Ian Maton Nature Photography: Blog

Blog for 8th, 9th and 10th July

Fri, 10 Jul 2015 13:15:00 GMT

There were 89 macro moths of 18 species on the 8th July, 87 of 28 on the 9th and 128 of 23 on the 10th. As can be seen the numbers are quite high which is to be expected during this warm and fairly dry spell.

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.

Blog entry for 6th July

Thu, 09 Jul 2015 19:30:00 GMT

There were 65 macro moths of 19 species on the 6th. 4 were new for the year:

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

Blog entry for 3rd July

Thu, 09 Jul 2015 17:24:00 GMT

This was the best night of the year so far with 107 macro moths of 27 species in the light trap. 5 of these were new for the year and 1 was a macro moth that I haven’t recorded before, a Northern Pine Tussock Moth (Dasychira plagiata). I haven’t seen many Tussock moths so this was a very nice addition to the list. The other new moths for the year were:

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

Blog entry for 2nd July

Tue, 07 Jul 2015 17:39:00 GMT

Due to the weather, my light trap has only been out intermittently over the last week or so. I did have 64 macro moths of 24 species on the 2nd with 3 new species for the year.

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.

Blog entry for 28th and 29th June

Fri, 03 Jul 2015 17:22:00 GMT

I’m a little behind with my blog entries so I will be combining a few. The moth numbers have exploded during the recent hot spell of weather. On the 28th there were approximately 20 species of 95 macro moths in the light trap and on the 29th there were 31 species of 119 macro moths. Over the 2 days there were 59 Bristly Cutworm Moths (Lacinipolia renigera), which continues to be my most numerous backyard moth and 2 new species. The new species were a Two-spot Dart Moth (Eueretagrotis perattentus) and a nice looking geometrid, a White-ribboned Carpet Moth (Mesoleuca ruficillata).

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.

Backyard Report

Fri, 26 Jun 2015 08:11:00 GMT

The high early morning temperatures are making photography quite tricky. A number of moths flew out of the trap as soon as I lifted the lid. I did record 57 moths of 15 species so the numbers are continuing to increase. Just 2 new moths for the year:

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.

Backyard Report

Thu, 25 Jun 2015 12:32:00 GMT

There were approximately 49 macro moths of 17 species in my light trap last night. I say, approximately, as a few got away before I could photograph them. The warm overnight weather means they are quite active even at 6:30am. 8 were new for the year but there were no completely new species. The new ones for the year were:

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.

June 24th

Wed, 24 Jun 2015 10:14:00 GMT

It was fairly quiet in the Light trap this morning. There were 24 macro moths of 9 species with 3 being new for the year.

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.

June 23rd–New Moth

Tue, 23 Jun 2015 18:29:00 GMT

I’ve just returned from a weeks vacation in the southern Okanagan. I’ll include a few moths from the Okanagan in the next couple of blogs.

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.

Another good moth night

Thu, 11 Jun 2015 19:51:00 GMT

This morning I recorded 47 macro moths of 17 species. This included yet another 2 new species. A very nice Splendid Dagger Moth (Acronicta superans) and a Wormwood pug (Eupithecia absinthiata). I must admit I sometimes overlook the pug species but this one caught my eye as it had some fairly prominent markings. That brings my new backyard macro moth species for the year to 9. And it’s only June!

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)

More new backyard moth species

Wed, 10 Jun 2015 18:37:00 GMT

The moth numbers jumped last night with 47 macro moths of 14 species. There were another 2 new species which included a very nice Isabella Tiger Moth (Pyrrharctia isabella). I have seen this moth in the Okanagan but it was certainly a welcome new backyard species. The other new moth was a Praevia Dart Moth (Xestia praevia). The latter was on the house siding across from the trap and I almost missed it. Other species recorded this morning were:

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)

Post for Tues 9th June–More new backyard species

Wed, 10 Jun 2015 17:28:00 GMT

There were 13 macro moths of 7 species in the Light trap yesterday morning. This included 2 new species. The new species were Pale-marked Angle Moth (Macaria signaria) and Orthodes obscura. Other species included:

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

New Backyard Moth Species

Mon, 08 Jun 2015 18:17:00 GMT

There were 11 moths of 6 species in the light trap this morning and 2 were new backyard species. A Gray Spruce Looper Moth (Caripeta divisata) was a completely new species for me while a Sigmoid Prominent Moth (Clostera albosigma) was a new species for my backyard. The image of the Sigmoid Prominent was taken in the Waterton area as I failed to get a good photograph of this moth this morning.

Moths number increasing

Sun, 07 Jun 2015 19:59:00 GMT

I haven’t had the backyard light trap out a great deal recently but last night there were 12 moths of 7 species. They included an Atlantic Arches Moth (Lacanobia atlantica) which I believe is only the second time I have recorded this species.

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.

April 22nd

Wed, 22 Apr 2015 18:46:00 GMT

Last night there was one new species for the year and 6 Speckled Green Fruitworms (Orthosia hibisci). The new species was an Orthosia segregata (no common name that I can find). This is an expected moth species for this time of the year. Nothing in the bait trap yet apart from a good number of flies…

Some different moths at last…

Tue, 21 Apr 2015 17:44:00 GMT

There were a couple of new backyard moths for the year in the light trap this morning. One was a Thaxter's Pinion Moth (Lithophane thaxteri). This was a good record as I have only seen this moth once before on the 22nd Oct 2013. The other new species for the year was an Alfalfa Looper (Autographa californica). This was my earliest record for this moth by a few days. Of course, there were also the inevitable Speckled Green Fruitworm (Orthosia hibisci) moths. 8 in total. I have the bait trap out as well now so we’ll see what that attracts.

April 16th Moth

Thu, 16 Apr 2015 18:09:00 GMT

Not many moths in backyard at the moment. Just 1 Speckled Green Fruitworm (Orthosia hibisci) in the light trap this morning. If the wind drops I’m hoping for more tonight.

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…

April Moths

Sun, 12 Apr 2015 14:26:00 GMT

Not too much to report for last week, although, I did find a new backyard micro moth on the door next to my light trap yesterday morning (11th). I think the new micro is a Semioscopis inornata. I found 2 common names for this moth. The one used on the E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum is Dull Flatbody Moth and in the Peterson guide it is Plain Semioscopis. I guess it is plain and could be considered Dull so you can take your pick…

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.

March 31st Backyard Moths

Thu, 02 Apr 2015 17:36:00 GMT

There were 3 moths of 2 species in the light trap on the 31st. 2x Dot-and-Dash Swordgrass (Xylena curvimacula) and 1x Speckled Green Fruitworm (Orthosia hibisci). Since then cooler temperatures and strong winds have prevented me from putting the Light trap out. Hopefully the weather will settle down again soon.

The photographs below were taken in 2013.

My First Backyard Macro Moth of 2015!

Mon, 30 Mar 2015 10:29:00 GMT

We’ve had a lot of warm weather recently but my light trap had remained stubbornly empty until last night when 2 Speckled Green Fruitworm (Orthosia hibisci) moths turned up. This is my earliest ever record of a macro moth since I started mothing in 2007. My previous early record was a Dot-and-Dash Swordgrass (Xylena curvimacula) on the 1st April 2013. Hopefully, this is the start of an interesting mothing year.

Summary of my Calgary Backyard Moth Species for 2014

Thu, 26 Mar 2015 18:50:00 GMT

As the 2015 mothing season appears to be just around the corner, he says hopefully, I thought it was about time that I did an end of year summary for 2014…

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:

Backyard Moths where the numbers counted were greater than 50
Common Name	Latin Name	Number
Glassy Cutworm	Apamea devastator	395
Thoughtful Apamea	Apamea cogitata	308
Bristly Cutworm Moth	Lacinipolia renigera	160
Olive Arches	Lacinipolia olivacea	109
Civil Rustic Moth	Platyperigea montana	83
Morrison's Sooty Dart	Pseudohermonassa tenuicula	71
Lesser Wainscot	Mythimna oxygala	65
Bronzed Cutworm Moth	Nephelodes minians	56
Mottled Rustic	Caradrina morpheus	53
Setaceous Hebrew Character	Xestia c-nigrum	53

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 Ibis

Mon, 15 Sep 2014 20:51:24 GMT

I've been trying to get some reasonable photographs of White-faced Ibis for some time and so was very pleased when I managed to follow a flock of approximately 15 birds to a marshy landing spot east of Calgary. After feeding for 30 minutes or so I lost sight of them as they continued their southward migration.

Eared Grebes taking care of their chicks

Mon, 15 Sep 2014 17:25:00 GMT

Eared Grebe chicks take a ride on their parents back. These photographs were taken at a small marsh east of Calgary.

Snow and a few more August moths

Mon, 15 Sep 2014 10:17:00 GMT

The snow of last week has cleared and temperatures should reach the low 20’s Celsius for most of this week. However, after 15cm of snow, severe frosts, temperatures as low as –4 and untold tree and damage I was quite surprised to find any moths in my light and bait traps trap this morning. There was a single macro moth in my light trap yesterday but 5 moths of 5 species this morning. I will blog about todays moths in a later post but here are a few more moths from the balmy days of August…

August – A good month for Underwings

Mon, 08 Sep 2014 16:03:00 GMT

With snow and temperatures barely above freezing, here in Calgary, the high temperatures of August already seem like a distant memory. August was certainly my best month on record for Underwings. On the 15th, 13 Underwings of 4 species in the bait trap was a record for my backyard. I don’t think I’ve had any Underwings in the light trap this year but the bait trap has been very productive. I’m not sure if it made a real difference but this was the first year that I used Pineapple. Other ingredients were banana, grapes, a dash of maple syrup and any other fruit that came to hand… Actually, described like that it almost sounds like a nice desert recipe!

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.

August Moths

Wed, 06 Aug 2014 19:17:00 GMT

With no threat of storms, I finally managed to get the bait and light traps out last night. The combined total this morning was approximately 110 macro moths of 30 species. The bait trap paid off with a Charming Underwing Moth (Catocala blandula). I’ve only had this species once before and didn’t manage a particularly good photograph previously so I was happy to get a second chance. Other new backyard species for the year included a Northwestern Phoenix (eulithis xylina) and a Dark-spotted Looper Moth (Diachrysia aereoides). The Celery Looper (Anagrapha falcifera) photograph was the product of 6 stacked photographs while the Dark-spotted Looper was the product of 5 stacked photographs.

77 moths of 19 species

Tue, 22 Jul 2014 15:24:00 GMT

There were approximately 77 macro moths of 19 species in the light trap this morning. 44 of these were either Glassy Cutworms (Apamea devastator) or Thoughtful Apameas (Apamea cogitata). There was one new species for the backyard, a geometrid, which I believe is a Spruce Cone Looper Moth (Eupithecia mutata). I’m not 100% certain about the ID but will call it that for now.

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

A few more July moths

Sat, 12 Jul 2014 19:34:00 GMT

There were 61 moths of 23 species in the Light and bait traps on the 11th. This included 7 new species for the year. There was a new backyard moth on the 8th July, a Scripted Arches (Mamestra curialis) and another new backyard moth on the 4th, a Black-rimmed Prominent (Pheosia rimosa). I have seen the latter species during my trips south to the Waterton area but this is the first time I have seen a Black-rimmed Prominent in my Calgary backyard. Last night was a little quieter with 41 moths of 16 species and just 1 new moth for the year, a Delphinium Leaftier (Polychrysia esmeralda). The following are a few photographs from the last few days.

July Moths

Tue, 08 Jul 2014 11:15:00 GMT

Getting good numbers of moths now and no thunder storms last night… Conservatively, there were 40 macro moths of 20 species in the light trap last night. Due to the warm morning, several species escaped as soon as I opened the trap. I didn't think there were any new backyard species but there were several that were new for the year.

Some mothing at last…

Thu, 03 Jul 2014 19:18:00 GMT

What with the overnight weather and recent trips, I haven’t done a lot of backyard mothing this year and it is already July! Where has the time gone…?

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.

Calgary moths for the 7th-9th June

Mon, 09 Jun 2014 13:15:00 GMT

After being away for a couple of weeks I’ve finally managed to get the moth trap out for a few nights and am seeing some nice species. This morning (9th) I had my first backyard Sphinx of the year, a White-lined Sphinx (Hyles lineata). Other species over the last 3 nights were:

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…

A few moths at last…

Wed, 14 May 2014 19:37:00 GMT

There were just 4 moths of 3 species in the light trap last night. 3 were Speckled Green Fruitworm (Orthosia hibisci) moths and one was a Gooseberry Stretchia (Stretchia muricina). Gooseberry Stretchia is a medium sized noctuid that I usually see in spring. The other photograph is of a Small Engrailed Moth (Ectropis crepuscularia) that I found while walking around the Weaselhead area of Glenmore reservoir.

Recent Moths

Sun, 04 May 2014 13:03:00 GMT

Not much to report from the last week. On the 30th April there were 6 Speckled Green Fruitworm moths (Orthosia hibisci) and 1 new backyard species for the year, a Western Swordgrass (Xylena thoracica). Other than that, on the 1st May there were 7 Speckled Green Fruitworm moths, 1 Dot-and-Dash Swordgrass Moth (Xylena curvimacula) and 1 False Pinion Moth (Litholomia napaea) in the light trap. The latter was also a new species for the year but a rather worn specimen. Now waiting for the weather to improve…

Variations of the Speckled Green Fruitworm moth

Wed, 23 Apr 2014 15:08:00 GMT

Due to the weather I haven’t had the light trap out much recently. However, on the 22nd April there were 9 Speckled Green Fruitworm (Orthosia hibisci) moths in the trap. The following are stacked images (two more images using different focus points combined) and show three variations of this moth.

Two more hibernators

Fri, 11 Apr 2014 09:47:00 GMT

Because of strong winds I haven’t had the light trap out for a couple of nights but l did put it out last night and was rewarded with two Dot-and-Dash Swordgrass (Xylena curvimacula) moths. The Least Chipmunk was seen at Glenmore reservoir.

At last! The first backyard macro moth of 2014…

Tue, 08 Apr 2014 17:49:00 GMT

I put my light trap out last night for only the second time this year and there were two moths in the trap this morning. Not unsurprisingly, the macro moth was a Large Grey Pinion (Lithophane georgii) which a hibernator and one of the more common Lithophanes. The other was a micro moth which is probably an Acleris sp. I also saw my first butterflies of the year yesterday at a local Calgary park. A Milbert's Tortoiseshell and two Mourning Cloaks. Both of these butterflies overwinter so it is not surprising that these are often the first to be seen in spring. It’s another warm day today so depending on the wind I should have the light trap out again tonight.

Spring…???

