24 July 2012 - The Leopard of North Yorkshire

Leopard Moth (Zeuzera pyrina)

After clearing out all the Caddis flies and midges, we made some great discoveries: five new species! Current Count: 218.

The Leopard Moth (Zeuzera pyrina) was resting on the sheet nearby the trap. This is typical of its behavior as it’s a nocturnal moth but can often be found out in the open during the daytime. It doesn’t seem very safe for such a conspicuously colored moth. Zuezera is a misspelling for ‘zanzara’ (Italian for gnat) in respect of its larva’s bite. The larvae mine into the wood of living trees, an impressive feat for such small mouths. Pyrina (pear) is one of the types of trees that the larvae eat.

White Satin Moth (Leucoma salicis)

The White Satin Moth (Leucoma salicis) was strikingly white and had a furry head. With its clean and soft appearance, it could be the poster child for luxurious living… if only such establishments were more welcoming of insects. Leucoma means ‘white hair’ and salicis comes from Salix, the larvae’s foodplant.

Agapeta zoegana

We were thankful to find the Agapeta zoegana because we prematurely released one earlier in the week, thinking it was just the Agapeta hamana with a more saturated yellow coloring. Agapeta (beloved or desirable) comes from its attractive appearance. Zoegana is derived from J. Zoega, a Swiss entomologist who trapped the moth while he was staying at Carl Linnaeus’ residence. Linnaeus, as you may know, was an eighteenth century scientist responsible for the binomial nomenclature system. Some people have all the connections!

Aspilapteryx tringipennella*

Next we found the Aspilapteryx tringipennella. Patrick pointed this micro-moth out to me, because I’d overlooked it. Aspilapteryx means ‘spotted wing’ and tringipennella means ‘Tringa wing’ for the wing of the sandpiper bird’s genus which it was thought to resemble.

Red-barred Tortrix (Ditula angustiorana)

Finally, we come to the Red-barred Tortrix (Ditula angustiorana). It only stayed for a moment, so the photograph is not the best quality. Ditulos means ‘with two humps’ because of the two sections made by the crest marking on its thorax. Angustior means ‘more narrow’ because it is narrow in comparison to similar species.

There were a few other beautiful moths this morning. They were not new, but I couldn’t resist posting their photographs. The Mother of Pearl looked like a macro-moth but it is actually classified as a micro. The Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing has a green head, yellow underwings, and a pinkish underside. Its incredibly colorful for a moth that just looks dark black at first glance.

Mother of Pearl (Pleuroptya ruralis) 

Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (Noctua janthe)

-Post by Helen Levins

*may be Metzneria metzneriella - Jane Wu

24 July 2013 - Caterpillar Overload.

Double Lobed (Apamea ophiogramma)

I've been going over some old moth records here at Shandy Hall and have identified 4 moths that we haven't had before this summer! The first is the Double Lobed (Apamea ophiogramma) from July 8, 2013. This is the only one we've found so far. This moth is extremely distinctive due to the two 'lobe' shapes on its wings. It is of the same genus as the Dark Arches, Clouded-bordered Brindle, and other moths that we've identified before. Ophis or ophio- 'a snake' and gramme 'a marking' are meant to describe the sinuous border between the lighter and darker parts of the wing. The larvae consume reed canary-grass and reed sweet-grass.

Dotted Clay (Xestia baja)

Next is the Dotted Clay (Xestia baja). It is most easily recognizable by the small dark dots near the shoulders and dark marks near the wing-tips. The kidney-shaped marks are usually distinct enough to recognize, but do not normally stand out. Xestos 'polished, smooth' describes the glossy sheen on some of the wings of moths of the genus, and badius means 'chestnut-colored.' The larvae are active at night and feed on bog myrtle, bramble, and other plants.

The next new species is a micro-moth by the name of Phlyctaenia perlucidalis. (Try saying that three times fast.) It looks quite similar to the Mother of Pearl at first glance, a much more common micro-moth that we've been finding in larger numbers. The Phlyctaenia perlucidalis was first found in England is 1957, though numbers have been increasing in the past few decades and its territory has expanded greatly. Its genus name is not particularly flattering - phluktaina meaning 'a blister.' This is for the pale circular blotches that are found on other moths of the genus. For a genus with so many beautiful moths, I find this name quite inappropriate. Per 'intensive' and lucidus 'bright' are much better terms by which to describe this lovely micro-moth.

