2013 Mallorca, España Moths

This time our trap was suspended above the floor of the balcony, as it would have been over-run with Ants from the grounds overnight. As an additional barrier, we smeared a small amount of "Vic" ointment (containing Menthol, a natural insecticide) along the string at each end to complete a block on access to the trap from the ground.

Geometridae, Geometrinae – Wingspan 28mm. A fairly widespread but local species in Europe, this species was occurring fairly consistently in small numbers at our trap, with 8 recorded during our stay. It also occurs in southern parts of the UK.

Geometridae, Geometrinae - Wingspan: 26mm. A widespread common migrant which can be found in most places in Europe. 16 were recorded during our stay.

Crambidae, Spilomelinae - Wingspan: 28mm. A widespread common migrant which can be found in most places in Europe. 5 were recorded during our stay.

Pyralidae, Pyralinae - Wingspan : 18mm. A common widespread species which inhabits mainly grain stores throughout the western world, and probably originated from somewhere in the Far East. A single specimen was recorded during our stay.

Notodontidae, Thaumetopoeainae - Wingspan : Male 36mm, Female 46mm. A pest species in Pine Plantations, it is well established in the North-eastern forests of Mallorca to the concerns of the Administrations there. Its range extends to Central Asia, North Africa, and European countries about the Mediterranean, and has occasionally appeared in the UK. The caterpillars have extremely irritating hair, and just being under or near an infested tree will cause bad skin irritation. A male and female came to our Trap on different nights early in our stay.

Notodontidae, Thaumetopoeainae - Wingspan : Male 36mm, Female 46mm. A pest species in Pine Plantations, it is well established in the North-eastern forests of Mallorca to the concerns of the Administrations there. Its range extends to Central Asia, North Africa, and European countries about the Mediterranean, and has occasionally appeared in the UK. The caterpillars have extremely irritating hair, and just being under or near an infested tree will cause bad skin irritation. A male and female came to our Trap on different nights early in our stay.

Noctuidae, Hadeninae - Wingspan : 31mm. Four specimens of this widespread but local species were recorded at our trap. First recorded in the UK in the county of Devon, hence its English name, it is considered a Nationally Scarce moth only occurring in the South-West.

Arctiidae, Arctiinae Wingspan : 42mm. A common little Tigermoth in this area which came in nightly to our Trap, and a few of the females laid eggs which we attempted to rear. 17 adults were recorded during our stay. Apparently a Mediterranean species.

Arctiidae, Arctiinae Length (2nd Instar) : 15mm Eggs laid by females of this species when waiting in our holding pots whilst recording them were collected and brought back to the UK to attempt life cycle exploration. After hatching a few weeks later, and following research on the Web, the young larvae were offered coarse grass leaves, which were accepted readily and enthusiastically, and their size progressed continually. Around 50 larvae made up the growing culture.

Arctiidae, Arctiinae Length (Last Instar) : 40mm. After 4 weeks, the growing larvae had reached their final instar, and was approaching pupation when individuals began acting rather strange. Although looking healthy, they would suddenly stop feeding and stayed hunched in one place, slowly shrinking in length, before finally dieing. There was no obvious reason for their plight, and what-ever happened eradicated the whole culture within two weeks. The only possibility, was that the foodplant collected from wild ground by the road-side nearby had been contaminated by a farmer spraying weed-killer or insecticide in the adjacent fields. I have had a similar instance on a new culture of a large species of Phasmid collected in Fiji many years ago which suffered the same fate, with almost the same situation of reaching final instar and then suddenly all dieing. The problem of living in an agricultural environment. :(

Noctuidae, Hadeninae Wingspan : 38mm. A common migrant throughout Europe, arriving at the UK in most years. 3 were recorded through our stay.

Geometridae, Larentiinae - Wingspan : 21mm. A common species throughout Europe, although only a single specimen was recorded at this hotel.

Lymantriidae, Orgyiinae - Wingspan : 14-17mm. A small Mediterranean species, which consistently came to our trap through our stay, although not in huge numbers. 8 in all came in, 6 males and 2 females

Lymantriidae, Orgyiinae - Wingspan : 14-17mm. A small Mediterranean species, which consistently came to our trap through our stay. 8 in all came in, 6 males and 2 females.

Noctuidae Bryophilinae - Wingspan : 22mm. Thanks to Martin Honey (NHM) for an ID update on this species, which is the one which occurs in Mallorca. Two were seen at our trap. The first very dark specimen created some confusion, but also appears to be the same species.

Noctuidae Bryophilinae - Wingspan : 22mm. Thanks to Martin Honey (NHM) for an ID update on this species, which is the one which occurs in Mallorca. Two were seen at our trap. The first very dark specimen created some confusion, but also appears to be the same species.

Arctiidae, Lithosiinae - Wingspan : 26mm. This little “Footman” was quite common at this location, with a total of 24 specimens being recorded at the trap through our stay.