The nearest Poplars that I am aware of are a large mature stand about half-a-mile away, originally planted as a wind-break for Beenham Vineyard. This is now private farmland.
Derek
A Blog for moth recorders in Bucks, Berks and Oxon
Tuesday 12 June 2018
Hornet Moth
I put out the HOR lure at 9.30 this morning in my garden at Beenham, Berks in mixed sunshine and had a Hornet Moth at 11.00am.
The nearest Poplars that I am aware of are a large mature stand about half-a-mile away, originally planted as a wind-break for Beenham Vineyard. This is now private farmland.
Derek
The nearest Poplars that I am aware of are a large mature stand about half-a-mile away, originally planted as a wind-break for Beenham Vineyard. This is now private farmland.
Derek
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Well done, Derek! What you've found over the past few days is that these moths are rather more common than their official status suggests. It needs far more effort like this with pheromones to get a true picture of their distribution. Using traps which you can leave out rather than the very time-consuming method of having to stare at little bags dangling from branches will hopefully make a difference. They seem able to travel some distance from their known food-plants so you should continue trying for Orange-tailed, Red-tipped and Six-belted which could easily turn up in gardens.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, as you've now found out, Red-belted comes just as readily to the lure for Large Red-belted. Telling these two apart from a fleeting visit and with no photo to refer to is not at all easy, so if you get the opportunity to return to Decoy Heath with the lure I suspect Martin would be a bit happier with the record if a specimen was available!
Hi Dave,
DeleteThanks for your comments. Yes these moths are clearly more common than old records suggest. I will keep trying although I'm off on holiday soon for a couple of weeks (Svalbard for Polar Bears hopefully). I realise that Red-belted and Large RB are hard to tell apart. I am fairly happy that I could see some basal red on the wings as it hovered but couldn't get an in-focus photo. However I'm more than happy to try again if it's not getting too late for the LRB.
Hi Derek, do you know what type of Poplar they are? I am about to start with the HOR lure and have been hung up on trying to find accessible Black Poplar in the south of the county.
ReplyDeleteHi Robert,
DeleteHmm. I'm afraid that my botany skills are extremely limited. Leave that with me and I'll try and have a closer look at them. Did you see my reply under the Currant CW post? I was wondering where on canal you saw the orange-tailed. I know Slough a bit as I used to work there. Also when did you see the Raspberry last year - most books suggest its not out until July?
Cheers Derek
Hi Derek, I Actually work in West Drayton. If you have a few hours to spare you are probably best off parking in the Yiewsley Argos car park and cutting through to the GU canal and then go down the Slough arm to TQ04648066. A much nicer and more accessible (and reliable) site and one I have got my eye on for Red-tipped is at the back of the Packet Boat Marina TQ05328100 - though this is in Middlesex and would upset Dave and Martin lol. for details of the Raspberry, have a look at my post from the 23rd July last year. - Rob
ReplyDeleteMany Thanks for that Robert. I may have a try next week if I get a chance.
ReplyDelete