Monday 31 January 2022

Hibernating Moths - January 2022

On 28th January I was invited to an old disused silver mine neat Drammen in Buskerud (Viken). The purpose of the visit was to count and photograph the hibernating moths and other insects that use this mine during the cold winter months. We knew before hand which moth species were using the mine and one of these, Tissue moth (KobbermĂ„ler), is quite uncommon in Norway. Unfortunately this particular moth had moved from its earlier position to one that proved rather difficult to photograph. We used strong headlights to find and illuminate while photographing and sometimes a normal flashgun mounted on the camera although a ring flash would defiantly have been beneficial and will be used in the future. 


Tissue (kobbermÄler) Triphosa dubitata - we only found one individual hibernating
 

Herald (flikfly) Scoliopteryx libatrix - we found 14 individuals hibernating 

Herald (flikfly) Scoliopteryx libatrix 


Herald (flikfly) Scoliopteryx libatrix - some were covered in moisture 


Herald (flikfly) Scoliopteryx libatrix


European Cave Spider (kjellereddekopp) Meta menardi - we found 10 individuals

European Cave Spider (kjellereddekopp) Meta menardi


Rymosia fasciata - a type of fugus gnat. We found a minimum of 10 individuals that were
 very active and almost invisible and difficult to follow as they flew around the dark mine.














 



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