Saturday 27 April 2019

Westcott, Bucks

The 100th garden species for 2019 appeared in the trap during the wind and rain of last night.  Only seven moths turned up, comprising Shuttle-shaped Dart (1), Flame Shoulder (2), Powdered Quaker (1) & Hebrew Character (3), but Flame Shoulder was new to the list while Shuttle-shaped Dart had come in for the first time the previous night.

Shuttle-shaped Dart, Westcott 25th April

Flame Shoulder, Westcott 26th April

While I was going through last night's trap this morning, the large caterpillar below was found wandering around and probably looking for somewhere to pupate.  It is, I believe, a Noctua species but doesn't look quite right for Large Yellow Underwing, so may well be Lesser Yellow Underwing.  Edit:  Actually, having had another look through Porter and then comparing to images on www.ukleps.org and elsewhere on the web, I now think it is a far better match for Old Lady.  Anyone care to comment?

Noctuid larva, Westcott 27th April

Dave Wilton
Westcott, Bucks
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2 comments:

  1. Marc Botham30 April 2019 at 10:43

    Looks like Old Lady to me Dave. Think the orange spots are quite distinctive. Have had several in garden this year all feeding on willows.

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  2. Dave Wilton30 April 2019 at 12:31

    Thanks very much, Marc - I'm convinced that's what it is now. Never seen the caterpillar before but the adult is a regular in the moth trap here. It was found under our massive willow trying to make its way into the garage, but there is also a copious amount of ivy very close by and that's listed as one of its post-hibernation larval food-plants.

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