15 June 2012

15 June 2012 – Half the Night

The Spectacle (Abrostola tripartita)

Last night had heavy winds and rain, so we had to take the trap in around midnight. We missed out on some of the later-flying moths, and didn’t capture any Hawk-moths. Fortunately we still managed to capture five species for tonight’s Open Garden Scheme moth event.  Some were the usual visitors, Common Swifts, Silver-ground Carpets, and a Clouded-bordered Brindle. The last was unfamiliar to me, the Spectacle (Abrostola tripartita).

When you look at the Spectacle head-on, the coloring looks as though it just got back from a ski trip with a terrible tan line from its goggles. Its Latin name Abrostola (a misspelling of Habrostola) means graceful or beautiful robe, and tripartite refers to the three distinct sections of its forewings.

As I write, the sun is breaking through the clouds. We hope the weather holds out for tonight, so visitors get a chance to have a personal encounter with the moths.

Post by Helen Levins