Wednesday 22 August 2012

Moths from the Lot: part I

Just back from a fortnight at Las Descargues in the Lot region of SW France, two words sum it up - mothing paradise.

Amassed over 300 species from two MV traps, one actinic on the balcony and daytime searches including miners, larvae etc.

Impossible to pick a highlight, but first moth really set the tone, Spotted Sulphur:

Spotted Sulphur (Emmelia trabealis)

Others included...

Plum Lappet (Odonestis pruni)

Purple Cloud (Actinotia polyodon)

Fiery Clearwing (Pryopteron chrysidiformis)

Guernsey Underwing (Polyphaenis sericata)

Ethmia quadrilella

Many more to follow

Dave

Thursday 2 August 2012

Another vestigial winged wonder

Reared this female Vapourer from a caterpillar found a couple of weeks ago. I never cease to be fascinated by the evolutionary story behind this adaptation...


Vapourer - female on cocoon with eggs

Vapourer - female (2)

Vapourer - female

Dave