After being notified of a long-tailed Blue sighting a bit closer to home (Sussex Kipper PD post) and a window of opportunity with the weather conditions I decided it was now or never, to try and get my own sighting of this lovely little butterfly. Due to other commitments I had to leave later than I would've liked and didn't arrive gone 12:30. A small group of 10 or so enthusiasts had already gathered and were standing in a line peering intently through a mesh fence. Occasionally one or two woulod take a wander along a path by a very busy road checking out the everlasting pea plants which were growing in profusion there. I settled in along the line and got talking to one or two of the other enthusiasts. One was UKB member Butterflysaurus rex and he was pretty sure he'd seen a LTB make off over the hedgerows runing alongside the A283. Another enthusiast was convinced he'd seen one amongst the weeds just two metres inside the fence. This led to a prolonged stake out session.
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The weather at midday or so was quite sunny and there were a few butterflies about: Small White; Comma; Brimstone; Red Admiral and Small Copper
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As time passed the weather cooled and clouded over and the butterfly enthusiasts one by one began to drift away
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![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
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My disappointment was more than adequately compensated the following morning when I opened up the moth trap and found this beast lurking
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I've seen these moths before having reared them (on Privet) some time ago but I've never seen a wild one and it seemed even bigger than I remember. This one has a wingspan measure of around 13.5cm. As I moved it from the egg boxes it clutched onto my finger (camera holding hand unfortunately) and I could feel the weight of it and the tarsal hooked claws gripping my skin. Eventually I got it moved onto a sheet of yellow felt where it jerked a few times and emmitted a few rasping squeaks, which done by forcing air through its proboscis. This characteristic along with its looks contributed in the past to feelings of superstition and fear, and it was considered to be an omen of death. The moth which features in the Silence of the Lambs is this species. This moth is the latest one of 385 species I have taken so far this year in my garden. If anyone is inerested in my species list please email me:- philozzo1@ntlworld.com and I will send you a copy. I'm hoping to make over 400 before the season closes (end of December for the nationwide "garden moth challenge") but I'll probably stop around mid October.
Phil