The Way of the Wilson...

I couldn't resist the offer of a lift down to my favorite mothing location down in the deep south of South Walsingham. So Saturday afternoon saw me whizzing down with Peter for what I hoped would be a couple of nights of exciting early spring mothing. I had only designed to stay one night...but it didn't quite work out that way! Stay flexible, that's my motto. Was no great hardship and I was well looked after by my gracious hosts.

The moths were indeed very good. I ended up with about 55 species, which ain't too shabby for mid April. I was delighted to see many species I hadn't seen for many years so I could at last obtain some decent photos. This has become a priority of late...but I'll tell about that some other time.

The above moth was my favorite - is the lovely Dogwood Thyatirid. There is a very similar moth in UK with the delightful name Peach Blossom.

Below are few more highlights. I'm going to be brief because there will be more...


The rather drab Goat Sallow. They are quite variable though and I caught one that was quite chestnutty...


The beautifully complex Metalepsis salicarum. I like this one - the pattern appeals to my sense of chaos!


There is something about green noctuids that pleases me immensely, but please don't ask why! This is the lovely Major Sallow. There are others in the same genus, Feralia, that are also green and this is perhaps the least well marked of the bunch. Still nice though innit...


Another wonderfully complex-looking creature, the aptly-named Figure-eight Sallow. The moth is named after the fused orbicular and claviform spots that form an "eight" shape. Is very hairy, which is fairly typical of many early spring fliers.


Another green moth - well, in parts anyway. The rather swish Grote's Sallow. Is a dark beauty with those stylish white tints and highlights. Is very streamlined in the manner of some of the Pinions...


Finally, for now, the best moth of the session, the spectacular Psaphida thaxterianus. I'm pretty sure this species is rather uncommon to rare in the province. Will do some research and let you know. Is a beauty though...

Will post a few more moths from this session tomorrow.