Friday 23 December 2011

Its late....

Blair's Shoulder Knot
7 degrees.

Taxa
1631 December Moth (Poecilocampa populi) 1
2240 Blair's Shoulder-knot (Lithophane leautieri) 1

2 moths of 2 sp.

The Blair's is the latest county record by more than a month!

Thursday 22 December 2011

Christmas Mothing!

Winter Solstice at 5.30am this morning, 8 degrees.

Taxa
1631 December Moth (Poecilocampa populi) 6
2258 Chestnut (Conistra vaccinii) 1

7 moths of 2 sp.

Christmas mothing ! Excellent.....

Sunday 11 December 2011

The last post...again.

I'm having more come backs than Status Quo this year!

A short session from 4pm - 10.45pm. Weather mild 4 degrees and overcast cleared and dropped to 1 degree.

My first ever moth trapping in December means I have trapped in every month of 2011 without blank!

Taxa
1631 December Moth (Poecilocampa populi) 1
1799 Winter Moth (Operophtera brumata) 1
2258 Chestnut (Conistra vaccinii) 1

3 moths of 3 sp.

Saturday 19 November 2011

A record catch...

...of December Moths.


9 degrees midnight but 4 degrees at dawn.

Taxa
0874 Blastobasis lacticolella 2
1631 December Moth (Poecilocampa populi) 28
2441 Silver Y (Autographa gamma) 1

31 moths of 3 sp

Friday 18 November 2011

Remember that mystery yellow moth?

Well, it is certainly a good'un and we would never have id'd it. I knew it wasnt quercana!

Please see here for the answer....

Last night had -

0464 Diamond-back Moth (Plutella xylostella) 1
0874 Blastobasis lacticolella 1
1631 December Moth (Poecilocampa populi) 12
2264 Yellow-line Quaker (Agrochola macilenta) 1

15 moths of 4 sp.

Thursday 17 November 2011

Last night 7 degrees min. Its getting late now, but still no 'blanks'...

1631 December Moth (Poecilocampa populi) 2

2 moths of 1 sp.

Monday 14 November 2011

Anyone out there....

...know what on earth this is? It was found in a house in Gateshead in early October...pic from Keith Robson....


Answers on a postcard....

Saturday 12 November 2011

10th November...

9 degrees min...

Taxa
0464 Diamond-back Moth (Plutella xylostella) 4
1631 December Moth (Poecilocampa populi) 2

6 moths 2 sp. A very poor show indeed, coinciding with the local trees shedding all of their leaves...

9th November...

10 degrees min, warmer than some June days this year. Still a few moths about

Taxa
1395 Rusty-dot Pearl (Udea ferrugalis) 1
1631 December Moth (Poecilocampa populi) 2
1795x November Moth agg. (Epirrita dilutata agg.) 1
2258 Chestnut (Conistra vaccinii) 1
2264 Yellow-line Quaker (Agrochola macilenta) 1
2306 Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa) 1
2441 Silver Y (Autographa gamma) 3

10 moths of 7 sp

Wednesday 9 November 2011

Still a few around....


So I'll continue to light up the village. The first time Diamond-back Moth (above) has taken pole position in the trap...

9 degrees min last night.

Taxa
0464 Diamond-back Moth (Plutella xylostella) 6
0874 Blastobasis lacticolella 2 ( County latest by 5 days)
1631 December Moth (Poecilocampa populi) 3
2441 Silver Y (Autographa gamma) 3

14 moths of 4 sp.

Saturday 5 November 2011

Last GMS Survey....

7 degrees min. The final GMS night was much better than last years ultimate evening when no moths were caught. This year I'm glad to say I have not had a single blank session since the start of the survey.

Highlight last night was my second Rush Veneer of the year...

