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| The Rivulet (Perizoma affinitata) |
If
yesterday morning’s trap wasn’t such a success, I might have been jealous of
Patrick for catching an Elephant Hawk-moth in my absence this weekend. But we
woke up to a beautiful sunny morning and what may be three new species to Shandy Hall. We still await confirmation, but this may be the first time I've contributed to lengthening Shandy Hall's species list.
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| Elegant and awaiting identification* |
The first was the Rivulet (Perizoma affinitata) which looked lovely in its uniform ashy black color with a band of white trim
across its forewings. This detail earned it its Latin name: perizoma, meaning girdle, described the
crossband. Affinitata simply means
related, as the Rivulet appears almost identical to the Small Rivulet species.
The Rivulet was a bit flighty, but after pursuing it through the lawn I was
able to keep it on my hand long enough to snap a photograph.
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| A micro moth, possibly a new species for us.* |
The other two have proved more challenging to identify. One was the sandy colored moth (above) with its wings set on a drastically acute angle. The other was the micro moth (to the left) that looks quite similiar to the Notocella cynosblatella, except lacking the orange colored 'nose'.
Along with these, came the usual Beautiful Golden Y, Silver Y, an impressive group of three Poplar Hawk-moths, another Notocella cynosblatella, and a just few White Ermines. I have to admit that I’m going to miss the White Ermines as the summer progresses, they’ll always be my favorite moth.
*Identified as the Garden Pebble (Evergestis forficalis)
-Post by Helen Levins
*Plum Tortrix (Hedya pruniana) - Jane Wu
