Holtspur Bottom

Another trapping session at our own reserve near Beaconsfield, Bucks last night using two MV lights proved rather disappointing, mainly because of a combination of the full moon and the fact that the temperature fell away very quickly from 18C at dusk to 10C when I packed up.  The traps were never busy but just over 80 species were still recorded, so all was not lost.  Of interest or new for the year were Mocha, Blotched Emerald, Barred Yellow, Fern, Privet Hawk-moth, Lime Hawk-moth (the first I've seen anywhere this year), Maple Prominent, Purple Clay, Double Square-spot, Reddish Light Arches, Bordered Sallow and Uncertain.  Amongst the micros were Eucosma campoliliana, Homoeosoma sinuella, Nephopterix angustella & Hypochalcia ahenella.

Privet Hawk-moth, Holtspur Bottom 12th June

The way the flash has caught the Privet Hawk's thorax above gives the impression of a Death's-head mask (or maybe something more akin to a ghostly face of Homer Simpson!).  Reddish Light Arches is a chalk specialist locally and three came to the trap, my first for this year.  The final picture is of Hypochalcia ahenella, another species which is found at most good chalk downland sites in Bucks but always nice to see.

Reddish Light Arches, Holtspur Bottom 12th June

Hypochalcia ahenella, Holtspur Bottom 12th June

   Dave Wilton