4 July 2017 - National Garden Scheme Mothing

Peach Blossom (Thyatira batis)

Friday night was National Garden Scheme open evening - with moth identification by Dr Dave Chesmore. The uncooperative weather was discouraging, but we still had a good number, including children. The turnout for moth species was higher than the session earlier in the month. Everyone seemed very interested in the moths and some were surprised by the different colorations and variations. I would say the most popular moth of the group were the Poplar hawk-moths. Their docile nature allowed for some light handling which the children liked a lot.

We had put out two traps the night before, one in the quarry and one in the top garden, to allow for more moths to be caught. It also allowed for a wider variety of species as the plants close to the traps differ. The method worked as we recorded a total of 51 different moth species. Along with the more common species, we had some scarcer ones as well.

The Peach Blossom (Thyatira batis) was one of the many species caught in the trap. It is unique and its pattern is easily recognizable by the pinkish spots, which look almost like mini peaches, on its wings. I however, think it also resembles a burnt marshmallow. Thyatira is the name of one of the seven churches in the Book of Revelation, and batis refers to the larval foodplant of bramble (Rubus).

Peach Blossom (illustration)

Another moth caught in our trap was the Beautiful Hook-tip (Laspeyria flexula). It is an uncommon moth but it is not new to Shandy Hall. Its shape is striking and sharply defined compared to other species. From the scientific name, Laspeyria refers to a German entomologist, J.H. Laspeyres who died during the discovery and naming of the moth in 1811. The second half of the binomial, flexula, means ‘bent’ and describes the undulate termen, or the wavy triangular shaped wing, of the moth. 

Beautiful Hook-tip (Laspeyria flexula)

The larvae of Laspeyria flexula feed on lichen.

Burnished Brass (Diachrysia chrysitis)

A third moth found in our trap is the Burnished Brass (Diachrysia chrysitis). Like the name implies, the moth’s wings have a similar color to brass and the most beautiful aspect of it is when held at certain angles the scales shine like metal. Its name describes the moth’s glamour perfectly as Diachrysia means ‘interwoven with gold’ and chrysitis means ‘like gold’, pointing to its metallic forewing.

Diachrysia chrysitis is a common moth and its larvae feed on nettle (Urtica dioica).

PS. Watercolour brushes are useful when moths are being persuaded to move from one place to another - this method helped us to show the metallic sheen on the wings. 



Post : Walter Chen [UPenn intern]

21 June 2012 - A Wet Welcome

Green Arches (Anaplectoides prasina)

We welcome another new moth today, putting us at 189 identified species! I almost overlooked it because its shape and patterns seemed familiar. But thanks to Dr. Chesmore, it has been confirmed as the Green Arches (Anaplectoides prasina). Anaplectoides has a complicated meaning that has evolved from the moth’s relation to the Aplectoides, a North American breed. The word plektos (folded) is given because at rest, one wing is slightly folded over the other. Prasina (leek-green) describes the color of its forewings, at least until the sun fades them.

We had some other visitors who’ve been to Shandy Hall before, but are still beautiful and uncommon. Amongst these was the Burnished Brass (Diachrysia chrysitis) which caused quite a stir as I tried to position it for the camera. Its name is remarkably fitting for its appearance: Diachrysia means ‘interwoven with gold’ and chrysitis means ‘like gold’. While this may seem redundant, the name is fitting because its eye-catching metallic wings often warrant a double take.

Burnished Brass (Diachrysia chrysitis)

The Small Magpie (Eurrhypara hortulata) was much more cooperative. It held still with its Dalmatian-spotted wings fanned out, revealing the sunshine yellow details of its body. This summery species was likely attracted to the nettles and apple-trees in our gardens. Accordingly, it gets the name hortulata, meaning garden or orchard. Eurrhypara seems less valid: eu means ‘well’ and rhuparos means ‘greasy’. Feel free to disagree, but the Small Magpie to the left doesn’t look very greasy to me.

Small Magpie (Eurrhypara hortulata)

The Lime Hawk-moth (Mimas tiliae) also graced us with its presence. Although it has been here in the past, I couldn’t help myself from taking its photograph. In fact, the moth itself must know how beautiful it is… you can see how it faces its own reflection in the wall of the trap!

