Other species of interest here include Sage Skipper, Provence Orange Tip, Duke of Burgundy Fritillary and lycaenids such as Green-underside and Panoptes Blues, as well as, surprisingly, good numbers of Chalk-hill Blues. The butterflies are equally beguiling in this part of Navarra, the undisputed highlight being several colonies of Spanish Fritillary (see image at the top of the page), essentially an Afro–Iberian endemic species with a few outlying colonies in southern France. Spotted Sulphur Emmelia trabealis © Teresa FarinoĪmong the notable day-flying species here in May are White-collared Burnet ( Zygaena lavandulae), Crowned Moth ( Eurranthis plummistaria), Serrated Jewel ( Athroolopha pennigeraria), The Four-spotted ( Tyta luctuosa and Spotted Sulphur ( Emmelia trabealis), the latter probably extinct in the UK these days, the dinky little noctuid Omia cymbalariae and both Broad- and Narrow-Bordered Bee Hawk-moths ( Hemaris fuciformis & H. Species known mainly in the UK as migrants but commonly seen in the valley include Tawny Wave ( Scopula rubiginata), Porter's Rustic ( Athetis hospes) and Marbled Clover ( Heliothis viriplaca).Īdditional species of note previously recorded in the valley include Bright Wave ( Idaea ochrata), Pine-tree Lappet ( Dendrolimus pini), the endemic Iberian Puss Moth ( Cerura iberica), Argentine Moth ( Spatalia argentina), Emperor Moth ( Saturnia pavonia), the endemic tiger moth Chelis arragonensis, Purple Tiger ( Rhyparia purpurata) and the extremely rare and endangered Willowherb Hawk-moth ( Proserpinus proserpina). ![]() Other moths of interest that have come to our lights at this time of year include Giant Peacock ( Saturnia pyri), Small Lappet ( Phyllodesma ilicifolia nowadays extinct in the UK), The Javelin ( Drymonia velitaris), Southern Pine Hawk-moth ( Hyloicus maurorum) and geometrids such as The Many-lined ( Costaconvexa polygrammata) and Essex Emerald ( Thetidia smaragdaria), both of which are also thought to be extinct in the UK, plus Pale-banded Pine Carpet ( Adalbertia castiliaria, another pine-feeding species, found only in southern France and Spain). As might be expected, our visit is timed to coincide with the peak flight period of these magnificent creatures in Navarra, and we shall locate them using light traps. One of just a handful of European members of the Saturniidae, it occurs only in pinewoods in the western Alps and central and eastern Spain. Undoubtedly the most famous inhabitant of the region – and our prime target species – is the Spanish Moon Moth ( Actias isabellae, formerly known as Graellsia isabellae), perhaps Spain’s most emblematic invertebrate. Spanish Moon Moth Actias isabellae © Teresa Farino Although it lies only 80 km from the Atlantic coast of Spain, with the Pyrenees just a stone’s throw to the north-east, this part of Navarra benefits from a warm, almost Mediterranean climate, giving rise to a unique assemblage of flora and fauna, quite unlike that found anywhere else in Spain. Pamplona is situated at the heart of a mosaic of semi-natural grasslands and maquis on calcareous marls, interspersed with extensively farmed cereal fields, copses of deciduous forest and pinewoods. As rural areas become developed, moths, in general, are susceptible to predation when lured by lights, making them vulnerable to visual predators the next morning.1,300€ per person (single-room supplement 135euro ), excluding flights.Īll the images on this page were taken during previous May trips to this part of Navarra. I have seen Gray Squirrels eating them during the day, as well as many birds. Nocturnal predators include bats, flying squirrels, and probably anything else that happens to come across one of these large morsels. They have many predators in their short time as an adult. I don’t know whether this Luna Moth was able to successfully tend to a new generation or not. They will spend the winter in the cocoon and emerge next spring and start a new generation. Caterpillars hatch within a week or so, and then feed for a few weeks until they pupate in a brown silken cocoon, usually made in the leaf litter or on a twig. Female Lunas that survive and mate will lay 200 or more eggs on numerous host plants (Sweet Gum seems to be a favorite in my area). ![]() This moth was part of their final flight period this calendar year. They typically have two (sometimes three) generations per year in this area. Although a sign of death, it also is an affirmation that these beautiful nocturnal insects are on the wing again. The evidence was a tattered hind wing on the ground. Hind wing of a Luna Moth on the ground near my driveway (click on photos to enlarge)
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