August MothsWith 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 speciesThere 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 mothsThere 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 MothsGetting 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…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.
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