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Moths seen in the garden to date A-C, D-F, G-M, N-Si, Sh-the end
September 2005
Well this month has begun very well with the first poplar hawkmoth this year, as I noted at the end of last month I wondered if I was going to see one at all. But not only that there was an abundance of moths generally in the trap this morning and a new species to be identified. This was the beautiful china-mark, Nymphula stagnata, this species along with the other china-marks are unusual in that their larvae are entirely aquatic, feeding on water plants.
beautiful china-mark, nymphula stagnata
The 6th September and the summer break from a number of activities is over, life will begin to return to normal, whatever normal is. The weather remains warm although yesterday was sultry following storms the night before. The moth trap didn't go out last night as the egg cartons which I put inside for the moths to roost in were still very wet as a result of the previous storms.
I managed this morning to identify a new moth to our garden which appeared on 4th September. This is a Knot Grass, Acronicta rumicis, and it brings the total species seen this month to 40 which is 3 in excess of last year's September total.
September 8th and obviously I am getting a reputation locally for being interested in moths. Regularly now I have people in the village and sometimes even friends from further afield contacting me and enquiring about some specimen that they have discovered. Today it was the turn of one of my neighbours who had discovered what they correctly believed to be the caterpillar of a moth. I was fortunate in this instance as it was in fact the caterpillar of the elephant hawkmoth, deilephila elpenor, quite an ugly beast compared to its parent, and one which I have come across previously.
the caterpillar of the elephant
hawkmoth
adult elephant hawkmoth
The mornings are definitely beginning to feel autumnal although it remains warm and sunny throughout the day. Also the nights are drawing in very fast now so it is now 9pm when I first look at the trap in the evening for any that don't choose to go inside. There were none last night on note but this morning there was a new moth, the wax moth, Galleria mellonella, this with a second generation burnished brass brought the total of species up to 47 seen this September, 10 more than the whole of September last year.
wax
moth,
burnished brass f.juncta
It is now 23rd September and whilst the weather has remained good on the whole there is a definitely Autumnal feel with heavy mists first thing in the morning, a real 'season of mists and mellow fruitfulness'. The moth species seen in this month has continued to increase and the total is now 60 with a new species this morning.
the black rustic, aporophyla nigra
Also of note and appropriate for the season has been the appearance of a colourful fungi in the front garden. I will endeavour to find out what it is and update the site when I have. For now here is the picture and if anyone can help with identification I would be grateful, please email me jollgreen@tiscali.co.uk.
of particular note are the large
gills on the under surface of this fungus.
It must have been my day for moths today as I saw one when at a friends. It is one of the larger moths but one which only reveals its true splendour when it moves which it fortunately did. It is a red underwing, one that I have not seen in this part of the world before although it is quite common.
The other moth of note today was a new species for me and it is the dark-brown dart, Aporophyla lutulenta, note the heavily feathered antennae
click on any photo to enlarge.
Art
Gallery project
We are currently raising funds for the 'Fix the Floor Appeal' in our church of St Mary the Virgin, Little Hallingbury. Recently I have been playing with various programmes and photographs that I have taken and tried to make some art photos. These I am prepared to sell on CD for a small sum in aid of the above appeal. Please visit my Art Photo gallery and see if you can help.
August / October / Home/ The garden / email
Moths seen in the garden to date A-C, D-F, G-M, N-Si, Sh-the end