The wonders of Woodgrains...

They say good things come in threes, well last night it was as a pair! Two new moths for the back yard list and both in the genus Morrisonia. I am constantly amazed that I continue to catch so many "new" common moths in the back yard. It is totally remarkable that I had not trapped either of these before, especially after eight years of constant effort!


This is the highly distinctive Bicolored Woodgrain, fantastic-looking beast thinks MM. It is pretty common in late spring, the larva feed on Wild Cherry.


This one is the very grainy-looking Confused Woodgrain. So-called because it looks a little like some other species, notably one or two of the Apamea tribe. I like this one because it has all those fine lines that blend in so well on bark. Try looking for one of these in the wild! The larva feed on many trees and woody plants.


The Armyworm Moth. I commonly catch this moth but thought I'd put it in since it was the first of the season.

Very few birds this chilly morning, just the odd Yellow-rumped Warbler whizzing overhead. Yesterday I had Black-throated Green Warbler and Eastern Kingbird - both new for the yard year list.