Moths from the Lot: part I

Just back from a fortnight at Las Descargues in the Lot region of SW France, two words sum it up - mothing paradise.

Amassed over 300 species from two MV traps, one actinic on the balcony and daytime searches including miners, larvae etc.

Impossible to pick a highlight, but first moth really set the tone, Spotted Sulphur:



Others included...











Many more to follow

Dave

Another vestigial winged wonder

Reared this female Vapourer from a caterpillar found a couple of weeks ago. I never cease to be fascinated by the evolutionary story behind this adaptation...








Dave

On the scent

With the lovely weather decided to give the Clearwing pheromone lures ago in the garden yesterday.







Was rewarded almost instantly with four Orange-tailed Clearwings to the VES lure.  Have placed it again today and there has been a maximum of eight individuals at any one time.

Very pleased with this addition to the garden list.

Dave

Four Footmen and more

Another great night at the garden trap on 23rd July; a few left to confirm but currently 386 moths of 78 species.  Crambids and Footmen posting the big numbers and four species of the latter group:

Rosy Footman


Scarce Footman


Dingy Footman


Common Footman


A few more images from recent nights:

Yellow-tail


Brown-tail


Dusky Sallow


There were two very obvious highlights but need to wait for it to cool down before I can get any images so they will have to wait to a subsequent post...

Dave

On the crest of a Wave(d)

Very pleased to find this beautiful moth clinging to the inside of the trap last week: Waved Black.

Given the colouration I almost missed it against the black of the Robinson but pleased I didn't as this is another new one for the garden, representing species number 665, wonder what species will be lumbered with the number of the beast...

Dave

Look at the palps on that!

Had a short walk in Covert Wood on Sunday morning with the dog and net.

Lots of Crambids about and loads of leafmines to be found too.

The highlight was another new species for me in the shape of the 'fuzzy faced' Gelechid, Sophronia semicostella.



The following were new for the year in the garden over the weekend:

Large Twin-spot Carpet



Pyrausta despicata


Dave

One of 'The Big Five'

A slight improvement again in the garden trap last night with over 50 species that included a handful of new for years.

The highlight was the striking Leopard Moth:



New for year supporting cast included:

Oak Nycteoline


Small Rivulet


Scarce Footman


Blastobasis adustella