Recent blog moths...

The old moth trap has been a bit quiet of late, mostly due to cool nights and rain showers. However, I plod on and here are a few common moths recently caught and photographed.


An Ipsilon Dart, aka Dark Swordgrass in UK. I catch this moth frequently in my back yard, though usually later in the season. It is common worldwide and the larvae feed on a wide variety of plants, including many crop species on which thay can be a pest.


A Common Looper Moth. Generally the most common Looper that I catch in Toronto. Again, the larvae are generalists and feed on a wide variety of plants including some crop species. The adults fly throughout the season in three or more broods.


Plutella xylostella aka the Diamondback Moth. This small micro is in the family plutellidae and was introduced from Europe sometime before 1850. It is now very common in Ontario and is on the wing throughout the summer and fall in several broods.