12 August 2014
11 August 2014 – Crossing the Alps
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Elephant Hawk-moth (larva) |
A surprise for Sterne scholar, Helen Williams, who spotted this creature trundling across the gravel in the garden at Shandy Hall.. Only the second one I have seen and in exactly the same spot as the previous time. We put some enchanter’s nightshade, willow herb and fuchsia into a large container (food-plants in case of hunger) and some leaves and soil which within 24 hours it had burrowed beneath. So now the wait …
The trunk-like appearance of the caterpillar gives the moth its name. There are plenty of the brightly coloured adults that come to the trap over the summer, so it isn’t a scarce species.
Hopefully now the trailing hem of Hurricane Bertha will have whisked off into the North Sea and we can get back to trapping.
Reducing the scale from the enormous to the scarcely visible – here is a rather attractive micro caught at the York Museum Gardens last week – Phyllonorycter harrisella or the White Oak Midget. I’m not sure if it is the oak that is white, or the moth; or perhaps the oak is the midget. Anyway it is a particularly stylish insect and can be seen below.
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Phyllonorycter harrisella |
Recent Moths
- 13 July 2022 – Which is which?
- 10 July 2022 – Unusual Plume
- 29 June 2022 – Moths in Disguise
- 20 June 2022 – Headstand Moth
- 17 June 2022 – White-pinion Spotted
- 16 June 2022 – Comfrey Ermel
- 7 March 2022 – Unexpected Gathering
- 9 November 2021 – Muffled against the Cold
- 10 October 2021 – Autumnal Confusion
- 9 September 2021 – Reed Mace and Wainscots
- 25 August 2021 – Caterpillars
- Moth Night – 10 July 2021