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Post by timmsyrj on Aug 17, 2016 10:08:47 GMT -8
Just a quick thought Joe, next time you clean the rabbit hutch out, stick some in a bait trap, it seems to be drawing one or two moths in most nights. I have loads of North American pitcher plants and they have caught loads of moths the last 2 years, some give off a faint smell of stale urine which draws in insects, maybe the rabbit droppings and pee is doing the same.
Rich
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Post by timmsyrj on Aug 11, 2016 11:42:32 GMT -8
I believe these to be Mormo maura ( the Old Lady moth ), I have noticed them a number of nights this year and last in my back garden here in the midlands, U.K. There are 7 specimens in the first photo and 1 in the next all nestled up in the roof of my log burner shelter next to my pond, I noticed a peacock butterfly ( Inachus io ) roosting there yesterday and I had a look to see if it was still there tonight and found this little lot, it must be one of our largest moths after the Hawks, I must have one of it's foodplants growing nearby as I've noticed it getting commoner, especially just after dark, quite large when in flight, though rather drab looking, I would estimate the forewings are 25-30mm in length. Rich
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Post by timmsyrj on Aug 7, 2016 23:18:57 GMT -8
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Post by timmsyrj on Aug 7, 2016 23:13:50 GMT -8
I agree Joe, though I admit I have very few in my collection, a series of these should look great if I manage to breed plenty, though these eat cabbage they are only laying eggs on the nasturtium plants in the greenhouse, even though there are several of the cabbage plants that I reared them on in there, I've also read that they lay on the underside but I probably have a dozen small groups of eggs now on the top side of the leaves.
Rich
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Post by timmsyrj on Aug 6, 2016 6:40:07 GMT -8
I'm over the moon to get these this year, I have half a dozen small egg batches so far, I only have 2 females in my collection from Tenerife and 1 from La Palma, so resisting the temptation to set these was hard, however it looks like I will be rewarded, I got 13 adults from a batch or 14 eggs ( one egg didn't hatch) so can't be bad. I will rear as many as possible but I hope to get another generation after these, they are continually brooded with no diapause so I have some winter cabbage growing on to try and keep a small colony going through the winter. These are larger photo's of some superb individuals.. Rich I love the hindwing colour on the first female..
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Post by timmsyrj on Aug 6, 2016 3:23:47 GMT -8
Current occupants of my greenhouse as of this morning.. Pieris cheiranthi Males Females two or more Rich
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Post by timmsyrj on Jul 13, 2016 11:19:17 GMT -8
I have a friend going to Jamaica at the end of July into August and he has been warned of the high possibilities of bad weather this year due to the changing water currents (from El Niño to La Niña or vice versa) some say the hurricane season could be on a par with 2012, according to searches he's done, so I think the only sun screen he's taking with him is a brolly, I have to say though, looking at the living earth app the storms seem to be off the west coast of Mexico, the Caribbean seems clear.
Hope the weather, and collecting picks up soon for you guys.
Rich
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Post by timmsyrj on Jul 11, 2016 7:30:00 GMT -8
"Wonder what or who would come to waffle baits" ? What, I don't know but Who, then it'll be Leptraps you'll find in your trap.. Rich
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Post by timmsyrj on Jul 7, 2016 4:46:04 GMT -8
May I ask where you got the forbesi??? I have been searching for some. Worldwide butterflies here in the U.K, ordered only yesterday, not recieved yet but the 50 luna eggs arrived this morning. Rich
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Post by timmsyrj on Jul 6, 2016 1:57:25 GMT -8
I have this morning placed orders for the following Saturnidae species, Actias luna, Rothschildia forbesi (R. lebeau) and Agapema homogena which I hope to rear on Salix viminalis, privet and buckthorn respectively, I believe the luna should produce another brood later this year and the homogena are single brooded so any advice on overwintering (temperature, humidity etc) and are the Rothschidia continually brooded if kept warm or are they best over wintered, I have a huge privet hedge now so if possible I would like to try and keep them going this winter in several generations indoors.
Any advice much appreciated
Rich
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Satyrs
Jun 28, 2016 22:38:35 GMT -8
Post by timmsyrj on Jun 28, 2016 22:38:35 GMT -8
If I remember correctly, you are in Northen Indiana. You should find Enodia anthedon and Cercyonis pegala. Both should come to your trap. Bananas and Apple's work well. I have taken a number of Erebia above the tree line in Colorado in bait traps with blue berry's and urine. Light on the urine. The problem with bait traps above the tree line is the lack of trees to hang baits traps in. And then there are those pesky Marmonts. They eat the bait and floss with the screen. However, I will be above the tree line on Saturday. I am on my way to,South Dakota around 4AM. Pack plenty of "waffles" I bet there's not many "waffle houses" above the tree line ! I've always netted satyridae, almost always around damp, shady woodland edges or semi wooded paths etc, Coenonympha and Melanargia in more open grassy places and Erebia amongst small trees with plenty of grasses, the hardest though are those that fly on the screes above the tree line with very little grass or flowers, you need to watch hour footing and the butterfly or the latter flies off whilst you slide or roll (on occasion) down the shingle slope whilst your collecting buddy laughs.. Rich
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Post by timmsyrj on Jun 24, 2016 7:11:49 GMT -8
I have 6 female silver washed fritillaries busy laying eggs, I have sleeved 2 over common dog violets the other 4 I left in the greenhouse, the main reason I separated them is because I am going to use a systemic insecticide as soon as these Frits die off to try and eradicate the aphids infestation, all the violets in the greenhouse have died off, thanks to these little sap suckers, the eggs from the 2 sleeved females are outside and won't be sprayed so hopefully I'll have some survive from these, those in the greenhouse should be ok, most are on the timber framework and netting in the eaves of the structure so won't get sprayed, also as this species hibernates as a small larvae straight after emerging, they don't eat untill next year, when hopefully the next lot of violet seeds will be rampant and insecticide free (it's only active for 6 weeks). It's been great to see this large fritillary flying in my greenhouse this year, yes they do spend quite a while clinging to the netting in the roof but they also behave very naturally some times, early morning they are down low, perched in sunshine warming up, males have been seen searching around the small elm, blackthorn and cherry looking for females and now the females are searching out suitable egg laying sites (everywhere), hopefully I can repeat this next year and future years inbreeding and getting some nice abberations, also trying the high brown (A.adippe) and if I can find any livestock I want to try the pearl bordered frit (B.euphrosyne) though I haven't seen anyone selling livestock of these.
I'm still hoping for Speyeria diana if anyone can get eggs.
Rich
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Post by timmsyrj on Jun 17, 2016 7:45:38 GMT -8
Just spotted these in amongst the foliage.. Had to take a quick snap as I took the photo with the door open, didn't want to disturb them by going into the greenhouse as they are perched inches from the door. Rich
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Post by timmsyrj on Jun 16, 2016 22:14:24 GMT -8
Is it different from the females of the other P.karna ssp? Late reply to this I know but they are as different from other karna females as the males are from each other.. Rich Nice maacki hybrids
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Post by timmsyrj on Jun 14, 2016 10:50:10 GMT -8
My sides are splitting, " self defence strategies for frog attacks" absolutely priceless, crying with laughter.
Rich
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