Warm Air = Moths...

Well, it was nice to get amongst some moths at long last! Sorry not have posted anything for a while but, as usual at this time, I've had other things to deal with - not least a heavy workload. The work remains but I cannot resist a trip to the south once the weather warms up and the promise of a glut of moths is in the air.

I was keen to try out my new camera and macro lens on a few willing subjects. It's hard work with the new set-up, but the results are worth it. The chunky moth above is a Dogwood Thyatirid of the form "pennsylvanica" - something I'd not seen before, and quite different from the usual, though much more attractive, form.


This is a Three-spotted Sallow. This is one of many moths that emerge as adults late in the fall and hibernate for the winter. Spring warmth encourages them to fly once more in late April and early May. Most of these moths are pretty low density so all are nice to see.


There were a handful of new moths for me (unlike my friend MK, who was a real pig on this occasion) and the above Lithophane amanda was one of them. I was very pleased with it since it another of those overwintering thingies.


And the star of the show was yet another hibernator that was inspired enough by the warm weather to put in a timely appearance. It is the striking Dot-and-dash Swordgrass Moth - a moth I'd long wanted to see and photograph. There are four species in the genus Xylena that live in the province, this is probably the most widespread and common, though none can be described as really being common. All of the Xylena have the distinctive resting pose with the wings rolled tightly at the apex, creating a very distinctive top-heavy appearance.

Will post some more highlights from this session soon...