65: DREPANIDAE AND 68: EMPERORS

65.001 Scalloped Hook-tip to MV light at the cabin, Cromwell Bottom, July 21st 2018. One of an impressive five individuals making an appearance that night. 

65.002 Oak Hook-tip a male to MV light at North Loop, Cromwell Bottom on Aug. 5th 2023. 

After a very wet second half of July and beginning of August it was no surprise to find many moths were worn and battered, this one was found dead in the bottom of the trap. I've included it as it's the only one I've seen!

65.003 Barred Hook-tip, one of two to MV light at Clock Face quarry on Aug. 10th 2023. This is a male with the impressive, bipectinate antennae.

65.005 Pebble Hook-tip to MV light at the cafe area, Cromwell Bottom, June 2nd 2018. My first ever hook-tip and an exciting arrival to the light.

 

65.005 Pebble Hook-tip to MV light at the cafe area, Cromwell Bottom, July 21st 2018.

The Cromwell Bottom moth trap at emptying time in the early hours of Aug. 19th 2018. Often over run with Yellow Underwings and caddisflies (not to mention biters and wasps!) it is none the less the easiest way to see the fantastic hook-tips.

65.008 Peach Blossom to MV light at North Loop, Cromwell Bottom on June 11th 2023.

65.008 Peach Blossoms to light at the cafe area, Cromwell Bottom Nature Reserve, June 2nd 2018. Because of a lack of available pots these two were put in the same container - with unsurprising results!

This was my first of several trapping sessions with Barry Nield that summer, conditions were excellent throughout and there were many memorable moments.

65.009 Buff Arches, Bankhouse wood, June 27th 2010. Netted at dusk.

65.010 Figure of Eighty to MV light at the Rush Field, Hardcastle Crags on June 16th 2023.

65.013 Common Lutestring to MV light at the cabin at Cromwell Bottom on July 9th 2023.  

65.016 Yellow Horned, one of two to MV light at Hardcastle Craggs, Mar. 15th 2014.

65.016 Yellow Horned to MV light at Norland on Apr. 14th 2022. It shows the orange rather than yellow "horns".

68.001 Emperor Moth cocoon, Pecket Well, May 20th 08. An empty cocoon found by eagle-eyed moth-er Winston Plowes.

68.001 Emperor Moth (female), Norland moor, May 4th 05. Standing out like a beacon in a sea of Heather this remains one of my most exciting finds ever. I spent around half an hour in her company and didn't see a single admirer come to visit so I think she must have already mated and stopped releasing pheromones. Female Emperors don't feed and die shortly after egg-laying.

68.001 Emperor Moth, details above. I was surprised to see eye spots on her underside as well.

68.001 Emperor Moth (male) at Norland moor on Apr. 30th 2022. It was attracted to one of Anthony Arak's pheromone lures, although this one was content to land a few feet away in among the Heather.

68.001 Emperor Moth details above. It's now fully at rest allowing very close approach in the warm spring sunshine.

68.001 Emperor Moth. Later, on the same trip, some of the pheromones from earlier must have landed on my boot and attracted this male - a surprisingly small moth, as is evident when there's something to gauge their size by (photo by Anthony).