Post by nomad on Jun 19, 2013 10:21:07 GMT -8
Hi:
In 15 years I have collected only 3 H.fuciformis,H.tityus is more common than H.fuciformis,the biggest problem that I have found with the two species is that I know a place where they fly together,but they have a big population of vipers as neighbours.
Miguel
Hi Miguel
H. fuciformis seems to be certainly rare in your area. It Has much declined in Southern England due to the cession of coppicing the woodlands. I have only seen this species the once. I believe East Anglia where I encountered mine is a hot spot for this species in the UK. It has been recorded in my home county of Wiltshire but I have not yet managed to find it. I remember climbing up into a Alpine meadow in the Dolomites, Italy when I had a glimpse of a Bee-Hawk moth, it was probably H. tityus but could have been H. croatica. I have on a few occasions had close encounters with Adders in the field. I remember resting on the edge of a woodland ride, when I caught a movement close by. I had disturbed a sleeping Adder who did not look very happy. Another time a moth had gone to ground in some long grass, moving the grass, I saw a Adder in a threat posture. On both occasions, I quickly left them to their peace. I find them very striking creatures.
Found my first ever Hemaris tityus today in my home county of Wiltshire. Walking the downs in search of lepidoptera, I watched this ovi-positing female for a short while. I enjoy seeing these bugs.
