Moths on Dartmoor 2

MOTHS ON DARTMOOR! Sounds a bit like it should be a horror movie, snakes on a plane style, with giant moths sucking up hapless walkers, and people having to lock themselves up in the prison to avoid a horrible death, and and…uh, sorry.

Actually these moths, although a tad pissed at being disturbed from their cosy egg box, are very cool. Perry’s second trapping catches 19 species (not all of which are here due to some just flying away), following 17 from the first trap – I think about 26 in total, given that there were some examples of the same species in both. Species without photos included dark arches, antlers, small phoenix, red twin spot and a nut-tree tussock.

: There were lot’s of true lover’s knots (Lycophotia porphyrea).

: A double line (Mythimna turca) is bigger than a true lover’s knot. It’s also rare outside Dartmoor.

: Buff footman (Eilema depressa). A gorgeous moth, as are all the other footmen

: Dark marbled carpet (Chloroclysta citrata)

: A rough looking male Mottled Beauty (Alcis repandata). Remember, the purpose of a moths wings is to deflect birds’ attention away from the moth’s head. And to fly.