EVERDON MOTHS (AUG/SEPT 2007)

August and September, 2007

Even with all the wet weather I have managed to get my trap out recently and
even managed to catch a late hawkmoth. The poplar hawkmoth is usually one
of the more common hawkmoths - although it appears that that title has been
taken by the elephant hawkmoth in Everdon. It is most notable because of the
unusual configuration of its wings, with the rear wings protruding in front of the
fore wings.

The herald is so called because it is often one of the first moths to emerge in the
spring, I have also heard it referred to as a herald of autumn - I hope not in this
case! It's Latin name libatrix suggests that the finding of this moth may be cause
for a drink.

The chocolate tip is only really of note because of its name, both the common
name being a favourite with most people and the Latin name clostera pigra,
which refers to the solitary nature of it's lava.

The pebble hook tip is another moth, like the poplar hawk moth, that has
unusual wing shape with the hooks at the tips of the wings.

Having been moth trapping for nearly a year now in Everdon I have noticed
at least one definite trend in the moths caught this year in Everdon - a high
proportion of the moths caught here are feeders on willow trees or related
species which must either be due to the style of farming locally or the style
of gardening.

August has been an interesting month for moths with a bumper bank holiday
weekend.

Diorycitria Sylvestrella was a foreign visitor for the weekend of the grand fete.

It was first discovered in the UK in Dorset in 2001, however records have been
found back to 1999. This moth is generally associated with pine woodland,
making it likely that this moth was just passing through. This moth could well
be a new record for Northamptonshire.

The frosted orange is another moth that is found abroad although there is a
UK population too. It is generally found associated with thistle, burdock and
foxgloves.

The blood vein is another moth found across Europe, however it is more
notable for its beauty rather than its habits.

The green carpet is a small moth that seems to be bucking the trend of declining
moth populations. It has become far easier to identify this, and other, green
moths in recent years because, traditionally, the identification of the moth is made
against a dead 'voucher' specimen which is usually brown because the green
pigment fades very rapidly, but with the acceptance of photography green moths
in field guides are now green!

 

 

 

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