Observations of late lepidoptera on the Humberhead Levels.

Recent autumnal weather has been such that it has seen Red Admiral, Speckled Wood and Small Tortoiseshell butterflies enjoying the last of the nectar available to them and this supplemented with fallen fermenting apples and juice from blackberries.  Nettle-tap moths too have been observed feeding on ivy flowers.

I’ve been doing a little more investigation into the occurence of Dryobotodes eremita Brindled Green since my last post. One correspondent reminded me that I was at a moth night on Hatfield Moors in September 2011 when 2 came to light, so effectively these were the first for Hatfield Moors, if Skidmore (2006) accurately records previous observations.  The species was known from Thorne Moors in 1962, unless anyone else can update any later dates?

Thanks also to John for sharing his images which feature in tonight’s post.  If you compare them with the specimen shown on 20 September post, they illustrate well the variation in ground colouring of the species which can occur.  Interestingly the two specimens shown here are from the same area.  Reminiscent of relatively recent occasions when I have observed two and three colour variations of Peppered Moth at the same site, the black, white and an intermediate.

 

 

That above shows a brown ‘background’ colour, below shows a green base.  Interestingly these specimens are Humberhead Level ones, suggesting that the species is another under recorded one.

 

The stunning image below, illustrates another uncommon species to Yorkshire, although it is recorded more frequently in Lincolnshire.   Again the specimen is a Humberhead Levels record so ‘eligible’ for inclusion on the blog and thanks to Phil Lee for submitting it.  Acleris  cristana is a delightful little moth, it is another species which is variable in colouration but the forewing hair tufts, clearly visible in the image below and they are the give away and clinch the identification.  Described on the UK Moths website as a scarce but distinctive tortricid, occuring mainly in southern England.  Another record subsequent to determined effort, keep them coming!

 

 

Click on the images to enlarge them and see the detail referred to in the text of the post.

Images by John Hartley & Phil Lee.