During this period there were 7 new species for the year.  1 of these was a new moth for my backyard, a Brown-lined Sallow Moth (Sympistis badistriga).  The other new species for the year were:

Johnson's Euchlaena (Euchlaena johnsonaria)
Pale beauty (Campaea perlata)
Parthenice Tiger Moth (Grammia parthenice)
Canadian Fan-foot (Zanclognatha lutalba)
Wavy Chestnut Y (Autographa mappa)
Anhimella contrahens

It’s always nice to get your first tiger moth of the year and the Wavy Chestnut Y (Autographa mappa) is certainly a colourful species.

Split-lined Angle Moth (Speranza bitactata)
Neoligia subjuncta
Stormy Arches (Polia nimbosa)
Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba)

The Scribe (Lettered Habrosyne) (Habrosyne scripta)
Little White Lichen Moth (Clemensia albata)
Brown-streaked Rustic (Hypocoena rufostrigata)
Disparaged Arches (Orthodes detracta)
Trichordestra dodii

False Bruce Spanworm (Speranza loricaria)
White-banded Toothed Carpet (Euphyia intermediata)
Rusty Holomelina (Virbia ferruginosa)

It’s always nice to be able photograph a couple of Geometrids as they tend to be a lot more active than the Noctuids.  This was only my second record of the Rusty Holomelina (Virbia ferruginosa), although, I think I could quite easily overlook this small moth.  The Garden Arches (Lacanobia radix) is a common backyard moth.

The other photographs are a Ruby Dart (Xestia oblata), which in my opinion is one of the most colourful noctuids and a Morrison's Sooty Dart (Pseudohermonassa tenuicula) which is quite common but sometimes tricky to photograph.

Yellow-dusted-Cream (Cabera erythemaria)
Dark Metanema (Metanema determinata)

The Thoughtful Apamea (Apamea cogitata), shown below, has just started to appear in the light trap.  This is another one of the very common backyard moths.  The Flame-shouldered Dart (Ochropleura implecta) was recorded on the 12th June.  Normally very active and difficult to photograph no matter what the temperatures.

Common Idia (Idia aemula)
Putnam's Looper (Plusia putnami)
White-lined Quaker (Apamea niveivenosa)
Glassy Cutworm (Apamea devastator)
Civil Rustic Moth (Platyperigea montana)
Cloudy Arches Moth (Polia imbrifera)
Divergent Dart (Euxoa divergens)
Catocaline Dart (Cryptocala acadiensis)

The Vancouver Dart (Agrotis vancouverensis) is another very common backyard moth.  The Blind-eyed Sphinx Moth (Paonias excaecata) photograph was taken in the Okanagan.

Pepper & Salt Geometer (Biston betularia cognataria)
Apamea commoda
Olive Arches (Lacinipolia olivacea)

Olive Arches (Lacinipolia olivacea) and Bristly Cutworm (Lacinipolia renigera) moths are two of the most common moths that I record in my backyard.

The other moth photograph is a Single-dotted Wave (Idaea dimidiata) which was taken in the Okanagan.

Last night there were 29 macro moths of 16 species in my Calgary backyard light trap.  9 of these were new species for the year.  One of these was a moth that I haven’t recorded before, a Small Phoenix Moth (Ecliptopera silaceata).  The other new species were:

American Idia (Idia americalis)
Yellow-headed Cutworm Moth (Northern Quaker) (Apamea amputatrix)
Apamea alia
Thoughtful Apamea (Apamea cogitata)
Garden Arches (Lacanobia radix)
Bristly Cutworm Moth (Lacinipolia renigera)
Many-lined Wainscot (Leucania multilinea)
Rosy Dart (Diarsia rosaria)

The One-eyed Sphinx Moth (Smerinthus cerisyi) is an Okanagan photograph.  These moths appear to be quite common in the area.