Taxa
0464 Diamond-back Moth (Plutella xylostella) 1
1048 Garden Rose Tortrix (Acleris variegana) 1
1398 Rush Veneer (Nomophila noctuella) 1
1631 December Moth (Poecilocampa populi) 4
1760 Red-green Carpet (Chloroclysta siterata) 2
1795x November Moth agg. (Epirrita dilutata agg.) 2
1799 Winter Moth (Operophtera brumata) 1
1923 Feathered Thorn (Colotois pennaria) 3
1935 Mottled Umber (Erannis defoliaria) 1
2240 Blair's Shoulder-knot (Lithophane leautieri) 1
2258 Chestnut (Conistra vaccinii) 4
2306 Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa) 1
2441 Silver Y (Autographa gamma) 1

22 moths of 13 sp.

Saturday 29 October 2011

And now, the end is near....

...and so I face the final curtain.....de da de da .....


The last couple of nights have been very sparse on the moth front, the highlight being a couple of these, December Moths. This is my final 'expected' species of the year for my garden list, so its' time to wind down. I'll still try and select mild nights well into November and maybe even December. If the snow keeps away...

Saturday 22 October 2011

Another Flurry...

Mild and breezy, 10 degrees at midnight dropping to 8 degrees at 8am.

More Rusty Dot Pearls. I wonder if they have bred nearby? Not a bad catch for the date...

Taxa
1041 Acleris sparsana 1
1395 Rusty-dot Pearl (Udea ferrugalis) 3
1760 Red-green Carpet (Chloroclysta siterata) 1
1767 Pine Carpet (Thera firmata) 1
1769 Spruce Carpet (Thera britannica) 5
1795x November Moth agg. (Epirrita dilutata agg.) 1
1923 Feathered Thorn (Colotois pennaria) 2
1935 Mottled Umber (Erannis defoliaria) 1
2107 Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) 1
2126 Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum) 1
2245 Green-brindled Crescent (Allophyes oxyacanthae) 1
2247 Merveille du Jour (Dichonia aprilina) 1
2258 Chestnut (Conistra vaccinii) 1
2262 Brick (Agrochola circellaris) 1
2263 Red-line Quaker (Agrochola lota) 1
2264 Yellow-line Quaker (Agrochola macilenta) 3
2306 Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa) 3
2361 Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea) 1
2441 Silver Y (Autographa gamma) 1

30 moths of 19 sp.

Saturday 15 October 2011

Help, what's this?Any ideas?


New Species..

Epermenia chaerophyllella

Down to 6 degrees last night. Caught a new species for me, the 17th county record and latest by 2 months of Epermenia chaerophyllella. Another 'latest' Green Carpet and 4 Rusty Dot Pearls.

Taxa
0483 Epermenia chaerophyllella 1 NEW
1048 Garden Rose Tortrix (Acleris variegana) 1
1395 Rusty-dot Pearl (Udea ferrugalis) 4
1760 Red-green Carpet (Chloroclysta siterata) 2
1769 Spruce Carpet (Thera britannica) 3
1776 Green Carpet (Colostygia pectinataria) 1
1795x November Moth agg. (Epirrita dilutata agg.) 1
2240 Blair's Shoulder-knot (Lithophane leautieri) 1
2259 Dark Chestnut (Conistra ligula) 2
2263 Red-line Quaker (Agrochola lota) 6
2264 Yellow-line Quaker (Agrochola macilenta) 3
2306 Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa) 1
2361 Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea) 1
2364 Frosted Orange (Gortyna flavago) 1
2441 Silver Y (Autographa gamma) 2

30 moths of 15 sp.

Friday 14 October 2011


Feathered Thorn

12 degrees down to 10 at dawn. Feathered Thorn was new for this year and another couple of Rusty Dot Pearls takes my total to 22 for the year. That alone is a record annual total for the county.

Not many species left to add now...December Moth a cert and possibly emargana, but anything else will almost certainly be a new addition...

