Moths - 25th / 26th June 2011

Phil set up his trap in Jennifer Hirsh’s garden at 34 High Street, Little Abington, on Saturday 25 June 2011.

Weather: rain all night but dry by morning, cool for June

We met on Saturday morning to open it up; the following Moths were identified by Phil Jenner.

All English and Latin names (and page numbers) are from the book:
Michael Chinery, Collins Complete Guide to British Insects, 2005

Phil Jenner recommends the web site: ukmoths.org.uk
This has a search function and lots of good photographs.

22 different species plus some micro-moths unidentified; listed below by family.

Hooktip moths: Family Drepanidae (p.164)
Buff Arches (Habrosyne pyritoides) (p.164)

Geometer moths: Family Geometridae (p.166)
Least Carpet (Idaea rusticate) (p.170)
Riband Wave (Idaea aversata) (p.172)
Scalloped Oak (Crocallis elinguaria) (p.194)
Willow Beauty (Peribatodes rhomboidaria) (p.200)
Common White Wave (Cabera pusaria) (p.202)

Hawkmoths: Family Sphingidae (p.206)
Lime hawkmoth (Mimas tiliae) (p.206)
Privet hawkmoth Sphinx ligustri) (p.206)

Tussock moths: Family Lymantriidae (p.214)
Common footman (Eilema lurideola) (p.218)

Noctuid moths: Family Noctuidae (p.222)
Heart and Dart (Agrotis exclamationis) (p.222)
Heart and Club (Agrotis clavis) (p.222)
Large yellow underwing (Noctua pronuba) (p.224)
The Flame (Axylia putris) (p.224)
Triple Spotted Clay (Xestia ditrapezium) (p.228)
Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum) (p.228)
Dark Arches (Apamea monoglypha) (p.252)
The Dunbar (Cosmia trapezima) (p.252)
Vine’s Rustic (Hoplodrina ambigua) (p.260)
The Uncertain (Hoplodrina alsines) (p.260)
The Spectacle (Abrostola triplasia) (p.264)
Beautiful Hooktip (Laspeyria flexula) (p.266)
The Snout (Hypena proboscidalis) (p.266)

Tortrix moths: Family Tortricidae (p.268)
Several unidentified micro-moths

Peter Brunning and Jennifer Hirsh have digital photographs of some of the moths seen and identified.

Jennifer Hirsh – Abington Naturewatch invertebrate recorder – 26 June 2011

Ringlets

Derek and Jennifer have both seen Ringlet butterflies in their gardens:

[photo: Jennifer Hirsh]

Ladybirds

Derek took this picture of 2 Ladybirds on nettles in their garden on the morning of 23 June. It is believed that they are a 7-spotted and a Harlequin.

Midsummer evening walk

This was not strictly a Naturewatch event but several regulars were there and there were flora to observe! It was a beautiful evening. We used farm tracks that are not rights of way to reach the Roman Road and on part of the way back.

We started at Little Abington church and went up via Grange Farm. From the top, there is a good view of Ely Cathedral in the distance.


We stopped for a picnic supper before leaving the Roman Road.




On the way back down towards Hildersham, there are lots of fine examples of Broomrape growing on the Knapweed.

Partridge Group

Julia found some young partridges in the garden (19th June)

Greater Knapweed dependants!

Jennifer has spotted all these dependent on Greater Knapweed:

Small tortoiseshell

Large skipper

Knapweed broomrape