Other new species for the year were:

Morrison's Pero (Pero morrisonaria)
The Canary Thorn (Neoterpes trianguliferata)
Double-banded Carpet (Spargania magnoliata)
Dark-spotted Palthis (Palthis angulalis)
American Angle Shades (Euplexia benesimilis)
The Mottled Rustic (Brungult Lovfly) (Caradrina morpheus)
Intermediate Falconer (Cucullia intermedia)

The Vestal (Cabera variolaria)
Brown Bark Carpet Moth (Horisme intestinata)
Miranda Moth (Proxenus miranda)
Celery Looper (Anagrapha falcifera)
Pink-barred Lithacodia (Pseudeustrotia carneola)
Impressed Dagger Moth (Acronicta impressa)
Neighbourly Arches (Lacinipolia vicina)
Wheat Head Armyworm (Dargida diffusa)
Lesser Wainscot (Mythimna oxygala)
Ruddy Quaker Moth (Protorthodes oviduca)
Vancouver Dart (Agrotis vancouverensis)
Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum)

Brown Bark Carpet Moth (Horisme intestinata)
Gray dagger (Acronicta grisea)
Lesser Wainscot (Mythimna oxygala)
Vancouver Dart (Agrotis vancouverensis)
Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum)

In spite of some warm weather, May was a very quite month for moths but I have included a smart looking Anarta farnhami which was in the trap on the 28th.  The Celery Looper (Anagrapha falcifera) and what I believe is an Alien Probole (Probole alienaria) were recorded on the 6th June.

The moth numbers are definitely on the rise.

The Olive Green Cutworm (Dargida procincta) below was taken on October 21st last year and was one of my latest moth records.  I thought I’d add this migrant American Wigeon photograph , taken yesterday, for some colour.  The bird migration is underway…

With regards to macro moths, I had a single Large Grey Pinion (Lithophane georgii) in the trap on the 9th and 8 moths of 2 species in the light trap on the 11th.  The latter comprised  of 7 Speckled Green Fruitworms (Orthosia hibisci) and a new species for the year, a Western Swordgrass Moth (Xylena thoracica).

Strong winds kept my light trap inside last night and may keep it in tonight.

The photographs below were taken in 2013.

The macro moth numbers were considerably down when compared to previous years but that is as much due to the number of times that I had the light and bait traps out as to anything else.  With vacations and bad weather I only had the light trap out 3 times in June!

Still the year was not a complete loss. I did record 133 species of macro moths, 7 of which were new records for my backyard.  As usual, these figures do not include a handful of species that I have not yet identified and some micro moths.

The new backyard species were:

Black-rimmed Prominent (Pheosia rimosa)
Leucania insueta
Brother Moth (Raphia frater)
Atlantic Arches Moth (Lacanobia atlantica)
Scripted Arches (Mamestra curialis)
Spruce Cone Looper Moth (Eupithecia mutata)
Spotted Grass Moth (Rivula propinqualis)

This brings my backyard macro moth list to 280.

The following is a summary of my most frequently record backyard moths.  No real surprises here:

Once again, a special thanks to Gary Anweiler and anyone else who helped with the ID’s.

The following photographs were taken in the Okanagan, although, I have seen these Sphinx moths in Alberta.

White-faced IbisIn late summer a flock of White-faced Ibis pause at an Alberta marsh during their migration south. White-faced IbisIn late summer a flock of White-faced Ibis pause at an Alberta marsh during their migration south.

The following are the 5 species of Underwing that  I have seen in my backyard this year.  The moth that I believe is a Once-married Underwing Moth (Catocala unijuga) was definitely the largest Underwing that I have seen.

The following is a selection of photographs taken this morning and include one of the more colourful noctuids, a Rosy Dart Moth (Xestia oblata).

Anyway, I did have 2 new backyard species yesterday (2nd July), an Atlantic Arches Moth (Lacanobia atlantica) and a new micro moth with the rather unfortunate name of “Destructive Pruneworm Moth” (Acrobasis tricolorella).  Presumably it was called this due to the fruit that the larvae feed on.  Larval feeding habits aside, it is quite a colourful micro moth.

Vancouver Dart (Agrotis vancouverensis)
Intermediate Falconer (Cucullia intermedia)
Alfalfa Looper (Autographa californica)
White-lined Sphinx (Hyles lineata)
Friendly Probole (Probole amicaria)
Nevada Arches (Lacanobia nevadae
Sutrina Moth (hada sutrina)

There were also 2 species that I can only give tentative ID’s of Lobophora magnoliatoidata and Leucania dia.  In my location these are difficult to separate from Lobophora nivigerata and Leucania insueta respectively.  Thanks to Gary Anweiler for his help with these.

