Friday 25 July 2008

Longfield - Moths

Been away for a few days in the Bay Of Biscay performing a marine mammal survey and whilst the sea state wasn't that kind we did manage to see over 40 rorqual blows including 9 positively identified fin whales. Fin whales are the second largest animal on the planet after blue whale and usually the bay holds very good numbers during the summer that you can see from either the P&O ferry from Portsmouth to Bilbao or the Brittany ferry from Plymouth to Santander. Anyway back nearer home, I managed to get the moth trap running last night and a good selection this morning of mostly the smaller micro moth species, so plenty of Latin names to get to grips with!

Mother of pearl 1, riband wave 5, Silver Y 1 (I tend to relate autumn to the emergence of these moths as they are a continental migrant during September and October), Crambus pascuella 2, bright-line brown eye 4, Phlyctaenia coronata 2, least minor 1, common rustic 2, Chrysoteuchia culmella 1, dark arches 2, flame shoulder 1, uncertain 1, rustic 1, least carpet 1, willow beauty 1, heart & dart 1, pale mottled willow 1, common footman 1, large yellow underwing 2.
Flame Shoulder

Phlyctaenia coronata


1 comment:

Cheryl said...

How interesting...what a wonderful life you live....at sea with the whales, great.
Lovely close up of the moths....we have a lot around at the moment which is good....