The Bird-poo Moth

That miniature macro, the Chinese Character moth, has been a loyal visitor this year. Indeed, it's probably visited more often than I have recorded because it is so easy to overlook. This is not only a result of its  small size but because it really does resemble a bird poo, hence the alternative name for it which I have used in my title.  If you need convincing, here is a real bird poo on my moth recording deckchair, below. The birds seem to get taken in too. The Moth Bible confirms my own experience of Chinese Characters on the outside of the trap, such as this one, entirely escaping their hungry attention.

Another very pretty, small moth arrived the night before last, this Marbled Beauty below. It is getting to the end of its flying season although it looks in reasonable condition. The Chinese Character, meanwhile, is a second generation example.

The first Burnished Brass, below, shows a lot more of the wearing effects of a moth's life, certainly compared with the fresher example which follows it, each seen from both sides. I suspect the first is from this year's early generation which flies until August, and the second from the new hatching which starts now and lasts until the end of October, albeit mostly in southern England.

Still on this theme, of contrasting freshness, here are two different Centre-barred Sallows, the left one more worn than its companion. This is not a generational thing, however, as the species only hatches once every year. The left one has just been around a bit more.

I encountered a rather balding Snout the other evening while picking our conservatory grapes to make juice - not wine, sadly. The following day, I inspected the trodden mush on the compost heap and found it being devoured by hornets. They often curl up in the eggboxes at this time of the year, so it was a useful reminder to take care. They look extremely fierce but are actually very mild. But not if you squash one with an unwary finger.

And finally, here is today's today's Light Emerald for you plus a special quiz: can you spot the Green Shield-bug (as opposed to stamp)?