Sun and Sand in Southampton...

We were all in the lovely little town of Southampton for the long weekend. Is right on the shore of Lake Huron sandwiched between Port Elgin to the south and Sauble Beach to the north. It is famous for it's lovely beaches and the irresistible Jerry's Fries!! KT and I stayed in our favorite B&B whilst "the boy" was sent packing to stay with his cousins just down the road in a small cottage my sister-in-law rents every year. Perfect for me because I can run my moth trap in their garden!

It's not bad for moths here and every year I catch a few bits that I consider to be of interest. I was looking closely at micros this time - of course!!

Here are a few highlights. The lovely moth above is a White Underwing, always a treat to see this ghostly vision...


Here's a moth I don't catch every year - in fact I hadn't seen one for about three years. This is the striking prominent called Notodonta scitipennis. It reminds me of another prominent found in UK, the Iron Prominent. I love the rusty metal aspect of this splendid creature.


Now here's a moth that does also occur in UK - the Ni Moth, only over here it is called the Cabbage Looper Moth. I remember being very excited last year to catch a couple of these in my balcony moth trap in Ramsgate! I've rarely seen this moth in Ontario and I've often wondered it it may be a partial migrant to the area?


Finally this is the brilliant pyralid called Diastictis ventralis. I'd been after this one for years! It seems to be fairly common in coastal fens and can be disturbed and easily netted from suitable habitat during daylight hours. The orange-brown base colour with those sharp white spots are distinctive.

More to follow...