The numbers have been low and only the Vancouver Dart was a repeat species.  These were all in the light trap.  I must get the bait trap out soon…

With regards to 2013, I only recorded 165 macro moth species and very approximately 2253 individual moths.  This compared to 2012 when I recorded 201 species and 2778 individual moths.  I still have a reasonable number of unidentified moths from last year but even allowing for these and for some margin of error it is clear that the species and numbers were down for 2013.  It will be interesting to see what 2014 has in store…

I didn’t record many micro moths last year so thought I would post a photograph of the fairly common California Grass-veneer Moth (Euchromius californicalis).  This was taken on the 1st June 2013.  The forewing length is approximately 10mm.

It’s always nice to get a few October records and the new moth perhaps justifies keeping the light trap out for a little longer...

]]> abnaturephoto@shaw.ca (Ian Maton Nature Photography) https://www.albertanaturephotography.com/blog/2013/10/a-late-moth-and-butterfly-record Tue, 22 Oct 2013 16:33:00 GMT https://www.albertanaturephotography.com/blog/2013/9/end-of-mothing-year I haven’t blogged for a few weeks but the moth numbers have been dropping steadily until 2 days ago when I had my first empty light trap since the start of summer.  I do have some unidentified species and will continue to put up an occasional post as I identify them.

One new species for me, recorded on the 14th Sept, was an Ashen Brindle moth (Lithomoia germana).  This is one of the moths that raises its abdomen at rest.  It’s one of the Cuculliinae  moths which typically turn up at this time of year.  I’ve have also had several of what I believe to be Pallid Rustics (Hydraecia pallescens) and a few Subflava Sedge Borer Moths (Capsula subflava).  The latter Borer moth uses bulrushes, cattails, grasses and rushes as host plants.

Unfortunately, it looks wet again tonight so I will have to rely on the bait trap again.  The 4 new bait trap species for the year were:

White Underwing (Catocala relicta)
Kidney-spotted Rustic (Helotropha reniformis)
Garden Cutworm Moth (Fishia discors)
Olive Green Cutworm (Dargida procincta)

Pale Enargia (Enargia decolor) – In the light trap over several nights. The Alfalfa Looper (Autographa californica) was in the light trap a few nights ago. This image was created using 5 photographs with different focus points.  In general the Loopers (Plusiinae) lend themselves quite well to focus stacking.

Chevron Moth (Eulithis testata)
Celery Looper (Anagrapha falcifera)
Subflava Sedge Borer Moth (Capsula subflava)
Cow Parsnip Borer Moth (Papaipema harrisi)

I tend not to photograph too many micro moths but I did photograph one this morning, a Sod Webworm Moth (Pediasia trisecta).  This image was created using focus stacking and is the result of 7 combined images.

Anyway, more on that later.  Last night there were 40 macro moths of 15 species in the light trap which included 2 new species for the year, a Maple Spanworm (Ennomos magnaria) and a Cloaked Peasant (Brachylomia populi).

I’m staying just outside the Waterton Lakes National Park area for the next few days so hopefully I will have some interesting moths to report on when I get back.  The Vivid Dancer (Argia vivida) Damselfly photograph was taken in Banff National Park.

Hydriomena Furcata (Hydriomena furcata)
American Ear Moth (Amphipoea americana)
Mouse Moth (Amphipyra tragopoginis)
Brown Arches Moth (Lacinipolia stricta)
Venerable Dart (Dusky Cutworm) (Agrotis venerabilis)
Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba)

I’ve included another Semirelict Underwing Moth (Catocala semirelicta) photograph as this has some slightly different markings.

Pink-bordered Yellow (Sicya macularia)
Even-lined Sallow (Ipimorpha pleonectusa)
Divergent Dart (Euxoa divergens)
Western brown dart (Euxoa basalis)

The approximate numbers of macro moths over the last few days are as follows.  I didn’t put the trap out last night or on the 5th August.

Sat 3rd August – 59 moths of 16 species.  No new species for the year.
Sunday 4th August – 83 moths of 18 species.  1 new moth for the year, Oligia rampartensis.
Tuesday 6th August – 72 moths of 13 species.  1 new moth for the year, Two-spot Dart (Protolampra rufipectus).

