Friday 22 April 2011

Chamomile Shark - a new county record

An excellent catch of moths last night at Llanfyllin (42 macro species in April is unprecedented for Montgomeryshire) got even better when I discovered a new county record resting on the edge of the trap.

At first I was unsure of the species - but knew it was something good so emailed Peter immediately to say 'unidentified shark species'. He was probably thinking I'd seen a Great White or something.

Once I'd taken the photo I could see that the fringe on the forewing trailing edge contained the tips of the black wing streaks. This identified the moth as Chamomile Shark Cucullia chamomillae rather than Shark Cucullia umbratica which has an unbroken wing-tip fringe.

2214 Chamomile Shark Cucullia chamomillae

Chamomile Shark - Wing-tip

The Chamomile Shark also has an earlier flight time than the Shark.

It was presumably attracted by the chamomile tea my wife occasionally drinks... or maybe not...

2 comments:

  1. Well, if he'd had a tipple or two, there might have been something 'fishy' about the record.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh dear, Peter!

    Anyway, well done Mike!

    ReplyDelete