Sierra Nevada, Granada Province, Spain.

A day away from the traps with Dave in the mountains.

Day Six.

Grass Eggar (Lasiocampa trifolii) caterpillar.

Jayne, Dave and I left the house and headed up towards Granada City, on the way I was surprised to see a group of 5 Gull-billed Terns (Pagaza Piconegra / Gelochelidon nilotica) flying west along the route of the A92 near to the small pool called Balsa de Rigedor at Moraleda.  

Spanish Festoon (Zerynthia rumina).

We dropped Jayne off for a morning around the shops and headed towards El Purche where we checked a large area of grassland for day flying moths but we did not find a great deal except for 5116 Cydia ulicetana x1, 7926 Aspitates ochrearius x1, 8341 Chloroclysta siterata (Red-green Carpet) x1 and the caterpillar of the 1636 Grass Eggar (Lasiocampa trifolii). 

Rosy Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus onopordi).

In the same area I also saw Rosy Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus onopordi), Spanish Festoon (Zerynthia rumina), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) for the butterfly list and Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Woodlark (Totovia / Lullula arborea) and Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus) for the birds.

Rosy Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus onopordi).

We moved to another nice flower rich roadside meadow just up the road but the moths were equally bad but I managed to find a few nice butterflies again including a new species for my Spanish list Provençal Fritillary (Melitaea deione) along with Provence Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenoides), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus), Southern Marbled Skipper (Carcharodus boeticus) and Large Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychloros) just as we were dropping down to the car. 

Provençal Fritillary (Melitaea deione).

In the meadow the wild flowers included Andalusian Storksbill (Erodium recorderi), Bitting Stonecrop (Sedum acre), Blue Alkanet (Anchusa azurea), Common Grape Hyacinth (Muscari neglectum), Corn Poppy (Papaver rhoeas), Common Snapdragon (Antirrhinum major), Great Mullein (Verbascum giganteum), Mediterranean Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria), Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum), Purple Bugloss (Echium plantagineum), Rabbits bread (Andryala integrifolia), Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum), Tassel Hyacinth (Muscari comosum), White Mignonette (Reseda Alba), Yellow flax (Linum tenue) and masses of small yellow Dandelion type things which I do not like to have to identify.

Lorquin's Blue (Cupido lorquinii).

We again moved on and drove out to a rocky area some way from the road and searched the slopes there but again there were no Moths of note but we did find Yellow Bee (Ophrys lutea) and Dense-flowered Orchids (Neotinea maculata), Cliffhanger (Chaenorhinum villosum), Ground-pine Germander (Teucrium pseudochamaepitys) and several species of flower that still need names.

Eumigus rubioi.

Lorquin's Blue (Cupido lorquinii), Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) and Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus) were also recorded.

Lesser Spotted Fritillary (Melitaea trivia).

We next had a sandwich at a nearby bar before dropping down on the old road back in to the city, on the way we made a couple of stops including a roadside meadow where I found Lesser Spotted Fritillary (Melitaea trivia), Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera), Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli), the Armour platted Eumigus rubioi, Yellow Phlomis (Phlomis lychnitis), Upland Peony (Paeonia coriacea), White stonecrop (Sedum album), White Rockrose (Helianthemum apenninum), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) and Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei).

Sword-leaved Helleborine (Cephalanatera longifolia).

At a couple of stops further on down we picked up Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Barton's Orchid (Dactylorhiza insularis), Sword-leaved Helleborine (Cephalanatera longifolia) and some nowhere near to flowering Small-leaved Helleborine (Epipactis microphylla), Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula), several Goldwing (Synthymia fixa) moths, Mediterranean Shieldbug (Carpocoris mediterraneus), another Shieldbug Haploprocta sulcicornis and a couple of unidentified wild flowers.

Barton's Orchid (Dactylorhiza insularis).

Barton's Orchid (Dactylorhiza insularis).

Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula).

Mediterranean Shieldbug (Carpocoris mediterraneus).

Haploprocta sulcicornis.

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Trapping with Dave Grundy.

Day six, 105 Moths of 52 Species.

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With all the traps back at home and a warmer night, we did quite well in the garden.

