Speckled Wood - July 2013

This picture was taken on the coast path near Sandy Haven.

Like many others butterflies Speckled Woods do not like to keep still - photographing is a real challenge!
This one has been "in the wars" - it looks as if a bird has pecked the wing. It is a marvellous strategy - the bird attacks what it thinks is the eyes - more vulnerable body parts are thus protected.

Comma - July 2013

This picture was taken in my garden in St Ishmaels.

This was an early morning image - the Comma was feeding well and hence stationary for a time.

From the right hand image we see how the name arises - the c for Comma easily seen on the underwing.
The left hand image is a more "unusual" one displaying the open wings.

Beautiful Hook-tip - July 27th 2013

More than 64 different moths in the trap last night but arguably this is the best.

Checking the records I couldn't find any recorded from Pembrokeshire up till 2009 - the 2012 report doesn't mention it either.

I'll check Mapmate later but it's nice to think this could be a Pembrokeshire 1st!

Peacock & Red Admiral - July 29th 2013

These pictures of a Peacock & a Red Admiral were taken in my garden in St Ishmaels.

There was a somewhat brisk wind hence the subjects were constantly moving and the resultant images not as crisp as I would have liked.

Small Tortoiseshell - August 2013

This picture was taken in our garden in St. Ishmaels.

This butterfly kept remarkably still for some time - enjoying the evening sunshine.

We have seen very few Small Tortoiseshells this year - just the odd one now & then - so this sighting was a real treat.
Nationally its numbers have declined by 77% in the last 10 years. The primary reason for this decline is thought to be due to the expanding range of a tachinid parasitoid fly called Sturmia bella which was first recorded in Britain in 1999.

White-point or Clay? - August 13th 2013

Just 26 different moths in the trap last night - things are quieting down - including 46 LBB Yellow Underwing.

Pembrokeshire records show just 17 occurrences of the White-point between 1971 & 2010 so this would be an excellent find if...........

There is more than a passing resemblance to the Clay, though the White-point is smaller and it's forewing has a warmer, orange brown, colour. This one is definitely smaller.

The big question then is - Is this a White-point or a Clay?

September 28th 2013

Just 39 moths of 15 species last night.

Left to right we have Autumnal Rustic followed by Blair's Shoulder Knot, Beaded Chestnut and the micro-moth Rush Veneer.

October 13th 2013

Just 12 different moths in the trap last night - 10 macros & 2 micros.

The L-album Wainscot is a moth I generally catch a few of each year though this record does seem later than usual! Interestingly 2 other local trappers have caught these in recent days - are they immigrants or local species gaining a foothold I wonder?

The Red-line Quaker is a typical Autumn species - one I look forward to seeing - along with its cousin the Yellow-line Quaker. (next week perhaps!)

Green-veined White - April 2014

Another picture taken in our garden in St. Ishmaels.

Several of these pass regularly through the garden - we look closely just in case an Orange Tip is near.

****1st Orange Tip seen on 21st April and a Comma on the 23rd.
The O. Tip sighting is several weeks earlier than last year.

Peppered Moth - May 2014

Caught in the overnight moth trap was this handsome Peppered Moth.

Some years back these were cited as "proof" of evolution. There is a black (melanic) form that once was found in the Midlands - the dark colouration allegedly the result of the smoke filled atmosphere.
In truth this is just a natural variation within species - this moth was never going to change into a giraffe! These days the black form is rare and hopefully no longer cited as proof of evolution.