Grizzlies, Purple & Golds and Violet Cosmets

Violet Cosmet, Pancalia leuwenhoekella (10mm)

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I met Dan Danahar at Mill Hill yesterday afternoon to film the Grizzled Skipper for the Butterflies of the Biosphere site (click to view). Conditions were perfect late afternoon for the many species of micro moths which are emerging and I found 3 new ones, including the Black-headed Conch (Cochylis atricapitana). Mark and Ian Cadey kindly showed me a mating pair of Common Purple and Golds. I found plenty of the tiny Violet Cosmets waving their tentacles vigorously. I assume this was to pick up the scent of a female.

Common Purple and Golds mating, Pyrausta purpuralis

Black-headed Conch, Cochylis atricapitana

Comma, Polygonia c-album

Grizzled Skipper, Pyrgus malvae

Little Roller, Ancylis comptana

micro moth -id needed

micro moth -id needed

pollen beetle, Meligethes aeneus

Sawfly? id needed

Straw-barred Pearl, Pyrausta despicata

Violet Cosmet, Pancalia leuwenhoekella

Wavy-barred Sable, Pyrausta nigrata