Return of The Damselflies Variable Damselfly

Last week 21st recorded the first of the Damselflies Shown below the Variable Blue Damsellfy

0648 White-shouldered House-moth Endrosis sarcitrella

This moth is generally found in the House where it is deemed a pest   Below is a typical headshot showing its adapted head structure

Wingspan 13-20mm

Quote Of the Week 5

Natural history is not about producing fables.

David Attenborough

Hairy Rove Beetle Creophilus maxillosus

Hairy Rove Beetle   Creophilus maxillosus

Size 15 to 22 mm

The large size and stout build, with the distinctive pattern of creamy grey hairs on an otherwise dark body will identify this beetle. The shiny thorax is free from hairs. Curls when threatened, and may   raise its tail 'Scorpion like way

Recent Moths Yorkshire 22nd May 2015 - Rivulet - Devon Carpet - Common Swift - Brown Silver lines - Ocheous Pug

There was a large number of  Chafers AKA May Bug Melolontha melolontha  actually a Beetle ,  est 30 periodically dropping in some flight shots are shot below. Followed bt a Dor Beetle , A limonid cranefly, TBC and also the larger Tipula  extensa easily recognised by its patterned wings . Ground beetles and Weevils Polydrusus and Phyllobius where evident as well as other smaller species Cantharids Soldier beetles Cantharis pellucida also dropped in with a Sawfly (Symphyta TBC)



1751  The Devon Carpet

Wingspan 27-30 mm.

A relatively scarce species, found mainly in the south and south-west of England and south Wales

.The caterpillars are brown with paler buff markings, and feed on common marsh bedstraw (Galium palustre) and possibly also fen bedstraw (Galium uliginosum)

1759 Small Phoenix Ecliptopera silaceata

The main larval foodplants are willowherbs (Epilobium spp.).

Profile showing Upright Tuft 

0017 Common Swift Korscheltellus lupulina

Feeding on the roots of grasses and small plants, the larvae live underground.

1802 The Rivulet Perizoma affinitata

Red campion (Silene dioica) is the preferred foodplant, the caterpillars living inside the seed capsules, eating the seeds.

1902 Brown Silver-line Petrophora chlorosata

It flies in a single generation during May and June, and occupies woodland and upland areas where its foodplant grows in profusion.Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) is the foodplant of the caterpillars, which occur from July to September.

1844 Ochreous Pug Eupithecia indigata

it is a species of coniferous woodland, and flies early in the year, during April and May. The caterpillars feed on the young shoots or buds of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) or larch (Larix).

Wingspan 15-18 mm.

Image (C) 2015 Andy Cockroft

One last one before the lcamera went to bed.... A White Shouldered House Moth

0648 White-shouldered House-moth Endrosis sarcitrella

Lapping up the soapy surface on washing machine !!

Other Finds of the Night Common Chafer Melolontha melolontha

Tipula extensa - Cranefly

A Sawfly TBC (Symphyta)

A Moment in Time

Today seen large numbers of Rhingia campestris a Beaked Hoverfly feeding on Bugle, the mouth parts of this beaked hoverfly are shown below and are ideal for the feeding on the deep flowers structrure such as Bugle Cantharids or Soldier beetle where evident Rhagoncho limbatus and Cantharis pellucida   other Coleoptera included the Cream Streaked ladybird and the 7 Spot and Harlequin Ladybird . A large number of Brown Streaked Lochmania crategei Beetles where foun on the Hawtorn host as well as Phyylobius Nettle weevils on the Ground Layer . Mating Craneflies where observed Tipula lateris TBC . The small Micro Moth 1234 Pammene regiana or Regal Piercer was also recorded . Peacock Butterflies where the main Butterfly in flight throughout the day. Bees such as the Common Carder bombus pratorum and Bombus Terrestris Buf Tailed Bee where on the move . Bluebell where in flower throughout

Regal Piercer - 1234 Pammene regiana

This one AKA Regal piercer found in vicinity of Sycamore in a mixed wooded grass area a cousin  of Pammene aurata seen during the summer on Hogweed slightly later in the season  

Witch Elm Ulmus glabra

Often overlooked Witch Elm Ulmus glabra is potential laravl food for Butterflies like the White letter hairstreak

Possible Neottiura bimaculata TBC

Neottiura bimaculata TBC

2469 The Herald Scoliopteryx libatrix

2469 The Herald Scoliopteryx libatrix Found04.05.2015 on Hawthorn Daytime, This specimen had a marked  glossy silver legs not apparent from the image This moth underpins the importance of Willow accross a LNR The larvae feed on willow (Salix) and poplar (Populus)

1851 Golden-Rod Pug Eupithecia virgaureata

1851 Golden-Rod Pug  Eupithecia virgaureata