0321 Pseudopestega chalcopepla.

Moths species seen were 0321 Pseudopestega chalcopepla x2, 0469 Crassicornella agenjoi x1, 0489 Reisserata chrysopterella x1, 0663 Trichophaga bipartiella x1, 0671 Tinea pellionella x1, 0687 Tinea trinotella x1, 1361 Zelleria oleastrella x1, 1525 Plutella xylostella (Diamond backed Moth) x17, 1648 Ethmia terminella x1, 1655 Ethmia bipunctella x4, 3029 Dysspastus fallax x2, 3498  Mirificarma eburnella x1, 3757 Sophronia humerella x1, 3798 Aproaerema anthyllidella x1, 3819 Mesohleps trinotella 1, 4166 Dyspessa ulula x1, 4855 Epinotia thapsiana x5, 5578 Lamoria anella x2, 5615 Synaphe lorquinalis x1, 5624 Pyralis obsoletalis x6, 5864 Acrobasis obliqua x2, 5993 Euzophera pinguis concolorella x1, 6184 Eudonia angustia x3, 6488 Evergestis frumentalis x1, 6531 Udea ferrugalis (Rusty Dot Pearl) x3, 6700 Dolicharthria punctalis x1, 6719 Nomophila noctuella (Rush Veneer) x1, 7504 Watsonalla uncinula x1, 7533 Stegania trimaculata (Dorset Cream Wave) x1, 7765 Peribatodes manuelarius manuelarius (Lydd Beauty) x1, 7806 Adactylotis gesticularia x1, 8073 Scopula minorata x1, 8167 Idaea subsericeata (Satin Wave) x3, 8169 Idaea cervantaria x5, 8175 Idaea eugeniata x1, 8189 Idaea degeneraria (Portland Ribbon Wave) x5, 8211 Rhodometra sacaria (The Vestal) x1, 8246 Orthonama obstipata (The Gem) x2, 8599 Gymnoscelis rufifasciata (Double-striped Pug) x1, 9142 Eublemma parva (Small Marbled) x2, 9367 Heliothis peltigera (Bordered Straw) x1, 9425 Caradrina proxima x3, 9433 Caradrina clavipalpis (Pale Mottled Willow) x1, 9435 Caradrina noctivaga x1, 9436 Caradrina flavirena x1, 9454 Hoplodrina ambigua (Vine's Rustic) x1, 9460 Spodoptera exigua (Small Mottled Willow) x2, 9895 Anarta trifolii (Nutmeg) x1, 10029 Mythimna sicula x1, 10346 Agrotis ipsilon (Dark Sword-grass) x1, 10493 Eilema caniola (Hoary Footman) x3and 10528 Utetheisa pulchella (Speckled Footman) x1.

9142 Eublemma parva (Small Marbled).

8599 Gymnoscelis rufifasciata (Double-striped Pug).

Near Trabuco, Malaga Province, Spain.

Moth Trapping with Dave Grundy at Liz and Ray's over in Malaga Province.

Day five, the garden 62 Moths of 37 Species.

Liz and Ray's 117 Moths of 51 Species.

Any corrections PLEASE send me a comment on the post, thanks.

 

7882 Gnophos mucidarius.

Dave and I started the day by sorting the trap ours and the warmer night time temp and no rain helped a great deal. 

Laphoterges millierei.

Species included 0321 Pseudopestega chalcopepla x1, 0663 Trichophaga bipartiella x1, 1525 Plutella xylostella (Diamond backed Moth) x7, 1655 Ethmia bipunctella x1, 1985 Elachista nuraghella x1, 3029 Dysspastus fallax x3, 4855 Epinotia thapsiana x2, 4887 Crocidosema plebejana x1, 5381 Amblypyilia acanthodactyla x1, 5552 Emmelina monodactyla (Common Plume) x1, 5624 Pyralis obsoletalis x1, 5742 Etiella zinckenella x1, 6184 Eudonia angustia x2, 6488 Evergestis frumentalis x1, 6531 Udea ferrugalis (Rusty Dot Pearl) x3, 6700 Dolicharthria punctalis x2, 6719 Nomophila noctuella (Rush Veneer) x1, 7581 Neognopharia stevenaria x1, 7765 Peribatodes ilicaria (Lydd Beauty) x2, 7882 Gnophos mucidarius x1, 8049 Scopula submutata nivellearia x1, 8167 Idaea subsericeata (Satin Wave) x1, 8169 Idaea cervantaria 3, 8169 Idaea eugeniata x2, 8189 Idaea degeneraria (Portland Ribbon Wave) x4, 8211 Rhodometra sacaria (The Vestal) x1, 8246 Orthonama obstipata (The Gem), 8328 Nebula ibericata x1, 8599 Gymnoscelis rufifasciata (Double-striped Pug) x2, 9367 Heliothis peltigera (Bordered Straw) 1, 9370 Heliothis armigera (Scarce Bordered Straw) x1, 9433 Caradrina clavipalpis (Pale Mottled Willow) x2, 9454 Hoplodrina ambigua (Vine's Rustic) x1, 10029 Mythimna sicula x1, 10238 Peridroma saucia (Pearly Underwing) x1, 10351 Agrotis segetum (Turnip Moth) x1 and 10493 Eilema caniola (Hoary Footman) x1.