Mon, 31 Mar 2014 15:22:00 GMT

Well, with a wind-chill of close to –20º C this morning and more snow on the ground, spring still seems like a bit of a dream. That said, I have had several large flocks of American Robins moving through the backyard and the forecast appears to be improving so maybe it won’t be too long before I get the first hibernator in the trap.

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.

A Late Moth and Butterfly record

Tue, 22 Oct 2013 16:33:00 GMT

I haven’t had much in my light trap for sometime but had a very nice looking moth last night which is a first for my Calgary backyard. I believe it’s a Thaxter's Pinion Moth (Lithophane thaxteri). In addition to this, last Friday, I decided to walk up Sulphur Mountain for some exercise and in search of bird and mammal photographic opportunities. I wasn’t expecting to see any butterflies but just below the summit ridge walkway that leads to the Cosmic Ray Station, I was surprised to find a Milbert's Tortoiseshell flying around the rocks. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a macro lens with me so had to take the attached with my 400mm lens.

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...

End of the mothing year?

Wed, 25 Sep 2013 18:21:00 GMT

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.

No light trap but a bait trap surprise

Fri, 06 Sep 2013 18:57:00 GMT

This is my first blog for a week and I have been getting in the range of 11 to 19 species each night but until last night only one new macro moth for the year (actually, I do have a couple of moths to identify so that statement may not be entirely accurate). Because the weather forecast for Thursday night looked a little grim I didn’t put the light trap out but decided to leave the bait trap out as it is afforded some rain protection by the tree that it hangs under. The bait trap and the moths were a little damp in the morning but there were 4 new macro moth species for the year and no less than 6 Underwing moths of 3 species. If I lived in a rural area (or had a very large bait trap?) this might seem like a small number of Underwings but this is definitely the largest number I have had in my trap at any one time. It almost seemed that the rain and cooler temperatures had brought them out...

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.

Still getting some good moths

Thu, 29 Aug 2013 17:22:00 GMT

I’ve had 4 new species for the year over the last 2 nights. 2 new species each night. last night there was 62 moths of 22 species in my backyard light trap. The four new species for the year were:

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.

Backyard mothing again

Tue, 27 Aug 2013 18:52:00 GMT

I did photograph some interesting moths just north of the Waterton Lakes National Park over the weekend which I will be posting later in the week. I also photographed a Glover’s Silkmoth caterpillar (probably a late or final instar) that was discovered at the excellent “Waterton River Suites B&B” where we were staying. It’s surprising what gets noticed when people find out that you are interested in moths!

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).

A fairly slow August

Thu, 22 Aug 2013 18:59:00 GMT

Not that much to report. Thankfully, my light trap has been behaving since I was forced to re-splice some frayed wires. There have only been 2 new moths for year since my last blog entry, an Obelisk Dart (Euxoa obeliscoides) and a Collard Dart (Agnorisma bugrai). Unfortunately, no photograph on the Obelisk Dart. I’m including yet another image of a Semirelict Underwing Moth (Catocala semirelicta), which was in the trap yesterday, as this one shows very pronounced black bars on the forewings. I also had another Briseis Underwing (Catocala briseis) in the trap yesterday but the bait trap was completely empty this morning. Perhaps time I replaced the bait?

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.

A few more August moths

Mon, 19 Aug 2013 18:51:00 GMT

With the somewhat unpredictable overnight weather conditions it has been a little quieter with regards to moth numbers for August. Having said that it has been picking up a bit over the last couple of days and I’m getting at least one or two Underwings in the bait trap each night now. Last night there were 68 species of 22 macro moths in my backyard bait and light traps. This number doesn’t include one or two Euxoa species which I haven’t (and may not be able to) identified. The new species for the last few days are as follows:

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.

More moths at last! Blog entry for the 14th August.

Thu, 15 Aug 2013 17:17:00 GMT

The unpredictable weather has meant that I haven’t been having a lot of success with the light trap over the last week. Having said that, I was discouraged by fairly dire overnight weather predictions, that did not materialize, on at least one occasion. However, Tuesday was a good moth night with 46 moths of 18 species. 5 were new for the year and 1 of the 5 was a new species. The new species is, I believe, a Once-married Underwing Moth (Catocala unijuga). While it is hard to be 100% certain, the wide black bands on the hindwing which touch the inner margin of the wing and the dark hairs in the basal area of the hindwings point towards unijuga rather than meskei or semirelicta. The forewings are lighter than briseus and lack the characteristic patch of brown scales. The other new species were:

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

Not a great start to August…

Thu, 08 Aug 2013 18:58:00 GMT

Mainly due to the wet weather there hasn’t been a great deal for me to post since last Friday. In addition to fairly low numbers, for the time of year, a high percentage of moths in the trap are quite worn so not great subjects for photography. Oligia rampartensis is probably one of the most colourful Noctuid moths in Alberta but sadly this specimen did have some damage. The weather for tonight looks decidedly wet again . What happened to the summer?

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.

A good moth night

Fri, 02 Aug 2013 18:22:00 GMT

In spite of some rain during the night and early morning it was a good night for backyard moths. I counted 103 macro moths of 30 species in the light trap. 6 of them were new for the year and included a White-streaked Looper (Plusia venusta) which I have only recorded once before in August 2010. A very nice looking Plusiinae. The 6 also included my second Underwing of the year, a Semirelict Underwing Moth (Catocala semirelicta), which found it’s way into my bait trap. I never get great numbers of Underwings, probably a consequence of the area I live in, so I’m always pleased to see them. The new species for the year were as follows:

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)

Blog entries for the 27th July to 1st August

Thu, 01 Aug 2013 18:58:00 GMT

Well, cooler overnight temperatures and wetter conditions have reduced the moth numbers for a few nights but here’s a summary of the numbers and species in the light and bait traps. I didn’t put the light trap out on the 28th and only the bait trap was out on the 30th. Also, these numbers do not include a few unidentified moths or micro moths.

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.

A slower moth night

Fri, 26 Jul 2013 19:03:00 GMT

I retrieved the light trap at 10pm for an hour while an impressive storm moved around the area. The rain appeared to reduce the moth numbers, as compared to the previous night, although, there were still 92 moths of 21 species. There was 1 new Noctuid but I haven’t identified it yet. I did manage to photograph a Northwestern Phoenix Moth (Eulithis xylina). This is a moth that never seems to settle for more than a few seconds but for once it stayed long enough for me to try some some focus stacking with 3 images. I think the result is ok? As it is a slow photograph day I though I would add a recent River Otter picture taken in Vancouver while I was on vacation.

A bumper moth night!

Thu, 25 Jul 2013 19:28:00 GMT

Last night the storms avoided us and I was able to leave the light trap out all night. I was rewarded with at least 149 moths of 34 species. 14 of these were new moths for the year and 1 of the 14 was a first for the backyard. The new record was an impressive looking moth called a Green-patched Looper Moth (Diachrysia balluca). This is also called a Hologram moth which is understandable when you see the light reflecting off of the forewing. I feel that my photographs do not really do it justice but I did take one photograph with a flashlight pointing at it. As you can see the colour changed from green to bronze when the light was directed at the moth. In addition to this I found my first Underwing moth of the year in the bait trap. So all in all it was a very good moth night! The new species for the year were:

**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)

Three moths, a dragonfly and a butterfly of the Okanagan

Wed, 24 Jul 2013 18:18:00 GMT

I didn’t put the light trap out last night so there is not much to report on today. There were 2 moths in the bait trap but nothing new for the year. As it turned out the storms did not materialize but putting the light trap out seems to be a bit of lottery at the moment. However, I am planning to put the light trap out tonight. As I have no local moths to report on I thought I would show a few photographs that were taken in the Southern Okanagan a couple of weeks ago. With regards to the moth that I have identified as Digrammia subminiata it could be a Decorated Granite Moth (Digrammia decorata) but I am leaning towards subminiata because of the overall ground colour and the slight orange tinges on the forewing. That’s just a best guess though. There were several Monarch butterflies hanging around and apparently, fighting over the Buddleia in the backyard of the B&B that we stayed in. The Eight-spotted Skimmer (Libellula forensis) was photographed along the Vaseux lake boardwalk. Petrophila kearfottalis is quite an attractive looking Crambid moth with a wingspan of approximately 21mm. The Isabella Tiger Moth was another new species for me.

Blog entry for the 22nd July – Stormy Weather!

Tue, 23 Jul 2013 18:26:00 GMT

It hasn’t been a great start to the National Moth Week in SW Calgary. Thunderstorms prevented me from putting the light trap out last night and even caused me to retrieve my bait trap! The weather prospects for tonight do not look great either, although, I do plan to put the bait trap out. There were 35 macro moths of 20 species in the light and bait traps on the 22nd July. 6 where new for the year and included 1 new backyard species, a Sordid Wainscot (Hypocoena inquinata). This is a small moth with stubby wings. Due to the lack of photographs I’ve included 3 pictures of moths that I took on my recent vacation to British Columbia. Two of these illustrate different forms of the Brother Moth (Raphia frater). I think these were, until fairly recently, treated as separate species but DNA analysis supports the view that they are, in fact, a single species. The other Okanagan Noctuid is the Zebra Caterpillar Moth (Melanchra picta). I like the markings on this moth which to me looks quite exotic. It is certainly a new species for me. The following were the new backyard species for the 22nd.

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)

Blog entries for the 18th and 19th of July

Mon, 22 Jul 2013 11:40:00 GMT

The 18th of July saw 37 moths of 15 species in the light and bait traps. There were 2 new species for the year, a Purple Arches (Polia purpurissata) and the return of the Glassy Cutworms. Glassy Cutworm moths are normally one of my most common backyard moths.

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)

A bumper moth day! (blog entry for the 17th July)

Fri, 19 Jul 2013 16:19:00 GMT

There were at least 85 macro moths of 27 species in the light trap on the 17th. 37 of these were “Thoughtful Apamea” moths (Apamea cogitata) which are, by far, my most common backyard moth at this time of the year. There was one new backyard species, a Rannoch Looper (Speranza brunneata). Unfortunately, I only managed a single photograph of this moth before it flew off.

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)

The July rush (blog entry for the 16th July)

Fri, 19 Jul 2013 10:15:00 GMT

Well, I’m home again after a nice (excluding the mosquitoes. What do they feed on when there isn't a backyard mother around!) 9 day vacation in the Okanagan and Vancouver. I did photograph a few BC moths but have returned to a peak mothing time of the year. It’s a difficult period to keep up with the moths at the best of times but I normally get eased into it . I will be doing a separate blog entry for the BC moths after I get up to date with the backyard moths.

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)

On Vacation

Fri, 05 Jul 2013 20:26:00 GMT

Just a quick note to say that I will be away in British Columbia for 10 days so there probably won’t be any blog updates for a couple of weeks . It’s primarily a birding vacation but hopefully I will have one or two BC moths to report on when I get back.

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

Two of my favourite moths

Tue, 02 Jul 2013 18:41:00 GMT

The moth numbers continue to increase with 31 macro moths of 20 species last night. There were 7 new backyard moths for the year as follows:

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 highest moth numbers so far…

Mon, 01 Jul 2013 19:28:00 GMT

I managed to pick 19 macro moths of 16 species out of the light trap this morning. Mainly because of the high early morning temperatures a few moths flew out as soon as I lifted the lid and some others escaped from my egg boxes as I examined them. Still, I did identify 5 new species for the year which included 2 new species for the backyard, a “Variable Tussock Moth” (Dasychira vagans) which, unfortunately, was a little worn and “The Vestal” (Cabera variolaria). The other new species for the year were:

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

A few good moths

Sun, 30 Jun 2013 13:58:00 GMT

Yesterday, there were 9 macro moths of 7 species in the light and bait traps with 2 new moths for the year, Mottled Rustic (Caradrina morpheus) and Pale beauty (Campaea perlata). Today there were 10 macro moths of 8 species. One I haven’t identified but 5 were new species for the year and 1 of the 5 was a completely new species for me. The new species was a Rubida Looper Moth (Autographa rubidus). Thanks to Gary Anweiler for confirming the ID. The other 4 new species for the year were:

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.

A funny day for moths and Weaselhead area recovery?

Fri, 28 Jun 2013 19:51:00 GMT

I say funny because it started off quite poorly and ended up with a moth that I’ve only seen once before in 2009 and another new species for the year that, although, strictly speaking is not a backyard moth, was picked up not far from where I live.

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 !

Moth numbers drop again

Thu, 27 Jun 2013 18:16:00 GMT

Well, after the small moth bonanza on Tuesday I’ve only had 5 moths of 3 species yesterday and 5 moths of 3 species today. I think the wind may have contributed to the low moth numbers. However, there was one new backyard species for the year on each day. Yesterday, it was a Stormy Arches (Polia nimbosa) and today it was a rather beaten up Apamea commoda. The Apamea commoda was in the bait trap so perhaps I will start to see a few species from that source now. I haven’t included a photograph of the A. commoda as I am sure I will get this moth again and hopefully in a better condition.

The moths return!

Tue, 25 Jun 2013 18:28:00 GMT

Today there was certainly a dramatic increase in moth numbers as compared to any previous day this year. There were 19 moths of 16 species in the light trap this morning. This included 9 new species for the year and 2 possibly 3 backyard species that I haven’t seen before. The new species for the year were:

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.

A few moths as the weather settles down

Mon, 24 Jun 2013 18:56:00 GMT

Not too much yesterday but there was one noctuid in the light trap that was a new backyard species, Melanchra pulverulenta. Thanks to Gary Anweiler for confirming the ID.

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…

Weather seems to be improving?

Sat, 22 Jun 2013 19:54:00 GMT

Well, I guess that anyone who has been watching the news, as it relates to Alberta and the current flooding, will not be surprised that I haven’t had a light trap out for several days. We have been lucky and are not directly affected by the devastating Calgary floods. Our thoughts are with those who have been forced to evacuate their homes and here’s hoping they are all able to return soon.

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

Weather stops play again…

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:39:00 GMT

Well, it stopped me from putting out a light trap last night anyway. Yesterday, there were 11 moths of 5 species in the trap so the numbers were on the increase. However, there were no new species for the year. The list was as follows:

Garden Arches	Lacanobia radix	x2
Papestra Quadrata	Papestra quadrata	x1
Ruddy Quaker Moth	Protorthodes oviduca	x2
Vancouver Dart	Agrotis vancouverensis	x5
Purple-Lined Sallow	Pyrrhia exprimens	x1

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.

Moth numbers improving?

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:58:00 GMT

Slightly better last night with 8 moths of 5 species. There were 2 new backyard moths for the year, what I believe is a rather worn Brown Bark Carpet Moth (Horisme intestinata) and only my third record of a Wheat Head Armyworm Moth (Dargida diffusa).

