5 October 2013
5 October 2013 – Snouts and Liquorice Papers
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Dark Sword-grass (Agrotis ipsilon) |
When the trap was inspected, this moth was rolled-up like a charred liquorice-paper (the wings wrapped around the moth’s body making a sort of tube) and was sheltering in an egg-box. The Dark Sword-grass (Agrotis ipsilon) is an immigrant and its Latin name means ‘of the fields’. It is identified by the Greek letter Y (ypsilon) that can be seen as part of the kidney mark. Can you see it?
The illustration beneath seems to indicate that the hind-wings are blue, which is certainly not the case in Skinner’s Colour Identification Guide to the Moths of the British Isles (Plate #25). The ‘Y’ is clearly visible in the illustration so perhaps the C19 colourist wearied of pale-cream under-wings (correct) and decided to liven up the image with a touch of sky (wrong). I was unable to check as it promptly took flight after this photogpraph.
Either way that takes the total to 320.
The photograph beneath is of a 2nd generation Snout (Hypena proboscialis). This moth is much smaller and greyer than the first generation version – but its nose is still as big. I’d better write a chapter on noses.
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The Snout (Hypena proboscidalis) |
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