Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Schoenobius gigantella Cambridge

Schoenobius gigantella 28.vii.08


Schoenobius gigantella 25.vii.08

pete
22W actinic
Canon400D + 50mm/f2.5 macro

Friday, July 25, 2008

The Magpie, Elton 22 Jul 2008

The Magpie Abraxas grossulariata

Six-spot Burnet, Maxey GP 24 Jul 2008

Six-spot Burnet Zygaena filipendulae

Yellow-barred Brindle, Cambridge, 25 July 2008


Yellow-barred Brindle Acasis viretata found resting on the shed wall this morning, first for the year.

pete
22W actinic
Canon400D + 50mm/f2.5 macro

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Hawkmoths Cambridge 15 July 2008


The first time that more than one hawkmoth species has turned up in the trap. Brilliant to see.

pete
22W actinic
Fuji Finepix A800

Nut-tree Tussock Cambridge 23 July 2008


Nut-tree Tussock Colocasia coryli first record for the garden, sitting on a wall next to the trap this morning.
Waring and Lewington have this form as medionigra.

pete
22W actinic
Canon400D + 50mm/f2.5 macro

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Dark Spectacle, Earith 14th July 2008

Lilac Beauty, Farcet Fen, 14 July 08

Male. A new species for me and my square. Caught at light (160w MVB).

© Steve Dudley

Monday, July 14, 2008

Farcet Fen moths

I've said before, one of the great things about moth trapping is not just the hoped-for migrants and wanderers, but catching those commoner species which are either simply stunning or that I don't trap too often.

Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, Farcet Fen 13 July 08 One of my favourite species, and the first for 2008. Caught at light (15w actinic).

Elephant Hawkmoth, Farcet Fen, 12 July 08I never tire of catching elephants - big or small. I catch Elephant annually but have to date only caught a single Small Elephant. Caught at light (160 MVB).

Poplar Hawkmoth, Farcet Fen, 12 July 08 The commonest Hawkmoth here, but still stunning. Caught at light (160 MVB).

Brown-line Bright-eye, Farcet Fen, 13 July 08
I can catch upwards of 20 Bright-line Brown-eyes a night, but this is only my fourth Brown-line Bright-eye. Caught at light (15w actinic).

© Steve Dudley

Mullein Wave (Scopula marginepunctata), 13 July 2008

An unexpected catch but not new for the garden. The first two recorded on 12 Aug 2004 and singles in Aug & Sep 2005 . Hasty record shot of the moth still in the pot; it didn't oblige for a proper photo.

pete
22W actinic
Fuji Finepix A800

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Round-winged Muslin, Farcet Fen, 6 July 08

A new species for me and my square. Caught at light (160w MVB).

© Steve Dudley

Saturday, July 05, 2008

Buff-tip and Green Pug, Farcet Fen

Buff-tip, Farcet Fen, 4 July 08 Not suprisingly, for a relatively open arable fen, this is only the fifth record here, with all the others caught in June-July 06. Certainly one of my favourite species and highlights the joys of moth trapping when you open the lid and among all those regulars is something as stunning as this, albeit a relatively common species. Caught at light (160w MVB).

Green Pug, Farcet Fen, 4 July 08

Another scarcity for me, this is only my fourth record, all the others caught in June-July 05. I love the way some moths melt into backgrounds such as this. Caught at light (160w MVB).

© Steve Dudley

Friday, July 04, 2008

Scalloped Oak (Crocallis elinguaria) 3 July 2008



An attracive species which is regular here, but the pale 'mini-me' right next to this morning's strongly marked individual was a first!

pete
22W actinic
Fuji Finepix A800