The moths are on the up here in Cambridge and it’s been a
good month of trapping. The most I’ve had in one night so far is 26 species. I’ve
been overwhelmed with Heart and Darts, Mottled Pugs and Garden Carpets. Pugs in
general have been the challenge: 1. in terms of catching the beasts before they
escape the trap and 2. in terms of IDing them. It’s safe to say that there has
been a fair amount of cursing as they fly off before I get a pot on them, and a
fair amount of time spent leafing through my books trying to see if the – often
battered – creature in front of me fits with any of the pictures! Oh, the
trials and tribulations of moth trapping! Don’t you just love it!
The best beasts of the month have been:
Maiden’s Blush
Buttoned Snout
Clouded Silver
Pale Prominent (I love the look of these)
Treble Brown Spot
Freyer’s Pug (one of the many problem Pugs!)
Sallow Kitten
Tachystola acroxantha (a species probably introduced from Oz c.100 years ago, which is spreading around the place)
 |
| Light Brocade |
 |
| Poplar Hawk-moth (always pleased to get some Hawks!) |
 |
| White Ermine |
 |
| Grey Dagger |
 |
| Lime Hawk-moth |
No comments:
Post a Comment