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| Twenty-plume Moth (Alucita hexadactyla) |
Apologies for the murky image of the Twenty-plume Moth (Alucita hexadactyla). My excuse is that I had to photograph it in a plastic tube as it is almost constantly in motion - little darting runs, one after another and no settling down into a resting position.
This is only the third recorded at Shandy Hall, the last sighting being in August 2013, even though it flies throughout most of the year. Here is a link to the naming of the insect.
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| Tinea trinotella |
Tinea trinotella has a gnawing larval stage - hence the Tinea ('gnawing worm') part of the binomial. The larva feeds on honeysuckle by making a small hole in the unopened bud and then taking up residence inside the vegetable envelope where it will stay, changing colour from yellow to red and then finally pupate.
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| Pale Tussock (Calliteara pudibunda) |
The Pale Tussock rests in a characteristic way with both fore-legs thrust out in front of the head and with its orange antennae sweeping back. It is a dynamic and attractive moth that has a scientific name reflecting the fact that it is a beautiful (kallos - greek for beauty) insect arriving in (ear) the Spring. Pudibundus means modest; but it can also mean the opposite ie immodest or disgraceful with legs thrust forward in a rather shameless way. The fact that this is the male of the species adds even more mystery to Linnaeus's naming of the moth.
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| (Aethes smeethmanniana) |
This choice of only four species represents a better night for trapping. A warmer evening encouraged the following list of moths to take flight : Buff-tip, Single-dotted Wave, Green Carpet, Silver-ground Carpet, Poplar Hawk-moth, Elephant Hawk-moth, Common Pug, Brimstone, Buff Ermine, White Ermine, Heart and Dart, Common Swift and Aethes smeethmanniana.
The last moth in the list was described by Bowen Chang (UPenn intern) a few years ago. Follow this link to learn more.
National Gardens Scheme evening opening at Shandy Hall for moth trapping this coming Friday.
