Day Searching...

Well, not much searching, just standing drinking tea and having a scone after doing a WeBs suvey at Branton Gravel Pits, near Powburn with John Rutter this morning. We found these near the car ...

Taxa
1011 Pseudargyrotoza conwagana 1 adult on Alder. Another county earliest by a full two weeks.
1631 December Moth (Poecilocampa populi) 1 Final Instar Caterpillar of the pale grey form (Ref UK Leps Leverton)
1799 Winter Moth (Operophtera brumata) 1 Caterpillar.

Pseudargyrotoza conwagana

December Moth Caterpillar

Winter Moth Caterpillar

Another new species....

Trap on last night from 5.30pm - 11.30pm. Calm overcast down to 5 degrees.

Taxa
0688 Agonopterix heracliana 2 NFY
1055 Acleris hyemana 1 NEW
1799 Winter Moth (Operophtera brumata) 1
1926 Pale Brindled Beauty (Phigalia pilosaria) 5
1932 Spring Usher (Agriopis leucophaearia) 1 my second this year.
1960 Early Moth (Theria primaria) 2
2258 Chestnut (Conistra vaccinii) 4

Total 16 moths of 7 species.

A great catch for Feb here. Last year I only caught one moth all month!

A.hyemana feeds on heather and bilberry so what it is doing in Howick is beyond me. A new species for the garden.

Acleris hyemana

Agonopterix heracliana

Chestnut

Pale brindled Beauty. 2 light, 1 darker.

Winter Moth

Early Moth

Spring Usher

Lets start 2011...

Last night the first moth of the year to grace my garden was on on the back door. A Winter Moth.

Although common around here this is only the second to be found settled in the garden. I was hoping to get done with the 'Faves' posts before the mothing started but theres no accounting for these anti-freeze fuelled devils. This one is a male, females are flightless. Their caterpillars account for a large percentage of the food for young Blue Tits etc in spring. Handy little things those Winter Moths...

 1799 Winter Moth (Operophtera brumata)

Garden Moth List 2011 -  1.

A moth!

On my way home from work at 6.15pm tonight, the thermometer read zero degrees and snow was falling quite steadily. Under the trees near home a single Winter Moth fluttered and dodged between the flakes.

My only insect for a few weeks and I bet its a while before I see another. Unless the predicted mild spell on Friday tempts the Robinson back out...