I’ve included a Dragonfly and Damselfly photograph.  The Dragonfly was taken last Friday in the Banff, Cave and Basin area.  The Damselfly was taken yesterday in my backyard during a short period of sunshine.

Dark-spotted Looper (Diachrysia aereoides)
Tufted Thyatirid (Pseudothyatira cymatophoroides)
Semirelict Underwing Moth (Catocala semirelicta)
White-streaked Looper (Plusia venusta)
Great Gray Dart (Great Brochade) (Eurois occulta)
Ruby Dart (Xestia oblata)

27th July – 24 moths of 13 species.  3 were new for for the year :
Large Looper Moth (Broken-banded Y) (Autographa ampla)
Bertha Armyworm (Mamestra configurata)
Black Army Cutworm (Actebia fennica) – male

29th July – 45 moths 11 species.

30th July – 9 moths of 3 species.

31st July – 60 moths 18 species.

1st August - 96 moths of 24 species.  2 new species for the year:
Zenophleps alpinata
Euxoa Comosa

As can be seen the moth numbers are picking up again.  However, I’m getting quite a number of worn moths so they are not always good photographic subjects. It’s also the time of the year when I get those tricky Euxoa species of moth.  Often with these the only way to be certain of an identification is by dissection so some will remain unidentified.

Here are some of the new species and what I believe is a Red-spot Polia (Lacinipolia davena).  Certainly, a nice looking moth.  The Black Army Cutworm (Actebia fennica) can be identified as a male because of the broad pale border along the posterior edge of the forewing.  This is lacking in the female Actebia fennica.

**Green-patched Looper Moth (Diachrysia balluca)**
Orange-barred Carpet Moth (Dysstroma hersiliata)
Northwestern Phoenix Moth (Eulithis xylina)
Scallop Shell (Rheumaptera undulata)
Briseis Underwing (Catocala briseis)
Double Lobed (Apamea ophiogramma)
Brown-streaked Rustic (Hypocoena rufostrigata)
Civil Rustic Moth (Platyperigea montana)
Bronzed Cutworm Moth (Nephelodes minians)
Euxoa tristicula (Euxoa tristicula)
Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum)
Smith's Dart (Xestia smithii)
Green Arches (Anaplectoides prasina)
Catocaline Dart (Cryptocala acadiensis)

Horisme incana (Horisme incana)
Satin Moth (Leucoma salicis)
Tufted Snout Moth (Phalaenostola metonalis)
Apamea alia (Apamea alia)
Sordid Wainscot (Hypocoena inquinata)
Broad-lined Sallow (Sympistis dinalda)

The 19th of July was another good moth night with 54 moths of 22 species, including a couple of macro moths that I haven’t identified yet. There were 5 new species for the year:

Hooked Silver Y (Syngrapha alias)
Apamea scoparia (Apamea scoparia)
Aster Cutworm Moth (Trichordestra lilacina)
Red-spot Polia (Lacinipolia davena)
Master's Dart (Feltia herilis)

The new species for the year were:

Idia concisa near aemula - Currently an undescribed species
The Scribe (Lettered Habrosyne) (Habrosyne scripta)
Rannoch Looper (Speranza brunneata)
Single-lined Emerald (Nemoria unitaria)
Forest Tent Caterpillar Moth (Malacosoma disstria)
Virgin Tiger (Grammia virgo)
Dark-spotted Palthis (Palthis angulalis)
Abstrusa Looper (Syngrapha abstrusa)
Lined Quaker (Apamea inficita)
Neoligia subjuncta (Neoligia subjuncta)
Polia Moth (Polia piniae)
Hitched Arches (Melanchra adjuncta)
Leucania commoides (Leucania commoides)
Anhimella contrahens (Anhimella contrahens)
Morrison's Sooty Dart (Pseudohermonassa tenuicula)
Dingy Cutworm (Feltia jaculifera)

I have had the trap out for a few days and I am now playing catch up with all of the new species for the year.  On the 16th there were 32 macro moths of 13 species with 9 new species for the year.  I understand that the only way to confidently tell a Crocus Geometer from a False Crocus Geometer Moth (Xanthotype urticaria) is by dissection so my Crocus Geometer ID is just a guess. It’s always nice to get a Tiger moth. The new species were:

Crocus Geometer (Xanthotype sospeta)
Delphinium Leaftier (Polychrysia esmeralda)
White-lined Quaker (Apamea niveivenosa)
Smoked Sallow (Enargia infumata)
Garden Cutworm Moth (Fishia discors)
Mountain Hooded Owlet Moth (Cucullia montanae)
Olive Arches (Lacinipolia olivacea)
Many-lined Wainscot (Leucania multilinea)
Virgin Tiger (Grammia virgo)

Incidentally, with the overnight storms etc., the last few days have been a little quiet, although, I did get one new backyard moth species.  More on this later.

All the best and good mothing,

Ian

Clandestine Dart (Spaelotis clandestina)
Split-lined Angle Moth (Speranza bitactata
Thoughtful Apamea (Apamea cogitata)
Anarta farnhami
Lesser Wainscot (Mythimna oxygala)
American Idia (Idia americalis)
Putnam's Looper Moth (Plusia putnami)

I have to say that Anarta farnhami and Putnam's Looper Moth (Plusia putnami) are two of my favourite noctuids.  I find the intricate patterns and subtle colours of Anarta farnhami quite amazing.

The Canary Thorn (Neoterpes trianguliferata)
Neighbourly Arches (Lacinipolia vicina)
Trichordestra dodii

Barred Yellow (Eulithis propulsata)
Yellow-Headed Cutworm (Apamea amputatrix)
Yellow-dusted-Cream (Cabera erythemaria)
Unicorn Caterpillar Moth (Schizura unicornis)

The Unicorn caterpillar moth is one of my favourites and the image is the result of “focus stacking” 5 photographs.  I didn’t manage photographs of all of the new species but will hopefully add some of them to a future blog.

They day started with 5 moths of 2 species in the light trap.  4 of them being Vancouver Darts (Agrotis vancouverensis) and the other a Ruddy Quaker (Protorthodes oviduca).  Nothing new there.  The bait trap appeared to be empty.  I then decide to risk a trip to the Weaselhead area of Glenmore reservoir to see what state it was in after the floods.  It wasn’t too bad but still very muddy and not unsurprisingly, there were clouds of mosquitoes that you could cut with a knife.  Ok, that’s a slight exaggeration but they were out in numbers in certain areas.  It was reassuring to know that at least one Calliope Hummingbird was still around and that the Cliff Swallows were re-building their nests under the main bridge to the southern part of the Weaselhead area.  However, there was no sigh of the Eastern Phoebe’s that had been nesting under the smaller wooden bridge.  Sadly, I’m certain that these are not the only nesting casualties.  I did manage a few quick shots of a White Admiral (Limenitis arthemis) and a Common Alpine (Erebia epipsodea) before I gave in to the mud and mosquitoes and beat a hasty retreat.

After getting home and washing off many layers of mosquito repellent, I checked the bait trap and was pleased find a Nevada Arches (Lacanobia nevadae).  This was the moth that I’ve recorded only once before on May 31st 2009.  I thought that was pretty much it for day and had just put my camera equipment away when my wife returned with a Snowberry Clearwing (Hemaris diffinis) in a soap box.  I consider myself very lucky to have a wife that would not only spot a moth while walking to the local shops but would actually buy a container to capture it in and the bring it back!!  It turned out to be a very good and unexpected photographic opportunity.  So many thanks to Jenny !

Pepper & Salt Geometer (Biston betularia cognataria)
Dark Metanema (Metanema determinata)
Sphinx vashti (Vashti sphinx)
Common Gluphisia (Gluphisia septentrionis)
Poplar Kitten (Furcula scolopendrina)
Impressed Dagger Moth (Acronicta impressa)
Trichordestra liquida (Trichordestra liquida)
Bristly Cutworm Moth (Lacinipolia renigera)
Bridled Arches (Lacinipolia lorea)