Taxa
0648 White-shouldered House Moth (Endrosis sarcitrella) 2
1041 Acleris sparsana 1
1395 Rusty-dot Pearl (Udea ferrugalis) 2
1760 Red-green Carpet (Chloroclysta siterata) 2
1769 Spruce Carpet (Thera britannica) 2
1795x November Moth agg. (Epirrita dilutata agg.) 4
1923 Feathered Thorn (Colotois pennaria) 1 NFY
2199 Common Wainscot (Mythimna pallens) 1
2240 Blair's Shoulder-knot (Lithophane leautieri) 1
2263 Red-line Quaker (Agrochola lota) 2
2264 Yellow-line Quaker (Agrochola macilenta) 5
2306 Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa) 3
2361 Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea) 4
2364 Frosted Orange (Gortyna flavago) 1
2441 Silver Y (Autographa gamma) 4
2477 Snout (Hypena proboscidalis) 1

36 moths of 16

Tuesday 11 October 2011

It figures...

Figure of Eight

Turnip Moth

Rusty Dot Pearl.
Between 11 and 9 degrees last night.

Figure of Eight was my third record and Turnip Moth only my second. Another 6 Rusty Dot Pearls on to the total, and an even later Green Carpet (previous nights moths released well off site).

Taxa
0648 White-shouldered House Moth (Endrosis sarcitrella) 1
1041 Acleris sparsana 1
1048 Garden Rose Tortrix (Acleris variegana) 4
1395 Rusty-dot Pearl (Udea ferrugalis) 6
1764 Common Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta truncata) 1
1769 Spruce Carpet (Thera britannica) 4
1776 Green Carpet (Colostygia pectinataria) 1
1795x November Moth agg. (Epirrita dilutata agg.) 1
2020 Figure of Eight (Diloba caeruleocephala) 1 NFY
2087 Turnip Moth (Agrotis segetum) 1 NFY
2245 Green-brindled Crescent (Allophyes oxyacanthae) 4
2247 Merveille du Jour (Dichonia aprilina) 1
2258 Chestnut (Conistra vaccinii) 1
2259 Dark Chestnut (Conistra ligula) 2
2262 Brick (Agrochola circellaris) 1
2263 Red-line Quaker (Agrochola lota) 3
2306 Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa) 1
2361 Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea) 4
2441 Silver Y (Autographa gamma) 14
2477 Snout (Hypena proboscidalis) 1

Plus an unidentified micro in the Howick gallery...

54 moths of 21 sp.

A string of Pearls...

09/10/11 Mild night 13 degrees at midnight down to 11 degrees at 6.30am. An interesting catch.

Highlights...

Rusty Dot Pearl...the previous best year in the county was 2004 with 10 caught. Last night I was pleased to catch 11.

Green Carpet...the previous latest was 7th October, last night I had 3 quite worn ones.

Also had another Pinion streaked Snout and MDJ.

Taxa
1041 Acleris sparsana 1
1048 Garden Rose Tortrix (Acleris variegana) 1
1395 Rusty-dot Pearl (Udea ferrugalis) 11
1764 Common Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta truncata) 1
1768 Grey Pine Carpet (Thera obeliscata) 1
1769 Spruce Carpet (Thera britannica) 5
1776 Green Carpet (Colostygia pectinataria) 3
1795x November Moth agg. (Epirrita dilutata agg.) 3
1913 Canary-shouldered Thorn (Ennomos alniaria) 1
2107 Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) 2
2126 Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum) 1
2199 Common Wainscot (Mythimna pallens) 1
2240 Blair's Shoulder-knot (Lithophane leautieri) 4
2245 Green-brindled Crescent (Allophyes oxyacanthae) 1
2247 Merveille du Jour (Dichonia aprilina) 1
2262 Brick (Agrochola circellaris) 1
2263 Red-line Quaker (Agrochola lota) 5
2264 Yellow-line Quaker (Agrochola macilenta) 1
2306 Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa) 2
2361 Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea) 9
2441 Silver Y (Autographa gamma) 14
2477 Snout (Hypena proboscidalis) 1
2484 Pinion-streaked Snout (Schrankia costaestrigalis) 1

71 moths of 23 sp.

Saturday 8 October 2011

Post delayed from 1st October...

A hat trick pf MDJs...

