The Phoenix 2170

Feeding mainly on the leaves of black currant, red currant and related Ribes, it is most often found in cultivated areas, gardens and the like

1722 Flame Carpet Xanthorhoe designata ABH 70.053  

Flame Carpet 1904


1713 Riband Wave Idaea aversata ABH 72.045  


Riband Wave 2229

The two forms banded and non banded

Riband Wave 2316


1858 The V-Pug Chloroclystis v-ata ABH 70.142

V_pug_2203



The flowers of a range of plants form the main foodstuff of the larvae, including elder (Sambucus) and brambles (Ribes spp.).

QUERY TBC

1817 Foxglove Pug Eupithecia pulchellata ABH 70.142

Foxglove Pug 2077

++ Purple Toadflax was within 2 m  adjacent Despite the proximity of Toadflax the main diagnostic between these similars is a kink at the costa of the central black band (outer wing edge at bottom of black band where it begins) . This would therefore make this a Foxglove Pug open to correction TBC


Foxglove Pug 2092xx




0969 Chequered Fruit-tree Tortrix Pandemis corylana ABH 49.024 


Chequered Fruit-Tree Tortrix 2426

2089 Heart & Dart Agrotis exclamationis ABH 72.217 

Heart Dart 2512


0410 Argyresthia brockeella  ABJ 20.011

Argyresthia brockeella 2268

Argyresthia brockeella 2271

The larvae feed on the catkins of birch (Betula) and alder (Alnus glutinosa).

0873 Blastobasis adustella  ABH 41.0002

Blastobasis adustella 2119


Blastobasis adustella 2125

1304 Agriphila straminella 63.093

Veneer 2473

Micros TBC

Eudonia mercurella
Eudonia sp


Moth 2149


Phycita roborella TBC ???
This one for confirmation at first its bandings sseeemd similar to 1439 Acrobasis advenella but on closer look seems more like Phycita roborella The two tufys either side of antennae are visible

Moth 2095

Moth 2081


1777 July Highflyer Hydriomena furcata ABH 70.074

Red Green Carper 2128

Thanks to Andy for pointers


Another Worn Spec TBC 

Y, Ni , or T'other


Moth 2456


Moth 2444


Cunnery Wood, 17th August

Had a butterfly hunt in the meadow at Cunnery Wood today (with the help of a local out of school club - nets held high running through the grass trying to catch them!

Not a bad haul for 30 mins of hunting,
Small skipper - over 50
Gatekeeper - 5
Meadow Brown - over 25
Ringlet - 20
Small White - 3
and the one below which I think is a Dark Green Fritillary (but let me know if I am wrong) - 2



Saturday, 15 August 2015

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


Swallowtail 0209


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         


Orange Swift 0201

Orange Swift 0182

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

Brimstone 0243

Brimstone 1613

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     

Lesser Swallow Prominant 0220

Lesser Swallow Prominant 1627

Lesser Swallow Prominant 0198

The larvae feed on birch (Betula).

1648  Pebble Hook-tip Drepana falcataria  ABH 65.005

Pebble Hook Tip 1661


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


1645 Scalloped Hook-tip Falcaria lacertinaria 65.001


Scalloped Hook Tip 0224


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   

Pebble Prominent 0267

Pebble Prominent 1546


Pebble Prominent 1566

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


Mother Of Pearl 0248


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

2492 Small Fan-foot Herminia grisealis ABH 72.055



Small Fan Foot 0256


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


Clouded Border 0229 

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
Wainscott 0250


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

Dingy Footman   

Footman 1605


1083  Marbled Orchard Tortrix Hedya nubiferana ABH 49.156

Moth 1765

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



1759 Small Phoenix Ecliptopera silaceata ABH  70.094

Small Phoenix 1950





1956 Common Wave Cabera exanthemata ABH   70.278

White Wave 1877

1722 Flame Carpet Xanthorhoe designata ABH 70.053

Flame Carpet 1904

1764 Common Marbled Carpet Dysstroma truncata ABH 70,097

Marbled Carpet 1956

2343 Common Rustic Mesapamea secalis ABH 73.169


Common Rustic 1850


Common Rustic 2066

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



Moths TBC


Purple / Early thorn 



Thorn 1837


Moth 1581

Moth 1574


2300  Old Lady Mormo maura ABH 73.107


Moth 0202

Moth 0203

Was circa 40 mm Large Moth Quite Dark


Wednesday, 12 August 2015

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 (?)

Tuesday, 4 August 2015

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 !!!!