Ruby Tiger and other treasures

Having recently purchased a new moth trap only to break the bulb while unpacking it, I was delighted when my replacement arrived yesterday. This meaning that, for the first time this year, I could kick-back in the garden and engross myself in some local Lepidoptera. Well, this didn’t go exactly to plan – heavy rain hampering my efforts after a meagre two hours – though, with 71 moths of 21 separate species languishing in the trap this morning, it could have gone much worse.

The star of the show when it came time to unpack the trap this morning was undoubtedly the superb Ruby Tiger Phragmatobia fuliginosa pictured above. A rather sumptuous looking moth boasting outlandish crimson underwings, and a real favourite of mine. Not a scarce species, by any standards, but a nice one to see in my urban backyard. Of its winged counterparts also nestled within the trap, a Barred Yellow Cnidaria fulvata was also nice to see; while a couple of Bordered White Bupalus piniaria were new for the garden list. The most numerous species obtained were, as ever, the Large Yellow Underwings Noctua pronuba which, typically, burst out in a flurry of frantic buzzing as soon as I lifted the lid. Much to the delight of my cat which soon set off (unsuccessfully) in pursuit of the escapees.

I look forward to trapping more frequently throughout the Summer, and in doing so, uncovering, further, the wealth of unseen life dwelling within my garden.

Double Square-spot, Barred Yellow, Dark Arches, Ruby Tiger, Bee Moth and Small Fan-foot