Moth Morning

Thursday, September 12th 2013

The cool days and nights have considerably reduced the number and variety of species in the moth trap.  However there were over forty caddis fly in and around the trap this morning.  Unfortunately not a single one would stand still to be photographed.  

There was a beautifully marked fly that decided it would prefer the camera lens to sit on rather than a green leaf!.  Another aspect to macro photography!

This is what it should have looked like!

On the white sheet under the moth trap, this lacewing was found.  We thought at one point these beautiful insects were gentle and ate plants.  They do not.  They are carnivores!

Out on a walk, a gall on some willow was examined but it was quickly realised that it was not a gall but a caterpillar!  You can see three pairs of legs and four pairs of claspers. The oval markings along the body are the spiracles, through which the caterpillar breathes. Back at the Field Center, out came the books and it was identified as a Pebble Prominent.

Willows and Aspens, both of which we have on the reserve are the food plant.  It overwinters as a pupa underground, hatching out next summer.

This is the adult Pebble Prominent Moth that flies in May - June and July - August .

Thank you to Glennis, Brian, Ruth and Linda who identified the moths.

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