Latterbarrow and Meathop Moss, Cumbria

July 3 & 5, 2012:
Almost continuous poor weather has meant that opportunities to see and photograph insects has been restricted to brief impromtu outings whenever a few hours of favourable conditions occurred. There have been just two of these this past week. At Latterbarrow on the 3rd, a few Northern Brown Argus were flying in areas where Rockrose was present, whilst a beautiful small day-flying Pyrausta moth (probably P. purpuralis) and in pristine condition, took up territory in one small area. There were also Silver Y and Six-spot Burnet moths and several Small Peacock butterflies and many nymphs of the Common Green Grasshopper.

Northern Brown Argus


Pyrausta cf purpuralis


At Meathop Moss two days later, the weather was hot and humid with briefs spells of sushine. At least 50 individuals of the Large Heath butterfly (ssp davus) were flying but were usually reluctant to settle.

Large Heath (subsp. davus)

Also two individuals of the nationally-scarce moth, the Mancheter treble-bar (Carsia sororiata) were seen as well an equally scarce Purple-bordered Gold (Idaea muricata). Other moths which were much more frequent included Clouded Buff (Diacrisia sannio), Common White Wave (Cabera pusaria) and Common Heath (Ematurga atomaria). Nymphs of the Bog bush-cricket were also in evidence until all activity was brought to a sudden halt for the day by a violent thunderstorm.

Manchester treble-bar

Purple-bordered Gold

Clouded Buff

Common White Wave

Common Heath

Bog bush-cricket nymph, female

[Thanks for your help with the moths Graham]

Bog Bush-Crickets (Metrioptera brachyptera) and Green Tiger Beetles (Cicindela campestris) at Foulshaw Moss

September 20, 2011:
Foulshaw Moss comprises an acidic raised bog together with some small subsidiary pools and is well-known for it large range of insect life including dragonflies. It is also a haven for other interesting insects including the Bog Bush-Cricket and the Green Tiger Beetle.



On this warm late summer's day, Bog Bush-Crickets seemed to be singing over a large part of the Moss and could occasionally be located (although with difficulty) concealed in the heather even close to the board-walk. Females with their long curved ovipositors were readily distinguished from the males.



[Female, above, showing its long curved ovipositor]


[Male]

Nearby, on a lightly trodden peaty footpath, there was evidence of holes of Green Tiger Beetle' larvae and the occasional adult could also be seen. The latter were well camouflaged against the background but still showed a very lustrous coloration.



[Green Tiger Beetle camouflaged even against such an unnatural object as this rusting iron sheet]