The year's first hawk moth is always a significant arrival in my calendar and this year the coolish weather has delayed its debut. As usual, it was a Poplar Hawk which was perched on an eggbox when I inspected the trap last Saturday, 9th May. Last year's first came on 2nd May and 2024's on April 25th. The sunny Pandemic Spring of 2020 holds the earliest record os 19th April. In each case, the Poplar was the first to arrive of my eight regular hawk moth callers.
I have posted many pictures of Poplar Hawks over the years, attracted by their somewhat sinister appearance and very unusual habit of holding their hindwings forward of the forewings when at rest. This appears to be largely to cover the hidden orangey-red blotches on the hindwings which they flash when disturbed to scare off predators.
The year's first White Ermine has called too, an exceptionally pretty moth whose company I have kept since I was aged seven. And that's a long time! More regulars below are two differently-coloured Treble Lines, a Common Swift, a Turnip Moth (sadly a loser in both the name and colour/pattern stakes), a Rustic Shoulder-knot and an Oak Tree Pug (I think; I am useless on pug ID). Then we have a micro Bee Moth spotted indoors by Penny, who excels in finding moths in the house) and a Bright-line Brown-eye. The Bee moth has an interesting 'cuckoo' relationship with beehives which seems to suit both guest and host.
The Pale Tussock calls regularly at the moment, as mentioned in my last post, and I cannot resist taking photos of its ample, furry and characterful shape. Then below is a range of Shuttle-shape Darts, a smaller and very neatly-coloured regular, currently visiting in large numbers.
Finally, yet another debut, a Maybug or Cockchafer, along with a second Common Swift, an Iron Prominent which has lovely rusty toned to its colouring and a micro whose ID I have yet to establish. Help welcome!
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