Light After Dark Knaresborough Yorkshire UK

Light After Dark Knaresborough Yorkshire UK

Walnut Tree Juglans regia and Walnut Leaf Gall Mite - Aceria erinea

Walnut Juglans regia


Walnut is a deciduous broadleaf tree native to south-east Europe to south-west China.

The walnut's botanical name, Juglans, originates in Roman mythology. According myth, Jupiter, who was also known as Jove, lived on walnuts when he lived on earth. Therefore Romans called walnuts Jovis glans, meaning 'the glans of Jupiter.' The botanical name of the English walnut, Juglans regia, means the 'royal nut of Jupiter'.

Description to 35m. They typically have a short trunk and broad crown, though can be narrower if grown in a woodland situation. The bark is smooth and olive-brown when young, developing fissures and fading to silver-grey with age. Twigs are stout, green and curving.

Leaves: shiny and pinnate (feather-like), with 5-9 paired oval leaflets and one 'terminal' leaflet at the end.

Flowers: male flowers are drooping yellow-green catkins 5–10 cm long, and the female flowers appear in clusters of 2-5.

Fruits: pollinated by wind, female flowers develop into a fruit with a green, fleshy husk and a brown, wrinkled walnut.




















Aceria erinea is a mite that causes galls to form on the leaves of Walnut. Large yellowish blisters appear on the upper surface of the leaves with corresponding hollows on the underside which are lined with whitish or pale brown hairs among which the mites live and feed

Wellingtonia - Giant Redwoods - Sequoiadendron giganteum

Wellingtonia (Sequoiadendron giganteum)

Ripley In the Sun

A Day Visit to Ripley Castle

Garden Moths 17th June 2017

Weather - Warm 18o Light Breeze. Low Humidity ,

General Comments Lots of Small Magpies , and Peppered Moths which seemed to be local to the Pebble Dashing nearby and on shed . A flurry of Large Yellow Clunbsy things have also returned

Other Entomology  Birch Shieldbug

MV 120 W Robinson

73.317 BF2089    Heart & Dart Agrotis exclamationis
73.162 BF2321    Dark Arches Apamea monoglypha
73.176 BF2340    Middle-barred Minor Oligia fasciuncula
49.039 BF 998     Light Brown Apple Moth Epiphyas postvittana x12

63.025 BF1376    Small Magpie Anania hortulata  x4

73.173 BF2337    Marbled Minor Agg  Oligia strigilis

70.226 BF1906    Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis luteolata
70.252 BF1931    Peppered Moth Biston betularia  x3

70.061 BF1738    Common Carpet Epirrhoe alternata
63.018 BF1378    Elder Pearl Anania coronata
62.001 BF1428    Bee Moth Aphomia sociella 

73.329 BF2102    Flame Shoulder Ochropleura plecta x2

49.156 BF1083    Marbled Orchard Tortrix Hedya nubiferana

72.003 BF2477    The Snout Hypena proboscidalis
70.097 BF1764    Common Marbled Carpet Dysstroma truncata

73.113 BF2306    Angle Shades Phlogophora meticulosa
73.342 BF2107   Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba
Pugs



70.252 BF1931    Peppered Moth Biston betularia



73.317 BF2089    Heart & Dart Agrotis exclamationis





73.342 BF2107   Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba







73.162 BF2321     Dark Arches Apamea monoglypha

73.176 BF2340    Middle-barred Minor Oligia fasciuncula

1428 Bee Moth Aphomia sociella ABH 62.001  Female




73.329 BF2102    Flame Shoulder Ochropleura plecta



63.018 BF1378    Elder Pearl Anania coronata




72.003 BF2477    The Snout Hypena proboscidalis



73.113 BF2306    Angle Shades Phlogophora meticulosa

Pug  For Confirmation - ?????