3 moths of 3 species and an aquatic insect

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 18:23:00 GMT

The number of moths remains low with just 3 moths 3 species last night and no new species for the year. However, it did include another Gallium Sphinx Moth (Hyles gallii). I started backyard mothing towards the end of 2007 and after looking through my database I find it interesting that I hadn’t seen a Gallium Sphinx until the 11th June 2012. Since the initial sighting I’ve recorded Gallium Sphinx on another 5 occasions. I’m wondering if they are becoming more common as the trees and plants of the area I live in mature. I guess this is just one of many possible explanations. Either way they are a welcome addition to my backyard. Not much else to report, although I did photograph an interesting aquatic insect today which I believe is a Kayak pond skater (Limnoporus dissortis). The water has enough surface tension to support them (their legs also repel water) so they skate around on it looking for other bugs to feed on. Quite a bizarre sight… The shadows they were casting on the stream bottom made for a curious image.

No Moths but a few Damselflies and Butterflies

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 20:46:00 GMT

It was too wet for a light trap last night but I did spend some time in the Weaselhead area of Glenmore reservoir this morning. It’s tricky separating Northern and Boreal Bluets but after close inspection of the cerci on the male I believe it is a Northern Bluet - Enallagma annexum. As I understand it, it’s impossible to tell the females of these two species apart without in inspection of the mesostigmal plates so while I suspect the other damselfly is a female Northern Bluet, I’m just calling it a nobo Bluet. With regards to the Artic butterfly I’m calling it Macoun's Arctic - Oeneis macounii. However, Chryxus Arctic - Oeneis chryxus is quite similar and while I’m leaning towards Macoun's I will seek confirmation.

The moths continue to trickle in…

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 18:48:00 GMT

Just 3 moths of 3 species last night which included a new backyard moth for the year, a Purple-lined Sallow (pyrrhia exprimens). I guess the numbers will continue to be low until the weather settles down. I did find a day flying moth at Glenmore reservoir, a Black-banded Orange Moth (Epelis truncataria). The moth was slightly damaged and the rain had just started again but the photograph is good enough for an ID and a new moth for me. I’d like to have another chance to photograph this one.

Focus Stacking and a few moths

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 14:20:00 GMT

There were 5 moths of 5 species in the light trap this morning. The 2 new moths for the year were, Rosy Dart (Diarsia rosaria) and Alfalfa Looper (Autographa californica). I’ve been playing around with focus stacking for sometime now. This is the process of combining multiple images with different focus points. It’s not always easy as any movement of the moth between shots can effect the results and I’ve only ever attempted it on macro moths using a tripod and camera release. I normally combine just 2 photographs. One focused on the head and one on the legs. It seems to work fairly well and give a depth of field that would otherwise be unobtainable (certainly with my macro lens). There can be some softness on the background around the edges of the moth but the moth itself generally looks ok. Anyway, I went a little further today and the side shot of the Alfalfa Looper below is actually the result of 5 photographs each focused on slightly different parts of the moth. I think it looks ok, although, there was a fair bit of leaf softness around the edges of the moth, some of which I have corrected. It’s unlikely that I’ll use this many images very often but I thought it was an interesting experiment. Incidentally, I use Photoshop CS5 to combine the images. The other photographs are also the result of focus stacking but with just 2 shots each this time.

Some moths at last…

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 18:36:00 GMT

Given the recent low moth numbers, I wasn’t very optimistic when I looked in the light trap this morning but was pleasantly surprised when I found 5 macro moths of 5 species and 2 micro moths of 2 species. I haven’t identified the micros yet but there was a nice geometrid that I haven’t seen before, an American Barred Umber Moth (Plagodis pulveraria). There was also a White-lined Sphinx (Hyles lineata) but I haven’t included a photograph as it was a little damaged. Still, it is good to know that some Sphinx moths are in the neighbourhood… With the new moth my backyard macro moth list is now 259 species. However, to date, the 2013 backyard species list is just 32.

Backyard mothing still very poor

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 18:26:00 GMT

I spent the weekend in Lethbridge but due to storm warnings on Friday night I didn’t put the light trap out. Of course, as it turned out, the weather was fine . I did put the trap out on Saturday night but there were just 3 moths of 1 species. Namely, they were all Rustic Shoulder-knots (Apamea sordens). Back in Calgary, the light trap was completely empty last night! The weather doesn’t look that great tonight but I should have a trap out. Here’s hoping…

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.

Five macro moths of five species

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 17:44:00 GMT

It’s still slow for June but there were five species of macro moths in the light trap last night. The new species were American Angle Shades (Euplexia benesimilis) and a species that I haven’t seen before, a Straight-lined Plagodis Moth (Plagodis phlogosaria). There was some wear on the right forewing of the Plagodis moth but it is a very colourful species. Would like to get another one of these.

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.

Just two moths

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 18:51:00 GMT

Just two moths in the light trap last night. A Garden Arches (Lacanobia radix) and a Ruddy Quaker (Protorthodes oviduca). The latter being a new backyard moth for the year. After another warm day I’d expect more moths in the trap tomorrow but who can tell… I photographed the Silvery Blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus) while birding the Brown-Lowery Provincial Park which is a little west of Calgary.

The Herald

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 18:19:00 GMT

There were only 3 moths in the trap last night. There was a new backyard moth, a new species for the year and a worn Noctuid that I haven’t identified yet. The new backyard moth was a Herald (Scoliopteryx libatrix). I’ve been hoping add this moth to my backyard list since I saw one in the Okanagan a number of years ago. The new species for the year was a Morrison's Pero (Pero morrisonaria). Unfortunately, the Herald moth was a little damaged.

A few more Waterton moths

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 16:04:00 GMT

I spent last weekend about 30 minutes drive north of Waterton National Park. After a week of heavy rain I wasn’t surprised when there were only 3 or 4 moths in the light trap on Saturday morning. However, to use a cliché, what a difference a day makes! After a dry and mostly sunny day on Saturday, Sunday morning revealed a very nice selection of moths, including 3 species of Sphinx moth (4 species over the 2 days) and a Glover's Silkmoth (Hyalophora gloveri). So it seems that the moths are out there just waiting for some dry weather. Aren’t we all… Anyway, here are some photographs. I’ve included 2 One-eyed Sphinx Moth (Smerinthus cerisyi) individuals as they show some colour variation. I struggled to get a decent opened winged shot of the silkmoth so this is the best I could do. The closed wing photograph is an improvement over last years attempt.

No light trap but one macro moth

Thu, 30 May 2013 19:01:00 GMT

Persistent rain and a storm stopped me from putting the light trap out last night. However, I was surprised to find a moth in the bait trap. Just a single macro moth but another first for the year, a Garden Arches (Lacanobia radix). It has been a slow start to the year but until it stops raining it’s hard to say what the moth situation is really like. I’ll be in Waterton again for the weekend so hopefully will pick up a few moths there. Of course, once again, that will be dependant on the weather…

Still very few moths

Wed, 29 May 2013 15:28:00 GMT

I had just one moth in the light trap on the 28th. However, it was a new species for the year. This is a very difficult group of moths to identify from photographs but I’m guessing at Agrotis vancouverensis. I didn’t put the light trap out last night because of the threat of rain. This, of course, meant that it was dry overnight...! Oh well. The weather for tonight looks a little iffy as well. Because of the lack of photographs I’ve added a Calliope Hummingbird photograph that I took during the week. This one put on quite an aerobatic display while defending it’s territory against another male hummingbird.

2 new backyard moths

Mon, 27 May 2013 18:40:00 GMT

Just 3 moths of 3 species in the light trap last night but this included 2 new backyard moths! One was only my second Heliothinae (flower moth), Darker Spotted Straw Moth (Heliothis phloxiphaga). The other new species was a dagger moth, Fragile Dagger Moth (Acronicta fragilis). That is, I’m reasonably confident it is Acronicta fragilis.

The rain stopped…

Sun, 26 May 2013 17:25:00 GMT

Unfortunately, no moths to report on but I did get my first Canadian Tiger Swallowtail of the year and the Gray Catbirds are singing again. My bait trap is out and tonight should be drier so hopefully there will be some moths to report on tomorrow.

Rain and more rain

Fri, 24 May 2013 19:25:00 GMT

For the last few days rain has completely curtailed any moth trapping. So for something completely different, here is a Black bear who was taking it easy during my stay in Waterton.

4 moths of 3 species

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:49:00 GMT

The moth count continues to be low with just 4 moths of 3 species in the light trap last night. There was one, as yet, unidentified micro moth and one new macro species for the year, a Sutrina Moth (hada sutrina).

A quiet moth night

Tue, 21 May 2013 18:04:00 GMT

Just 6 moths of 6 species last night. The one new species for the year was a Tawny Eupithecia (Eupithecia ravocostaliata).

A few Waterton area moths

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:12:00 GMT

Sorry for the lack of blog entries but I’ve been away for 6 days chasing bears in the Waterton Lakes National Park… Due to the somewhat unpredictable weather and time constraints, the light trap was only out a couple of times but I did get at least 3 species that I have never seen before. I was particularly pleased to get the Dogwood Thyatirid Moth (Euthyatira pudens) as I have seen the similar Peach Blossom Moth (Thyatira batis) in the UK. The other new species were a Four-spotted Gluphisia Moth (Gluphisia avimacula) and a Pleromelloida conserta. I believe that the butterfly is a Western Pine Elfin (Callophrys eryphon). Incidentally, in case anyone is interested, I will be adding some bear photographs to my flickr photostream and nature photography website.

11 moths of 5 species

Mon, 13 May 2013 07:08:00 GMT

Last night was the best night for moth numbers so far with 11 macro moths of 5 species in the light trap. Just one new species for the year though, which was a rather beaten up Small Engrailed Moth (Ectropis crepuscularia). I’ve included a photograph of this moth from last year. Other moths recorded were:

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.

8 moths of 4 species

Sun, 12 May 2013 20:44:00 GMT

There were 8 moths of 4 species in the light trap last night. The one new species for the year was a Lappet Moth (Phyllodesma americana). Other species seen are as follows:

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.

5 moths of 4 species

Sat, 11 May 2013 16:55:00 GMT

There were 5 moths of 4 species in the traps last night. A slightly damaged Large Grey Pinion (Lithophane georgii) was the only new backyard moth for the year. The latter was also the only moth in my bait trap. Other moths were as follows:

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.

6 moths of 6 species

Fri, 10 May 2013 16:30:00 GMT

There were 6 moths of 6 species in the traps last night. 5 macro moths in the light trap and one micro which was only 4mm in length! I’ve asked for help with the micro ID. The two new macro species for the year were American Swordgrass Moth (Xylena nupera) and Orthosia segregata (Orthosia segregata). The Swordgrass was in the bait trap.

3 macro moths

Thu, 09 May 2013 18:38:00 GMT

Just 3 moths of 2 species in the light trap last night. 2x Speckled Green Fruitworm (Orthosia hibisci) and 1 new backyard species for the year, a Willow Dart Moth (Cerastis salicarum).

3 macro moths

Wed, 08 May 2013 16:49:00 GMT

Just one each of 3 macro moth species in the light trap last night:

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).

A windy night

Tue, 07 May 2013 19:05:00 GMT

At 3am I heard some very gusty winds outside so I decided to empty the light trap and put it away. Although I was half asleep, I managed to find 4 macro moths 2 of which where new backyard species for the year. The new species were a somewhat worn, Hoary Pinion (Lithophane fagina) and a Western Swordgrass Moth (Xylena thoracica). The other species were:

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).

A second new backyard moth species for the year

Mon, 06 May 2013 18:49:00 GMT

There were 5 moths in the light trap last night. 2 Speckled Green Fruitworms (Orthosia hibisci), 2 Subdued Quakers (Orthosia revicta) and a Variable Carpet Moth (Anticlea vasiliata) which is another new species for my backyard. I also had a trip around Glenmore reservoir today and saw good numbers of Spring Azures (Celastrina ladon), Mourning Cloaks (Nymphalis antiopa) and Milbert's Tortoiseshells (Nymphalis milberti), plus one species that I still need to identify. In addition to butterflies, I also came within a few feet of a juvenile Northern Goshawk with what looked like a freshly killed Snowshoe hare.

First new macro moth species of the year

Sun, 05 May 2013 15:24:00 GMT

As I had hoped it was a better night with 6 species in the light trap. 1 micro and 5 macro moths. The new backyard species was Plush-naped Pinion (Lithophane pexata). I will ask for help with regards to the micro moth ID. Here’s the macro list and photographs. The Subdued Quaker was quite a nice specimen.

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

Just two moths…

Sat, 04 May 2013 18:04:00 GMT

Last night there was one Speckled Green Fruitworm (Orthosia hibisci) in the light trap and one Nameless Pinion Moth (Lithophane innominata) in the bait trap. The latter is a new backyard moth for the year. Still very slow but after another warm day perhaps there will be more tomorrow?

A rainy night

Fri, 03 May 2013 16:09:00 GMT

In spite of the rain I did get the first moth of the year in my bait trap. The light trap was empty. I’m pretty sure this is a Three-Spotted Sallow (Eupsilia tristigmata). I’ve only recorded this moth once before on the 1st Oct 2011. It was a little bedraggled…

At last some more moths…

Thu, 02 May 2013 17:06:00 GMT

Two species in the light trap last night, Gooseberry Stretchia (Stretchia muricina) and False Pinion (Litholomia napaea). Nothing in the bait trap yet.

Still very little to report…

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 18:53:00 GMT

I was in Lethbridge over the weekend and due winds which gusted to more than 100km I was only able to put the moth trap out on Friday night. I did get 11 Speckled Green Fruitworm (Orthosia hibisci) moths but nothing else. Back in Calgary there was also 1 Orthosia hibisci in the trap last night.

Speckled Green Fruitworm (Orthosia hibisci)

Finally, a new moth…

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:12:00 GMT

I had my second backyard moth of the year yesterday. It was another (or perhaps the same) Dot-and-Dash Swordgrass (Xylena curvimacula). However, while searching for wildlife to photograph at Glenmore reservoir I found a moth that I have not seen before. It was “The Infant” Archiearis infans. Apparently, this is a non-hibernating day flying moth that is often seen before the snow has completely melted. Unfortunately, the image quality is not great as I did not have a macro lens with me (should have known better) so I had to take the photographs with my 100-400 telephoto zoom… Either way, great to finally get a second moth species for the year!