Lime Hawk-moth (Mimas tiliae)

As usual, we had an abundance of Carpets, Ermines, Common Swifts, Beautiful Golden Y's, and a few Heart and Darts. Hopefully the stormy weather breaks tonight so that our streak can continue.

Important! Moth Night 2012 is this weekend. The organizers (Atropos, Butterfly Conservation, and the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology) are asking moth trappers across the nation to report on the contents of their traps for at least one night of this weekend. It will vastly improve their database, which is so useful for all of us moth enthusiasts. More information can be found here.


Post by Helen Levins

11 July 2019 - A Footman Awaits



Common Footman (Eilema lurideola)

'In early use, a runner in attendance upon a rider of rank;... a servant who ran before his master's carriage, called more fully a running footman.'  The Oxford English Dictionary also has 'A man-servant in livery employed chiefly to attend the carriage and wait at table.'

It is the second definition that perhaps gives rise to the common name of this family of moths - enrobed in livery as it might seem to appear.  The way the lead-coloured wings wrap around the abdomen bring to mind the silhouette of a liveried servant.  If disturbed this moth will throw itself hither and thither in short spasms of movement but rarely takes flight.  If undisturbed it can remain in the same position all the day long.

Burnished Brass (Diachrysia chrysitis)



A Burnished Brass is always a welcome sight to the garden.  Photographing it on this colourful egg-box gives it a rather different atmosphere.  This moth has two varieties - one where the burnished pattern is divided clearly (as shown above) and the second where the glinting pattern covers the whole ring.  There is a Slender Burnished Brass as well but this is a rare immigrant.  Feeding on nettles it is useful and helpful addition to the garden.

Parornix species

A long time was spent trying to identify this very small visitor.  The attitude the moth adopts when resting and the white markings on the wings seem so distinctive that it surely should appear in one of the field-guides, or on one of the moth-blogs.  But I couldn't find it.  Charlie Fletcher told me that this family Parornix can only be clearly identified by dissection and then I remembered we had seen this moth before - just here to be exact - when Jane Wu our UPenn intern recorded how hard it was to be certain which family it belonged to.

Beautiful Hook-tip (Laspeyria flexula)

For some reason this moth seems to embody an idea of excellent design.  The sweep of the wings, the placing of the double spots, the earth coloured tinge to the tip of the hook all combine to give the observer a sense of satisfaction.

The Beautiful Hook-tip was one of 23 species that were transported to Carlton Miniott primary school today for years 1 and 2 to have a closer look at moths.  Each species was persuaded into a plastic tube with an identifying tag giving each their name and the children seemed to find the whole experience interesting.  Now, returning to Shandy Hall, it is time to set them all free.

1 October 2020 - Hop dog

Pale Tussock Moth (Calliteara pudibunda) (larva)

Now here is a fistful of spikes.  This brightly coloured caterpillar was found in a cocoon of silken threads inside a rolled bramble (or blackberry) leaf.  Often this tactic leads on to pupation, but in this instance it was just a case of growing out of one skin and needing a newer, larger one.  'Instar' is the word to describe this transition.  The title of the post is the name of the caterpillar in Kent where it used to be found in the hop fields.  

 

Burnished Brass (Diachrysia chrysitis)

A patch of brightness in amongst the browns and duns gathered in the trap.  The Burnished Brass is startling and unmistakable and can be found in two varietes where the one (juncta) is distinguished from the other (aurea) by the broad, central brown marking being either complete or broken into two patches.  The one in the photograph is complete so it is aurea.

 

Red-green Carpet (Chloroclysta siterata)

 The Red-green Carpet (Chloroclysta siterata) rests with the end of its abdomen curled upwards - rather like the Phoenix moth.  The name covers quite a broad range of varieties of colouring but the tail is a good indicator.  When lured by the mercury vapour light it often fails to enter the trap and can be found, like this one, on the outside of the plastic covering.  It flies away quickly if disturbed like most of the carpets moths.

 

Pale Tussock caterpillar unrolled

 

Here is the caterpillar unrolled and resting on the undersided of a blackberry leaf.  The thorns can be seen on the right of the photograph and are very sharp but do not deter the undulating insect larva. The separate segments of the body are like an accordion and the underlying colour, beneath the yellow and white, is one of the deepest blacks I have ever seen.  It will continue to munch until November, grow in size and then overwinter as a pupa.