Comments


73.175 BF2338 Rufous Minor Oligia versicolor

One of potentially 3 similars requiring Gen Det but based on superficial looks possibly a Rufous Minor NOTE Not an absolute ID for the reasons above

Garden Moths 24th May 2017

Garden Moths  24th May 2017

Weather Warm, circa 17o , Still, MV 120

VC 63 West Yorkshire

71.012 BF2000  Iron Prominent Notodonta dromedarius
70.226 BF1906  Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis luteolata
71.013 BF2003  Pebble Prominent Notodonta ziczac
63.025 BF1376  Small Magpie Anania hortulata
70.100 BF1776  Green Carpet Colostygia pectinataria
70.061 BF1738  Common Carpet Epirrhoe alternata
70.097 BF1764  Common Marbled Carpet Dysstroma truncata

70.252 BF1931  Peppered Moth Biston betularia
62.001 BF1428  Bee Moth Aphomia sociella



70.061 BF1738  Common Carpet Epirrhoe alternata



71.012 BF2000  Iron Prominent Notodonta dromedarius



70.100 BF1776 Green Carpet Colostygia pectinataria

63.025 BF1376  Small Magpie Anania hortulata



70.252 BF1931  Peppered Moth Biston betularia



71.013 BF2003  Pebble Prominent Notodonta ziczac





70.226 BF1906  Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis luteolata



62.001 BF1428  Bee Moth Aphomia sociella

+ ID

+ ID

MORE TO FOLLOW

Bag Worms

Bagworms

The Psychidae (bagworm moths, also simply bagworms or bagmoths) are a family of the Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) which are much overlooked

"Bags" resemble caddisfly cases in their outward appearance – a mass of (mainly) plant detritus spun together with silk on the inside.. The case is based on a silk tube, to which the larva attaches various bits of plant, matter such as lichens, algae, sand, insects and debris. Like Caddis Psychidae larvae construct cases that can be identifiable through combinations of shape, size and material , this is not always reliable due to similar constructions in other species so rearing is recommended

In the larval stage, bagworms extend their head and thorax from their mobile case to devour the leaves of host plants, often leading to the death of their hosts

Bagworm caterpillars make distinctive 1.5 to 2 inch long spindle-shaped bags that can be seen hanging from twigs of a variety of trees and shrubs. Sometimes the bags are mistaken for pine cones or other plant structures. 

Adult females of many bagworm species have only vestigial wings, legs, and mouthparts. In some species, parthenogenesis is known. The adult males of most species are strong fliers with well-developed wings and feathery antennae but survive only long enough to reproduce due to underdeveloped mouthparts that prevent them from feeding. Their wings have few of the scales characteristic of most moths, instead having a thin covering of hairs.
Some Bagworm Species


11.006 ... B&F 0181 Taleporia tubulosa (Retzius, 1783)

11.005 ... B&F 0179 Dahlica lichenella .. Lichen Case-bearer (Linnaeus, 1761) (Recorded VC63 )

11.004 ... B&F 0177 Dahlica inconspicuella .. Lesser Lichen Case-bearer (Stainton, 1849)

11.009 ... B&F 0184 Luffia ferchaultella (Stephens, 185

11.012 ... B&F 0186 Psyche casta (Pallas, 1767)

11.002 B&F 0175) Narycia duplicella

11.001 B&F 0180) Diplodoma laichartingella (Recorded VC63 )

11.003 B&F 0176) Dahlica triquetrell

Psychidae Families UK Moths

11.001 B&F 0180) Diplodoma laichartingella

The larva builds a case, covered with small fragments of plant matter and other particles, and feeds on lichens, decaying plant matter and detritus. The larval period usually lasts for two years.During the Winter months, cases can be found tucked well into the characteristic hollows around the roots of mature Beech trees, the larvae becoming active from late March and early April, moving back up the tree trunks to begin feeding.

11.009 ... B&F 0184 Luffia ferchaultella (Stephens, 185

Chris Manley (in his `British Moths`, 2nd Edition 2015) states that it can be `abundant on tree trunks in damp woods` and other sources mention old fence posts (or other wooden objects) or old walls where powdery grey lichens grow. The latter can be locally frequent, even in urban areas. Luffia is said to prefer `shady places` rather than tree trunks and walls etc in full sun.March/early April) is said to be the best time to find the distinctive larval cases. as cases are, by then, full sized (up to 6mm) and easier to spot.

