Chalk downland again

My third monthly session on the chalk grassland above Princes Risborough, Bucks last night proved very productive as there was plenty of moth activity and the site seemed to avoid the worst of the thundery downpours locally.  By far the most numerous moths were Common Swift, Green Carpet, Small Elephant Hawk-moth (28), Shears, Reddish Light Arches (46), Brown Rustic, Large Nutmeg, Rustic Shoulder-knot & Treble Lines, while it was good to see chalk specialists such as Royal Mantle (2), Pretty Chalk Carpet (12), Fern (1) & Shaded Pug (8).  Netted Pug also put in a very welcome appearance, the second time I've seen it this year.

Royal Mantle, 11th June

Very appropriate that the Royal Mantle should arrive while from my hill-top location I could see a firework display in the vicinity of Chinnor which I assume was to celebrate Her Majesty's 90th birthday!  Back home at Westcott, Bucks the garden trap continues to attract new species but of more interest yesterday was a find indoors of an adult 'bag-worm' Narycia duplicella, the only psychid which I seem to get here regularly.

Narycia duplicella, Westcott 11th June

Amongst the catch in the trap on 10th June was a very late Hebrew Character, which I don't recall having been able to photograph previously next to its "hairy" namesake!

Hebrew Character & Setaceous Hebrew Character

Dave Wilton
Westcott, Bucks