Pinion Streaked Snout

Pseudargyrotoza conwagana
A very mild 13 degree min. Some unusually late species in this lot..in particular, the latest county record of conwagana by 6 weeks! A very fresh individual too. Also late Straw Dot and Green Carpet.

Highlight though was a Pinion streaked Snout, I thought I had missed out this year and 3 Merveille du Jours.

Taxa
0819 Scrobipalpa costella 1
1011 Pseudargyrotoza conwagana 1
1041 Acleris sparsana 1
1760 Red-green Carpet (Chloroclysta siterata) 3
1767 Pine Carpet (Thera firmata) 3
1768 Grey Pine Carpet (Thera obeliscata) 1
1769 Spruce Carpet (Thera britannica) 4
1776 Green Carpet (Colostygia pectinataria) 1
1913 Canary-shouldered Thorn (Ennomos alniaria) 1
2107 Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) 2
2109 Lesser Yellow Underwing (Noctua comes) 1
2117 Autumnal Rustic (Eugnorisma glareosa) 1
2126 Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum) 2
2134 Square-spot Rustic (Xestia xanthographa) 1
2245 Green-brindled Crescent (Allophyes oxyacanthae) 1
2247 Merveille du Jour (Dichonia aprilina) 3
2256 Satellite (Eupsilia transversa) 2
2258 Chestnut (Conistra vaccinii) 1
2263 Red-line Quaker (Agrochola lota) 2
2264 Yellow-line Quaker (Agrochola macilenta) 1
2265 Flounced Chestnut (Agrochola helvola) 1
2266 Brown-spot Pinion (Agrochola litura) 3
2270 Lunar Underwing (Omphaloscelis lunosa) 1
2273 Pink-barred Sallow (Xanthia togata) 2
2361 Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea) 26
2364 Frosted Orange (Gortyna flavago) 9
2441 Silver Y (Autographa gamma) 29
2474 Straw Dot (Rivula sericealis) 1
2477 Snout (Hypena proboscidalis) 1
2484 Pinion-streaked Snout (Schrankia costaestrigalis) 1 NFY

107 moths of 30sp

Friday 30 September 2011

A nice autumn catch....

Vapourer

Brick

Large Wainscot
10 degrees min at dawn though 14 degrees at 11pm.
An excellent catch overnight with four new species for the year - Vapourer was only my second and Large Wainscot were the highlights.

Taxa
1038x Acleris laterana/comariana 1
1041 Acleris sparsana 1
1728 Garden Carpet (Xanthorhoe fluctuata) 1
1760 Red-green Carpet (Chloroclysta siterata) 5
1764 Common Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta truncata) 1
1767 Pine Carpet (Thera firmata) 1
1768 Grey Pine Carpet (Thera obeliscata) 1
1769 Spruce Carpet (Thera britannica) 3
2026 Vapourer (Orgyia antiqua) 1 NFY
2126 Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum) 8
2134 Square-spot Rustic (Xestia xanthographa) 4
2199 Common Wainscot (Mythimna pallens) 1
2245 Green-brindled Crescent (Allophyes oxyacanthae) 1
2258 Chestnut (Conistra vaccinii) 1
2262 Brick (Agrochola circellaris) 2 NFY
2263 Red-line Quaker (Agrochola lota) 3
2264 Yellow-line Quaker (Agrochola macilenta) 1 NFY
2265 Flounced Chestnut (Agrochola helvola) 5
2266 Brown-spot Pinion (Agrochola litura) 3
2270 Lunar Underwing (Omphaloscelis lunosa) 3
2273 Pink-barred Sallow (Xanthia togata) 2
2299 Mouse Moth (Amphipyra tragopoginis) 1
2306 Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa) 2
2361 Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea) 12
2364 Frosted Orange (Gortyna flavago) 7
2375 Large Wainscot (Rhizedra lutosa) 1 NFY
2441 Silver Y (Autographa gamma) 13
2477 Snout (Hypena proboscidalis) 3

89 Moths of 28sp.

Wednesday 28 September 2011

Everybody's Favourite...

