Country diary: Hunting for a sooty anomaly among the razzle-dazzle | Nic Wilson

Sharpenhoe Clappers, Bedfordshire: The chimney sweeper moths are keeping a low profile, but others are putting on a displayAs we swelter through the meadow, our heat-loving companions bask on knapweed and field scabious, stirring every few seconds to chase off rivals or woo potential mates. The dark green fritillaries and feisty marbled whites command our attention with their dramatic and intricate wing markings, while small heaths, skippers, ringlets and meadow browns provide the butterfly chorus.Distracted by the razzle-dazzle, I've forgotten that we're hunting for a sooty anomaly in the summer meadow. With its penchant for flying in bright sunshine, the chimney sweeper could be mistaken for a butterfly, but is, in fact, a day-flying moth. It's one of about 130 macro-moths in the UK that take to the wing during daylight hours, more than twice the number of butterfly species. Many exhibit vivid colouration or striking patterns, such as the cinnabar, emperor, scarlet tiger or hornet moths. In contrast, the chimney sweeper has no patterning on its black body save for a white margin on the forewings, and it keeps a low profile, alighting on grass stems or making short flights around the white umbel flowers of pignut, its larval food plant. Today, its profile is so low that we fail to see it at all. Continue reading...