Meet Frosty and Merveille...

One of the great joys of late season mothing is that some of the moths are stunning! Below are two notable examples. Both were caught on Thanet, though, sadly, not in MM's trap.

Above is the Frosted Orange. What a beauty - all sandpaper orange and fine lines. My sources tell me it is rather scarce on Thanet so I was lucky to see this one. The adult is on the wing in September and October whilst the larvae feed on Thistles, Burdocks and the like. It is superficially similar to Fisher's Estuarine Moth but is substantially smaller. Both are in the genus Gortyna, which must be closely related to the North American Borer Moths in the genus Papaipema. Whatever, is a lovely moth.


Above is the incomparable Merveille du Jour - freshly caught last night. Another rarity on Thanet so MM's luck is holding out! This lovely moth is also on the wing in September and October and the larvae feed on Oaks. Viewers in North America will see the likeness to the equally nice Comstock's Sallow which is an early spring feature in Ontario.

So, what will tonight bring...