10600 Arctia villica angelica.

One the MV was done we headed over to Liz and Ray's arriving just before 08:00 and started to sort through the two Actinic's doing mine first as Dave's could be moved out of the sun easier. 

9206 Cucullia calendulae.

We later did Dave's and this is the break down of what we saw, 0577 Infurcitinea atrifasciella x1, 0663 Trichophaga bipartiella x2,  1429 Distagmos ledereri x1, 1655 Ethmia bipunctella x2, 3029 Dysspastus fallax x1, 3445a Pseudotelphusa occidentella x1, 3498  Mirificarma eburnella x2, 3798 Aproaerema anthyllidella x1, 5552 Emmelina monodactyla (Common Plume) x1, 5742 Etiella zinckenella x1, 5830 Epischnia illotella x1, 5864 Acrobasis obliqua x3, 5864 Acrobasis obliqua x2, 6173 Scoparia staudingeralis x1, 6184 Eudonia angustia x3, 6531 Udea ferrugalis (Rusty Dot Pearl) x2, 6551 Udea numeralis x2, 6601 Pyrausta despicata x1, 6699 Dolicharthria concoloralis x2, 6719 Nomophila noctuella (Rush Veneer) x5, 7504 Watsonalla uncinula x5, 7564 Itame vincularia x3, 7579 Isturgia spodiara x2, 7765 Peribatodes manuelarius manuelarius (Lydd Beauty) x2, 7806 Adactylotis gesticularia x6, 7882 Gnophos mucidarius x1, 7926 Aspitates ochrearia (Yellow Belle) x1, 7932 Dyscia penulataria (Iberian Scalloped Bar) x1, 8167 Idaea subsericeata (Satin Wave) x1, 8169 Idaea cervantaria x1, 8265 Catarhoe basochesiata x1, 8509 Eupithecia cenaureata (Lime-speck Pug) x1, 8599 Gymnoscelis rufifasciata (Double-striped Pug) x1, 8777x Acronicta psi agg (Grey Dagger agg), 9206 Cucullia calendulae x1, 9068 Laphoterges  millierei x2, 9288 Amephana aurita x7, 9367 Heliothis peltigera (Bordered Straw) x1, 9433 Caradrina clavipalpis (Pale Mottled Willow) x4, 9435 Caradrina noctivaga x9, 9454 Hoplodrina ambigua (Vine's Rustic) x2, 9901 Anarta sodae x1, 9936 Hadena andalusica (Barrett's Marbled Cornet) x1, 10003 Mythimna vitellina (The Delicate) x2, 10029 Mythimna sicula x1, 10343 Agrotis puta (Shuttle Shaped Dart) x1, 10351 Agrotis segetum (Turnip Moth) x2, 10493 Nola Chlamitulalis (Jersey Black Arches) x1, 10493 Eilema caniola (Hoary Footman) x18 and 10600 Arctia villica angelica ssp x1.

8777x Acronicta psi agg (Grey Dagger agg).

A cracking nights mothing with several new species for me and a few for Dave I think.

10003 Mythimna vitellina (The Delicate).

Sierra de Loja, Granada Province, Spain.

Looking for day flying Moths on the flower covered slopes.

Panoptes Blue (Pseudophilotes panoptes).

Dave and I have been over to a friends house to put the Mothing kit up in her garden and as we returned to the house we stopped off on the lowest of the Northern slopes of Sierra de Loja near the service area which were covered in wild flowers.

Ground-pine Germander (Teucrium pseudochamaepitys).

We spent a couple of house looking for Day flying moth species but it was generally quiet for moths but we did find 0489 Reisserata chrysopterella x2, 1525 (18.001) Plutella xylostella (Diamond backed Moth) x1, 3029 Dysspastus fallax x1, 2352 Pleurota ericella x6, 5611 Synaphe diffidalis x3, 6551 Udea numeralis x3 and 9056 Autographa gamma (Silver Y) x2.

Rosy Garlic (Allium roseum).

We also saw several butterfly species whilst there including a couple of Panoptes Blues (Pseudophilotes panoptes), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus), Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera), Small White (Artogeia rapae) and Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas). 

Navel-wort (Omphalodes commutata).

Wildflowers seen included Brown Bluebell (Jacinto bastardo / Dipcadi serotinum), Cliffhanger (Chaenorhinum villosum), Common Snapdragon Antirrhinum major), Grey-leaved Cistus (Cistus albidus), Ground-pine Germander (Teucrium pseudochamaepitys), Mediterranean Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria), Mallow-leaved Bindweed (Convolvulus althaeoides), Pitch Trefoil (Psoralea bituminosa), Navel-wort (Omphalodes commutata), Purple Bugloss (Echium plantagineum), Rabbits bread (Andryala integrifolia), Red Phlomis (Phlomis purpurea), Yellow Phlomis (Phlomis lychnitis), Rosy Garlic (Allium roseum), Southern Knapweed (Centaurea pullata ssp pullata), Southern Red Bartsia (Parentucellia latifolia), Star Clover (Trifolium stellatum), Tassel Hyacinth (Muscari comosum), Wild Clary (Salvia verbenaca), White Rockrose (Helianthemum apenninum), Love-in-a-mist (Nigella damascena) and Bellardia trixago in two colour forms.

