The Magpie Moth is one of my longest-standing favourites, dating back to early schooldays when they were abundant and a delight to watch (and catch). As a student I became familiar with their role in genetic experiments, an obvious and appealing candidate because of the way that breeding produced all manner of varieties in the magpie, black-and-white patterns.
They are nice and big too, especially compared with the Small Magpie micro-moth which is large for a micro but very small compared to its big brother. Finally, I warmly welcomed this one on its arrival in the trap midweek because they have been only very occasional visitors since I first lit the lamp in Leeds in 2005.
My second moth is another favourite because of its delicate colours and patterning and those jet fighter wings so purposefully held back. This is an Oak Hook-tip which initially was resting on the slightly drizzle-speckled transparent cowl of the trap but then fluttered on to the greenhouse floor.
The Black Arches is a third firm favourite and perhaps the best of the 'dazzle camouflage' moths. How much it would have appealed to Bridget Riley and her Op-Art. Unlike other moths with disorientating patterns, it is usually kind to my iPhone's focussing system which can be thrown into confusion by the more muddled, broken-up shades of, say, a Silver Y like the one which I set up from some bushes during a daytime walk on Thursday.
Prominents of various sorts are coming in reasonable numbers - Swallow, Lesser Swallow, Coxcomb, Pale and, here, a rather small Pebble. My final moth is that lovely, small and dainty moth the Marbled Beauty. A delightful assembly, all round.
No comments:
Post a Comment