This blog has been set up so local people can find out what is going on in the world of Moths, Butterflys and dragonflies in Calderdale. If you have any ID problems put up your photo's and someone will try and help you to id it. 

Friday, 31 March 2017

Hectic with moths last night and there were bound to be a few to struggle with including one or two which seem a bit early (?) ! 
Common Quaker x 15+
Small Quaker x 2
Hebrew Character x 1
Twin-spotted Quaker x 1 very pale individual
Early Grey x 2
Clouded Drab x 2
Agonopterix heracliana x 1
2 unidentified micros.....
3 Pugs which I am still having a look at - will probably post later to see what anyone thinks of them ! 

Also, these below for scrutiny??  -photos below
Diurnea flagella x 1
Ruby Tiger x 1 (maybe a bit early?  and showing signs of injury - wonder if this is from scorching on a MV lamp - if it is then a mesh guard is pending as the last thing I want is injuries to the moths ! 
Bee Moth (early ?)  x 1

Diurnea flagella ? 

Ruby Tiger ? 

Bee Moth ? 

And the 3 different pugs.....all 3 about 10mm wing length which I guess will be either Brindled.. or Double-striped with the top 2 seem to have different wing shapes ? 

Monday, 20 March 2017

Common Quaker x 2
Clouded Drab x 1
Unidentified micro which I think might be 17.011 Ypsolopha ustella (c10mm max) if anyone can help with this one these are the best I could get of the same moth below.  Oak trees nearby ! 

Thursday, 16 March 2017

Didn't expect a lot last night with it being cool and breezy at the back and the moon showing. 
Didn't do too badly though..
Clouded Drab x 2 - well I'm pretty sure that's what they were ! 
Common Quaker x 5
Twin-spotted Quaker x 2

Monday, 13 March 2017

Jennifer found this moth in the kitchen this morning and I managed with difficulty, as it kept hiding in the blinds, to get a couple of photos'
We think it's probably a Common Plume - but not 100% sure ? 
Forewing length c12mm and the App by Chris Manley says the spurs on the hind leg of this species are of unequal length.  One photo seems to confirm this but not sure if that also applies to other 'plumes'. 

I had a quick round on Royds Hall Lane stopping en route to look at tree bases for Bagworms
I restricted looking to South facing stone but nothing evident

Lichens were not abundant on southern Faces and in particular the usual section were I think wall had been repointed and anti foul paint applied .  I did however find one Caterpillar circa 0.8 - 1.1.  cm.  Unfortunately my usual lens is shot so the imaging on the G6 is not good

It looks like the caterpillar of The Common Footman Double Click Image Link( ???)  and Link 2 which would make sense being found at the base of Lichen Covered Wall .  The second image below is lightened and trimmed and you can see (i) the 8 extended orange segments and (ii) the white bristles on each segment The larvae feed on various species of lichens found on trees and fence posts.  It overwinters as a larva.