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

Some other wildlife…

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 15:49:00 GMT

The weather remains poor with freezing drizzle this morning so I’ve been reduced to going through some of last years non moth photographs. Perhaps not a bad thing as I found these previously overlooked images…

Moth Photographs

Sat, 06 Apr 2013 19:49:00 GMT

Unfortunately, poor weather has stopped me from putting the moth trap out since my first macro moth of the year on the 1st of April.

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

First backyard Macro Moth of 2013

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 16:29:00 GMT

Finally, we’ve had a few evenings where the temperature has remained above freezing. It’s still dipping below freezing after a few hours but it was warm enough for a single macro moth to find its way into my light trap. This is the same species reported as an early moth by several others in Alberta.

2012 Summary

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 10:55:00 GMT

The following is a summary of what were, for me, some of the highlights of 2012. In total I recorded 201 macro moth species in my backyard not including a few moths that I still need to look at. In 2011 I only recorded 149 macro moths. This increase may, in part, be due to the fact that I am identifying more moths but that certainly does not account for all of the increase. Not only were the numbers of recorded species high but they included a 1st and 3rd moth record for Alberta. They also included what may, at the time, have been a 2nd confirmed Alberta butterfly sighting. I’m not suggesting that these records are scientifically significant and the Douglas Fir Tussock Moth may well have been a traveller but they are, at least, interesting records and certainly exciting urban backyard records for me. Beyond the rarities and good moth numbers, 2012 was the first year that I have seen Silk Moths in Alberta.

Before getting into the summary I would like to thank everyone who has helped me identify some of the moths, macros or micros, with special thanks to Gary Anweiler without whom I’d still have very little confidence with most of my identification attempts…

Ok, here are a few highlights and photographs in chronological order.

26 April. There was an interesting moth in the trap this morning! After some unsuccessful searching I asked Gary Anweiler for help. Gary identified it as a Twilight Moth (Lycia rachelae). I hadn't considered Geometridae at all! Live and learn :). Apparently this moth would normally finish its flight before full darkness. I had put the light trap out well before sunset so perhaps that is the trick. Either way this is definitely a new backyard moth for me and is my second new moth of the year bringing my backyard macro total to 197. At this rate 200 will be a breeze. Thanks again to Gary for the info'.

Twilight Moth (Lycia rachelae)

18th May. While in the Twin Butte area in Southern Alberta. I picked up three new moth species when we arrived at our cabin before it was dark! This included two Glover's Silkmoths (Hyalophora gloveri), a species that I've been waiting to see for a number of years!

Glover's-Silkmoth-(Hyalophora gloveri)

26th June. Just 6 moths of 6 species in the traps last night. However, one of these moths was a Bilobed Looper (Megalographa biloba). This appears to be a very early sighting as the previous early record for this moth is August! The last time I recorded this species, which was only the 3rd record for Alberta, was in October 2010.

Bilobed Looper (Megalographa biloba)

29th June. There was a Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis) butterfly in my bait trap which, apparently, was only the second confirmed sighting for Alberta. Surprisingly, this was also the first butterfly I had found in my recently acquired bait trap! Hopefully this augurs well for the future…

Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis)

5th July. This is my first Hooktip moth and a nice fresh looking specimen!

Arched Hooktip Moth (Drepana arcuata)

14th July. We are staying in a cabin not far Waterton Provincial Park in Southern Alberta. Last night there was very loud and spectacular storm so I was not expecting much in or around the moth trap. At 11:50pm my wife went to the window to check that the car was locked. I then heard her saying "There's a big moth on the side of the trap". I have to say that I replied rather incredulously, "How big is big?" Anyway, I got up to have a look and much to my amazement there was a Polyphemus Moth on the side of the trap! I hadn't seen any Silk moths until this year and this was my second, having seen a Glover's Silk moth earlier in the year at the same location. Well, as you can imagine, I've been eating humble pie all day and will have to believe my wife next time she says "there's a large moth on the side of the trap"!

Polyphemus Moth (Antheraea polyphemus)

19th Sept. This appears to be a very early sighting for Bilobed Looper (Megalographa biloba) in Alberta as the previous early record for this moth is August! The last time I recorded this species, which was only the 3rd record for Alberta, was in October 2010.

Bilobed Looper (Megalographa biloba)

20th September. There was a new Lymantriidae, Douglas Fir Tussock Moth (Orgyia pseudotsugata) on the wall behind the light trap. This appears to be the first record of a Douglas Fir Tussock Moth for Alberta. Apparently, this is not an entirely unexpected record as it was thought that it might occur in the western mountain region of Alberta in association with its host, Douglas-fir, especially during outbreak years.

Douglas Fir Tussock Moth (Orgyia pseudotsugata)

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 14:00:00 GMT

I will be working through some more moths that I have to identify soon but as something to view in the meantime, I thought I would add a short slideshow from my new website that I am in the process building.

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 10:09:00 GMT

Well, sadly, it looks like winter has arrived in earnest and I may have seen my last moth for 2012. I did get a single Juniper Carpet and a worn looking noctuid that I haven't identified in Lethbridge last weekend. At some stage I will post a summary of the years highlights and if I manage to identify any currently unidentified moths from the year I will post these as well.

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 18:11:00 GMT

There were no moths last night but I did get 13 macro moths of 6 species on the 15th and 13 of 5 on the 16th. Of the 26 moths 9 were Fall Cankerworm moths (Alsophila pometaria) and 8 were Juniper Carpets (Thera juniperata). There were no new species for the year and still no Bruce Spanworms (operophtera bruceata). I did get a second Ipsilon Dart (Agrotis ipsilon) on the 16th and am still hopeful of getting a Bruce Spanworms (operophtera bruceata) before the end of October but the temperatures are falling fast tonight. At the time of writing (7pm) it's already down to 5.8. On another subject, I had a fairly close encounter with a Great Grey Owl on the 16th...

Great Grey Owl

Ipsilon Dart (Agrotis ipsilon)

Sat, 13 Oct 2012 11:52:00 GMT

Well, the moths are not quite done and if the warmer weather persists for a while, who knows... After a few days of light snow things warmed up yesterday afternoon and there were 3 moths of two species in the light trap last night which included one new moth for the year. Actually, I had anticipated getting a, rather unglamourously named, Fall Cankerworm (Alsophila pometaria). This moth usually turns up after a cold spell in October. After asking Greg Pohl, I've given the micro moth, that I had on the 8th, a tentative id of Acleris nr/= bowmanana. Greg pointed out that it would take dissection or DNA barcoding to be sure of the id but at least I'm in the right area.

Fall Cankerworm (Alsophila pometaria)

Juniper Carpet (Thera juniperata)

Acleris nr/= bowmanana

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 18:27:00 GMT

There was just 1 micro moth in the trap last night and there is no chance of any moths tonight. Hopefully the weather will improve over the next few days. The photograph below was taken on the 17th June during one of my Waterton trips and was a new Sphinx species for me.

Twin-spotted Sphinx (Smerinthus jamaicensis)

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 16:07:00 GMT

After several days of empty traps I was beginning to wonder if I was going to make it to 200 backyard macro moths for the year. However, last night there were 3 moths in the trap. There was 1 micro moth, a Lucerne Moth (Nomophila nearctica) and 2 macros, a Pink-barred Sallow (Xanthia tatago) and an Ipsilon Dart (Agrotis ipsilon). The Ipsilon Dart (Agrotis ipsilon) is a new species for the year so that brings up the 200!! This is 57 more backyard macro moths than I recorded or identified last year. Sadly, the temperature has been fairly low all day today and is still only 5.8 so I'm not expecting much tonight.

Ipsilon Dart (Agrotis ipsilon)

Lucerne Moth (Nomophila nearctica)

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 17:19:00 GMT

Not unsurprisingly, with overnight temperatures below freezing and the first snow since spring, there have been no moths for the last two nights. However, there were 10 moths of 5 species on Sunday night. Given the low temperatures I was quite surprised at this number. Nothing new for the year but there was an Alfalfa Looper (Autographa californica) that had a stigma in two parts. I think this is the first time I've seen an Alfalfa Looper that that doesn't have a one part stigma. I'm hoping that there may still be a few moths around as the weather improves over the weekend. Maybe a Fall Cankerworm Moth (Alsophila pometaria) will be my 200th macro.

Alfalfa Looper (Autographa californica)

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 12:27:00 GMT

Due to my weekend away in Waterton I'm a little behind with my blog. This entry is for Friday 28th Sept. Moth numbers continue to be low but there were 2 new species for the year, Grote's Satyr Moth (Ufeus satyricus) and American Swordgrass Moth (Xylena nupera). One more needed to reach 200 backyard macro moths for the year! I'll blog some details later but needless to say, there were higher numbers of moths in Waterton. On Saturday morning I counted 32 moths of 13 species which included a few that I haven't yet identified.

American Swordgrass Moth (Xylena nupera)

Grote's Satyr Moth (Ufeus satyricus)

Juniper Carpet (Thera juniperata)

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 15:32:00 GMT

The numbers remain low with 5 moths of 4 species last night. I photographed another Pearly Underwing (Peridroma saucia) as this has a slightly different colouring to the previous specimens I've had in the bait trap. I also took some new Dot-and-Dash Swordgrass (Xylena curvimacula) photographs. I'm staying in the Waterton area for the next few days. It will be interesting to see if the moth numbers are much different to my backyard.

Dot-and-Dash Swordgrass (Xylena curvimacula)

Pearly Underwing (Peridroma saucia)

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 18:11:00 GMT

There were just 7 moths of 5 species yesterday and nothing new for the year. Due to rain I didn't put the light trap out last night but was quite surprised to find 9 moths of 4 species in the bait trap this morning which included:

4x White Specs (Mythimna unipuncta)
1x Garden Cutworm (Fishia discors)
2x Bicolored Sallows (Sunira bicolorago)
1x Dot-and-Dash Swordgrass (Xylena curvimacula)

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 18:19:00 GMT

There have been no new species for the last 2 days. In fact, of the 22 macro and micro moths in the traps 10 were Garden Cutworm Moths (Fishia discors) and in spite of another warm night there were only 2 macro moths in the traps last night. Hoping for more tonight. As there are no new backyard moth photographs I thought I'd add a moth photograph that I took in Ecuador last year using a flash. I wish I'd had more time for moth photography. There were certainly some fantastic moths around the lights in the evening...

Automeris zugana (Saturniidae) - Taken in Ecuador 2011

Sat, 22 Sep 2012 17:50:00 GMT

There were just 7 moths of 6 species in the traps on Friday and nothing new for the year. However, last night was the best night for some time with 16 moths of 10 species and 3 new backyard species for the year. The new species were Battered Sallow (Sunira verberata), Pallid Rustic (Hydraecia pallescens) and Juniper Carpet (Thera juniperata).

This brings my 2012 total for backyard macro moths to 197 and my all time total to 250. I've already seen or identified 54 more species than in 2011... Perhaps 200 macro moths for this year is now looking like a possibility? Certainly this has been an excellent year for a backyard moth'er...

Pallid Rustic (Hydraecia pallescens)

Battered Sallow Moth (Sunira verberata)

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 13:19:00 GMT

The moth numbers have continued to be low with 9 moths of 7 species on the 18th, 11 of 6 on the 19th and 9 of 6 last night. There were no new moths with one notable exception. Yesterday, there was a new Lymantriidae, Douglas Fir Tussock Moth (Orgyia pseudotsugata) on the wall behind the light trap. This appears to be the first record of a Douglas Fir Tussock Moth for Alberta. Apparently, this is not an entirely unexpected record as it was thought that it might occur in the western mountain region of Alberta in association with its host, Douglas-fir, especially during outbreak years. So far this is just a one off record but I will deploying my backyard light traps with interest over the next few weeks.

Douglas Fir Tussock Moth (Orgyia pseudotsugata)

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 16:17:00 GMT

There were 12 moths of 8 species last night which included a new macro moth for the backyard, a Pearly Underwing moth (Peridroma saucia). This moth is also known as Variegated Cutworm Moth. I think the Plume is Geranium Plume Moth (Amblyptilia pica).

Pearly Underwing (Peridroma saucia)

Geranium Plume Moth (Amblyptilia pica)

Sun, 16 Sep 2012 14:48:00 GMT

The moth numbers remain low, although, there was a slight increase yesterday with 15 moths 8 species including a Semirelict Underwing moth in the bait trap. There were 12 moths of 9 species in the traps today. This included 4 micro moths. I'm still seeing a number of White-Specks (Mythimna unipuncta), Mouse Moths (Amphipyra tragopoginis), Garden Cutworms (fishia discors) and Maple Spanworms (Ennomos magnaria). In addition to this I just found an Olive Green Cutworm (Dargida procincta) outside my back door. The photograph below was taken last year.

Olive Green Cutworm (Dargida procincta)

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 19:08:00 GMT

A slightly better night with 10 moths of 7 species but nothing new for the year. 4 of these were Garden Cutworms (Fishia discors) which appears to be my most common moth at this time of the year. I went to Glenmore reservoir today in search of Dragonflies. I believe this is a female Black Meadowhawk (Sympetrum danae).

Black Meadowhawk (Sympetrum danae)

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 18:42:00 GMT

It was a little warmer last night but there were just 5 macro moths of 5 species in the traps and no micro moths. There were no new species for the year. There was one fresh looking Alfalfa Looper (Autographa californica). Autographa pseudogamma is quite similar to A. californica but a black dash that connects the subterminal and postmedian lines will separate these species. I've highlighted the dash in the picture below.

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 15:05:00 GMT

Due to very cool overnight temperatures there was only one moth in the trap yesterday and I didn't put the light trap out last night. In fact, the low temperature for both nights has been just above 1C. The Large Grey Pinion (Lithophane georgii) picture was taken on the 10th. I am still hoping to get to 200 identified backyard macro moths this year as I have several moths to ID and should get a few new species for the year between now and late October.

Large Grey Pinion (Lithophane georgii)

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 17:05:00 GMT

The number of moths for the last two nights have continued to be low. There were 16 moths of 11 species on the 9th and 9 moths of 7 species last night. In fact, after some rough weather in the afternoon and evening, I was in two minds as to whether to put the trap out last night . However, I'm glad I did as there was a new backyard species in the light trap this morning. I'm putting it down as Rugged Rover (Platypolia anceps). It appears be quite similar to Platypolia contadina but I think the fairly wide bipectinate antennae make it anceps. Having said that I have asked for a second opinion.

Rugged Rover (Platypolia anceps)

Sat, 08 Sep 2012 14:01:00 GMT

A warmer night produced 23 moths 16 species. There were no new species for the year but I did photograph a very fresh looking False Pinion (Litholomia napaea). Litholomia napaea is another hibernator which is normally one of the first moths that I see in spring and one of the last that I see in autumn. My earliest record of a False Pinion is the 8th of April while my latest is the 17th October.

