70: GEOMETRIDS 208 - 253

70.208 Scorched Wing to MV light at Barkisland on June 4th 2022. It was cool and breezy overnight which didn't promise a great deal so when this little stunner appeared in the trap the following morning it was a fantastic surprise.

70.214 Tawny-barred Angle found by day at Lady Royd picnic site at Hardcastle Crags on May 27th 2023.

70.218 Latticed Heath, a field observation at Copley meadow on June 3rd 2018. Found by Andy Cockroft. A rarely seen species here at present.

UPDATE: Seven years on and the meadow is all but lost because of encroachment by brambles, Rosebay Willowherbs etc. I expect that this summer the Latticed Heaths, Small Yellow Underwings, Common Blues, Marsh Pugs and Chimney Sweepers will be no more.

70.218 Latticed Heath at Copley meadow on June 12th 2018. A daytime observation.

70.222 Brown Silver-line at Brookfoot Loop, Cromwell Bottom on May 23rd 07. A daytime observation on Bramble.

70.226 Brimstone at dusk in my garden at Skircoat Green on June 8th 07.   

70.234 Canary-shouldered Thorn, one of several to MV light at the cabin at Cromwell Bottom on Aug. 3rd 2018. This one refused to enter the trap and just sat next to my chair for most of the night so I just had to take its rather lovely portrait.

70.235 Dusky Thorn female to MV light at the cabin at Cromwell Bottom on Aug. 24th 2019.

70.237 Early Thorn female resting openly in the steady rain at Tag meadow, Cromwell Bottom on May 18th 2013. It may have just emerged as it's in pristine condition, I can't think why else it would be out on such a mucky day!

70.239 Purple Thorn, one of two to actinic light at Clock Face quarry, Krumlin on Aug. 2nd 2024.   

70.240 Scalloped Hazel larva on July 26th 2020. It was reared from eggs laid on one of my chilli plants after a moth found its way in to my bedroom at Skircoat Green. 

70.240 Scalloped Hazel. A close-up of the larva above showing the lichen-mimicking green patches and those fascinating foot pads - see below.

70.240 Scalloped Hazel. A close-up of those foot pads showing the gripping hooks called crochets.

70.240 Scalloped Hazel to MV light at Turgate Delph, Norland on May 29th 2022.

70.241 Scalloped Oak to actinic light at Clock Face quarry, Krumlin on July 24th 2024.

70.243 Swallow-tailed Moth in my garden at Skircoat Green on July 26th 2020. It looked like a freshly emerged female calling for a mate, you can just see her ovipositer sticking out a little. I thought to myself good luck finding a mate in my small, suburban garden.........   

And lo and behold 5 minutes later a rather tatty male turned up - aren't pheromones amazing?!

Quite a touching little encounter in the still of the night.  

70.244 Feathered Thorn larva at 55mm on May 12th 09. Found at a canal-side field at West Vale on Sallow.

70.244 Feathered Thorn male at Stoodley Glen on Oct. 27th 2012. Quite a productive search for the time of year with four Winter Moths and a November Moth also seen. 

70.245 March Moth, a daytime observation on Sycamore at North Dean wood on Mar. 14th 2006.    

70.247 Pale Brindled Beauty larva found at North Dean wood on Downy Birch, May 11th 2011. Unfortunately it was soon devoured by a parasitic wasp grub :-(

70.247 Pale Brindled Beauty - a male to MV light at Hardcastle Crags on Mar. 21st 2011.

70.251 Oak Beauty to MV light at Broadhead Clough on Apr. 11th 09.      

70.252 Peppered Moth, June 19th 2013. It was found as a pupa that I dug up at my workplace in Sowerby Bridge on June 5th that year. I unearthed around a dozen moth pupae whilst tidying the car park of weeds and debris, but thinking they were the usual Large Yellow Underwing, Angle Shades or a dart species I left most of them alone. However I did find one that looked a little more thickset than the rest of them so I decided to rear it through which is simple to do.

I placed it in a plastic box with holes punched in the sides and lid for ventilation and the floor was lined with kitchen paper to help retain humidity. It was lightly misted with water every other day.

The sides of the box and lid were lightly roughed up with sandpaper to give the newly emerged moth some purchase to dry off and expand its wings.

Fortunately my hunch was correct and it was something rather nice, a Peppered Moth, my first one away from a light trap.

70.252 Peppered Moth to MV light at the Rush Field, Hardcastle Crags on June 16th 2023. It was resting in the grass next to the trap.

70.253 Spring Usher male, a daytime observation at Long wood on Feb. 1st 07.

70.253 Spring Usher male at Bankhouse wood on Feb. 16th 2018. A daytime observation on a steel railway bridge parapet.