HANDFUL OF HAWKMOTHS

There were plenty of Elephant Hawkmoths and a large Privet Hawkmoth to handle out of the moth trap in the Firs Chase garden during the very hot last week of June. The peak was 23 Elephant Hawkmoths on the night of the 23rd, also four Pine Hawkmoths. The very warm and muggy nights has been very good for moth activity.

An egg tray from the moth trap showing some of the Elephant Hawkmoths. There were 22 recorded on the night of the 22nd, 23 the next night, dropping to ten on the 24th. Pine Hawks peaked at 6 on the 24th which is the most ever noted in one night here.

A Lobster Moth was a nice surprise on the 23rd - and the first record for the island. Its reasonably widespread in the woodlands across the rest of Essex.

Four-spotted Footman - second year running its been noted here, one on 24th.

Leopard Moth - first of the summer.

Magpie Moth - first of the summer.

Festoon - first one on the 28th. Typical pose with its abdomen sticking upwards.

Lackey 

Dark form of Orange Moth.

Scalloped Oak.

Peppered Moth

Sycamore

Gorse Knot-horn 

Italian Bark Moth