For our 3,000th post, I thought it worth mentioning that my first Emperor Moths emerged today so it is definitely now worth putting females (or lures) out to get records for the species. Here's my first female trying her hardest to find a mate, although she has been unsuccessful so far...
Dave Wilton
Westcott, Bucks
UPDATE: No joy yesterday, but I put her out again this afternoon along with three other females which had emerged today (Saturday 21st) and at 3.30pm a wild male appeared, ensuring the all-important garden record for 2018.
Isn't that early?
ReplyDeleteIt is actually a little late, if anything. Here are my first emergence dates going back ten years (going back even further won't show any extra variation, I don't think):
ReplyDelete2017 7th April
2016 20th April
2015 17th April
2014 7th April
2013 29th April
2012 13th April
2011 7th April
2010 17th April
2009 12th April
2008 18th April
These dates are purely first emergences of those captive-bred here at Westcott. I have occasionally seen an example elsewhere before any of mine have emerged, the earliest being 31st March 2009 when a female came to light at Waddesdon Manor.