Moth News

Saturday, July 15th 2023

The Species Team at Foxglove collect information about the many and varied species that live in all the different habitats.  Sometimes it is such a joy to find that the Daisy is in flower where you would expect it to be, even in the middle of winter.  Common Spotted Orchids are literally popping up everywhere and thanks to our strimming volunteers they do not get strimmed. 

Our moth list contains over 300 moths and at times we think we are unliklley to get any more to add to it, but amazingly we caught one called Least Carpet.  This was photographed in its pot as the identification book indicates that it does not live this far north, although it does say that it was expanding its range to Yorkshire.  The photograph was sent to the VC65 recorder Dr C Fletcher, who confirmed its ID and said that he hadn't seen one and not only was it new for Foxglove but also the first record in VC65.

Its larval food plant is Ivy and probably other plants where it eats the dead leaves.  It is a beautiful moth.

Another interesting fact this week was that the trap on the back veranda caught five Poplar Hawkmoths but there were none in the trap at the front of the building.  Similalry footman moths were caught in the front and not the back.  Although the traps are not far apart they do look out onto slightly different habitats.  The portable trap is placed at the heath and on the wetland, weather permitting, and at the end of the year it will be interesting to see similarities and differences in the catches.

Another moth caught included this Scallop Shell moth whose larvae feed on Aspen and Sallows.  We do not see this moth very often so it was nice to see it.


(0) Comments:

There are no comments for this blog post yet. Why not start the discussion? - use the form below:


Leave a Comment:

Please complete this field, it's required. Your email address will not be displayed but it's required.

Your email address will not be displayed but it's required.

Remember my personal information

Notify me of follow-up comments?


Back to Top

Help Support Foxglove

Friends of Foxglove

The Friends of Foxglove Covert is for those individuals, families and organisations who would like to support the reserve through an annual membership subscription. Friends receive a regular newsletter and invitations to attend our various activities and social events.

More Details

Upcoming Events


Foxglove Covert Local Nature Reserve is now OPEN

Monday 4th November 2024 |

The security gate and it's safety features are to be working, so we're reopening to the public.

Please check the FAQs for further information on entrance procedures.

https://foxglovecovert.org.uk/about/frequently-asked-questions/



March Winter Worky Day

Sunday 2nd March 2025 | 10am - 3pm

Join Foxglove Covert staff and volunteers for the final worky day of this winter season on Sunday 2nd March.

Help out with winter habitat management tasks on the reserve. Tasks may vary but can include coppicing and pollarding willow carr, creating dead hedges, ring barking and clearing scrub.

Please bring along a packed lunch, come ready for all weather conditions, and bring your oldest outdoor clothes as tasks will be mucky.

Booking is essential for this FREE event.

Please note bookings close midday on February 28th.

Foxglove Covert is now taking bookings for events via Eventbrite.

Click Here to Book

Or visit foxglovecovertlnr.eventbrite.com



VIEW ALL EVENTS

Recent Blog Posts

Blog Archive