Some Moths during May

 With news from several online sources, that there has been a large migration of Striped Hawkmoths (Hyles livornica) arriving in Britain from the continent in recent weeks, I have been putting the moth-trap out on most suitable nights during the latter half of May.

Being sixteen miles inland from the south coast, the chances of attracting one of these beauties are slim but I have started to see a couple of resident hawkmoth species coming to the garden light. 

Here is a collection of moths that have visited my garden during May.

Poplar Hawkmoth (Laothoe populi) 

Eyed Hawkmoth (Smerinthus ocellata)

Puss Moth (Cerura vinula)

Alder Kitten (Furcula bicuspis)

Pebble Prominent (Notodonta ziczac)

Coxcomb Prominent (Ptilodon capucina)

Marbled Brown (Drymonia dodonaea)

Buff-tip (Phalera bucephala)

Pale Tussock (Calliteara pudibunda)

(male, form concolor)

(female)

White Ermine (Spilosoma lubricipeda)

Cinnabar (Tyria jacobaeae)

Least Black Arches (Nola confusalis)

Common Swift (Hepialus lupulinus) (male)

Garden Pebble (Evergestis forficalis)

Garden Carpet (Xanthorhoe fluctuata)

Common Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta truncata)

Grey Pine Carpet (Thera obeliscata)

May Highflyer (Hydriomena impluviata)

Yellow-barred Brindle (Acasis viretata)

Sharp-angled Peacock (Macaria alternata)

Pale Oak Beauty (Hypomecis punctinalis)

Brussels Lace (Cleorodes lichenaria)

Light Emerald (Campaea margaritata)

Heart and Dart (Agrotis exclamationis)

Ingrailed Clay (Diarsia mendica mendica)

Bright-line Brown-eye (Lacanobia oleracea)

Delicate (Mythimna vitellina)

Toadflax Brocade (Calophasia lunula)

Alder Moth (Acronicta alni)

Marbled White Spot (Protodeltote pygarga)

Green Silver-lines (Pseudoips prasinana britannica)

Return to the Downs

 The rolling chalk hills of the South Downs is a landscape that I love. They provide a fantastic habitat for many species (some only to be found on chalk) and since I was a boy, I have spent many hours exploring the hilltops and secret valleys of what is now the South Downs National Park.

In recent years, for one reason or another, I have not been able to spend as much time as I would have liked walking the ancient chalk trackways. However, after two knee operations, I am keen to make up for lost time.

I have made the most of the sunny weather during the last two weeks of May and have been visiting some old haunts.

Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus)

(male)

(female)

(mating)

Adonis Blue (Polyommatus bellargus)

(male)

(female)

(mating)

Small Blue (Cupido minimus)

(male)

Brown Argus (Aricia agestis)

(males)

Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)

Wall (Lasiommata megera)

(male)

Several day-flying moth species were on the wing and a couple stopped for a photograph.

Common Heath (Ematurga atomaria atomaria)

(male)

Yellow Shell (Camptogramma bilineata bilineata)

Burnt-tip Orchid (Neotinia ustulata var.ustulata)

This rare and endangered orchid is only found on short chalkland sward. 

A Walk on Pevensey Levels in May

 I enjoy walking across the meadows and beside the water ditches of Pevensey Levels at this time of year.

 A few weeks of warm spring weather has accelerated foliage growth around the field margins and the water meadows are covered in buttercups and lady's smock.

There has been plenty of insect activity. 

The resident butterfly species are having a healthy emergence and the arrival of Painted Ladies from the continent has been notable.

Some moth larvae that have hibernated over winter, have resumed feeding.

Wall (Lasiommata megera) (female)

Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus)

Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) (female)

Green-veined White (Pieris napi) (mating)

Hairy Dragonfly (Brachytron pratense) (male)

Variable Damselfly (Coenagrion pulchellum) (male)

Garden Tiger (Arctia caja) 

(mid-instar larva feeding on blackthorn)

Yellow-tail (Euproctis similis)

(mid-instar larva basking on ivy)