Spring has Sprung.

With the weather warming up for a while I've been out and about around the back of Seaford. On Sunday I saw my first Ancylis comptana of the year, a very small micro moth found on a few chalk downlands. More surprising was finding a very young Emperor Moth larva. This means there has been some adults out for 2 to 3 weeks already. Of course, very young larva are not easy to be sure of identity. There is still a question mark over whether it is an Emperor and with one expert saying it is and another thinking it isn't, if anyone out there can confirm either way I would be pleased to know!! The consensus now is that it is indeed an Emperor larva 2nd instar. 

Ancylis comptana.

Probable Emperor Moth 2nd instar stage larva??

Last night, with the weather settled I decided to put the moth trap out for the first time this year. Nothing very exciting this morning unfortunately but a small selection of Common Quaker, Early Grey and a very nice March Moth making a total of 10 moths.

Early Grey.

March Moth.

Following this I went for a long stroll over the back of Seaford where I found a Pyrausta ostranalis and a Pyrausta despicata. Both these small micros were my first of the year. I also came across a Long-tailed Tit that posed quite well. I was hoping for some new emerging butterflies but this was not the case. However several Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock and Brimstone were seen including a male Brimstone that posed well for a picture.

Pyrausta despicata.

Long-tailed Tit.

Male Brimstone.