26 May 2015

26 May 2015 – Pale Shoulders, Brocade and Slippers

Pale-shouldered Brocade (Lacanobia thalassina)

The Pale-shouldered Brocade (Lacanobia thalassina) has been seen once before at Shandy Hall when Jane Wu recorded it on the blog dated 14 June 2013.  I don’t remember seeing it at the time so this beautifully marked moth came as a surprize to me this morning.  I couldn’t work out its identity and had to seek advice from Dave Chesmore.  Now the pale shoulders are clearly apparent and I hope I won’t get confused again.

The excuse for a second entry of this very pretty moth can be seen below.  When illustrated in British Moths and their Transformations the Pale-shouldered Brocade has a different scientific name : Hadena thalassina with the first part of the binomial referring to the Underworld – as in the Lychnis (Hadena bicruris), a moth that was seen earlier in the week. The illustration shows the moth and a beautiful Lady’s Slipper orchid as its botanical companion.  This orchid is now one of the rarest plants in the UK – if it hasn’t disappeared completely.  The hand-coloured moth book was published in 1843 when the plant was not uncommon.

Pale-shouldered Brocade and Lady’s Slipper Orchid

In total there were only six moths in the trap : Herald, White Ermine, Brimstone and two Pugs.  What sort of Pug?  Common, I think but Pugs are notoriously difficult.