Moths

Moth trapping usually begins again in March but the weather has been so poor it was not until April that the traps have been out.  the catches have been variable but we have caught some lovely moths.  Interestingly Red Sword-grass was caught and it was last recorded in 2014.  This moth is one that hibernates under loose bark, amongst a stony outcrop or some other sheltered place.  In the autumn it feeds on Ivy flowers and overipe Blackberries and when it reappears in March to late May it feeds on willow catkins. 

As a photograph was needed of this moth it was taken in the container. It did not co-operate when released!

A lovely moth caught is Shoulder Stripe.  The caterpillar feeds on Dog Rose.  A sheltered spot was almost found to take a photograph, but the wings were blown about a little.

Whilst we have been trapping in the less than spring like weather some members from the Swaledale Ringing Group have been trapping in Gibraltar.  It is just a bit warmer there - they have promised to bring some warmth back with them!  They are there to ring birds but more of that in another blog post.  One of the moths they caught was Cream Spot Tiger Moth.  This is similar to our Garden Tiger. The wings are brown and cream.

Its underside is red!

Thanks to everyone, here and abroad, for the photographs and the identification of moths.