False Pinion (Litholomia napaea)

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 15:39:00 GMT

The continuing trend of cool overnight temperatures resulted in only 11 moths of 7 species in the light trap last night with no new species for the year. I am still getting some Underwing species.

Semirelict Underwing Moth (Catocala semirelicta)

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 19:17:00 GMT

The moths numbers have been very low for the last two nights. There were 12 moths of 5 species on the 5th, although, I did a find what may be Dark-winged Quaker Moth (Eremobina claudens) on the house siding in the afternoon. This would be a new backyard species. I've asked for an ID confirmation. I've included pictures of 2 Large Yellow UnderWings (Noctua pronuba) that show a typical colour variation. This moth has been more common in my backyard this year. Unfortunately, I believed the weather forecast last night so did not put my light trap out. In the end I don't think it rained at all. There were 2 moths in the bait last night, a Briseis Underwing and a Fishia discors.

Dark-winged Quaker Moth (Eremobina claudens) ??

Large Yellow UnderWing (Noctua pronuba)

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 18:43:00 GMT

This post is for the last two nights. The numbers remain low with 9 moths of 6 species on the 3rd and 10 moths of 8 species last night. There were 2 new moths for the year last night, Maple Spanworm (Ennomos magnaria) and Bicolored Sallow Moth (Sunira bicolorago). Sunira bicolorago can be very similar to Sunira verberata but I'm calling this moth bicolorago because of the paler, more yellow colouration and smaller size. The 1 new moth for the year on the 3rd was Pink-barred Sallow (Xanthia tatago).

Maple Spanworm (Ennomos magnaria)

Bicolored Sallow Moth (Sunira bicolorago)

Pink-barred Sallow (Xanthia tatago)

Sun, 02 Sep 2012 16:17:00 GMT

Strong winds and cool temperatures resulted in only 7 moths of 4 species with no new backyard species for the year and no Underwings. The photograph below was taken in Waterton, although, I did get a Satyr Comma in my backyard bait trap this year.

Satyr Comma

Sat, 01 Sep 2012 16:08:00 GMT

Another cool night produced only 12 moths of 12 species. There was one new backyard species for the year, a Cow Parsnip Borer Moth (Papaipema harrisii). I had seen this species in Waterton during August so this continues the trend of my seeing some moths in the Waterton area, which is a 3 hour drive south of Calgary, a few weeks before I get them in my Calgary backyard.

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 18:50:00 GMT

With cool temperatures overnight the moth numbers continue to be low with only 13 macro moths of 12 species last night. Celery Looper (Anagrapha falcifera) was a new backyard species for the year and there are two noctuids that I haven't identified yet. There was also another Even-lined Sallow (Ipimorpha pleonectusa) but this time it was in a good condition.

Celery Looper (Anagrapha falcifera)

Even-lined Sallow (Ipimorpha pleonectusa)

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 19:49:00 GMT

There were 35 moths of 18 species in the traps last night which included 3 Underwings (2 Semirelict and 1 Briseis). There was one new species for the year, an Olive Green Cutworm (Dargida procincta) and two species that I haven't been able to identify yet. I've included a photograph of a Forage Looper (Caenurgina erechtea) that was in the bait trap.

Olive Green Cutworm (Dargida procincta)

Forage Looper (Caenurgina erechtea)

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 20:02:00 GMT

There were 28 macro moths of 12 species in the traps last night which included 2 new backyard species for the year and another White Undering. The new species were Even-lined Sallow (Ipimorpha pleonectusa) and Garden Cutworm Moth (Fishia discors). The Even-lined Sallow was a fairly damaged specimen so I'm using a photograph of this moth from last year. I've also included another two White Underwing photographs as I think these are a slight improvement on yesterday's images.

Garden Cutworm Moth (Fishia discors)

Even-lined Sallow (Ipimorpha pleonectusa)

White Underwing (Catocala relicta)

Mon, 27 Aug 2012 20:07:00 GMT

Although the total number of moths was fairly low, only 34 of 16 species, there were a few very nice moths in the traps last night. Two were new for the year and one appears to be a new species that I haven't identified yet. The two new, eagerly awaited, species were White Underwing (Catocala relicta) and a White-lined Sphinx (Hyles lineata). This is the first year that I have had two species of Sphinx moth in my backyard, the other being Sphinx Gallium. Another moth of interest was the Eastern form of the Semirelict Underwing (Catocala semirelicta). The eastern form is the less common form in Alberta and has a black streak running along the inner edge of the forewing making it easy to identify. For me this was a good night!

White Underwing (Catocala relicta)

White-lined Sphinx (Hyles lineata)

Semirelict Underwing (Catocala semirelicta) - eastern form

Sun, 26 Aug 2012 16:46:00 GMT

It was another cool night with a low of 6 Celsius. Just 20 moths of 13 species in the bait and light traps which included one new backyard species a Brachylomia populi and 3 Underwings (2 Semirelict and 1 Briseis). I did have a Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) in the bait trap today which is another good backyard record.

Brachylomia populi

Sat, 25 Aug 2012 16:42:00 GMT

It was a very cool night which resulted in only 7 moths of 4 species. However, two were new backyard species for the year, a Nameless Pinion Moth (Lithophane innominata) in the bait trap and a Venerable Dart (Agrotis venerabilis) in the light trap. The Nameless Pinion is a hibernator so I guess this a signal for the end of summer. Trying not to think about that at the moment... Hoping for a warmer night tonight.

Nameless Pinion Moth (Lithophane innominata)

Venerable Dart (Agrotis venerabilis)

Fri, 24 Aug 2012 20:29:00 GMT

Heavy rain last night prevented me from putting the light trap out. There were 2 Underwings and a few Glassy Cutworms in the bait trap plus a White Speck (Mythimna unipuncta) that turned up during the day... There were no new species so I'm posting an Alfalfa Looper (Autographa californica) from yesterday and a Mountain Beauty (Syngrapha ignea) from last year.

Mountain Beauty (Syngrapha ignea)

Alfalfa Looper (Autographa californica)

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 18:47:00 GMT

Back in Calgary it was a fairly quite night with 40 moths of 17 species. There was one new backyard macro, a Brown Sallow (Sympistis stabilis). I have seen this species only once before in the Waterton Provincial Park area. There was also another Subflava Sedge Borer Moth (Capsula subflava) in the light trap which was the freshest looking specimen I've seen so far. I've also included two other moths from my weekend trip in Waterton of which Black-disc Sallow (Brachylomia discinigra) was a new species.

Subflava Sedge Borer Moth (Capsula subflava)

Brown Sallow (Sympistis stabilis)

Black-disc Sallow (Brachylomia discinigra)

Puta Sallow Moth (Anathix puta)

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 21:37:00 GMT

Due to time constraints I didn't manage an accurate total or species count for the last two days at the Waterton River Suites but on both nights there were at least 150 moths in the light trap consisting of 30 or more species. There were a good number of new species for me, some of which I've yet to identify. The new species below are a very colourful Scalloped Sallow Moth (Eucirroedia pampina) and Old Man Dart Moth (Agrotis vetusta). The other species are new for the year. Hopefully, I will get some of these in my backyard. The photographs were taken in 34 degree heat and I worked hard to get consistent lighting while shielding the moths from the wind. I think, hope the results are ok... :). I'll blog some more Waterton species as I identify them. I'm in Lethbridge tonight but needless to say I have the light trap out. Back in Calgary tomorrow.

Scalloped Sallow Moth (Eucirroedia pampina)

Old Man Dart Moth (Agrotis vetusta)

Fringe-Tree Sallow (Sympistis chionanthi)

Dichagyris variabilis

Cow Parsnip Borer Moth (Papaipema harrisii)

Sun, 19 Aug 2012 21:45:00 GMT

Still in the Twin Butte (Waterton) area and not including a few unidentified moths, I recorded 83 moths of 20 species. There were two new species for the year, Venerable Dart (Agrotis venerabilis) and Chevron Moth (Eulithis testata) plus a species that I have not previously recorded, White-Striped Dart (Euxoa albipennis). I've included images of, what I believe, are two different forms of Euxoa ochrogaster and an image of Western brown dart (Euxoa basalis) that was a nice fresh specimen.

White-Striped Dart (Euxoa albipennis)

Venerable Dart (Agrotis venerabilis)

Western brown dart (Euxoa basalis)

Euxoa ochrogaster

Euxoa ochrogaster (red form)

Sat, 18 Aug 2012 18:10:00 GMT

Another fairly quiet night with only two moths in the bait trap! In total, there were 33 macro moths of 17 species. Two species were new for the year, Dusky Silver Y (Syngrapha octoscripta) and Pale Enargia (Enargia decolor). I'm staying in a cabin in the Twin Butte (Waterton Provincial Park) area for a few days now so will blog any interesting moths that turn up. It's very hot and dry here, although, I suspect the temperature will drop fairly quickly overnight.

Pale Enargia (Enargia decolor)

Dusky Silver Y (Syngrapha octoscripta)

Fri, 17 Aug 2012 20:49:00 GMT

Another cool night produced only 22 macro moths of 13 species and there were no new species for the year. There was another Briseis Underwing (Catocala briseis) in the bait trap which photographed quite well. As there are so few moths for today's blog I've included a photograph of an eclipse plumage Wood duck that I took this afternoon at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary which is located in the center of Calgary... Tonight should be warmer so hoping for more moths for tomorrows blog. I'm off to the Waterton Provincial Park area in Southern Alberta tomorrow and will be taking my light traps with me. I'll report on any new moths I encounter.

Briseis Underwing (Catocala briseis)

Male Wood duck in eclipse plumage

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 18:46:00 GMT

It was a dry but very cool night. In fact, when I went through the moth trap at 5:30 am this morning it was only 6.6 Celsius! Luckily, it has now warmed up nicely so the moth numbers should start to increase again. Anyway, there were 19 moths of 9 species in the bait and light traps including one Semirelict Underwing (Catocala semirelicta). There was one new species for the year, a Collard Dart (Agnorisma bugrai). I've also included a photograph of a male Finland Dart (Actebia fennica). Males have a broad pale rusty-orange border along the inner edge of the forewings. How about that! I can actually determine the sex of a moth...! :) Seriously though, this is one of a very short list...

Collard Dart (Agnorisma bugrai)

Finland Dart (Actebia fennica)

Tue, 14 Aug 2012 18:52:00 GMT

It was surprisingly quiet last night with only 42 moths of 16 species. However, there was one new Arctiidae species for the backyard, a Pearly-winged Lichen Moth (Crambidia casta). The forewing is grey on the underside. Unfortunately, tonight looks to be very wet and windy so I doubt if the traps will be out :(

Pearly-winged Lichen Moth (Crambidia casta)

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 18:47:00 GMT

This is a late posting for Sunday. It was another good night with 2 possibly 3 new macro moths for the backyard and one new macro for the year. I also identified 2 micro moth species. The new backyard macros were Narrow-winged Borer (Photedes defecta) and Puta Sallow Moth (Anathix puta). The new macro for the year was Brown Arches Moth (Lacinipolia stricta). I've also included a better photograph of Euxoa comosa. The two micros are Beet Webworm Moth (Loxostege sticticalis) and Lucerne Moth (Nomophila nearctica). The Lucerne Moth seems to be quite a common garden micro.

Narrow-winged Borer (Photedes defecta)

Brown Arches Moth (Lacinipolia stricta)

Puta Sallow Moth (Anathix puta)

Euxoa comosa

Lucerne Moth (Nomophila nearctica)

Beet Webworm Moth (Loxostege sticticalis)

Sat, 11 Aug 2012 15:33:00 GMT

A cooler night revealed only 44 moths of 24 species. There were no new moths for the year. There were 2 Semirelict Underwings, one on the outside of the light trap and one in the bait trap. I've added a Mouse moth photograph, as this was a new species yesterday, and another Underwing photograph that was taken today.

Semirelict Underwing Moth (Catocala semirelicta)

Mouse Moth (Amphipyra tragopoginis)

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 17:02:00 GMT

There were 127 macro moths of 34 species in the traps last night including a new Underwing species for my backyard!! The bait trap continues to work as hoped. The 4 new species for the year were:

Forage Looper (Caenurgina erechtea)
Charming Underwing Moth (Catocala blandula)
Mouse Moth (Amphipyra tragopoginis)
Euxoa comosa

Charming Underwing Moth (Catocala blandula)

Forage Looper (Caenurgina erechtea)

Euxoa comosa (Euxoa comosa).

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 18:37:00 GMT

There were 133 macro moths of 23 species in the bait and light traps last night. 42 of these were Glassy Cutworms (Apamea devastator) and 25 were Thoughtful Apameas (Apamea cogitata). These are definitely my most common backyard species. The only new moth was a difficult to identify Abagrotis sp. There were 3 Underwings in the bait again, 1 Briseis and 2 Semirelict. I've added a photograph of an Obelisk Dart (Euxoa obeliscoides) which was in a better condition that yesterdays specimen.

Obelisk Dart (Euxoa obeliscoides)

Wed, 08 Aug 2012 12:56:00 GMT

It was another good night with 88 macro moths of 29 species. This included 3 Underwing species in the bait trap and 4 new backyard species for the year that I can confidently identify. The new species were Mottled Quaker (Parastichtis suspecta), Neumogen's Quaker (Oligia egens), Obelisk Dart (Euxoa obeliscoides) and Finland Dart Moth (Actebia fennica). The Obelisk Dart was a little worn but recognisable.

Neumogen's Quaker (Oligia egens)

Finland Dart Moth (Actebia fennica)

Obelisk Dart (Euxoa obeliscoides)

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 16:43:00 GMT

In spite of some rain it was a good night with 115 macro moths of 32 species. This included 3 Semirelict Underwing Moths (Catocala semirelicta) in the bait trap. Unfortunately, there were no new Underwing species but it's good to know that the bait trap is still working as there were no Underwings in my light trap. There were 2 new species for the year, Subflava Sedge Borer Moth (Capsula subflava) and Broad-lined Sallow (Sympistis dinalda). Continuing with yesterdays attempt to put tentive id's to some tricky euxoa species, there was also another euxoa in the light trap which I am calling euxoa auripennis based the lack of streaking of the dark terminal band into the pale subterminal area as can be seen in the image I id'd as e. servita yesterday. Probably a little tenuous, however, after looking through photographs in the "Moths of America North of Mexico", Fascicle 27.2, the terminal band streaking appears to be a valid id criteria. Anyway, my best guess :). I've included a photograph of Bronzed Cutworm (Nephelodes minians) which shows another colour variation. Close to pink!

