Calgary moths for the 7th-9th JuneAfter 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) 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…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 MothsNot 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 mothDue 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 hibernatorsBecause 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.
|
