Oncocera semirubella x2

Oncocera semirubella, Luton, 21st July 2014. Only Bedfordshire's third (or perhaps fourth) record of this stunning micro moth.

Oncocera semirubella

Oncocera semirubella, Biggleswade, 21st July 2014.  Only Bedfordshires third (or perhaps fourth) record of this stunning micro moth.

Kent Black Arches

Yet another new macro-moth for the county this year - Kent Black Arches - which brings the total to five. This rather pretty moth was trapped last night (17th) at Biggleswade by Lionel Burgess, who kindly held onto to it so the county Recorders could see it this evening.

Kent Black Arches                     photo Melissa Banthorpe

Brown Lacewing surprise

New and previously unknown to me last night was this mini-beast on the garden shed in the reflected light of my moth trap in Luton. Identified from the trusty Collins Guide and then confirmed with the recorders as a brown lacewing, species Drepanepteryx phalaenoides. I am informed this is the third VC30 record, the previous being at Heath&Reach in 1987 and Tempsford in 1991.

Chicksands Wood 3rd July 2014

At least 3, possibly 4, male Purple Emperors and a single female sucking moisture/nutrients on the main path through Chicksands Wood late morning and early afternoon. Females on the ground would appear to be a rare sight. Three photos of the female which had a small tear near the tip of the left forewing, and one of a male.