Common Footman Eilema lurideola ABH 72.045 BF2050

These small caterpillars 0.8 mm - 1.2 mm where found at the base of a lichen covered wall .

Its likely this is the Caterpilar of the Common Footman

72.045 BF2050    Common Footman Eilema lurideola

Quote of The week 14

He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature.

Socrates

The King of Fishers

Size and Colour

Common Kingfishers measure 17 – 19 centimetres in length, weigh between 34 – 46 grams and have a wingspan of 25 centimetres. Their beak is around 4 centimetres long and pointed. Kingfishers have short, orange coloured legs.

Lens Standard 300mm Tamron non-stabilised lens

                   YWT Adel Dam LNR

Kingfishers have very keen eyesight. The kingfisher has monocular vision (in which each eye is used separately) in the air and binocular vision (in which both eyes are used together) in water. The underwater vision is not as a sharp as in the air, however, the ability to judge the distance of moving prey is more important than the sharpness of the image.

Where To see Them

Kingfishers are found by still or slow flowing water such as lakes, canals and rivers in lowland areas. In winter, some individuals move to estuaries and the coast. Occasionally they may visit garden ponds if of a suitable size. They can be seen all year round. Cromwell Bottom is an ideal location for theses birds with a unique comnbination of the River Calder, Canals and Lagoons

General Facts

Kingfishers are  vulnerable to hard winters and habitat degradation through pollution or unsympathetic management of watercourses. Kingfishers are amber listed because of their unfavourable conservation status in Europe. It is estimated there are 3,800-4,600 breeding pairs in the UK

Many young kingfishers die within days of fledging, their first dives leaving them waterlogged so they end up drowning.Because of the high mortality of young, kingfishers usually have two or three broods a year, with as many as 10 in a brood.

This image catches the Kingfisher just as it expresses in the  afternoon during its preening ritual
 the white liquid faeces is forcably ejeted in a dramatic fashion seen ejected just behind this bird

Preening Ritual 

Kingfishers live in burrows which are often insanitary therefore a good preening regime is essential in keeping feathers clean and in working condition

Like all small birds the Kingfisher remains wary of  overhead activity to avoid presation by raptors

Feeding

The common kingfisher hunts from a perch 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) above the water, on a branch, post or riverbank, bill pointing down as it searches for prey. It bobs its head when food is detected to gauge the distance, and plunges steeply down to seize its prey usually no deeper than 25 cm (9.8 in) below the surface

Territory

Like all kingfishers, the common kingfisher is highly territorial; since it must eat around 60% of its body weight each day, it is essential to have control of a suitable stretch of river. It is solitary for most of the year, roosting alone in heavy cover. If another kingfisher enters its territory, both birds display from perches, and fights may occur, where a bird will grab the other's beak and try to hold it under water. Pairs form in the autumn but each bird retains a separate territory, generally at least 1 km (0.62 mi) long, but up to 3.5 km (2.2 mi) and territories are not merged until the spring.

The courtship is initiated by the male chasing the female while calling continually, and later by ritual feeding, mating usually following.


More Videos On The Kingfisher

Wayward Home ......

Cryptic Crossword 50 British Moths

Christmas is coming Nothing Much is moving on the Moth Front -  but here is an opportunity to Brush up on  50 British Species albeit in a Cryptic Way . This is a great opportunity for Moth Gurus to show their Skill Prowess and Knowledge !!!!!!!!! 

I wonder if anyone can complete it ( apologies in advance for the Cryptic Clues but be thankful it was'nt a crossword on Craneflies :-)  ) Best of Luck !!

Apologies on quality of grid Please save from image click and print off to complete the Grid . The saved image can be blown up on Windows viewer if you need to make numbers clearer

Link To Download

ACROSS

  2 Something speckled best served with seasoning ?  
  5 Flown to close to the Lamp ?  
  6 A score of Feathers ?  
  8 Not a Brussels Sprout but same Family  
  12 Spick & Span nicely polished  
  13 A seasonal expectation this time of Year ?  
  17 Combustion at the sides of neck ?  
  19 This one is a big green Jewel  
  20 Two Birds in one !!!!!!  
  22 High Flier with the Cartography  
  24 German Folk likely seen around Whitby ?  
  29 Invasive suite plays its cards right this year  & returns
  31 Calderdales flooring dilemma  
  35 Works in the Woodland ?  
  36 Regal Oriental  
  38 Underneath the Bridge on a dimly lit night ?  
  40 This Common moth is no slow coach  
  42 Geometry in sun glasses ?  
  44 Female Geriatric  
  45 Not a newspaper or revealing angel  
  46 something of a nosy creature ?  
  47 Lawn all in a Tangle ?  
  49 Something of a Romany ???  