Bronzed Cutworm (Nephelodes minians)

euxoa auripennis

Subflava Sedge Borer Moth (Capsula subflava)

Broad-lined Sallow (Sympistis dinalda)

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 16:46:00 GMT

There were 94 moths of 28 species in the traps last night. Nothing too exiting but I've attempted to put tentative id's two Euxoa species. I'm calling the first Euxoa campestris rather than declarata because of the overall darker wing colouring. The second I'm calling Euxoa servita rather than auripennis because the inner margin of the dark terminal area streaks heavily into the subterminal area with a couple of streaks almost reaching the reniform spot.

Euxoa campestris

Slave Dart (Euxoa servitus)

Sun, 05 Aug 2012 18:50:00 GMT

A slightly better night in Lethbridge resulted in 40 moths of 14 species, although, 24 of these were Glassy Cutworms (Apamea devastator). There are two noctuids I haven't identified yet but there was one new species that I can confidently identify as Smooth Amphipyra Moth (Amphipyra glabella).

Smooth Amphipyra Moth (Amphipyra glabella)

Sat, 04 Aug 2012 10:44:00 GMT

Once again, heavy rain and cool temperatures on Thursday night resulted in no moths. I'm now in Lethbridge for the weekend. Surprisingly, as it was a dry night, there were only 7 moths of three species in the trap last night but this did include one species that I haven't seen before. A new Lymantriidae, Rusty Tussock Moth (Orgyia antiqua). As often happens, the interesting moth was on the outside of the trap so I'm happy that I got to it before it flew off...

Rusty Tussock Moth (Orgyia antiqua)

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 18:21:00 GMT

Due to wet and stormy weather I didn't put the traps out on Tuesday night but decided to take a chance last night. Luckily the rain held off until about 6am by which time I had reviewed the traps. There were 60 moths of 23 species with 3 new species for the year. There was also another Briseis Underwing (Catocala briseis), this time in my light trap. The new species were, White-banded Carpet (Spargania luctuata), Straight-lined Looper (Pseudeva purpurigera) and Bronzed Cutworm (Nephelodes minians). Unfortunately, the Straight-lined looper was a little worn. I've included photographs of Catocaline Dart which is showing a part of its underwing and another Hooked Silver Y which has a slightly different colouration than my previous images. I was forced to take these photographs indoors where I always find lighting and tripod setup a little problematic.

Bronzed Cutworm (Nephelodes minians)

White-banded Carpet (Spargania luctuata)

Catocaline Dart (Cryptocala acadiensis)

Straight-lined Looper (Pseudeva purpurigera)

Hooked Silver Y (Syngrapha alias)

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 16:48:00 GMT

There were 61 macro moths of 23 species in the light and bait traps last night. 2 species were new for the year, Two-spot Dart (Protolampra rufipectus) and Sharp-lined Yellow (Sicya macularia) and 1 was new for the backyard, Scallop Shell (Rheumaptera undulata). I have seen Scallop Shell in the UK but hadn't realised it was a North American species. Incidentally, other common names for Sicya macularia are Pink-bordered Yellow or Two-pronged Looper so you can take your pick :). I also recorded a rather large Pyralid, Large Tabby Moth (Aglossa pinguinalis).

Scallop Shell (Rheumaptera undulata)

Two-spot Dart (Protolampra rufipectus)

Sharp-lined Yellow (Sicya macularia)

Large Tabby Moth (Aglossa pinguinalis)

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 16:35:00 GMT

It was another good night and I have now exceeded last year's number of backyard macro species at 150! The bait trap continues to pay dividends with a new Underwing, Semirelict Underwing Moth (Catocala semirelicta). Thanks to Gary Anweiler for identifying this species. I initially thought it was Catocala meskei but the habitat is wrong and after closer inspection the wing pattern is more like semirelicta. It seems that Underwings have been appearing somewhat earlier this year continuing the unusual nature of some Lepidoptera sightings in Alberta. There were 81 moths of 25 species in the traps plus 2 noctuids that I haven't confidently id'd yet. Including the Semirelict Underwing, there were 2 new backyard species last night, the other new moth being a nice Geometrid, Zenophleps alpinata. There was also one new backyard species for the year, Euxoa ochrogaster. I'm including photographs of a Great Gray Dart (Eurois occulta), as this was the first one I've had this year that was undamaged and another Olive Arches (Lacinipolia olivacea) that shows some interesting rosy hues The normal form of Olive Arches I see in my backyard has green hues.

Semirelict Underwing Moth (Catocala semirelicta)

Zenophleps alpinata

Great Gray Dart (Eurois occulta)

Euxoa ochrogaster

Olive Arches (Lacinipolia olivacea)

Sun, 29 Jul 2012 19:34:00 GMT

I staged a very small backyard moth evening last night as my contribution to National Moth Week. Actually, there were just four of us. Unfortunately, the temperature dropped quite quickly so there were not a great number of moths. In fact, I only recorded 30 moths of 15 species but we did see 2 new backyard species for the year, Pointed-winged Wave (Scopula ancellata) and American Ear Moth (Amphipoea americana). In addition to this I found two mating Police Car Moths (Gnophaela vermiculata) in the grass a few hours before sunset. We've seen Police car moths in our backyard before but they have never settled so this was a nice surprise. I've included a photograph of a Satyr Comma that turned up in my bait trap this afternoon. Not quite as exciting as the Question mark, which apparently was only the second confirmed sighting for Alberta but nice to see that the bait trap is working.

American Ear Moth (Amphipoea americana)

Police Car Moth (Gnophaela vermiculata)

Pointed-winged Wave (Scopula ancellata)

Satyr Comma (Polygonia satyrus)

Sat, 28 Jul 2012 15:55:00 GMT

96 macros moths of 32 species in the light and bait traps last night excluding one noctuid that I'm trying to identify. The main story for me was that my bait trap finally turned up an Underwing (catocala) species. Trying to see more underwings was one of the main reasons I purchased a bait trap so this is good news. The earliest I've recorded an underwing previously is late August so I'm hoping that this is just the start. It was a Briseis Underwing (Catocala briseis) so not a new garden species but a nice new species for the year.

Briseis Underwing (Catocala briseis)

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 14:54:00 GMT

A drier night revealed 74 macros of 23 species which included a new macro moth for the backyard, Included Cordgrass Borer Moth (Photedes includens). I also id'd a new micro for the backyard, Choristostigma plumbosignalis. I've included images of Double Lobed moth (Apamea ophiogramma) and Smoked Sallow (Enargia infumata) as these were nice specimens.

Choristostigma plumbosignalis

Included Cordgrass Borer Moth (Photedes includens)

Red-spot Polia (Lacinipolia davena)

Smoked Sallow (Enargia infumata)

Neoligia subjuncta

Double Lobed (Apamea ophiogramma)

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 18:46:00 GMT

Just 40 macro moths of 21 species. Nothing new for the year but there are two moths that I haven't identified. They were both fairly worn so identification may be tricky. The picture below is another Orange-barred Carpet Moth (Dysstroma hersiliata) but with a slightly different colouring.

Orange-barred Carpet Moth (Dysstroma hersiliata)

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 17:49:00 GMT

Just 34 moths of 16 species in the trap last night, although, there is one noctuid that I haven't identified yet. However, thanks to Greg Pohl and Jason Dombroskie I have id's for 2 micro moths that I had in the trap on the 20th and 23rd July. These are Ypsolopha senexbug and Red-edged Acleris Moth (Acleris albicomana) respectively. There didn't appear to be any photographs of the Ypsolopha senex on BugGuide or MPG so I've added a guide page and photograph to BugGuide for this moth. I've included a picture of Comma Wainscot (Leucania commoides) as I don't think I've put this moth on my blog so far.

Ypsolopha senex

Red-edged Acleris Moth (Acleris albicomana)

Comma Wainscot (Leucania commoides)

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 16:57:00 GMT

This is a late posting for the 24th. I'll post for the today shortly. Cooler overnight temperatures and rain have reduced the number of moths in my light trap for the last two days. On the 24th there were 40 macro moths of 20 species with the one new species for the year being Smith's Dart (Xestia smithii). I've included another picture of Bordered Apamea Moth (Rusty-shoulder Knot?) Apamea sordens, as there is some variation with this species.

Smith's Dart (Xestia smithii)

Apamea sordens

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 17:51:00 GMT

We had some rain last night but there were still at least 162 macro moths of 38 species in my Light and bait traps. There were no new backyard species but there were 7 new species for the year as follows:

Northwestern Phoenix Moth (Eulithis xylina)
July Highflyer Moth (Hydriomena furcata)
Common Idia (Idia aemula)
Dark-spotted Looper (Diachrysia aereoides)
Smoked Sallow (Enargia infumata)
Dingy Cutworm (Feltia jaculifera)
Great Gray Dart (Great Brochade) (Eurois occulta)

I also had another Thinker Moth (Lacinipolia meditata) which was in a better condition than the last one so I've included a photograph of this species as well.

Northwestern Phoenix Moth (Eulithis xylina)

July Highflyer Moth (Hydriomena furcata)

Common Idia (Idia aemula)

Dingy Cutworm (Feltia jaculifera)

Dark-spotted Looper (Diachrysia aereoides)

Smoked Sallow (Enargia infumata)

Thinker Moth (Lacinipolia meditata)

Sun, 22 Jul 2012 14:38:00 GMT

I was forced to retrieve my bait and light traps in a hurry late on the on the 20th due to a severe storm which threatened to blow my traps into next week! So no blog for the 21st. Good weather last night resulted in 49 macro moths of 20 species. The 1 new species for the year was a fairly worn Thinker Moth (Lacinipolia meditata). However, there was a rather splendid looking Green Arches (Anaplectoides prasina) as below.

Green Arches (Anaplectoides prasina)

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 18:11:00 GMT

There were at least 177 moths of 40 species in my bait and light traps this morning. 60 of them were Thoughtful Apameas (Apamea cogitata). There were 10 new species for the year. One was a new backyard species which I have tentatively id'd as Euxoa flavicollis. The other 9 new species were:

Split-lined Angle Moth (Speranza bitactata)
Pale beauty (Campaea perlata)
Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata)
Delphinium Leaftier (Polychrysia esmeralda)
Two-spotted Looper (Autographa bimaculata)
Apamea scoparia
Lined Quaker (Apamea inficita)
Double Lobed Moth (Apamea ophiogramma)
Eurois astricta

Two-spotted Looper (Autographa bimaculata)

Double Lobed Moth (Apamea ophiogramma)

Split-lined Angle Moth (Speranza bitactata)

Delphinium Leaftier (Polychrysia esmeralda)

Catocaline Dart (Cryptocala acadiensis)

Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata)

Pale beauty (Campaea perlata)

Apamea scoparia

Eurois astricta

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 18:41:00 GMT

Another very warm night revealed 117 macro moths of 29 species in the light and bait traps. There were 6 new species for the year, one of them, Brown Pine Looper Moth (Caripeta angustiorata) was a new species for the backyard. The other 5 species were:

Tufted Thyatirid (Pseudothyatira cymatophoroides)
Dark Marbled Carpet (Dysstroma citrata)
Purple Arches (Polia purpurissata)
Anicla tepperi (Anicla tepperi)
Green Arches (Anaplectoides prasina)

There were also several interesting micro moth species, of which, one I have identified as Crowned Phlyctaenia Moth (Anania coronata).

Brown Pine Looper Moth (Caripeta angustiorata)

Dark Marbled Carpet (Dysstroma citrata)

Purple Arches (Polia purpurissata)

Anicla tepperi (Anicla tepperi)

Crowned Phlyctaenia Moth (Anania coronata)

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 20:08:00 GMT

I'm back in Calgary now and after a warm dry night I recorded 56 macro moths of 28 species. A new species for the backyard was Eupithecia cretaceata. There were also 7 new species for the year including:
Orange-barred Carpet Moth (Dysstroma hersiliata)
Barred Yellow (Eulithis propulsata)
Master's Dart (Feltia herilis)
Divergent Dart (Euxoa divergens)
Western brown Dart (Euxoa basalis)
Ruby Dart (Xestia oblata)
Large Yellow UnderWing (Noctua pronuba)

Ruby Dart (Xestia oblata)

Master's Dart (Feltia herilis)

Orange-barred Carpet Moth (Dysstroma hersiliata)

Barred Yellow (Eulithis propulsata)

Large Yellow UnderWing (Noctua pronuba)

Western brown Dart (Euxoa basalis)

Eupithecia cretaceata

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 21:43:00 GMT

I'm now in Lethbridge for a couple of nights. Unfortunately, the wet weather has cut down the number of moth species and those that I am seeing tend to be somewhat the worse for wear. Last night there were 32 macro moths of 16 species. The two new species for the year were Bordered Thorn (Nematocampa resistaria) and Forest Tent Caterpillar Moth (Malacosoma disstria). I also recorded a rather large micro moth which I think is an Oblique-banded Leafroller Moth (Choristoneura rosaceana). I've added a Damselfly photograph that was frequenting my relatives backyard pond. While Boreal and Northern Bluets are difficult to separate, after close study of the clasper I think I can say that this is a Boreal Bluet (Enallagma boreale). The Dragonfly picture was taken in the Waterton Provincial Park tomnsite on Friday 13th. I think this is Variable Darner (Aeshna interrupta).

Bordered Thorn (Nematocampa resistaria)

Forest Tent Caterpillar Moth (Malacosoma disstria)

Oblique-banded Leafroller Moth (Choristoneura rosaceana)

Variable Darner (Aeshna interrupta)

Boreal Bluet (Enallagma boreale)

Sat, 14 Jul 2012 19:39:00 GMT

Here's a short mothing story from last night. We're still staying in a cabin not far Waterton Provincial Park in Southern Alberta. Last night there was very loud and spectacular storm so I was not expecting much in or around the moth trap. At 11:50pm my wife went to the window to check that the car was locked. I then heard her saying "There's a big moth on the side of the trap". I have to say that I replied rather incredulously, "how big is big?" Anyway, I got up to have a look and much to my amazement there was a Polyphemus Moth on the side of the trap!! I've never seen any Silk moths until this year and this was my second, having seen a Glover's Silk moth earlier in the year at the same location. Well, as you can imagine, I've been eating humble pie all day and will have to believe my wife next time she says "there's a large moth on the side of the trap"!!

Here are a few pictures of the Poluphemus moth and a couple of others that I have not seen before.

Polyphemus Moth (Antheraea polyphemus)

Scarlet-winged Lichen Moth (Hypoprepia miniata)

Yellow-collared Scape Moth (Cisseps fulvicollis)

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 21:57:00 GMT

No moth count today but here are photographs of a few moths from outside our cabin and one butterfly that I saw in the Waterton area of Southern Alberta today.

