Toadflax Brocade larvae 16 July 2013

Some of the 15 Toadflax Brocade Calophasia lunula larvae in the garden currently. Significant variation in size and one plant has the majority of the caterpillars


pete holt
cb1 3st

Toadflax Brocade larva

Toadflax Brocade Calophasia lunula larva and exuvia 4.ix.12

pete holt
CB1 3ST
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38

Cambridge, 16 May

Toadflax Brocade Calophasia lunula to light, probably the first record of an adult moth for vc29. The moth refused to pose for photos on Purple Toadflax, where we found the larvae last year, hence this record shot only.

pete
CB1 3ST
40W actinic
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38

Cambridge, 8 September

Two larva found by my daughter, Anna (aged 4 years & 4 months), in our garden this morning. She also picked out the image in the book to identify it. Toadflax Brocade Calophasia lunula; one on Purple Toadflax seedhead, the other on a crab apple which the toadflax was growing into. First record for vc29 of this species, which is expanding its range away from the south coast. Mike Weedon recorded an adult to light in Peterborough, a first for Cambs but vc31 for recording purposes, on 15 August this year. Both larva pupated within 48h. A third larva found a few days later: it emerged from the ground beneath Purple Toadflax after watering. This larva passed to John Dawson. Hopefully at least one will yield an adult moth early next summer.

pete
CB1 3ST
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38