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| Ruby Tiger (Phragmatobia fuliginosa) |
The
swallows have returned to the barn - only two pairs at the moment but they are
swooping and swirling and communicating with such an excited chatter it seems
certain that they will move in soon. Presumably they are inspecting the already
constructed nests (there are a couple of dozen from previous years) and will
use them again or start to build new ones. There are plenty of St Mark's
flies and aphids so food is plentiful. However, the nights have been so
cold - a light frost last night and little encouragement to put out the trap.
Walking across the newly mown lawn this afternoon it actually felt like spring
was here and there, on the ground in the middle of the lawn, was evidence that
the trap should go out tonight - a Ruby Tiger (Phragmatobia fuliginosa). Not a new species for Shandy Hall but not a moth that we
have photographed. The bluebell serves purely as a colour contrast to the
insect's wings - and as a reminder as to the time of year it appears.
The moth's abdomen is the colour of a wood fire seen through the slats of the grate. Deep burning red. The Latin name means 'living on a fence' phragmos - a fence; bio - living; fuliginosa - sooty: from the dusky colour of the forewing. Such an ordinary description for such a fiery moth.
The moth's abdomen is the colour of a wood fire seen through the slats of the grate. Deep burning red. The Latin name means 'living on a fence' phragmos - a fence; bio - living; fuliginosa - sooty: from the dusky colour of the forewing. Such an ordinary description for such a fiery moth.