Synaphe diffidalis.

Birds were added to the list of species seen and included Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Coal Tit (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) and Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major). 

Southern Knapweed (Centaurea pullata).

We returned and got everything ready for the night at ours.

Love-in-a-mist (Nigella damascena).

Bellardia trixago yellow.

Sedum species.

Star Clover (Trifolium stellatum).

Pleurota ericella.

Bellardia trixago white.

Alpine Figwort (Scrphularia hoppii).

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Trapping with Dave Grundy.

Day four. Garden 125 watt MV Trap, 18 moths of 12 species.

Friends Garden 2x 15watt Actinic Traps, 47 moths of 20 species.

 

Eilema caniola (Hoary Footman).

As the weather was supposed to be better we did things slightly different this night by running two of the traps on a friends' property nearby and this boosted the results quite nicely.

Heliothis peltigera (Bordered Straw).

In the trap in our garden we had 1426 Prays oleae x1, 1525 (18.001) Plutella xylostella (Diamond backed Moth) x3, 3029 Dysspastus fallax x2, 6184 (63.069) Eudonia angustia x3, 6488 Evergestis frumentalis x1, 6531 (63.031) Udea ferrugalis (Rusty Dot Pearl) x1, 6719 (63.052) Nomophila noctuella (Rush Veneer) x1, 8169 Idaea cervantaria x2, 8189 (70.017) Idaea degeneraria (Portland Ribbon Wave) x1, 9367 (73.074) Heliothis peltigera (Bordered Straw) x1, 10029 Mythimna sicula x1 and 10493 (72.047) Eilema caniola (Hoary Footman).

6700 Dolicharthria punctalis.

In our friends garden we had 1525 (18.001) Plutella xylostella (Diamond backed Moth) x10, 3029 Dysspastus fallax x1, 3498  Mirificarma eburnella  x5, 3798 Aproaerema anthyllidella x1, 5552 (45.044) Emmelina monodactyla (Common Plume) x1, 5864 Acrobasis obliqua x1, 6531 Udea ferrugalis (Rusty Dot Pearl) x3, 6700 Dolicharthria punctalis x1, 6719 Nomophila noctuella (Rush Veneer) x1, 7504 Watsonalla uncinula x1, 7725 Menophora japygiaria (Brassy Waved Umber), 8167 Idaea subsericeata (Satin Wave) x1, 8169 Idaea cervantaria x1, 9367 Heliothis peltigera (Bordered Straw) x1, 9433 Caradrina clavipalpis (Pale Mottled Willow) x6, 9454 Hoplodrina ambigua (Vine's Rustic) x3, 10096 Noctua pronuba (Large Yellow Underwing) x1, 10238 Peridroma saucia (Pearly Underwing) x1, 10493 Eilema caniola (Hoary Footman) x5 and 10528 Utetheisa pulchella (Speckled Footman) x1.

8167 Idaea subsericeata (Satin Wave).

10238 Peridroma saucia (Pearly Underwing).

7725 Menophora japygiaria (Brassy Waved Umber).

7725 Menophora japygiaria (Brassy Waved Umber).

0488 Reisserita chrysopterella.

Mythimna sicula.

Idaea degeneraria (Portland Ribbon Wave).

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Trapping with Dave Grundy.

Day three. 19 moths of 11 species.

Idaea cervantaria.

Again the night time weather was not great as it remained cool and damp, Moths included 0321 Pseudopostega chalcopepla x2, 1525 (18.001) Plutella xylostella (Diamond backed Moth) x5,  5552 (45.044) Emmelina monodactyla (Common Plume) x1, 6184 (63.069) Eudonia angustia x3, 6719 (63.052) Nomophila noctuella (Rush Veneer) x1, 7926 (70.294) Aspitates ochrearia (Yellow Belle) x1, 8169 Idaea cervantaria x1, 9454 (73.099) Hoplodrina ambigua (Vine's Rustic) x1, 10343 (73.325) Agrotis puta (Shuttle Shaped Dart) x1, 10351 (73.319) Agrotis segetum (Turnip Moth) x1 and 10493 (72.047) Eilema caniola (Hoary Footman) x1.

During the time Dave and I spent checking the trap I also noticed that the Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris) youngsters were getting ready to fledge.

Emmelina monodactyla (Common Plume).

Emmelina monodactyla (Common Plume).

Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris).