Old Castle Down today

It was very chilly on the top of Old Castle Down today, but the side of the common facing the Alun Valley was warm and sheltered, with plenty of insect activity. Butterflies included two Dingy Skippers, and there were a few moths too: Brown Silver-line, Common Heath, Small White Wave, Adela reaumurella and Pyrausta despicata.

Small White Wave

We also found this Meadow Brown larva down in the grass. Note the pale prongs at the rear end which are characteristic of the brown family.

Meadow Brown larva