Merveille du Jour

Blair's Shoulder Knot

Acleris sparsana
8 degrees at dawn though mild earlier.

Three new species for the year - Merveille du Jour, Blair's Shoulder knot and Acleris sparsana. Can anyone spare a Svennson's? Though everyone is pleased when they find MDJ on an egg box...

Taxa
0697 Agonopterix arenella 1
1038x Acleris laterana/comariana 2
1041 Acleris sparsana 1 NFY
1048 Garden Rose Tortrix (Acleris variegana) 1
1760 Red-green Carpet (Chloroclysta siterata) 1
1764 Common Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta truncata) 1
1767 Pine Carpet (Thera firmata) 3
1768 Grey Pine Carpet (Thera obeliscata) 2
1913 Canary-shouldered Thorn (Ennomos alniaria) 2
2126 Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum) 2
2134 Square-spot Rustic (Xestia xanthographa) 2
2240 Blair's Shoulder-knot (Lithophane leautieri) 1 NFY
2245 Green-brindled Crescent (Allophyes oxyacanthae) 1
2247 Merveille du Jour (Dichonia aprilina) 1 NFY
2265 Flounced Chestnut (Agrochola helvola) 4
2266 Brown-spot Pinion (Agrochola litura) 7
2270 Lunar Underwing (Omphaloscelis lunosa) 4
2299 Mouse Moth (Amphipyra tragopoginis) 1
2361 Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea) 9
2364 Frosted Orange (Gortyna flavago) 1
2441 Silver Y (Autographa gamma) 7

54 moths of 21 sp.

Saturday 24 September 2011

Last two nights highlights...

Scrobipalpa costella

Green brindled Crescent

Red line Quaker
22/09/11

11 degrees here. Frosted Orange takes pole position for the first time with 16 individuals. Green Brindled Crescent was new for this year and I have two micros to id.

Taxa
0464 Diamond-back Moth (Plutella xylostella) 1
0648 White-shouldered House Moth (Endrosis sarcitrella) 1
0672 Parsnip Moth (Depressaria heraclei) 1
1038x Acleris laterana/comariana 1
1764 Common Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta truncata) 5
1768 Grey Pine Carpet (Thera obeliscata) 1
1769 Spruce Carpet (Thera britannica) 1
2107 Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) 1
2126 Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum) 6
2134 Square-spot Rustic (Xestia xanthographa) 1
2245 Green-brindled Crescent (Allophyes oxyacanthae) 1 NFY
2265 Flounced Chestnut (Agrochola helvola) 2
2266 Brown-spot Pinion (Agrochola litura) 4
2270 Lunar Underwing (Omphaloscelis lunosa) 2
2299 Mouse Moth (Amphipyra tragopoginis) 3
2321 Dark Arches (Apamea monoglypha) 1
2353 Flounced Rustic (Luperina testacea) 2
2361 Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea) 10
2364 Frosted Orange (Gortyna flavago) 16
2441 Silver Y (Autographa gamma) 5
2477 Snout (Hypena proboscidalis) 1
Micro ( diff sp) 2 ( turned out to be Scrobipalpa costella and Teleopsis diffinis.)

68 Moths of 23 sp.
23/09/11

10 degrees at dawn. At last a Red Green Carpet in the trap about month late. Red Line Quaker was also a new addition.

Taxa
0648 White-shouldered House Moth (Endrosis sarcitrella) 1
0672 Parsnip Moth (Depressaria heraclei) 1
1759 Small Phoenix (Ecliptopera silaceata) 1
1760 Red-green Carpet (Chloroclysta siterata) 1 NFY
1764 Common Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta truncata) 2
1767 Pine Carpet (Thera firmata) 4
1913 Canary-shouldered Thorn (Ennomos alniaria) 1
2107 Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) 3
2109 Lesser Yellow Underwing (Noctua comes) 1
2126 Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum) 5
2134 Square-spot Rustic (Xestia xanthographa) 4
2263 Red-line Quaker (Agrochola lota) 1 NFY
2265 Flounced Chestnut (Agrochola helvola) 5
2266 Brown-spot Pinion (Agrochola litura) 8
2270 Lunar Underwing (Omphaloscelis lunosa) 5
2273 Pink-barred Sallow (Xanthia togata) 1
2299 Mouse Moth (Amphipyra tragopoginis) 3
2306 Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa) 1
2353 Flounced Rustic (Luperina testacea) 2
2361 Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea) 11
2364 Frosted Orange (Gortyna flavago) 4
2441 Silver Y (Autographa gamma) 2

67 Moths of 22 sp

Wednesday 21 September 2011

Late Edit - The plume below and the one on 4th are both Amblyptilia punctidactyla, not acanthadactyla, a new species for the garden list! Thanks to Mark Skevington for the new additions....





Love this name - Amblyptilia acanthadactyla punctidactyla

Rusty Dot Pearl, is that a euphimism...
8 degrees again, mainly clear.
My second Rusty Dot Pearl was the highlight, hardly Convolvulous, but a migrant all the same...

Taxa
0648 White-shouldered House Moth (Endrosis sarcitrella) 1
1048 Garden Rose Tortrix (Acleris variegana) 1
1395 Rusty-dot Pearl (Udea ferrugalis) 1 NFY
1738 Common Carpet (Epirrhoe alternata) 1
2107 Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) 3
2126 Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum) 1
2134 Square-spot Rustic (Xestia xanthographa) 1
2265 Flounced Chestnut (Agrochola helvola) 1
2266 Brown-spot Pinion (Agrochola litura) 2
2270 Lunar Underwing (Omphaloscelis lunosa) 1
2299 Mouse Moth (Amphipyra tragopoginis) 1
2361 Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea) 10
2364 Frosted Orange (Gortyna flavago) 2
2441 Silver Y (Autographa gamma) 1

27 moths of 14 sp.

Tuesday 20 September 2011

Autumnal Rustic

8 degrees at dawn but 12 or 13 degrees most of the night. drizzle and overcast.
Finally found Autumnal Rustic in a reasonable catch for the time of year...

Taxa
0672 Parsnip Moth (Depressaria heraclei) 1
1042 Rhomboid Tortrix (Acleris rhombana) 1
1497 Amblyptilia acanthadactyla 1
1764 Common Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta truncata) 2
1769 Spruce Carpet (Thera britannica) 1
1913 Canary-shouldered Thorn (Ennomos alniaria) 1
2091 Dark Sword-grass (Agrotis ipsilon) 1
2107 Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) 4
2117 Autumnal Rustic (Eugnorisma glareosa) 1 NFY
2126 Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum) 4
2134 Square-spot Rustic (Xestia xanthographa) 5
2232 Black Rustic (Aporophyla nigra) 1
2265 Flounced Chestnut (Agrochola helvola) 3
2266 Brown-spot Pinion (Agrochola litura) 6
2270 Lunar Underwing (Omphaloscelis lunosa) 3
2273 Pink-barred Sallow (Xanthia togata) 2
2299 Mouse Moth (Amphipyra tragopoginis) 2
2350 Small Wainscot (Chortodes pygmina) 2
2361 Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea) 26
2364 Frosted Orange (Gortyna flavago) 8
2441 Silver Y (Autographa gamma) 2

77 Moths of 21 sp

Saturday 17 September 2011

15th September...

Rhomboid Tortrix

Flounced Chestnut

10 degrees.
At last, a Flounced Chestnut, 2 weeks late, but no Red Green Carpet yet and I may have missed Autumnal Rustic this time...

