Still struggling a bit with very low night time temperatures, early season and lack of species diversity. Today's #MothOfTheDay is another early season regular. Small, compact, plain but appealing white pepper appearance

SMALL QUAKER
orthosia cruda

Very common. Larvae feed on sallow.

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Still very early in the season. Chilly nights = few species/numbers currently.

However, today's #MothOfTheDay is another new species for my garden.

BLOSSOM UNDERWING
Orthosia miniosa

Larvae feed on oak. Pinkish hue to underwing (see next take off video)

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Today's #MothOfTheDay is a new species for my garden. Not rare; just never had one before. Alas, I couldn't get a side shot to show it's ridged, bark-like appearance as it was too skittish and flew promptly. But here is:

TAWNY PINION
Lithophane semibrunnea

Hibernates over winter and reappears March/April.

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More moths and a fat diving beetle from mum's garden.

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A visit to my mum's place always means lots of work, but it's also a good opportunity to look for insects. This time I brought the LepiLED. There was a surprisingly good turnout in the moth trap this morning.

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Today's #MothOfTheDay is another common winter/early spring moth. Not many options to showcase at the moment until warmer nights pick up.

EARLY GREY
Xylocampa areola

Larvae enjoy honeysuckle. Two to show here. Second one preparing for takeoff.

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An almost full moon & partially clear skies tempered optimism last night, but it was mild, and I was rewarded with 12 visitors of 5 species.

Today's #MothOfTheDay

THE CHESTNUT
Conistra Vaccinii

A common winter/early spring moth whose larvae feed on oak, sallow and birch.

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Not really much happening on the #mothing front at the moment. There are a few species around, but I only seem to be attracting Common Quakers and Hebrew Characters ... and nothing else.

This Hebrew Character -- so called because its stigmata resembles the Hebrew Character Nun (נ) -- was a compliant little poseur this morning though.

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