Red Underwing

Moth trapping has been ok recently, but perhaps not quite as good as might have been expected given the hot days and warm nights we have had this week. Red Underwings are always exciting moths to catch though, partly because they are large, colourful moths (about 40mm long), but also because everytime you catch one you're hoping that when it flicks it's wings, instead of red you will see violet-blue, which would make it Clifden Nonpareil, one of the most prized migrant species at this time of year.