Miniature elegance

On 27th April I showed the micromoth Ancylis badiana in its normal delta configuration. Today I was very surprised to find one posing with its wings widely spread:

I'm wondering if it was a female showing off her charms. Wingspan about 15mm across in this configuration.

The first of the Tachinid flies for this year:

Tachinids are parasitic on the larvae of moths and butterflies and can usually be identified by their overall 'bristly' appearance. I also generally find that flies with extensive white marks on the fascia might well turn out to be Tachinids on further analysis.

I found this Buff Ermine moth - Spilosoma luteum - on my kitchen floor:

Dry night - moths to light

Plenty of moth activity due to the dry days/nights.

This is the Brimstone Moth - Opisthograptis luteolata:


The rather frequent Buff Ermine - Spilosoma luteum.


Difficult to catch the subtle blue colouring of the Clouded Silver - Lomographa temerata - under flash:



And finally for today, the orange form of Common Marbled Carpet - Chloroclysta truncata.


When identifying moths, pattern is virtually everything. Colour is much less important. And this specimen is VERY worn.