I am so pleased I decided to put out the moth trap last night. In among the numerous Heart and Darts, worn pugs and unidentifiable micros were two rather special macro moths I have wanted to trap for a long time!
First of all Small Elephant Hawk-moth (Deilephila porcellus)
Secondly, Swallow Prominent (Pheosia tremula)
A very lively moth so I was I only really able to get the photo above. Within seconds of removing it from the fridge its wings were whirring ready for take-off!!
Whilst emptying the trap the friendly garden robin appeared within a foot of where I was standing looking for an easy meal! He did catch one of the escaping small moths much to my son's disgust! I know a lot of people have problems with birds eating moths in or near traps and it makes me wonder how many this particular robin has eaten from near the trap!
I have a robin who appears every morning for breakfast. At present, he perches on the scaffolding and looks at me intently. When the scaffolding is down, it will be the damson tree. He has me trained . . .
ReplyDeleteWell done with the moth trap and getting the Swallow Prominent (new to me) and the Small Elephant Hawk Moth.
Fantastic! I am so pleased you got these two, we've had both in the past week as well and they are beautiful moths. Birds don't seem to be a problem here at present, although my friend Mrs Sparrow may become so as she's extremely tame around me. Luckily she's egg sitting now so isn't around as much!
ReplyDeleteHi That fist moth looks amazing. Like an aeroplane with a propeller Margaret
ReplyDeleteThese two moths are beautiful. It sounds as though you could be right about the Robin. They do quickly work out where the food is.
ReplyDeleteBovey Belle - Thanks :) Our robin is like that - he only has to see me at a window to appear looking for meal worms :)
ReplyDeleteCountryside Tales - Thanks :) The Swallow Prominent is the one I am really really pleased with - such an unusual moth :) Also nice to add to the hawkmoth list!
Margaret Adamson - Thanks :) It is a beauty. Such a shame I couldn't get more and better photos!
Wendy - Thanks :) You are right it doesn't take birds like robins long to find out :)
Those two moths are magnificent. I had to laugh at 'within seconds of removing it from the fridge' because if my hubby opened the fridge to find moths (or worse live mealworms) I think he'd leave home!
ReplyDeleteBoth absolutely stunning. I particularly love the Small Elephant with those beautiful colours.
ReplyDeleteSeagullSuzie - Thanks :) Believe me my husband gets really mad - a lid had come off a pot yesterday and the Heart and Darts I had put in there for safety (from robin attack!!) were crawling round the salad drawer - hubby not impressed!!!
ReplyDeleteEm Parkinson - Thanks :) Glad you liked them - catches this year might be low but I seem to be getting more of the colourful ones than the LBJ's of moth world !
Great stuff again :-) I don't think we get that many Small Elephant Hawk-moths up here in Yorkshire but I live in hope :-)
ReplyDeleteAs regards releasing moths I have made a special releasing tub which allows the moths to leave the next evening but also keeps the birds out during the day. It's still a work in progress but it seemed to work well the other day :-)
Two great catches Caroline. I've seen the Elephant Hawk-moth on blogs before but not sure I've seen the Small. They really are beautifully colourful. The Swallow Prominent is very attractive too especially with wings open. Oh dear, poor moths, it sounds like the Robin has found a fast food outlet!
ReplyDeleteHeart and Dart in the salad drawer! What a hoot, better than the pot of grubs in her bedroom that my daughter forgot about after a fishing trip, when they turned into Bluebottles!
ReplyDeleteThose moths are stunning!
Very attractive moths and you would be very pleased to add these to your list.
ReplyDeleteTwo fantastic moths! Lovely to have them in your garden :)
ReplyDeleteDavid Turner - So sorry for not publishing your comment for a week - have been on holiday and no internet access!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much - Its the first Small Elephant I've trapped so keep on hoping :)
Your releasing tub sounds a good idea. At the moment I release those in pots once its dark the next evening.
ShySongbird - Many apologies to you too Jan for late publishing of comment. As explained to David we've been away for a week and no internet access!!
Glad you liked the moths. I was really chuffed with the Swallow Prominent as I have seen it on so many blogs! I notice since arriving home a while back the robin is already at the back door!! :)
Toffeeapple - Please accept my apologies re: late publishing of your comment. As explained to David and Jan above have been away. I think I prefer moths to bluebottles too!!!! Glad you liked the moths :)
Ian - Many thanks Ian - please accept apologies for late publishing of your comment - have been on holiday for a week and no internet access!!
Lou Mary - Thanks so much - glad you liked the moths :) Sorry about late publishing of your comment have been away and without internet access for a week!!