New moths

We had a couple of very warm days on Sunday and Monday, so that's the time to leave on the outside lights to see what has been encouraged to emerge (or at least encouraged to fly!) by the hot weather.

The first of two new species is the rather handsome True Lover's Knot, Lycophotia porphyrea:

True Lover's Knot

True Lover's Knot is a heather feeder.

The second new species is the (surprisingly small, at 12 mm.) Marbled Beauty:

Marbled Beauty

The Marbled Beauty is generally an eastern species in Ireland, and this is the furthest west specimen that has been recorded. The larvae feed on lichens, which are very plentiful near here, so perhaps this is another of those species which are moving west and north due to warming.

I have previously shown Plain Golden-Y:

Plain Golden-Y

And Small Fan-footed Wave:

Small Fan-Footed Wave

Unfortunately for the Small Fan-Footed Wave, a spider had spun its web near its resting place. When it took off......

Small Fan-Footed Wave caught by spider

So, two more to my total.

Moths and Beetles

A few more moths to light. First of all, Plain Golden Y - Autographa jota:



Riband Wave - Idaea aversata:


Flame Shoulder - Ochropleura plecta:


I had no idea that the female 14-spot ladybird was so much larger than the male:


And now we have it...Rhagonycha fulva, a Soldier Beetle. A clear sign that the nights are drawing in.

Single moths continue

My new front-door lights still appear to be working their magic. This was taken well after dark and when I took the shots I thought it was the migrant Silver Y. But when I looked at the flash shots, I saw that it was the resident Plain Golden Y - Autographa jota. New one for me.

Another new one is this Grass Emerald - Pseudoterpna pruinata. Emeralds tend to lose their green colour very quickly, so this must be a fairly new specimen.


I must check my moth count....it will be close to 150.