During Skye Botany Group’s recent excursion to Claigan and Lovaig Bay, Phil netted a Small Purple-barred moth (Phytometra viridaria). This appears to be only the second Skye record and the first since 1978.
In the garden the micro-moths Acleris hyemana (Heath Tortrix), Micropterix aureatella (Yellow-barred Pollen Moth) and Plutella xylostella (Diamond-back Moth) have appeared, all familiar visitors. I am adopting the vernacular names used by Sterling & Parsons, Field Guide to Micro-moths of Great Britain and Ireland 2nd Edition, many of which differ from those on NBN. Out on the hill yesterday there were huge numbers of Common Heath moths and Green-veined White butterflies plus many micro-moths, mostly Crambus lathoniellus (Meadow Grass-moth) and Micropterix aureatella (Yellow-barred Pollen Moth).
I have Red Currant Aphids (Cryptomyzus ribis) galling the Red Currants and Common Gooseberry Sawfly (Euura ribesii) larvae eating the gooseberry leaves.
The lower sawfly picture is of a recently moulted larva.
The moth trap has produced no additions to the West Suisnish list recently though I added two to the May list a few days ago: Brimstone Moth and Buff Ermine, making eight such additions so far.
A heavy infestation of aphids on Cirsium vulgare (Spear Thistle) in Portree yesterday is of Brachycaudus sp. probably B. cardui.
and this brightly coloured spider from the Lòn nan Achadhanan on Skye is Tetragnatha extensa, a long-jawed orb-weaver spider.
Meanwhile, the jury is still out on this Daisy Rust from near the Coral Beaches on Skye, but I think it is Puccinia lagenophorae.
Plants of Skye, Raasay & The Small Isles 
Leave a comment