Some more Moths during May

 Over the last couple of weeks, multiple numbers of Striped Hawkmoths (Hyles livornica) and other migrant species have been turning up in moth-traps across Britain from the near continent, particularly in south western counties.

Ever hopeful, I have been putting my trap out on a regular basis but so far, no unusual visitors have touched down in my garden.

Here are some images of moths that have appeared at my light during the latter half of May.

Privet Hawkmoth (Sphinx ligustri)

Peppered Moth (Biston betularia) 

Peppered Moth (B. betularia) (form insularia)

Red Twin-spot Carpet (Xanthorhoe spadicearia)

Sharp-angled Peacock (Macaria alternata)

Garden Carpet (Xanthorhoe fluctuata)

Small Phoenix (Ecliptopera silaceata)

Yellow-barred Brindle (Acasis viretata)

Light Emerald (Campaea margaritata)

Small Magpie (Anania hortulata)

Marbled Brown (Drymonia dodonaea)

Treble Lines (Charanyca trigrammica) (form obscura)

Pearl-bordered Fritillary

One of my favourite butterfly moments of any spring is seeing my first male Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria euphrosyne) patrolling low over the flowers of a woodland glade, looking for females. 

However, the first euphrosyne that I saw this year was a fresh female conveniently posing on a bluebell. 

Here are some images of that moment as well as photographs of some other spring species.

Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria euphrosyne) (female)

Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) (male)

Large White (Pieris brassicae) (female)

Green-veined White (Pieris napi) (female)

Some Moths in Early May

 For the last few weeks, I have been busy finishing my winter work in the wood. This mainly entails clearing up uprooted rhododendrons and stacking bonfires ready for the autumn. It will soon be too hot for labouring and I can catch up with butterflies and moths that are now on the wing.

Here are a few images of some of the moths that I have encountered over the last couple of weeks.

Great Prominent (Peridea anceps)

Buff-tip (Phalera bucephala)

Square Spot (Paradarisa consonaria)

Sharp-angled Carpet (Euphyia unangulata)

Chinese Character (Cilix glaucata)

Speckled Yellow (Pseudopanthera macularia)