  50 A quick sweep and clean up

DOWN

  1 Citrus gets chilled on cold winter day  
  3 Weather looking overcast at the edge ?  
  4 Fast Citrus  
  7 Butler with healthy complexion  
  9 One fat ladywell proportioned & not much more?Bingo ?
  10 Dull Stain on the best Crockery ?  
  11 here we go round the planet ?  
  14 Moon beneath the flight structures ???  
  15 Nellie and the Raptor ?  
  16 Lets paint the bridge beige and admire its structure ??  
  18 An obvious Stone ?  
  21 Criss Cross across the Moor ?  
  23 Not quite a Popular Raptor ?  
  25 Hot footed flooring ?  
  26 Just as you thought you have bailed the criminal !!  
  27 Bright one on the sea shore ??  
  28 Not a water carpet but a small stream ?  
  30 A maker of Flour ?  
  32 This moth has things in common with Santa Reindeer  
  33 Beware the ides of March ? Get the Point ?  
  34 A ribbon at Sea  
  37 The answer could be right at the side of your Head ???  
  39 The answer would be on the end of your Nose  
  41 Two pints and a Packet of Crisps please ?  
  43 Spooky Candidate  

  48 What the Farmer works with !!!

Its Snowing.....

All The leaves are Brown ?

This is a very simplied view to leaf Colour. With the Season under way Natures Canvas paints its own Picture

GREEN- Is due to a pigment know as Chlorophyll the chlorophyll's green color dominates and masks out the colors of any other pigments that may be present in the leaf during the grow season. As Autumn approached Trees undergo practical changes due to harsher temperature and lower light levels allowing other colours to appear Chlorophyll, which gives leaves their basic green color. It is necessary for photosynthesis, the chemical reaction that enables plants to use sunlight to manufacture sugars for their food. Trees in the temperate zones store these sugars for their winter dormant period.

COLOUR

Veins that carry fluids into and out of the leaf are gradually closed off as a layer of special cork cells forms at the base of each leaf. As this cork layer develops, water and mineral intake into the leaf is reduced, slowly at first, and then more rapidly. It is during this time that the chlorophyll begins to decrease.

Often the veins will still be green after the tissues between them have almost completely changed color.

YELLOW & ORANGE

As the chlorophyll breaks down, the green color disappears, and the yellow to orange colors become visible and give the leaves part of their fall splendor.Orange Yellows can be due to carotenes and xanthophyll. Carotenoids, which produce yellow, orange, and brown colors in such things as corn, carrots, and daffodils, as well as rutabagas, buttercups, and bananas.

RED

At the same time other chemical changes may occur, which form additional colors through the development of red anthocyanin pigments. Some mixtures give rise to the reddish and purplish fall colors of trees such as dogwoods.Anthocyanins, which give color to such familiar things as cranberries, red apples, concord grapes, blueberries, cherries, strawberries, and plums. They are water soluble and appear in the watery liquid of leaf cells.

Weather Affects Color Intensity

Temperature, light, and water supply have an influence on the degree and the duration of autumn color. Low temperatures above freezing will favor anthocyanin formation producing bright reds in maples. However, early frost will weaken the brilliant red color. Rainy and/or overcast days tend to increase the intensity of fall colors. The best time to enjoy the autumn color would be on a clear, dry, and cool (not freezing) day

Catch The Rainbow

Alexander's band or Alexander's dark band is an optical phenomenon associated with rainbows which was named after Alexander of Aphrodisias who first described it in 200 ADIt occurs due to the deviation angles of the primary and secondary rainbows. Alexander's band lies between the two rainbows.