1 August 2013 - 'Bob Shandy', the Poplar Hawk-moth.

We were visited yesterday afternoon by Dr. Chesmore. Unfortunately, due to the wet and windy weather, we were unable to attract any Clearwing moths. Dr. Chesmore did, however, manage to collect some sawfly larvae, inspect our moth lithograph books, and help to identify and confirm plenty more species - all just in time before I leave!

Argyresthia albistria

The Argyresthia albistria is a perky little micro-moth that had some great fun wiggling its little antennae around. We have had at least three of these so far. The one photographed above was by far the most pleasant-natured one - it was the only one that didn't zip off to who-knows-where. While this micro-moth doesn't have it, most members of its genus have a metallic sheen on their forewings, from arguros 'silver' and esthes 'dress.' I think the fiery red coat makes up for it though. The color suits the Argyresthia albistria's personality more. Albus 'white' and stria 'a streak' put a name to its little white 'hat' and 'trimmings.'

Eudonia pallida

The Eudonia pallida is much more solemn looking micro-moth than the Argyresthia albistra. It belongs to the group of grey triangle-shaped micro-moths that are difficult to tell apart. Other members of the genus include E. mercurella and E. truncicolella, both of which I've seen this summer as well. Eudonia pallida is the palest of the bunch, pallidus appropriately meaning 'pale.'

I don't wish to try your patience and bombard you with grey triangle-shaped micro-moths, but the one  below did land in a beautiful multi-colored spot on the brick on the back of the house. This micro-moth is the Scoparia subfusca and is the largest of the grey triangle-shaped micro-moths. It was positioned on the ground ready to be photographed, but I think it felt as if it needed somewhere more glamorous to rest. It ended up high on the brick wall. I had to stand on a very wobbly stool to get close enough for this shot. It turned out really nicely so it was well worth it. Scopae 'twigs' or 'a besom,' which is a type of broom made of twigs, describes the shape of the genus' facial palps. I've never thought of them like that but I suppose they do look rather bushy and broom-like. Subfuscus 'brownish' merely describes the ground color of the wings.

Scoparia subfusca

The Engrailed (Ectropis bistortata)

The Engrailed (Ectropis bistortata) is a moth that I have most likely mistaken at some point to be either a Mottled Beauty or Mullein Wave. The markings are quite similar, and the Engrailed moths in pictures are often better marked than the ones we've had. Dr. Chesmore confirms this to be an Engrailed however. Its scientific name is a description of its wings markings - ektropos for how they wriggle, and bis- 'twice' and tortus 'twisted' for the two rows of these wriggling lines.

Lobesia abscisana

Lobesia abscisana is our last micro-moth of the day. It's staring curiously at the camera from the side. The reasons for its name are not entirely descriptive of the moth. Lobesis means 'maltreatment' or 'ruin.' This is actually a reference to a related moth L. botrana, which is a pest of grape vineyards, of which L. abscisana does not take part. Abscisus 'cut off, steep, abrupt' may be a description of the cut-offs between the bands on the micro-moth's forewing.

Bob Shandy, the Poplar Hawk-moth

Poplar Hawk-moth (Laothoe populi)

Since it's my second-to-last-day, my co-workers Kate and Elinor surprised me with going-away gifts, one of which included a hand-knitted Poplar Hawk-moth! I figured that since this is a moth blog, it would be fun to show it, paired with a lithograph from the moth book that Dr. Chesmore admired. I think Kate did an excellent job with it! It even has fuzzy little antennae! We've decided to name it Bob Shandy, after Shandy Hall and the first name I could come up with, which was Bob.

The Shandy Hall moth count is now at 310!

- Post by Jane Wu

2 August 2013 - Off to See the World.

It's my last day! But I still have one more blog post yet to complete. I've had an absolutely wonderful time here at Shandy Hall these past two months, and I've met many amazingly nice people whom I hope to keep in contact with in the future. I'm sure the moths will miss me, and I will miss the moths. I'm also sure I'll be seeing more of them around wherever I go. I just won't have an identification book with me to figure out what all of them are. Dr. Chesmore says that many moth species can be found in various places all around the world - he once found a Large Twin-spot Carpet in Japan! Maybe I'll find some familiar creatures back at UPenn.

Swammerdamia caesiella

This new micro-moth is one that we've have quite a few of, but only recently identified - Swammerdamia caesiella. There are a number of micro-moths that look extremely similar to this one so care must be taken. The genus is named after Dutch biologist Jan Swammerdam. His research on insects showed that an insect can go through different phases in its lifetime (egg, larva, pupa, and adult) and that these phases are one and the same creature. Caesius 'bluish grey' is the supposed color of the Swammerdami caesiella's forewing. I've never really noticed the blue in it before now, but I suppose there is a tinge of it in the grey.

Zelleria hepariella

Zelleria hepariella is another micro-moth that can trace its name to an important scientist. Philipp Christoph Zeller was a distinguished German micro-lepidopterist. He lead a systematic approach to studying micro-moths and became one of the greatest (if not the greatest) lepidopterist of his century. His collection is now owned by the National History Museum in London. Zelleria hepariella is the only micro-moth in this genus. Its species name sounds a little unflattering to me - hepar 'the liver' for the color of the micro-moth's wings. I would have perhaps chosen something more grandiose to couple with one of the greatest micro-lepidopterists ever.

Cydia fagiglandana

Perhaps Zeller needs to be paired something like the genus name of the Cydia fagiglandana. Cydia comes from kudos 'glory, reknown.' An artist figuring the moths gave the name as a tribute to their beauty. The larvae of the Cydia fagiglandana feed on the insides of glans 'a beech-nut' from the beech tree (Fagus sylvatica). I hope they don't feed on too many on them - the beech tree is one of my favorites.

Cherry Fruit Moth (Argyresthia pruniella)

The next micro-moth is what we believe to be a Cherry Fruit Moth (Argyresthia pruniella). It was found some time ago, but like the Swammerdamia caesiella, it tends to have many look-a-likes. It is in the same genus as our red friend from yesterday, the ever-perky Argyresthia albistria. Cherry Fruit Moth larvae feed on the insides of cherries, which means people with cherry trees won't like them very much. Its name comes from one of its foodplants, the cherry-plum (Prunus cerasus).

Dark Brocade (Blepharita adusta)

My last moth, the Dark Brocade (Blepharita adusta)! What a sinister name. It was found even earlier than the Cherry Fruit Moth, but on a day filled with Dusky Brocades. Dr. Chesmore pointed it out as a Dark Brocade. If you compare the two moths you'll see how easily the mistake can be made. They are both dark with similar colors and patterning. Blepharitis 'of the eyelids' may make reference to some marking on the wings, but I am unsure. Adustus 'sunburnt, swarthy' describes the dark color of the Dark Brocade. It looks more like it's been roasted than simply sunburnt.

And with that, Shandy Hall is at a whopping 315 species! That's 58 new species since I've been here, and a few more that Dr. Chesmore is still helping us identify. That's great! Hopefully next year there will be another intern here to identify another several dozen moths for Shandy Hall! And here's a picture of me setting up the moth trap in the garden.

- Post by Jane Wu