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Wednesday 5 July 2017

Welcome and Unwelcome Visitors

An influx of grandchildren prevented me from trapping last weekend, but I did put a large actinic trap out on Monday night and recorded 71 moths of 39 species.  Like Steve, nothing unusual, but several FFYs including Swallowtail Moth and Slender Brindle, and second occurrences (SFYs) of Scalloped Shell and Cloaked Carpet.  And only one Large Yellow Underwing!  Maybe they're having an off-year.

A most unwelcome visitor turned up on the wall of the bungalow last week, and I managed to inflict a severe headache before it did any harm:

Tabanus sp.

It's only the third I've seen here in nine years, although the horses have probably encountered more. Unfortunately there are plenty of its smaller cousin, the Cleg, around just now, and they are a real pest to man and beast - if only they would have an off-year!
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2 comments:

  1. GMT5 July 2017 at 06:50

    I suspect the LYUs are in aestivation (summer hibernation) due to the warm weather, and will be back with a vengeance in late August and September!

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  2. VC41Moths7 July 2017 at 03:50

    The Tabanus is a male - the eyes meet at the top of the head. As it is only the females that bite this one was not likely to harm you. Sorry!

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