Despite running the mercury light last night in Wolvercote, Oxfordshire, my catch was pretty unmemorable - apart from the beast sat on top of the uppermost eggbox. I knew what it was the moment I glimpsed it, and although it was a pretty battered specimen, its colours rather faded, it remained a thrill to have my first ever Clifden Nonpareil. They aren't, obviously, such a rarity as they were just a few years ago, but its star value was evident, not least because of its sheer size.
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| Clifden Nonpareil, 17/10/18 |
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| Clifden Nonpareil, 17/10/18 |
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| Clifden Nonpareil, 17/10/18 |
In what might be slightly less welcome news for owners of topiaries in Wolvercote, a late-season flurry of NFGs included the
Cydalima perspectalis pictured below on 10th October. Again, that would have had a lot more rarity value a few years ago.
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| Cydalima perspectalis, 10/10/18 |
Steve Goddard
Well done with the Clifden Nonpareil, Steve. They may have become slightly more widespread in the last three or four years but there are still plenty of moth enthusiasts who haven't yet seen one!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dave -- I was, frankly, astounded to get it, especially given the catch was otherwise pretty poor!
ReplyDeleteSo that those who have yet to see the species are in the know - how can the moths be persuaded to open their wings?
ReplyDeleteIt was a reasonably lively individual -- once woken up, it didn't need that much persuasion.
ReplyDelete