Phlyctaenia perlucidalis

Large Twin-spot Carpet (Xanthorhoe quadrifasiata)

The Large Twin-spot Carpet (Xanthorhoe quadrifasiata) is a recent find. We caught 6 total in the past week. As with most Carpets, these were very flighty and left as soon as they were able. The photograph above was a difficult one to take as I'm sure the moth would have been more content hiding in some shrubbery instead of on the inside of a moth cage. This moth also does not have the best name. Xanthos 'yellow' and rhoe 'a stream' are descriptions of the yellowish bands on some of the moths of the genus. The Large Twin-spot Carpet does not have these. Quadrifasiata is a typographical error for quadrifasciata. Quadri- 'four' and fascia 'a band' may be to describe the bands of the wings, though why 'four' I am unsure, as this moth does not have 4 distinct bands that I am aware of. The larvae like to feed on bedstraw and other low-growing plants.

Our moth count is now at 294! We're getting close!

White Satin Moth (Leucoma salicis) egg capsule

Lastly, an update from the Caterpillar Foundling Nursery of Shandy Hall: we've yet again been left to care for a set of moth eggs, this time from a White Satin Moth (Leucoma salicis)! The White Satin Moth lays its eggs and then secretes a hard pearly covering over them to protect them. The mother has been perched nearby for a couple days now. We wonder when she will fly off... Patrick and I have also been discussing whether or not to let some of our other caterpillars go. They have grown quite large and there are enough of them now that taking care of them has become quite time consuming. We will perhaps let some of them free soon. We may keep a few to see what they turn into.

- Post by Jane Wu

14 August - From Green to Gold

Larvae of the White Satin Moth (Leucoma salicis)

Four days after emerging from the capsule (shown on the right) the White Satin moth caterpillars are munching willow leaves with enthusiastic precision.  Each cellular section is eaten and the leaf becomes an intricate and delicate ornament of filigree - the colour even looks like gold.  There must be eighty of these tiny munchers so many will be liberated into the garden in a few days.  Already the heart-shape markings on their backs are beginning to be defined.  They nibbled at the sallow leaf and the poplar but the willow seems to be first choice.

Barred Yellow (Cidaria fulvata)

Here's a moth I didn't actually see.  Jane photographed it early in July and realised later that although it had been recorded before there was no photographic evidence.  A moth with beautiful markings named after Ceres, the goddess of agriculture, wheat and growth.  'Fulvata' means 'tawny coloured' from the ground colour.  I wish I had seen the real thing.

17 April 2014 - Utamaro and the Caterpillar

Utamaro Arctiidae

By the image above it is clear that last night was not a good night for moths in Coxwold.  The bats were out early, circling above the quarry and zipping around the tallest branches of the ash trees - mirroring the micro-moths among the grass stems beneath.  Except there were no micro-moths beneath and very few macros anywhere.  Too chilly. Enter Utamaro (1753 -1806) and his Picture Book of Crawling Creatures. Within that book this hairy member of the Arctiidae family can be seen crawling upside down on the stem of a flowering vine. The book was published in 1788 and can be seen on the Fitzwilliam Museum website.

Moths of the Arctiidae family have larvae that only eat plant material and spin cocoons for pupation - examples include the Tiger Moth, the Ermines - and the White Satin Moth (Leucoma salicis). 

White Satin moth (larva)

The image of the White Satin Moth caterpillar (above) is evidence that overwintering itself is over and those tiny, crawling creatures (last seen on the blogpost on 7 January) are now emerging from their temporary, spun-silk, sleeping-bags and eating the fresh willow-leaves that have been provided for them.  Their five month wait is over.  During their time of stillness they seem to have developed a form of communication that is bringing them together in small flashmob squadrons.  

Caterpillar flashmob

   

Looking more carefully it seems that the White Satin moth caterpillar may be the species that Utamaro has illustrated.  Compare his image above with Humphreys (below) - the caterpillar is drawn on a stem of Salix doniana (Don's Willow) and willow is keeping the caterpillars at Shandy Hall fed.  A link with Japan, perhaps.

