28 October 2014

28 October 2014 – See You Again in the Spring

Pale Pinion (Lithophane socia)

The Pale Pinion was last seen in April.  If the ‘search’ facility on the website is used it can be seen that last Spring the moth was recorded under a different scientific name – Lithophane hepatica.  It seems to have been labelled anew as Lithophane socia.  Either way the example identified in Spring will have mated, laid eggs which will have hatched into larvae, the larvae will have pupated and the adult (the moth in the photograph above) will now feed and then find somewhere to hibernate – generally under loose bark.  It will take flight again next Spring.  Such a delicately tuned process.  The Pale Pinion is generally seen in the south of England but is increasing in the north.  

The photograph shows the thoracic and abdominal crests when viewed from the side.

Last night’s species were: Feathered Thorn, Beaded Chestnut, November Moth, Red-green Carpet, Snout, Green Brindled Crescent, Dark Chestnut and the Pale Pinion.  Where is the Sprawler?