1 October 2013 - Moth as Muse

Frosted Orange (Gortyna flavago)

Ferdinand Ochsenheimer refined the Linnaen system of classification  and gave the Frosted Orange its Latin name Gortyna flavago.  There seems to be no reason why the Cretan town of Gortyn should be selected until we learn that Ochsenheimer was an actor and playwright who used to spend his days collecting and identifying moths and butterflies.  His evenings were spent performing.  If he had had a good day in the fields his performance would sparkle. However a day devoid of lepidopteral interest would result in a reluctant and lacklustre evening at the theatre.  Gortyn was the site of a 2nd century AD Roman theatre, still visible today, so perhaps that is why Ferdinand chose it to identify this moth.  

Frosted Orange (illustration #16)

In the image above the Frosted Orange is airborne alongside a Rosy Rustic (Hydraceia micacea).  Beneath the adult moths, larvae can be seen feeding on dock or nettle - in the case of the Frosted Orange caterpillar (#17) by boring into the stem and pupating within.  A useful and beautiful moth takes the total to 318 species.

16 September 2020 - Frosted Orange

Frosted Orange (Gortyna flavago)

Not a frequent visitor to the gardens but welcome when it does put in an appearance.  The first Frosted Orange was recorded on 1 October 2013 and a description of its habitat and why it carries the name of Gortyna flavago can be seen through this link 

Beaded Chestnut (Agrochola lychnidis)

That characteristic common to many moths, the kidney mark, seems to be the main identification guide to distinguish the Brown-spot Pinion (Agrochola\litura), from the Beaded Chestnut. The moth in the photograph has a narrow kidney mark which, hopefully, points us in the right direction. An extremely active moth, it rushes in short bursts with its antennae waving vigorously.

Described by Michael Denis (1729 - 1800, catholic priest, poet and lepidopterist) and Ignaz Schiffermuller (1727 - 1806, fellow Austrian and naturalist) the Beaded Chestnut is reasonably secure in North Yorkshire and occurs mainly in the south.  It flies in September and October.

(Acleris variegana)

Scroll back to the 1 September and you will see another example of this moth, one that created some confusion owing to the colours of its wings.  That earlier Garden Rose Tortrix was nearly completely white whereas this one is tawny and rusty and carries a sort of black hole as its emblem.  Easy to photograph as it stays in one spot.  

28 September 2017 - Stone Pinion

Blair's Shoulder-knot (Lithophane leautieri)

Last night was quite active in the moth world. The temperature was relatively mild and the cloud-cover was quite thick and this stimulated activity.  The species identified this morning were : Angle Shades, Green Carpet, Red-green Carpet, Red-line Quaker, Lunar Underwing, Dark Sword-grass, Common Wainscot, Snout, Silver Y, Setaceous Hebrew Character, Merveille du Jour, Flame Shoulder, Beaded Chestnut, Rosy Rustic and the two shown above and below - Blair's Shoulder Knot and Frosted Orange.   

Frosted Orange (Gortyna flavago)

Blair's Shoulder Knot has firmly established itself in this country after appearing on the Isle of Wight in 1951.  With the planting of Cypress trees in the 60's and 70's the moth spread north and is now one of the commonest moths to be seen in Autumn.  It has another identity as Stone Pinion - so the photograph is in keeping.

The Frosted Orange (Gortyna flavago) is included purely because it is very pretty.
Click the link and it will take you to a full description from 13 October 2013 - the last time I saw this species. 

19 September 2019 - Some of the Usual Suspects

(Agonopterix arenella)

Agonopterix arenella is not an easy moth to see as it is quite small.  It is also not straightforward to identify as it is similar to Agonopterix alstromeriana (uncommon)  and Agonopterix yeatiana (very scarce). Agonopterix assimilella is another from the same family which is also uncommon.  Agonopterix arenella has been identified once before in the gardens - and in the same month of September - so I can confidently record that this is its second appearance and the other possibilities are all sufficiently different and can be discounted.

The Flame (Axylia putris)

The Flame (Axylia putris) or more simply 'Flame' is a straightforward identification.  The September version is smaller than its other appearance in June and July but otherwise its straw colour, with a dark kidney mark with its likeness to a dry stem are all consistent.  The scientific name refers to the moth's appearance being similar to decayed wood (putris).  It is a common moth and one that can be expected to turn up in the moth trap during the early Autumn.

Green Carpet (Colostygia pectinataria)

Resident. Common. Well distributed throughout England, Wales, Isle of Man, Ireland and Scotland (Field Guide to the Moths of GB and Ireland by Waring and Townsend).  This pretty little green moth loses its colouring quite quickly but the markings on the wings are distinctive.  It feeds on Bedstraw and also Goose-grass.

Canary-shouldered Thorn (Ennomos alniaria)

The Canary-shouldered Thorn (Ennomos alniaria) is unmistakeable - however the scientific name is difficult to pin down.  Ennomos means 'legal' and alnus means 'relating to the alder family' upon which the larva feeds - according to Linnaeus and we don't argue with him. The moth is a startling yellow colour and comes to light quite regularly at this time of year. If not seen in the moth trap it is difficult to spot in the wild as it blends into the background like an early autumnal leaf.

Frosted Orange (Gortyna flavago)

Thistle, foxglove, ragwort and mullein (all of which can be found in the garden at Shandy Hall - or just over the drystone wall) are food for the larvae of the Frosted Orange moth.  The adult flies until late October. The patterns on the wings are consistent and once seen it is easy to identify. Gortyna is the name given to a town in Crete but the reason for this is not apparent.