Sunday 7 May 2017

SOME SPRING MOTHS

It has been a slow start to the mothing this spring because of the prolonged period of cold nights. Moth trapping at the country park hasn't been very productive over the last few weeks with catches only just getting into double figures.

One recent highlight was the first hawkmoth of the season with this large poplar hawkmoth found on the night of Tuesday 2nd. Seems in good condition, newly emerged.

The previous night half a dozen brimstone moths added some colour to the trap.

The first of the prominents this season was this swallow prominent trapped on Tuesday 2nd.

On the same night was a fresh marked lunar marbled brown, one or two usually noted each spring at the park.

A chocolate-tip has been noted on several nights although possibly the same individual each night. A common moth with a distinctive brown tip to the tail.

One of the duller moths caught was this turnip, one of two noted on one recent night.

The prettily marked scorched carpet was found in the morning of the 3rd, another annual visitor to the trap each spring.

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