Saturday, 27 April 2019

Westcott, Bucks

The 100th garden species for 2019 appeared in the trap during the wind and rain of last night.  Only seven moths turned up, comprising Shuttle-shaped Dart (1), Flame Shoulder (2), Powdered Quaker (1) & Hebrew Character (3), but Flame Shoulder was new to the list while Shuttle-shaped Dart had come in for the first time the previous night.

Shuttle-shaped Dart, Westcott 25th April

Flame Shoulder, Westcott 26th April

While I was going through last night's trap this morning, the large caterpillar below was found wandering around and probably looking for somewhere to pupate.  It is, I believe, a Noctua species but doesn't look quite right for Large Yellow Underwing, so may well be Lesser Yellow Underwing.  Edit:  Actually, having had another look through Porter and then comparing to images on www.ukleps.org and elsewhere on the web, I now think it is a far better match for Old Lady.  Anyone care to comment?

Noctuid larva, Westcott 27th April

Dave Wilton
Westcott, Bucks
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2 comments:

  1. Marc Botham30 April 2019 at 10:43

    Looks like Old Lady to me Dave. Think the orange spots are quite distinctive. Have had several in garden this year all feeding on willows.

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  2. Dave Wilton30 April 2019 at 12:31

    Thanks very much, Marc - I'm convinced that's what it is now. Never seen the caterpillar before but the adult is a regular in the moth trap here. It was found under our massive willow trying to make its way into the garage, but there is also a copious amount of ivy very close by and that's listed as one of its post-hibernation larval food-plants.

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