A Day in the Dales - Friday 28th August 2009

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Iron Prominent caterpillar Notodonta dromedarius

I found this Iron Prominent larva feeding on Alder at Cowside Beck near Settle SD8466. Pen-y-Ghent is visible in the background.

Grey Dagger caterpillars

These Grey Dagger larvae were feeding on hawthorn in the same location. Caterpillars of this species were easily found on hawthorns in several of the dales. I also found them feeding on rowan. I was unable to find any Dark Dagger larvae but its favoured foodplant (Blackthorn) is absent from moorland and the highest peaks.

Trichiosoma larva on hawthorn

This larva was also on the hawthorn but I think it is one of the Trichiosoma saw flies.

Acronicta menyanthidis larva

This Light Knot Grass caterpillar was feeding on heather at Mossy Bottom in Upper Dentdale VC65 SD7883. It was stealing Alder leaves from the Iron Prominent larva as they shared a container on the way home.

This late Small Skipper was also at Mossy Bottom.

Yorkshiremoths