Raising little beauties

It all started with Ma Lilac Beauty above, who was trapped at Marston Thrift on 25th June. She laid a batch of eggs, which hatched on 9th July. I lost quite a few of them. I think the larvae could be cannabalistic as a couple grew quite large, while others disappeared. In the end I ended up with six, which I separated and now five out of six have pupated with one still to go.

A couple of shots of the larvae, which are quite distinctive.

A couple of shots of pupae

If you are lucky a male will emerge, this one was trapped in Wales in July.

All photos by Melissa Banthorpe

1719 Oblique Carpet

15/08/11: Garden, Leighton Buzzard, SP9326.
Twin 15w Skinner.
FW: 12mm

Frequents damp, marshy areas; the larvae feed on bedstraws. A complete surprise as the last Bedfordshire record was 1973 !

Synaphe punctalis

Saw this on the wall at work today. Not one I've personally seen before but trapped at the Lodge before.

Small Red-eyed Damselfly

Tandem pair ovipositing at DSTW 12/08/11

Small Red-eyed Damselfly

Picture taken this afternoon at DSTW (9/08/11)

Webb's Wainscot - Kempston

This Webb's Wainscot was in Martin Palmer's moth trap in Kempston. Photograph by Martin Palmer.

Satin Beauty

A scarce moth in the county. This one came to MV light at Maulden Wood on 3rd August. Photo: Melissa Banthorpe

Ethmia quadrillella

...which seems to be called funerella too? Trapped last night in Eaton Ford. According to the book, seems to be quite rare. Any thoughts from the recorders. Certainly a smart moth!

Another Crescent

Obvious really, but I was a bit confused by this beast when I caught it. Melissa has confirmed this is another Crescent, but very different to the one the week before. I thought it might be a Common Rustic but was bigger. Seems to be a good corner of the county for them up here with I think, five of the nine records.

The Crescent

Trapped 3rd August in my Eaton Ford garden.