Friday 29 August 2008

Longfield - Moths

An interesting night in the moth trap but probably not if you are a moth. On opening up the trap this morning there must have been around 1000 small brown beetles in amongst all the egg boxes. Not sure what species they are but as I started to empty the trap they started to fly off and disperse. A good catch of moths as well both in and around the trap. White point 4, angle shades 2m brimstone 1, small emerald 1, rustic 2, mouse 3, large yellow underwing 10, lesser broad-bordered yellow underwing 3, lesser yellow underwing 2, square spot rustic 2, old lady 2, pale mottled willow 2, setaceaous hebrew character 1, thistle ermine 1, swallow prominent 1, the snout 1, cabbage moth 1, vines rustic 1 and tawny barred angle 1.

Thistle Ermine, a member of the Pyralid family and micro group of moths.

A couple of the many small beetles that had been attracted to the light trap overnight.


Weevils look amazing and very alien, this little chap was on the rim of the trap.

Another non moth caught in the trap overnight was this lovely wasp of the Ichneumon family


You have to look all around the trap to try and find those creatures that have been attracted but never quite made it by going inside. This morning I found two moths in my pond both of which I fished out and i'm happy to say are alive and well and the most beautiful moth of the night the swallow prominent was lurking in the shadows amongst the ivy behind my trap and almost got missed, clever thing. Very pleased with the 4 white points, hopefully this means that migration is well underway not only for moths but also for birds.

5 comments:

Mike said...

More fine macro shots John, nice one.

Cheryl said...

I love the photographs John.....I love to see a variety of insects....I am no expert, thats for sure, but I love to see the things you trap each night.....so interesting....

Love the fact you fished the moths from the pond....I am always taking little creatures out of ours.....

Warren Baker said...

nice post John,
I wish I had the patience to get to grips with moths.

Greenie said...

John , Great close ups as usual . Narrowing down the Ichneumon , I put forward Netelia testacea .

Steve said...

That weavil is excellent John. What macro lens are you using? Canon 100mm?