Return to Dickey...

Just back from visiting friends at Dickey Lake in Hastings county. Mixed weather meant mixed fortunes with the moths. First night being too cool and clear after heavy rain all day and the next night, though being much warmer was plagued with prolonged rain. Ya just can't win! However, my persistence paid off in the end. As I checked to trap on the second morning I noticed a smart-looking looper moth resting on the ground by the trap. Quickly jarred it turned out to be the lovely Syngrapha octoscripta shown above. A true beauty. I've always been of the opinion that a new looper is worth ten of any other types, though there are a few notable exceptions...

This species is not uncommon throughout southern and central Ontario but had always eluded me for some reason, was nice to catch up with it at long last so I could get a nice series of photos. The larvae feed on blueberry.

I did catch quite a few moths on the second night but the haul consisted mostly of micros with very few noctuids. It was nice to catch two other flashy loopers in the form of Diachrysia balluca and Syngrapha rectangula.

Otherwise we enjoyed the spectacular hospitality of our gracious hosts Cynthia and Alan, ate some great food, drank copious amounts of various liquids and generally had a great time watching the antics of the kids! Looking forward to returning next year...