3 days in Northumberland - Burnet Moths
One of the commonest insects I saw on my trip to Northumberland was the Burnet Moth. They seemed to be absolutely everywhere. Most of the moths I ended up photographing were Five Spotted Burnet moths, the same species I had photographed at Castor Hanglands. However, on reviewing my photographs on the computer back at home I found I had some Six Spotted Burnet Moths as well!!
This first pair of images are of a Five Spotted Burnet Moth at St Aidan's Dunes, not far from where I photographed the male Common Blue Butterfly. The undersides of their wings are predominantly red. The five spots become clearly visible when the moth is found in its normal resting position.
The next pair of photos show the Five Spotted Burnet Moth above, compared to a Six Spotted Burnet Moth found in the same dunes.
You can clearly see 3 pairs of spots, six in total, in the right hand image, in contrast to the five in the left hand image.
The next image, taken on Holy Island (Lindisfarne) on the evening of Day 2, shows Five Spotted Burnet Moths paired, presumably for mating.
And the final two are again a Five Spotted Burnet Moth, this time at Annstead Dunes, just across the road from my campsite, in the early morning of Day 3.
For more Burnet Moth photos please click here
This is the final set of my photos from my trip to Northumberland. Please remember that there are plenty more in the respective galleries. I hope you enjoy looking at the photos as much as I enjoyed taking them.
My final words on this trip are ones of thanks - to Rachel, my wife, for having the patience to let me go on the trip in the first place!