Morning. Bright here with the promise of more - and I spend Thurs. afternoons in the office for the dog rescue, just my luck.
Love the moths, agree with Gary that they're very neglected as a species. I think we do have some beautifully marked ones here but many are very tiny. Hawk moths, I think, can hold their own with many of the exotic ones.
Pam, I am waiting for my neighbour's Leycesteria to fruit so I can beg a few berries for seed. I cannot find the plant in the garden centres that I frequent and it was recommended to me as suitable for the chickens' free range area. It is a welcome splash of colour at this time.
Nola, you have probably already said this and I missed it - whereabouts in the country are you?
Morning houswifes everywhere-that takes us back a bit-off sick from school no tv just radio- Housewives Choice,Mrs Dales Diary,reading comics in bed-happy days
.., I was lucky enough to get pics of both the caterpillar and adult Elephant Hawk Moth...
It needs more than luck.
I don't know that much about Elephant Hawk Moth (or any others). Mr Google has just told me that Elephant Hawk caterpillars feed on rosebay willow herb and fuschias, and the moths like honeysuckle and buddlea. I have all those plants, but have never seen either the caterpillars or moths. Challenging.
I get them quite frequently around here, Gary. As for the host plants you mention, we have waste-land with willow herb nearby, also I have a plentiful supply of buddleia, honeysuckle & fuchsia.
This photo was taken two days ago. Ivy is a bit of a 'marmite' plant but brilliant for wildlife. Still a lot of Red Admirals about but not a good year for butterflies. The ivy is covered with honey bees when the sun comes out.
Geoff, I hope that photo was before your visit to the dentist.
David, stunning photos. I have never come across any caterpillar looking like that ! You can see why it's named the elephant hawk moth. I tried to get a picture of the humming bird hawk moth but it was too quick for me. Some one posted a fabulous picture of one on the wildlife thread.
I'm going to plant these astrantia seeds today but I don't hold out much hope. They are hard to germinate so I've read and they have to be fresh. Mine have been sitting in the fridge for over a week.
I must arrange a check up at the dentist - that pic is gross , Geoff.
o germinate and have to be fresh. Mine are sitting in the fridge and are a week old .
That is Shane McGowan before he had them fixed-take that as lesson to be learnt children too many sugary drinks, chocolate and cake are bad for your teeth and the waistline
Posts
Morning. Bright here with the promise of more - and I spend Thurs. afternoons in the office for the dog rescue, just my luck.
Love the moths, agree with Gary that they're very neglected as a species. I think we do have some beautifully marked ones here but many are very tiny. Hawk moths, I think, can hold their own with many of the exotic ones.
Pam, I am waiting for my neighbour's Leycesteria to fruit so I can beg a few berries for seed. I cannot find the plant in the garden centres that I frequent and it was recommended to me as suitable for the chickens' free range area. It is a welcome splash of colour at this time.
Nola, you have probably already said this and I missed it - whereabouts in the country are you?
Morning houswifes everywhere-that takes us back a bit-off sick from school no tv just radio- Housewives Choice,Mrs Dales Diary,reading comics in bed-happy days
Here is my contribution to mouth of the day
On the subject of moths, I was lucky enough to get pics of both the caterpillar and adult Elephant Hawk Moth:
Nola (who I think is in North Yorkshire) my heart sinks every time I see those pictures of peoples houses flooded.
Flo if your neighbour is not willing to give you some seeds let me know.
Geoff
It needs more than luck.
I don't know that much about Elephant Hawk Moth (or any others). Mr Google has just told me that Elephant Hawk caterpillars feed on rosebay willow herb and fuschias, and the moths like honeysuckle and buddlea. I have all those plants, but have never seen either the caterpillars or moths. Challenging.
Flobear, why not ask your neighbour if you could take a few cuttings. I have never managed to get the seeds to germinate.
I get them quite frequently around here, Gary. As for the host plants you mention, we have waste-land with willow herb nearby, also I have a plentiful supply of buddleia, honeysuckle & fuchsia.
Good morning all,
Hope everyone is feeling better today.
Lovely photo Pam and like your moth Jean.
This photo was taken two days ago. Ivy is a bit of a 'marmite' plant but brilliant for wildlife. Still a lot of Red Admirals about but not a good year for butterflies. The ivy is covered with honey bees when the sun comes out.
Geoff, I hope that photo was before your visit to the dentist.
David, stunning photos. I have never come across any caterpillar looking like that ! You can see why it's named the elephant hawk moth. I tried to get a picture of the humming bird hawk moth but it was too quick for me. Some one posted a fabulous picture of one on the wildlife thread.
I'm going to plant these astrantia seeds today but I don't hold out much hope. They are hard to germinate so I've read and they have to be fresh. Mine have been sitting in the fridge for over a week.
I must arrange a check up at the dentist - that pic is gross , Geoff.
o germinate and have to be fresh. Mine are sitting in the fridge and are a week old .
That is Shane McGowan before he had them fixed-take that as lesson to be learnt children too many sugary drinks, chocolate and cake are bad for your teeth and the waistline
Health warning of the day