19 June 2012
18 June 2012 – Strangers and Summer finally arrive
The Rivulet (Perizoma affinitata) |
If yesterday morning’s trap wasn’t such a success, I might have been jealous of Patrick for catching an Elephant Hawk-moth in my absence this weekend. But we woke up to a beautiful sunny morning and what may be three new species to Shandy Hall. We still await confirmation, but this may be the first time I’ve contributed to lengthening Shandy Hall’s species list.
Elegant and awaiting identification* |
The first was the Rivulet (Perizoma affinitata) which looked lovely in its uniform ashy black color with a band of white trim across its forewings. This detail earned it its Latin name: perizoma, meaning girdle, described the crossband. Affinitata simply means related, as the Rivulet appears almost identical to the Small Rivulet species. The Rivulet was a bit flighty, but after pursuing it through the lawn I was able to keep it on my hand long enough to snap a photograph.
A micro moth, possibly a new species for us.* |
The other two have proved more challenging to identify. One was the sandy colored moth (above) with its wings set on a drastically acute angle. The other was the micro moth (to the left) that looks quite similiar to the Notocella cynosblatella, except lacking the orange colored ‘nose’.
Along with these, came the usual Beautiful Golden Y, Silver Y, an impressive group of three Poplar Hawk-moths, another Notocella cynosblatella, and a just few White Ermines. I have to admit that I’m going to miss the White Ermines as the summer progresses, they’ll always be my favorite moth.
*Identified as the Garden Pebble (Evergestis forficalis)
-Post by Helen Levins
*Plum Tortrix (Hedya pruniana) – Jane Wu
Recent Moths
- 25 July 2023 – Collective Noun for Hawkmoths
- MOTH LIST to August 2023 with links
- 28 July 2023 – TRIPLE New Species Alert!
- 18 July 2023 – A Golden…Plusia!
- 13 July 2023 – Arts and Sciences
- 10 July 2023 – Rise of the Yellow Underwings
- 4 July 2023 – Cold-weather Catch
- 4 July 2023 – Mother of Pearl, an Inspiration to Science
- 28 June 2023 – Buff-tipped Marble
- 23 June 2023 – Moth or Butterfly?
- 20 June 2023 – Bee, Straw, Emerald and a Ghost
- 17 June 2023 – Old and New