Some April Moths

 This April has not only been one of the driest on record but also one of the coldest. During the daytime, the warmth of the sun has pushed the temperatures up into double figures but the night-time temperatures have remained stubbornly cool. 

I have only managed to run the moth-trap on two nights where the temperature was only marginally mild enough to attract a Double-striped Pug and a Brindled Beauty. The Emperor Moth and Engrailed were daytime finds.

I also managed to get close enough to photograph a Comma, which had thus far eluded the camera.

 The Green Tiger Beetle stopped running for about 3 seconds which enabled me to get a quick shot. 

Emperor Moth (Saturnia pavonia) (female)

My friend Steve sent me a phone image, wanting to know what this fabulous beauty was, resting on his kitchen windowsill. 

Brindled Beauty (Lycia hirtaria) (male)

Double-striped Pug (Gymnoscelis rufifasciata)

Engrailed (Ectropis bistortata)

Comma (Polygonia c-album)

Green Tiger Beetle (Cicindela campestris)

Butterflies and Moths in March

 The species of butterflies that over-winter as adults have been coming out of hibernation for several weeks but the very warm weather over the last few days has brought them out in profusion. 

I have seen multiple numbers of all of our four common hibernators and only the Comma (Polygonia c-album) has eluded my approach with the camera.

Peacock (Aglais io) (male) 

Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) (males)

Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) (males)

Here are a few more moths that were attracted to the moth-trap in my wealden garden during March.

Yellow Horned (Achlya flavicornis galbanus)

March Moth (Alsophila aescularia)

Chestnut (Conistra vaccinii)

Satellite (Eupsilia transversa)

Early Grey (Xylocampa areola)

Twin-spotted Quaker (Orthosia munda)

Nut-tree Tussock (Colocasia coryli)

Early Thorn (Selenia dentaria)