Parthenice Tiger Moth (Grammia parthenice)

Spotted Tussock Moth (Lophocampa maculata)

Dark-spotted Looper (Diachrysia aereoides)

Lined Quaker (Apamea inficita)

White Admiral (Limenitis arthemis)

Thu, 12 Jul 2012 20:39:00 GMT

I'm staying in a log cabin not far from Waterton Provincial Park for the next few days so my postings may be a little erratic. In fact, a young Black bear just ran past our cabin but the only photographs I have are of it disappearing into a valley. Oh well... With regards to moths, last night was another good night for my backyard. There were 58 moths of 35 species. 3 are new species for the year and 5 species, consisting of 3 Geometrids and 2 Noctuids, I haven't had time to identify yet. The new backyard moths for the year that I have identified are as follows:
Satin Moth (Leucoma salicis)
Hooked Silver Y (Syngrapha alias)
Anhimella contrahens (Anhimella contrahens)

I'm hoping to see some moths where I'm staying so will endeavour to create a few postings for any new or interesting species that I find in the area.

Anhimella contrahens (Anhimella contrahens)

Hooked Silver Y (Syngrapha alias)

The young Black bear that ran past our cabin. I was too slow or the bear was too fast!

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 18:56:00 GMT

Another good night resulted in 50 moths of 23 species. Barberry Geometer Moth (Coryphista meadii) and Canadian Fan-Foot (Zanclognatha lutalba) were new backyard species. Unfortunately, the Barberry Geometer was a very worn specimen but at least it was identifiable. Thanks to Gary Anweiler for confirming the ID. The other new species for the year were:
Single-lined Emerald (Nemoria unitaria)
Neoligia subjuncta (Neoligia subjuncta)
Leucania commoides
Flame-shouldered Dart (Ochropleura implecta)
Paradiarsia littoralis (Paradiarsia littoralis)

Paradiarsia littoralis (Paradiarsia littoralis)

Single-lined Emerald (Nemoria unitaria)

Barberry Geometer Moth (Coryphista meadii)

Canadian Fan-Foot (Zanclognatha lutalba)

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 15:24:00 GMT

There were 65 macro moths of 30 species in the trap this morning. This was by far the the largest number of moths this year. It was also the warmest night we've had so far. The 6 were new species for the year were:
Johnson's Euchlaena (Euchlaena johnsonaria)
Large Looper Moth (Autographa ampla)
Brown-streaked Rustic (Hypocoena rufostrigata)
Trichordestra liquida (Trichordestra liquida)
Dappled Dart (Aplectoides condita)
Catocaline Dart (Cryptocala acadiensis)

Large Looper Moth (Autographa ampla)

Johnson's Euchlaena (Euchlaena johnsonaria)

Brown-streaked Rustic (Hypocoena rufostrigata)

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 18:04:00 GMT

There were 31 moths of 19 species in the trap last night. Apamea alia and Purple-Lined Sallow (Pyrrhia exprimens) are new species for the year while White-dotted Prominent Moth (Nadata gibbosa) is a new species for the backyard and definitely the center of attention today. I've also included a better photograph of Delicate Silver Y (Autographa pseudogamma).

White-dotted Prominent Moth (Nadata gibbosa)

Apamea alia

Delicate Silver Y (Autographa pseudogamma)

Sun, 08 Jul 2012 19:11:00 GMT

Another very warm night revealed 38 moths of 29 species in the light trap. There were 4 new species for the year. One of them was a new backyard species, Cattail Borer Moth (Bellura obliqua). Unfortunately, it was a little worse for wear but still fairly easy to identify. The other new species were:
Idia concisa near aemula - Currently an undescribed species.
Wood-colored Apamea (Apamea lignicolora)
Civil Rustic Moth (Platyperigea montana)

Wood-colored Apamea (Apamea lignicolora)

Idia concisa near aemula - Currently an undescribed species.

Civil Rustic Moth (Platyperigea montana)

Cattail Borer Moth (Bellura obliqua)

Sat, 07 Jul 2012 16:00:00 GMT

Another warm night resulted in 23 moths of 16 species. There were 3 new species for the garden:
Goodell's Arches Moth (Orthodes goodelli), Subdued Arches (Lacanobia subjuncta) and Snaky Arches Moth (Lacinipolia anguina). The Subdued Arches was quite a worn specimen so I've added an image that was taken in the Twin Butte area earlier in the year. In fact, it's interesting that I saw all three of these species in the Twin Butte area earlier in the year. It often seems to be the case that I get the species I see in the Waterton area a month or so later in Calgary.

Subdued Arches (Lacanobia subjuncta)

Snaky Arches Moth (Lacinipolia anguina)

Fri, 06 Jul 2012 19:30:00 GMT

Luckily we missed the worst of the weather last night although we did get some rain. There were 10 moths of 9 species and 2 of them were firsts for the year but no new backyard species this time. Not that I'm complaining as I've had 19 new species to date. The firsts for the year were Garden Arches (Lacanobia radix) and Morrison's Sooty Dart (Pseudohermonassa tenuicula). I've also included a photograph of Olive Arches (Lacinipolia Olivacea) which should start to become a common backyard moth as July progresses.

Garden Arches (Lacanobia radix)

Morrison's Sooty Dart (Pseudohermonassa tenuicula)

Olive Arches (Lacinipolia Olivacea)

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 19:40:00 GMT

There were 9 macro moths of 9 species in my light trap last night. One Noctuid I haven't identified yet. Of the 8 macros that I have identified, 5 were new for the year and 2 were new for my backyard. The new backyard species were Birch Angle Moth (Macaria notata) and Arched Hooktip Moth (Drepana arcuata). This is my first Hooktip moth and a nice fresh looking specimen!! The Birch Angle Moth is a worn specimen but still a nice looking moth. The other new species for the year were Mountain Hooded Owlet Moth (Cucullia montanae), Stormy Arches (Polia nimbosa) and Virgin Tiger (Grammia Virgo). I didn't see any Tiger moths last year either in my backyard or elsewhere so glad to see this one.

Arched Hooktip Moth (Drepana arcuata)

Virgin Tiger (Grammia Virgo)

Mountain Hooded Owlet Moth (Cucullia montanae)

Stormy Arches (Polia nimbosa)

Birch Angle Moth (Macaria notata)

Wed, 04 Jul 2012 18:00:00 GMT

Probably due to the very strong winds there were just 9 moths of 9 species in the traps last night. 2 were new for the year and 1 was a new species for the backyard. The new species for the backyard was Delicate Silver Y (Autographa pseudogamma). I've been looking for this species for some time. A. california is similar but has a short, fine black dash connecting the subterminal and postmedian lines near the apex of the forewings. This dash is abscent in pseudogamma. The other new species for the year was Many-lined Wainscot (Leucania multilinea). The Yellow-headed Cutworm isn't new but I think this is my best image of the species.

Delicate Silver Y (Autographa pseudogamma)

10446 Many-lined Wainscot (Leucania multilinea)

9348 Yellow-Headed Cutworm (Apamea amputatrix)

Wed, 04 Jul 2012 15:13:00 GMT

This is a late post for Monday night. There were 23 macro moths of 15 species. 5 were new for the year and 3 where new species for the backyard. I think the id's for the new moths are ok but I'm looking to get confirmation. I also took an improved photograph of the nominate form of Apamea Commoda. The new species are:

Cloudy Arches Moth (Polia imbrifera) - New backyard species
Trichordestra dodii - New backyard species
Aster Cutworm Moth (Trichordestra lilacina) - New backyard species
Mottled Euchlaena (Euchlaena tigrinaria)
Leucania dia (Leucania dia)

Cloudy Arches Moth (Polia imbrifera)

Aster Cutworm Moth (Trichordestra lilacina)

Apamea Commoda

Trichordestra dodii

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 19:54:00 GMT

There were 16 moths of 14 species last night. 6 were new for the year and 2 I haven't id'd yet. The known new moths were:

Brown Bark Carpet Moth (Horisme intestinata)
Thoughtful Apamea (Apamea cogitata)
Lesser Wainscot (Mythimna oxygala)
Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum)

Thoughtful Apamea (Apamea cogitata)

Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum)

Lesser Wainscot (Mythimna oxygala)

Sun, 01 Jul 2012 19:02:00 GMT

A warm night resulted in 22 macros of 15 species. 6 were new for the year and one was new for the backyard. The new ones were:

Unicorn Caterpillar Moth (Schizura unicornis) - New backyard species.
Abstrusa Looper (Syngrapha abstrusa)
Polia Moth (Polia piniae)
Neighbourly Arches (Lacinipolia vicina)
Bristly Cutworm Moth (Lacinipolia renigera)
Clandestine Dart (Spaelotis clandestina)

Unicorn Caterpillar Moth (Schizura unicornis)

Neighbourly Arches (Lacinipolia vicina)

Polia Moth (Polia piniae)

Clandestine Dart (Spaelotis clandestina)

Bristly Cutworm Moth (Lacinipolia renigera)

Sat, 30 Jun 2012 15:11:00 GMT

I missed Putnam's Looper (Plusia putnami) from yesterdays post so I'm adding a photograph to today's post. There were 8 moths of 8 species in the trap last night. The 4 new species for the year were:
White-lined Quaker (Apamea niveivenosa)
Olive Arches (Lacinipolia olivacea)
Red-spot Polia (Lacinipolia davena)
Yellow-dusted-Cream (Cabera erythemaria)

Putnam's Looper (Plusia putnami)

Red-spot Polia (Lacinipolia davena)

White-lined Quaker (Apamea niveivenosa)

Yellow-dusted-Cream (Cabera erythemaria)

Fri, 29 Jun 2012 19:24:00 GMT

Last night was the best night so far with 15 moths of 11 species. 7 of them new for the year. Also, after 4 years of trying I finally manged to get a photograph of a Common Gluphisia (Gluphisia septentrionis) that wasn't moving its wings! The new backyard species were:

American Idia (Idia americalis)
Wavy Chestnut Y (Autographa mappa)
Gray dagger (Acronicta grisea)
The Mottled Rustic (Caradrina morpheus)
Disparaged Arches (Orthodes detracta)
Euxoa tristicula (Euxoa tristicula)
Dark Metanema (Metanema determinata)

Wavy Chestnut Y (Autographa mappa)

Dark Metanema (Metanema determinata)

Common Gluphisia (Gluphisia septentrionis)

Euxoa tristicula (Euxoa tristicula)

American Idia (Idia americalis)

Gray dagger (Acronicta grisea)

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 11:33:00 GMT

Gven the very heavy rain I didn't put the light trap out last night and didn't expect anything in the bait trap. However, I did find a Yellow-Headed Cutworm (Apamea amputatrix) in the bait trap which is a new species for the year. This photograph was taken in 2008.

9348 Yellow-Headed Cutworm (Apamea amputatrix)

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 16:05:00 GMT

Just 6 moths of 6 species in the traps last night. However, one of these moths was a Bilobed Looper (Megalographa biloba). This appears to be a very early sighting as the previous early record for this moth is August! The last time I recorded this species, which was only the 3rd record for Alberta, was in October 2010. Perhaps not scientifically significant but it does seem to add to the unusual nature of the year with regards to moth and butterfly sightings. The other new species for the year were, The Scribe (Habrosyne scripta) and Bridled Arches (Lacinipolia lorea). Extremely wet again today so not expecting many moths tonight.

8607 Bilobed Looper (Megalographa biloba)

6235 The Scribe, Lettered Habrosyne (Habrosyne scripta)

10405 Bridled Arches (Lacinipolia lorea)

Sun, 24 Jun 2012 19:59:00 GMT

This post is for last Friday. There were 15 macros of 13 species in the trap on Friday morning. 8 were new backyard species for the year and 3 where new species. I've identified one as Lobophora magnoliatoidata but nivigerata cannot be entirely ruled out. Either way it's a new backyard species. The light trap has not been out for the last two nights due to heavy rain.

Pale Metanema Moth (Metanema inatomaria)

Trichordestra tacoma

Apamea commoda

Lobophora magnoliatoidata

Ruddy Quaker (Protorthodes oviduca)

Rustic Shoulder-knot (Apamea sordens)

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 20:14:00 GMT

It was a better night for moths in Lethbridge last night. I recorded 11 species, 5 of these were new for the year. The new ones were:

9053 Pink-barred Lithacodia (Pseudeustrotia carneola)
8939 Hooked Silver Y (Syngrapha alias)
8912 Wavy Chestnut Y (Autographa mappa)
9660 Civil Rustic (Platyperigea montana)
8322 American Idia (Idia americalis)

The others were Abstrusa Looper (Syngrapha abstrusa), Mottled Rustic (Caradrina morpheus), Rustic Shoulder-knot (Apamea sordens) and a dart that I haven't identified yet. I've called the moths below Syngrapha alias and Syngrapha abstrusa based largely on whether the stigma and satellite spots are joined or separated. I understand that the genitalia must be examined to positively separate these species.

Abstrusa Looper (Syngrapha abstrusa)

Hooked Silver Y (Syngrapha alias)

Wavy Chestnut Y (Autographa mappa)

9053 Pink-barred Lithacodia (Pseudeustrotia carneola)

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 21:05:00 GMT

I'm in Lethbridge for a few days. In spite of the heavy rain yesterday there were 4 moths of 3 species in the trap last night. They were Abstrusa Looper (Syngrapha abstrusa), Mottled Rustic (Caradrina morpheus) and Rustic Shoulder-knot (Apamea sordens). I'll include some photographs of these moths in another post. Meanwhile, here are a few more pictures from the weekend that were taken in the Twin Butte area.

7941 Modest Furcula Moth (Furcula modesta)

10372 Snaky Arches Moth (Lacinipolia anguina)

7803 Snowberry Sphinx (Sphinx Vashti)

10289 Goodell's Arches Moth (Orthodes goodelli)

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 21:11:00 GMT

Just 3 species in the trap last night. Nothing new for the year but there was a another Gallium Sphinx Moth (Hyles gallii) so it seems to be a good year for them. I spent the weekend in the Twin Butte area of southern Alberta so I'll post a few photographs of the species I found there. The Subdued Arches (Lacanobia subjuncta) was a new species for me. Another common name for the latter is Speckled Cutworm moth.

The Subdued Arches (Lacanobia subjuncta)

Brother Moth (Raphia frater)

Disparaged Arches (Orthodes detracta)

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 19:18:00 GMT

Last night was the best night so far the number of species. There were 10 species of 12 moths. New species for the year were Hop-vine Snout Moth (Hypena humuli), Canary Thorn (Neoterpes trianguliferata) and Common Hyppa (Hyppa contrasta).