3 September 2015 - From Mouse to Monroe

Mouse Moth  (Amphipyra tragoponigis)

Moth: An insect with two pairs of broad wings covered in microscopic scales, typically drably coloured and held flat when at rest. Oxford Dictionary.

Such a description of Moths, in particular the words ‘drably coloured’, were exactly what I expected to find when the suggestion arose to catch some in a trap, in our Barley Studio grounds one summer's night in August.

Helen Whittaker and moth trap

The first moth to appear (see above) was found by Kennet Barley who delivered it to me in a sun-glasses case.  He had found the Mouse Moth (Amphipyra tragoponigis) in the Studio van that afternoon, before we set the trap.

I have to admit that my initial thoughts were, 'Mmm, those dusty brown things, usually dead and partially disintegrated, often on window cills - why?'  However to keep me keen I was told that there was more to moths than we realise, and to wait and see what our catch delivered. The question was, would any of these dust-bags really fly into our trap, and relax on the egg boxes provided until their photo-shoot the following morning?

And here was my revelation. Not only did we catch over twenty different species of moths, they were all shapes and sizes, and colours.  On close inspection, the brown ones were just as beautiful as the others!  They were all absolutely stunning, and very much an equal to their relations, the more celebrated butterflies. These moths were quite incredible to watch too, as they bounced up and down, heating their wings ready to escape. One of the most interesting facts I learnt is that some moths eat and others don’t, due to the fact that they don’t have any feeding mechanism. Their sole purpose as adults is to reproduce…

Ignoring this quandary, if one returned to this planet as a moth, the ones that caught my eye the most were:

Gold Spot (Plusia festucae)

The Gold Spot – the rust colour spoke of fire, and flames – often suggested as an attraction for moths.

Magpie (Abraxas grossulariata)

The Magpie – this moth had a bold pattern, with lots of contrast that reminded me of a stained glass window.

Mother of Pearl (Pleuroptya ruralis) 

Mother of Pearl – simple and reflective, quite glass-like.

White Satin (Leucoma salicis)

The White Satin moth added a bit of glamour to the occasion - the Marilyn Monroe of moths.

Post by: Helen Whittaker [Barley Studio]

Keith Barley and moth trap

Patrick arrived fully equipped with white sheet, moth trap and a mound of torn up egg cartons. With his usual gusto Patrick proceeded to set the scene with full instructions. Little did I know of what was in store for my evening’s entertainment. As instructed I turned on the light before dusk and continued with my domestic routine. At intervals I went to view the activity, which increased at an alarming rate to the extent that I was mesmerised and captivated by the spectacle unfolding before me. 

Between the hours of 10pm and midnight my trap was like Piccadilly Circus with moths flying in from all directions, most crash-landing onto either my head, the top or side of the trap but more commonly into the mass of Russian vine (Fallopia baldschuanica) which has invaded from my neighbour's garden. The foliage was alive with the rustling of moths hiding from the magnetism of the bright light. Despite having passed the time when I should have been safely tucked up in bed, I continued to watch. I was amazed at the number of moths that once having entered the trap eventually found their way out, apparently no longer captivated by the bright light which had left impressions in my vision when I blinked my eyes. 

At one point I witnessed the one that got away.  It was large, had delta-shaped wings, like a Vulcan or Victor bomber and the larger hind-wings curled upward at the tips. It did enter the trap but disappointingly was not there during Patrick's ritual of investigation the following morning. However I was not to be disappointed for as we upturned the egg-boxes we came across a large beastie that baffled his knowledge of the moth fraternity. It turned out to be a Pine Hawk-moth which was surprising as I can only see one Pine tree from where I live.

Pine Hawkmoth (Hyloicus pinastri)

I have become familiar with scenes in the life of toads, snails, slugs, owls, rats and mice in my nocturnal neighbourhood, but to be introduced to a new hidden world of the night-time activity of moths has given me enormous pleasure and specifically justifies the reason why one should not need to spend your evenings in front of a television.

Like most things in nature I was once again astounded by the beauty of symmetry and geometry that have evolved in the patterns and markings found on the wings of moths.

Blood-vein (Timandra comae)

Keith Barley [Barley Studio]