The year’s recording has begun here at IGC. With the mild conditions yesterday evening I took a walk out onto the course to an area of acid grassland to search for the young larvae of Lunar yellow underwing. Wasn’t disappointed, managed to see 20 in about 15 minutes of searching the grass, all the caterpillars perched high up on dry stems, no doubt drying out after all the rain we have had! Also found larvae of Straw underwing (2), Square-spot rustic (6) and a single True lover’s knot larva on Heather. All larvae were very small apart from the True lover’s which was around 2cm long.
Then had a quick check of a few Oak tree trunks on the way back home – about 10 Winter moth seen, all males. A quick look around the security light at the clubhouse revealed 6 more Winter moth and 12 Mottled umber. No Spring usher or Pale brindled beauty though, so seems they haven’t got going here just yet.
Today, found a hibernating Acrolepia autumnitella, a nice find as I don’t see many of these each year. So, my list for 2014 is up to 7 already.
If we get a decent mild night soon I may try trapping.
Let’s hope 2014 is another good year for moths carrying on from the excellent second half of 2013.
Neil
There are a few Winter Moths still around here but I added my first real moth to the year-list last night (11th) with an Early Moth on the kitchen window, braving the frosty weather.
Mark