Saturday 18 July 2015

Ordinary guys (and gals)



It's easy but not really excusable to overlook the common, everyday moths which visit the trap at this time of year. Here are some of them.


I can't count how many Mother of Pearl micros come every night at the moment. But I am sorry as they flutter away - they are very easily disturbed - because each one has the lovely sheen which gives it its name; the same iridescence which you find in sea shells.



The Large Yellow Underwing is another humdrum caller. I have even watched a blackbird eat one with equanimity although that was in Leeds where the LYU came in hordes. I'm featuring this one, though, because I don't recall seeing one of this 'dark' strain with such bright, prominent wing spots. Maybe it is a form which is a little less common than the norm.


Six Poplar Hawk Moths in the trap last night signals another phenomenon of this moth-cluttered month: the second generation. These two Pebble Prominents are in much too good a condition to have been flying since May. Welcome, young moths!

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