Antler Moth

The Antler Moth (Cerapteryx graminis) seems to live life in the fast lane. I found a couple of larvae on Barden Moor on 21st May 2010 which were racing around the ground on a very hot day. I had presumed that they were either looking for fresh foodplants or a pupation site.

This moth emerged this morning and is photographed on Bog Myrtle where it rested for only a few minutes before flying around the garden, in broad daylight, at break-neck speed.

*

This Cat's-ear (Hypochoeris radicata) is a weed in my lawn but it is so bright and cheery that I have been mowing around it for the last couple of years!

*

Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) is another lawn resident. I noticed this morning that you can actually buy this in the garden centre!

Stonechats and Strawberries

After this Rhopobota ustomaculana emerged yesterday, I decided to revisit Barden Moor and try to photograph the Cowberry in flower.

I made the ascent to Lower Barden Reservoir, this morning, in warm sunshine and was surprised by the numbers of Wild Strawberry flowers growing alongside the path. These seemed to be providing the main nectar source for the abundant Green-veined White butterflies, one of which I saw being grabbed by a spider (look underneath the butterfly!)
I also spotted a couple of Small Coppers and a Peacock.

I finally found a Cowberry flower but think that they will be more in evidence in another fortnight or so. A pair of Stonechats were frustratingly out-of-range of my camera on the east bank of the reservoir.

A couple of these 2cm long caterpillars were found crossing the track at two separate locations. I wonder if these might be Antler Moth?