Impressed Dagger Moth (Acronicta impressa), Sphinx vashti (Vashti sphinx) and Poplar Kitten (Furcula scolopendrina) were the yard species that I haven’t recorded before.  Actually, from what I understand Furcula scolopendrina and f. occidentalis cannot be separated with 100% confidence without dissection and both species occur in my area.  However, after studying photographs etc. I’m  tentatively calling this one Furcula scolopendrina.  Thanks again to Gary Anweiler for confirming my Impressed Dagger Moth ID.  With regards to the Sphinx vashti (Vashti sphinx), I’ve seen this Sphinx moth many times in the Twin Butte area of southern Alberta, in fact this was my first Sphinx moth but it is the first time I have had one in my yard since I started backyard moth trapping in 2007.  One other note, I always struggle with the Trichordestra species but think this is Trichordestra liquida.  I’ve included 2 micro moth photographs but they cannot be identified to the species level without dissection. Thanks to Greg Pohl for the micro information and for placing one in the Alucita genus.

This morning there were 8 moths of 3 species in the light trap which included one new moth for the year,  Papestra cristifera.  There was also another Morrison's Pero.  The rest were Vancouver darts (Agrotis vancouverensis) which are currently my most common backyard moth.  Excluding flies and mosquitos, the bait trap continues to be empty…

I am planning to put the moth trap out tonight, although, in light of the recent weather, I am not sure what to expect…

Ian

One thing that I’ve only just realised is that Papestra quadrata appears to be a new backyard moth. I saw at least one last year in the Waterton area but I do appear to have any records of this species for my backyard.   That takes my backyard macro moth list to 260.

No photographs so I’ve included a couple of non moth photographs taken during the last month or so.

As there are so few moths about I’ve added a photograph of a Black-crowned Night-Heron from the weekend.  It was taken at Pakowki Lake in southern Alberta.

I’m in Lethbridge this weekend and there is a storm watch in effect until after midnight so it’s doubtful that I will have a light trap out tonight.  Hoping for better weather tomorrow.

Small Engrailed Moth (Ectropis crepuscularia)    x1
Lappet Moth (Phyllodesma americana)              x2
False Pinion Moth (Litholomia napaea)              x1
Orthosia segregata (Orthosia segregata)            x3
Speckled Green Fruitworm (Orthosia hibisci)      x4

Off to Waterton now.  I think it may be too windy for a light trap tonight.

Lappet Moth (Phyllodesma americana) x1
False Pinion Moth (Litholomia napaea) x1
Subdued Quaker (Orthosia revicta) x2
Speckled Green Fruitworm (Orthosia hibisci) x4

I’m off to Waterton area for a few days so my blog entries may become a little intermittent until next weekend.  I will be taking my light trap with me so hopefully I will get some interesting moths.

False Pinion Moth (Litholomia napaea)
Gooseberry Stretchia (Stretchia muricina) x2
Speckled Green Fruitworm (Orthosia hibisci)

I’ve included a photograph of a Purple Sandpiper that was taken at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary in Calgary.  It was discovered by a birder, photographer, Eddy Matuod on Thursday.  I’m not sure if this is the first documented sighting of a Purple Sandpiper in Alberta but it is certainly an extreme rarity for our area.  I spent an hour photographing this very cooperative Sandpiper on Friday.

Nameless Pinion (Lithophane fagina)
Gooseberry Stretchia (Stretchia muricina)
Hoary Pinion (Lithophane fagina)

No new moth species for the year but I’m adding another photograph of the Hoary Pinion as it shows the white stripe along the costa more clearly.  I photographed two butterfly species at a local wood.  I haven’t identified many butterflies but I’m fairly confident that they are Brown Elfin (Callophrys augustinus) and Moss's Elfin (Callophrys mossii).

Plush-naped Pinion (Lithophane pexata)
Speckled Green Fruitworm (Orthosia hibisci)

While at Glenmore today I think I managed a better photograph of the Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon).

Dot-and-Dash Swordgrass Moth - Xylena curvimacula
False Pinion Moth - Litholomia napaea
Nameless Pinion Moth - Lithophane innominata
Plush-naped Pinion - Lithophane pexata
Subdued Quaker - Orthosia revicta

While at Glenmore I also had some very close views of a Red-breasted Merganser.

I have just completed updating the moth photographs on my flickr website which is located at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ipmcanada/sets/72157625839443694/

This set consists of 550 photographs covering approximately 303 species of Alberta moths.  With regards to the image quality, I learn a little each year and I am hoping to produce some improved photographs in 2013.  Weather permitting of course