And Mines a Leaf!

I do not usually run my light 2 nights running as it allows the moths to get away from the site, but because of last night's power cut I decided to give it a go.

Flounced Chestnut

I was rewarded by a Flounced Chestnut and like Mike, a Brindled Green. This moth comes in a variety of shades of green, brown and blackish so it is interesting to compare our examples.


Brindled Green

Well, although I posted a couple of leaf miners yesterday, the caterpillar below, is not one which "mines a leaf".

It actually rolls up the edges of a leaf (in this case a blackberry) and belongs to the tortrix family.

Unfortunately I am unable to identify it, but will ask the audience - or even phone a friend! I shall try to keep it alive and hope to breed it through to adulthood.

Wind and Brimstone

It was windy in Batch Valley last night, so much so that I needed to move the trap round the back of the house before I went to bed. It also rained and I was quite pleased to manage 18 moths. Stars of the show were two Brimstone Moths. Not a particularly rare moth, but like the butterfly of the same name, beautiful and instantly recognisable insects.

Brimstone Moth

The commonest moth was actually the Common Marbled Carpet. This is a really quite variable species, though all of the three last night were the form with a sold orange band on the forewing. They readily come to porch lights and are quite plentiful this year.

Common Marbled Carpet

I also managed to catch a new moth for us both in the Strettons - a Brindled Green. This one was quite a worn moth, but still distinctive when the lighting was right.

Brindled Green