My heart sinks a little bit at the prospect. There are basically Moths Everywhere :o)
I recorded 58 different species and 314 individuals from last night, but the real number is much higher because some escaped and there were an awful lot of micros that I didn't record. Also (gasp) Poppy ate TWO! (and then escaped to see the workmen next door, who kindly returned her and helped me look for the escape hole, which we couldn't find. Naughtiness Abounds at the moment, apparently).
It shows that the garden and surrounding area is healthy - moths are indicator species for climate change and the health of the environment - so that's Good To Know. There were a few of my all-time favourites in the box (Rosy Footman, a Garden Tiger), as well as 37 Buff Arches and 53 Uncertains (the largest single species groups). And there was what I think is a twin-spot carpet, a rare moth for round here, so we'll start off with him...
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| Twin-spot carpet (Mesotype didymata) |
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| Blood vein |
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| Broad-bordered yellow underwing |
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| Buff Arches |
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| Coronet |
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| Elephant Hawk |
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| Garden Tiger |
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| Garden Tiger |
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| Garden Tiger |
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| Garden Tiger |
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| Garden Tiger |
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| Lobster Moth |
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| Maiden's Blush (wins the prize for the best Moth Name) |
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| Miller |
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| Peppered |
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| Rosy Footman (love 'em) |
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| Ruby Tiger |
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| Sallow Kitten |
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| Scalloped Hook-tip |
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| Small fan-footed wave |
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| Yellow Tail |
Off Dormouse surveying again tomorrow. I'll take the camera, just in case....
Hope all are well. Wishing you all a lovely weekend,
CT :o)
Well that is a lot of Moths esoecially round your home. Could you not take a night or 2 off from putting the moth trap out to give yourself and your family a break? The photographs are all lovely, Have a lovely weekend and hope yu see a Dormouse.(on camera!)
ReplyDeleteThis is the first time the box has been out since June Margaret :o)
DeleteWhat a beautiful selection of moths, I do like the Blood Vein moth. Don't think I could cope with that many it would take me all day to sort through them..
ReplyDeleteHope you find a Dormouse I'm of to do a butterfly count at the park..
Amanda xx
It used to take me hours, but it's surprising how quickly you learn the IDs. That's why the Skinner is a perfect option when you're starting out- you shouldn't get so many of a morning, but enough to start learning. Good luck with the flutter count xx
DeleteA myriad of moths congregate on our kitchen window each night. I haven't a clue what they are but some of them are incredibly beautiful.
ReplyDeleteJane x
Ah ha! You are a Moth Magnet! x
DeleteAs I am sure you know by now, I have a moth-phobia. How anyone is brave enough to have one perch on a finger I don't know! But I have to admit your photographs are beautiful and I have already pointed another moth fanatic in your direction!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info.
I'm the same with spiders so I completely understand!
DeleteWonderful, wonderful. I love the elephant hawk moth and the tigers, they're fantastic. I have a whole new appreciation of moths, so thank you. And the names of the last two you mention, enchanting. Poppy sounds as though she is Testing The Boundaries at the moment. There's a bit of that going on here as well, although with less moth eating. Wishing you a lovely weekend. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteHas your ellie hawk pupa emerged yet, CJ? Have been wondering about it. And as for Pop, possibly a result of a lack of a walk that morning, but more probably just naughtiness, plain and simple :o) x
DeleteLime Hawk moth feding on my pot of lilies. Another first moth sighting for me. I am noticing lots outside the windows when I draw the curtains in the evening. Have a great day dormouse surveying tomorrow. We're going to a concert at Leith Hill House tomorrow evening so I'm looking forward to a walk on the hill in the gloaming accompanied by my best-beloved before heading to the pub for suppper.
ReplyDeleteWell now I am EXTREMELY jealous! That is high on my list of wishes to see here :o) And your evening sounds lovely x
DeleteStunning - I'm almost getting to like moths. I'm just a bit scared of them! x
ReplyDeleteYou are not alone Sara... x
Deletei'm afraid the rosy footman gets my vote for best name...;)
ReplyDeletei do hope you see a dormouse tomorrow....and that you take a photo so we can all collapse and swoon from the adorableness of it all!!
xo
Rosy Footmen are one of my most favourite of moths :o) And as for the Dormouse....check out my next post.... :o) xx
DeleteMoths are really beautiful. I saw a large white moth on the goat barn one day this week but didn't have my camera with me. I do like that Rosy Footman. I've never seen one.
ReplyDeleteThey are much prettier than most people expect them to be. I bet you get some beauties.
DeleteSuch a shame about Poppy's munching tendencies! I hope that the dormouse spotting has gone well! xx
ReplyDeleteShe is a munchkin! Yup, super morning out in the woods- pics are on the next post. Hope all's well with you xxx
DeleteA great selection of moths - many of those I have never trapped here. I really love the Blood Vein and the Garden Tigers. Saw one of the latter, sadly dead on the pavement, last year in Dorset.
ReplyDeleteThe Tigers are some of my favourites- so striking :o)
DeleteHey CT,
ReplyDeleteWonderful. I have seen a few Garden Tigers in the garden. I think the Blood Vein is my favourite though.
Leanne xx
That's good to hear about your Tigers, there is some suggestion that their number's aren't doing so well xx
DeleteA lovely selection but I'm interested to know how you catch them to put them outside in the evening. Do you do it before you put any lights on inside? Because I have experience of moths coming in through open windows in the evening and then going quite loopy buzzing around incessantly and being practically impossible to catch to put outside, and that's usually just one moth!
ReplyDeleteThis time round we just shut the door to the rest of the house and opened all the windows and the garden door- pretty much all of them took themselves out as it got dark. Otherwise, I've got pooter pots we gently scoop them up in and release them that way xx
Delete