Canary Thorn (Neoterpes trianguliferata)

Common Hyppa (Hyppa contrasta)

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 05:44:00 GMT

In spite of some good weather last night there was nothing in my light trap at all! There was one moth in my bait trap, another Armyworm (Mythimna unipuncta). Another common name for this moth is White-Speck.

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 19:10:00 GMT

3 macros in the trap last. 1 Euxoa auxiliaris, 1 Armyworm (Mythimna unipuncta) but the star of the show was definitely a Gallium Sphinx Moth (Hyles gallii). This is the most common Sphinx across Alberta but it's the first time I've seen one and an excellent backyard moth!

Gallium Sphinx Moth (Hyles gallii)

Fri, 08 Jun 2012 17:02:00 GMT

One new species for my garden list last night, a Grey Pug Moth (Eupithecia subfuscata). There were two new species for the year, an Intermediate Falconer (Cucullia intermedia) and a Miranda moth (Proxenus miranda). Also a few unidentified euxoa sp. and at least 2 Euxoa auxiliaris.

Intermediate Falconer (Cucullia intermedia)

7487 Grey Pug Moth (Eupithecia subfuscata)

Miranda moth (Proxenus miranda)

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 19:37:00 GMT

2 moths in the trap last night both new for the year, 1 Lappet Moth (Phyllodesma Americana) and 1 Rosy Dart (Diarsia rosaria). I'm adding a few butterfly pictures that I took while walking around Glenmore reservoir this morning.

Lappet Moth (Phyllodesma Americana)

Rosy Dart (Diarsia rosaria)

Artic Skipper (Carterocephalus palaemon)

Canadian Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio canadensis)

Western Tailed-Blue (Everes amyntula)

Western Tailed-Blue (Everes amyntula) female

Tue, 05 Jun 2012 20:12:00 GMT

So far this year I have record 26 species of macro moth in my backyard. For the same period last year I had only recorded 8 species. Presumably the mild winter in Alberta has had an impact. To reinforce this point, last nights 2 macros are almost a month earlier than my previous records for these species. I'm hoping that this bodes well for the rest of year. The 2 macros in my trap last night, in spite of the the stormy weather, where Morrison's Pero (Pero morrisonaria) and Brown-streaked Rustic (Hypocoena rufostrigata).

Brown-streaked Rustic (Hypocoena rufostrigata)

Morrison's Pero (Pero morrisonaria)

Mon, 04 Jun 2012 09:25:00 GMT

Nothing new to report for the last two days. Just one moth in the trap this morning, a Common Gluphisia (Gluphisia septentrionis). Two moths in the trap the previous night, 1 Vancouver dart (Agrotis vancouverensis) and a tentative Willow Kitten (Furcula occidentalis).

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 16:34:00 GMT

Just a quick note about yesterdays post. Gary identified the moth I thought might be Apamea Devastator as Papestra cristifera. This is a new moth for me and perfectly matches the pictures of this moth on MPG. So thanks again to Gary.

Last night was fairly good with 6 species, 1 of them a new backyard moth. They included 2 Common Gluphisia (Gluphisia septentrionis), 1 Willow Kitten (Furcula occidentalis) which could be Poplar Kitten (furcula scolopendrina) but I'm tentativley saying Willow kitten because of the seasonal distribution of the two, 1 Common Gluphisia (Gluphisia septentrionis), 1 American Angle Shades (Euplexia benesimilis) and 2 Apical Prominent (Clostera apicalis). The new one is Large Ruby Tiger Moth (Phragmatobia assimilans). There was 1 Hydriomena sp that looks like the macdunnoughi image on CBIF so I'm very tentatively calling it macdunnoughi .

Large Ruby Tiger Moth (Phragmatobia assimilans)

Hydriomena macdunnoughi?

Common Gluphisia (Gluphisia septentrionis)

American Angle Shades (Euplexia benesimilis)

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 18:02:00 GMT

Still very slow. 3 moths of 3 species in the the trap last night. 2 of them new for the year and one species that is new for my backyard. The new species is Papestra cristifera (thanks again to Gary Anweiler for the ID). The others are a Vancouver dart (Agrotis vancouverensis), a and a tricky euxoa sp, which may be another auxiliaris.

Papestra cristifera

Vancouver dart (Agrotis vancouverensis)

euxoa auxiliaris?

Thu, 31 May 2012 19:10:00 GMT

Just 2 moths in the trap last night. Another Apical Prominent (Clostera apicalis) and a Euxoa sp. that would probably need to be dissected for a confident ID. I'm hoping that the moth numbers will start to increase with the overnight temperatures over the next few days.

Tue, 29 May 2012 20:34:00 GMT

4 macros in the trap last night, the first since May 22nd. 2 Ignorant Apamea (Apamea indocilis) and 2 Army Cutworm moths (Euxoa auxiliaris). As Gary Anweiler pointed out, there seems to have been a big influx of auxiliaris this year. Gary also mentioned that auxiliaris makes up a large proportion of the moths which are an important seasonal food for Grizzly Bears on the talus slopes of Wyoming and Montana. Not an obvious Bear food!

Army Cutworm moth (Euxoa auxiliaris)

Ignorant Apamea (Apamea indocilis)

Thu, 24 May 2012 18:04:00 GMT

No moths for the last few nights due to rain and cool temperatures. Unfortunately, tonight doesn't look much better. Here's another moth from Twin Butte. I was struggling to identify this one but Gary Anweiler ID'd it as Papestra quadrata.

Papestra quadrata

Tue, 22 May 2012 20:42:00 GMT

Here are a few more moths from my weekend trip in the Twin Butte area. Thanks to Gary Anweiler for the Small Argent & Sable (Epirrhoe sperryi) ID.

Morrison's Pero (Pero morrisonaria)

Gray Ethmia Moth (Ethmia monticola)

Alien Probole (Probole alienaria)

Small Argent & Sable (Epirrhoe sperryi)

Anarta farnhami

Tue, 22 May 2012 19:44:00 GMT

2 macros in the trap last night, an Apical Prominent (Clostera apicalis), an unidentified Euxoa sp and 2 micros. I've identified one micro as a Red-banded Leafroller Moth (Argyrotaenia velutinana). The other may be Gray Leafroller Moth (Syndemis afflictana). Hopefully I will be able to confirm this after I've photographed it.

Red-banded Leafroller Moth (Argyrotaenia velutinana).

Apical Prominent (Clostera apicalis)

Mon, 21 May 2012 20:22:00 GMT

I put 2 light traps out last night while staying in the Twin Butte area. One by our cabin on top of a hill and one in a wooded area by a river. Interestingly, I had some nice Geometrid's but only in the trap in the wooded area. That probably makes sense but I'm glad I used these two different environments. I'm still ID'ing the moths from the photographs I took this morning but here are a few. I've also included a picture of a Snowberry Clearwing Moth (Hemaris diffinis) which I photographed while in Waterton PP. I'll add some additional information re: the Twin Butte moths as get to them.

Snowberry Clearwing Moth (Hemaris diffinis)

6822 Ruddy Metarranthis Moth (Metarranthis duaria)

7822 One-eyed Sphinx Moth (Smerinthus cerisyi)

6964 White Slant-Line Moth (Tetracis cachexiata)

Fri, 18 May 2012 21:27:00 GMT

I'm spending a few days in the Twin Butte area in Southern Alberta. I picked up three new moth species when we arrived at our cabin before it was dark! There were two Glover's Silkmoths (Hyalophora gloveri), a species that I've been waiting to see for a number of years, a One-eyed Sphinx Moth (Smerinthus cerisyi) and a Sigmoid Prominent Moth (Clostera albosigma). What a start to the weekend!

Glover's Silkmoth (Hyalophora gloveri)

Sigmoid Prominent Moth (Clostera albosigma)

One-eyed Sphinx Moth (Smerinthus cerisyi)

Thu, 17 May 2012 18:49:00 GMT

I didn't put the trap out lastnight due to bad weather and tonight doesn't look any better. Just to add to my posting of the 15th May, it seems that the micro, Blastodacna sp. may, in fact, be a new specieswaiting for a name and description. Thanks to Grep Pohl for all the information.

Wed, 16 May 2012 08:05:00 GMT

2 macros in the trap this morning. A new one for the year, Sutrina Moth (hada Sutrina) and another Western Swordgrass (Xylena thoracica).

Western Swordgrass (Xylena thoracica).

Sutrina Moth (hada Sutrina)

Tue, 15 May 2012 18:51:00 GMT

Two macros in the trap this morning. One was pretty worn and I haven't managed to ID it yet. The other is either Poplar Kitten (furcula scolopendrina) or Willow Kitten (furcula occidentalis). While I can't be certain, the seasonal distribution of this species would point more towards Willow Kitten (furcula occidentalis). Either way a nice moth. There was also a micro in trap which Greg Pohl identified as a Blastodacna sp. Greg said there are 2 species in Alberta, bicristatella and curvilineella, both rarely collected.

Willow Kitten (furcula occidentalis)

Blastodacna sp.

Mon, 14 May 2012 10:53:00 GMT

In spite of another very warm day and night there was only one moth in the trap this morning. I must admit I initially thought it might be Apamea Sordens but Gary Anweiler ID'd it as another Orthosia segregata which appears to be quite variable.

Orthosia segregata

Sun, 13 May 2012 14:00:00 GMT

I was in Lethbridge for the weekend. The light trap was empty on Saturday but there were two macros in the trap this morning. A Garden Arches (Lacanobia radix) and new moth for me, a Norman's Quaker Moth (Crocigrapha normani). It's a little worn but shows the characteristic white apical patch, straight antemedial line and absent subterminal line.

Norman's Quaker Moth (Crocigrapha normani)

Wed, 09 May 2012 17:16:00 GMT

It was a good night last night which included two new garden macro's. The new ones were Willow Dart Moth (Cerastis salicarum) and Orthosia segregata. Thanks to Gary Anweiler again for the ID's. There was also one Tawny Eupithecia which is my first Geometrid of the year.

Willow Dart Moth (Cerastis salicarum)

Orthosia segregata

Tawny Eupithecia (Eupithecia ravocostaliata)

Tue, 08 May 2012 17:30:00 GMT

Two Speckled Green Fruitworm (Orthosia hibisci) moths in the trap this morning. The first macro's since the 30th. Also 3 Diamondback moths (Plutella xylostella). After another day of warm weather hoping for more tonight.

Sun, 06 May 2012 15:21:00 GMT

The cool wet weather of the last few days has kept the moths out of my light trap. However, after digging through some more of last years photographs, I did identify my 200th backyard moth, Thinker Moth, Lacinipolia meditata. Thanks to Gary Anweiler for confirming the ID. The weather looks better for tonight so I'm hoping I will have something to post about tomorrow.

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 07:30:00 GMT

After a cool dry night there was only one moth in the trap but it is a new species for the year. A Gooseberry Stretchia (Stretchia muricina).

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 18:22:00 GMT

The last few days have been quite wet. Just one Speckled Green Fruitworm (Orthosia hibisci) in the trap last night. On another note, it seems that one of my photographs will be used in new a "Moths of Great Britian and Ireland" book by Sean Clancy. Published by BugBook Publishing. Fame at last :). Interestingly, some of my brother's moth photographs will also be appearing in this book. His UK moth blog is at http://mothsofboughton-under-blean.blogspot.ca/.

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:37:00 GMT

There was an interesting moth in the trap this morning! I had thought it was a Lasiocampidae or Lymantriidae but after some failed searching I asked Gary Anweiler for help. Gary ID'd it as Twilight Moth (Lycia rachelae). I hadn't considered Geometridae at all. Live and learn..:). Apparently this moth would normally finish it's flight before full darkness. I did put the light trap out well before sunset so perhaps that is the trick. Either way this is definitely a new backyard moth for me and is my second new moth of the year bringing my backyard macro total to 197. At this rate 200 will be a breeze. Thanks again to Gary for the info'.

Twilight Moth (Lycia rachelae)

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:34:00 GMT

I missed my entry on the 24th but had 1 False Pinion (Litholomia napaea), 1 Alfalfa Looper (Autographa californica), 3 Speckled Green Fruitworms (Orthosia hibisci) and what I think is a Small Engrailed Moth (Ectropis crepuscularia). If it is this will be a new Geometrid for me. Last night there was 1 False Pinion (Litholomia napaea) and 3 Speckled Green Fruitworms (Orthosia hibisci).

Speckled Green Fruitworm (Orthosia hibisci)

6597 Small Engrailed Moth (Ectropis crepuscularia)

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 10:51:00 GMT

It was a warm night with the temperature not falling below +4. The macro moths in or on the trap were 1 Large Grey Pinion (Lithophane georgii) and 1 Hoary Pinion (Lithophane fagina). There were also 4 Diamondback Moths (Plutella xylostella). No new moths for the year today.

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 13:55:00 GMT

Another fairly mild night produced two Speckled Green Fruitworm moths (Orthosia hibisci), one False Pinion (Litholomia napaea), one Dot-and-Dash Swordgrass (Xylena curvimacula) and one Hoary Pinion (Lithophane fagina).

Hoary Pinion (Lithophane fagina)

Speckled Green Fruitworm moth (Orthosia hibisci)

Sat, 21 Apr 2012 13:08:00 GMT

Just one False Pinion (Litholomia napaea) in the trap last night. I've identified the two micro moths seen yeasterday as Diamondback Moths (Plutella xylostella). I also had one of these moths in the trap on the 15th April.

Diamondback Moth (Plutella xylostella)

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 16:55:00 GMT

It stayed above freezing last night and the trap tuned up two False Pinions (Litholomia napaea), one Dot-and-Dash Swordgrass (Xylena curvimacula) and a micro that I haven't identified yet. While walking to our local shops I found a dead Hoary Pinion (Lithophane fagina) on the sidewalk.

False Pinion (Litholomia napaea)

Dot-and-Dash Swordgrass (Xylena curvimacula)

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:26:00 GMT

After some wintry nights, the earlier part of last night was 6c so I gave the light trap another try. There were 2 moths in the trap this morning. Another or the same Western Swordgrass (Xylena thoracica) and a Large Grey Pinion (Lithophane georgii). I've only had Lithophane georgii in the garden once before in 2009.

Large Grey Pinion (Lithophane georgii)

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 18:13:00 GMT

As the temperature for the early part of last night was 8c, it seemed worthwhile putting out the light trap. I recorded my first macro moth of the year, Western Swordgrass (Xylena thoracica). This moth is a hibernator but previously I have only recorded it during Sept and October. It's good to get this years macro moth list started!

9875 Western Swordgrass (Xylena thoracica). Taken in Sept 2011.