Moths of April 2010 (1 Viewer)

[Azzy]

Wow, what a fantastic moth, love those colours, absolutely incredible! Looks like you were feeding it the right stuff

 

[Surreybirder]

I had a surprise last night in the form of a pebble prominent (Notodonta ziczac). Not much else of note!
Ken

 

[Tri-Counties Birder]

Once again, conditions last night were on the cold side, and the only things of note were a pair of Early Grey.

I also found that a Hebrew Character had laid eggs in my trap (well thats whats supposed to be in egg boxes!). I cut out the bit of egg box and stuck it to a willow in my garden. Its pretty much the only native plant I have in the garden, so I hope they'll be alright.

Also, I thought I would add a pic of a Bee Fly that was basking on the wall of the house this morning.

Good mothing

 

[Surreybirder]

Nice bee-fly, Sean! (It's only a matter of time till someone starts discussing your house bricks )
I see that you've now seen more moth sp. than birds - so you are definitely an official moth'er now.
Ken

 

[Nerine]

Many of you are catching some real beauties - I am envious! Nothing very exciting in my garden yet - mostly Common Quaker, Hebrew Character, Clouded Drab, Early Grey.
I did catch some decent moths while in Brittany earlier this month, some I had not seen before - March Moth is new for me and also Twin-spotted Quaker. Catches are from actinic and outside house light in Brittany on 9th and 11th April. Night temp was around 5 degrees.

Nerine

 

[The Hairy Highlander]

Had a nice wee session for a few hours last night, got 43 moth, 5 species...
18x Common Quaker
14x Clouded Drab
7x Twin-spot Quaker
3x Hebrew Character
1x Chestnut

The Pine Beauty was caught by my friend up in Sutherland the other night, he's not got round to joining in on the thread, thus has not posted any photos, so I've posted this one for him, I think it's a stunner!!

(I'm having to update the moth numbers from last night, I keep finding more moths flying around my computer room!!)

 

[Bennyboymothman]

Last night produced the usual mix again, of note was my second Red Chestnut of the year and a slightly aberrant Hebrew Character.

 

[Oleander]

Nerine, please send that Great Prom. to me!! o

I caught 162 moths and 3 or 4 new. I had some trouble when I was going through my catch. I didn't have time to do it this morning so they were all warmed up and very active.

The new species were:

Early Grey (didn't get a photo, it flew away)
Pine Beauty
Conformist or Softly's Shoulder Knot
Powdered Quaker

The last two are attached. Could someone check them out? Also attached a variation of Hebrew Character.

 

[Tri-Counties Birder]

Nerine, please send that Great Prom. to me!! o

I caught 162 moths and 3 or 4 new. I had some trouble when I was going through my catch. I didn't have time to do it this morning so they were all warmed up and very active.

The new species were:

Early Grey (didn't get a photo, it flew away)
Pine Beauty
Conformist or Softly's Shoulder Knot
Powdered Quaker

The last two are attached. Could someone check them out? Also attached a variation of Hebrew Character.

I'm afraid I think your Quaker is another Common. The other I think is Softly's Shoulder-knot.

 

[Tri-Counties Birder]

along with a single Common Quacker

Mark C

Is that a Mallard?

 

[Surreybirder]

I'm afraid I think your Quaker is another Common. The other I think is Softly's Shoulder-knot.

Yes, I agree, common quaker.
Ken

 

[Tri-Counties Birder]

Nice bee-fly, Sean! (It's only a matter of time till someone starts discussing your house bricks )
I see that you've now seen more moth sp. than birds - so you are definitely an official moth'er now.
Ken

Thanks!

I am just amazed at how many different species I'm getting in my tiny suburban garden, it must be something to do with your trap! You can't deny my keen-ness, especially when I went all the way to Dungeness last year for a 'moth morning'. Mind you, for things like Ni Moth, Sussex Emerald, Dark Tussock, Pale Grass Eggar etc. it was worth it.

I was born a Mother! (thats moth-er, not a mother:eek!

 

[SveinB]

Kalle, that is not Softly's Shoulder Knot. In my opinion a Conformist.

Svein B

 

[Surreybirder]

Last night was cold and windy and I had the smallest catch for ages - just a few Orthosia sp and an early grey.
Ken

 

[dantheman]

Coldish here too last night - 3C min in the trap, ie probably a frost outside.

33 moths of 9 species -

1 Clouded Drab (?)
2 Water Carpet (nfy)
1 Pug sp. (Mottled or ??)

Any confirmation on the above would be appreciated, cheers!

 

[Surreybirder]

Agree with the first two, Dan. Third might be brindled - it's the first one out round here.
I just found a rather good paper on pug ID at
http://www.wildlife-galleries.co.uk/gallery2/main.php
though I guess you get a few species in Cornwall that are not found in Lancs - and possibly vice versa!
Ken

 

[Brian Stone]

Last night was cold and windy and I had the smallest catch for ages - just a few Orthosia sp and an early grey.
Ken

Every night recently has been cold and windy here! I ran on the 'best' night this week and got just 6 moths (all different spp though). My garden is a little exposed and it just isn't worth the trouble here at the moment.

 

[dantheman]

Agree with the first two, Dan. Third might be brindled - it's the first one out round here.
I just found a rather good paper on pug ID at
http://www.wildlife-galleries.co.uk/gallery2/main.php
though I guess you get a few species in Cornwall that are not found in Lancs - and possibly vice versa!
Ken

Afraid I couldn't find the paper you refer to - although I did see the Brindled Pug of yours on the site, which, with the second pic on the ukmoths site, seems a much better match. Cheers.

 

[socksitis]

Had my first Angle Shades last night - well it was in the porch, is this not a bit early? Preseume they hatch and not hibernate? What moths would hibernate?

 

[Brian Stone]

Adult Angle Shades can occur at almost any time of the year. I shouldn't think mid-April is too unusual in your area.

Quite a few moths hibernate in the adult state.