Happy May Day all! Only three moths in the eggboxes after another nippy night but they include my earliest-ever hawk moth, albeit only by a day. Last year three Poplar Hawks came on the night of 1/2 May. Prior to that, going back to 2008 (in Leeds until 2013), the species made its debut for me in the 20s of May or even the first week in June.
The other two arrivals were a Swallow Prominent, a nightly visitor at the moment, and this nice Muslin Moth, pictured against rather more of my podgy fingers than you probably want to see. Sorry. No more Emperor hatchings btw; I hope all is well with the remaining cocoons, two of which are encrusted with soil. Martin Wainwright, Thrupp, Oxon
Hi Martin, one thing to keep in mind with Emperors is that if they don't like the conditions they can over-winter twice in the pupal stage (in fact I had one a few years ago which went over a third winter). The chances of any further emergences this year are perhaps remote now but don't assume that they're deceased!
ReplyDeleteFascinating - thanks Dave. I had no idea. It's remarkable, isn't it, when the adult lives for such a short time
ReplyDeleteAll v best as ever
M