Fen Square-spot (Diarsia florida)

[stevehind]

Fen Square-spot (Diarsia florida):

Does anyone else in Cheshire catch these? I first noticed one in 2009 and have had a few every year since. I've had at least eleven between 25.6-12.7. I say at least eleven, as I've had others during this period which may have been Fen Square-spots but I've just recorded them as Small Square-spot. Prior to 2009 I've also recorded Small Square-spots during this period without noticing any difference in their appearance.

These that I am calling Fen Square-spot are more orange than the typical pinkish colour as in Small Square-spots and appear broader winged. I often find colours difficult to replicate in my pictures and the true colour difference is not that obvious in these photos. Small Square-spot normally appears here from mid May and again from late July/early August onwards.

Steve

[SteveH]

Hi Steve,

Interesting !!

I've just looked at our records for here in Elton, where we've recorded over 500 'Small Square-spots" on 200 separate sessions. Of these, we have just six instances that fall within your 25 June to 12 July window, namely:

5th July 2007
5th and 11th July 2010 and
5th and 11th July 2011

Remarkably consistent dates. I made no notes relating to any of them so presumably they looked like SSS's - though I doubt I would have considered FSS at any time.

Cheers,
Steve