Wednesday 16 October 2013

When the light comes on again...


A dry night (although damp again this morning), and so the trap had a brief outing, shorter than usual because we were late back from a trip to Bath. I spent three-and-a-half very happy years working there on the Evening Chronicle, now a weekly newspaper but still very good, and know of no more beautiful city in the UK.

We didn't see any butterflies except on the porcelain of the James Giles collection on show at the Holburne museum, a familiar landmark but now with a striking and successful modern extension at the back. There were butterflies aplenty in Giles' designs but, more interestingly, a solitary caterpillar on one of the plates; good that some wealthy diner or other didn't mind being reminded of this earlier stage in the insects' life cycle, even if he or she wouldn't have wanted to meet one in their salad.



I tried to take a picture but the digital focus was baffled by the glass exhibition case. But Googling found me the 1755 plate above, from the 2011 London Ceramics Fair, which has a similar appearance. And of course the famous contemporary children's book The Very Hungry Caterpillar means that there is now unlikely to be shortage of larval porcelain, and plastic, for future collectors to amass.


And the trap?  Guess how many moths came to call.  Just two.  The familiar Beaded Chestnut, top below, which has been the commonest visitor for the last three weeks; and a Dark Chestnut with its conker-like, russet sheen. Update: sorry, it's a plain ornery Chestnut - many thanks to Ben in Comments. For a genuine Dark one, scroll back a few posts.




5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I like the Dark Chestnut. I think, having seen yours, I may have had one of those last week :-)

LOVE Bath- beautiful city and home to friends and family so we have an excuse to visit fairly regularly!

Anonymous said...

pS- my husband said I was rude to refer to the need to exercise retired brain cells the other day over the MDJ puzzlement- I replied that I thought you would probably know my sense of humour well enough by now, but just in case- apologies if any offence was given, none was intended :-)

MartinWainwright said...

Hi there - I'm very glad the Dark Chestnut was useful. I was put on to it myself by one of my kindly experts so am pleased to pass it on.

Thanks very much to Mr CT for his concern but not to worry in the least. I'm only too pleased to have my remaining brain cell(s) challenged. I always enjoy your comments, and your blog.

Good luck if your light is on tonght

all warmest

M

Anonymous said...

Hiya Martin, your moth is a Chestnut for me. I am glad you are still getting some moths, its been thin on he ground lately! Cheers. Ben

Martin Wainwright said...

Thanks very much Ben - and sorry to have misled you CT. I'll change it shortly - need to log on to the MM email. All warmest, M (still delirious after today's Merveille du Jour)