It’s been about two-weeks since I last ran the moth trap, unfortunately I have been rather busy or away from home. Last night there were 16 species in the trap, plus one or two that got away! Of these, there were six new species including lesser broad-bordered yellow underwing, barred straw, pebble prominent, grey chi and six-striped rustic.

There are usually a few beetles at the bottom of the trap, and last night was no exception with a rather striking burying beetle (Nicrophorus sp.) rolling around in there. These beetles have a very good sense of smell and are attracted to carrion. They bury small dead animals (mice, voles, birds etc) beneath ground. The female lays her eggs close by in the burial chamber and when they hatch she first feeds them on regurgitated food, then as they grow the larvae feed on the interred corpse… lovely!

Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing

Common Rustic

Pebble Prominent

Grey Chi

Burying Beetle