Taxa
1042 Rhomboid Tortrix (Acleris rhombana) 1 NFY
1764 Common Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta truncata) 1
2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart (Agrotis puta) 1
2107 Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) 8
2109 Lesser Yellow Underwing (Noctua comes) 1
2126 Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum) 2
2134 Square-spot Rustic (Xestia xanthographa) 4
2265 Flounced Chestnut (Agrochola helvola) 1 NFY
2299 Mouse Moth (Amphipyra tragopoginis) 2
2343x Common Rustic agg. (Mesapamea secalis agg.) 1
2361 Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea) 6
2364 Frosted Orange (Gortyna flavago) 5
2441 Silver Y (Autographa gamma) 1

34 moths of 13 sp.
__._,_.___

Saturday 10 September 2011

7th September ...the return of the Black Knight.

Pink barred Sallows

Lunar Underwing

A personal favourite - Black Rustic.
After a week of poor weather I was glad to get the light back on. The results were a pleasant surprise with a good selection of nice autumn species.

Year species were Pink barred Sallow, Black rustic and Lunar Underwing...alongside Sallow, Frosted Orange and Pine Carpet made a change from a 'brown' trap.

Taxa
0697 Agonopterix arenella 1
0873 Blastobasis adustella 1
0970 Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix (Pandemis cerasana) 1
1388 Udea lutealis 1
1767 Pine Carpet (Thera firmata) 1
2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart (Agrotis puta) 1
2107 Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) 7
2109 Lesser Yellow Underwing (Noctua comes) 3
2126 Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum) 1
2134 Square-spot Rustic (Xestia xanthographa) 8
2232 Black Rustic (Aporophyla nigra) 1 NFY
2266 Brown-spot Pinion (Agrochola litura) 5
2270 Lunar Underwing (Omphaloscelis lunosa) 1 NFY
2273 Pink-barred Sallow (Xanthia togata) 2 NFY
2274 Sallow (Xanthia icteritia) 1
2299 Mouse Moth (Amphipyra tragopoginis) 2
2306 Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa) 1
2353 Flounced Rustic (Luperina testacea) 1
2361 Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea) 15
2364 Frosted Orange (Gortyna flavago) 3
2441 Silver Y (Autographa gamma) 2

59 of 21 sp

9th September ...

Teleiopsis diffinis
Mild 12 degree minimum. A new species for me is 0776 Teleiopsis diffinis. 10 Frosted Orange is nice and another Heath Rustic. Rosy Rustic has taken the 'yellow jersey' with 22 individuals.

Taxa
0776 Teleiopsis diffinis 1 NEW
0873 Blastobasis adustella 1
1016 Cnephasia longana 3
1038x Acleris laterana/comariana 1
1076 Celypha lacunana 1
1388 Udea lutealis 1
1405 Mother of Pearl (Pleuroptya ruralis) 1
1713 Riband Wave [non-banded form] (Idaea aversata ab. remutata) 1
1738 Common Carpet (Epirrhoe alternata) 1
1764 Common Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta truncata) 3
1777 July Highflyer (Hydriomena furcata) 1
1802 Rivulet (Perizoma affinitata) 1
1913 Canary-shouldered Thorn (Ennomos alniaria) 1
2107 Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) 11
2109 Lesser Yellow Underwing (Noctua comes) 14
2123 Small Square-spot (Diarsia rubi) 1
2134 Square-spot Rustic (Xestia xanthographa) 12
2135 Heath Rustic (Xestia agathina) 1
2266 Brown-spot Pinion (Agrochola litura) 6
2270 Lunar Underwing (Omphaloscelis lunosa) 1
2273 Pink-barred Sallow (Xanthia togata) 2
2274 Sallow (Xanthia icteritia) 1
2343x Common Rustic agg. (Mesapamea secalis agg.) 1
2350 Small Wainscot (Chortodes pygmina) 2
2353 Flounced Rustic (Luperina testacea) 2
2360x Ear Moth agg. (Amphipoea oculea agg.) 1
2361 Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea) 22
2364 Frosted Orange (Gortyna flavago) 10
2441 Silver Y (Autographa gamma) 1

105 of 29 sp.

Sunday 4 September 2011

Catch up...




Plume sp? Help required.

Amblyptilia acanthadactyla

Epinotia ramella
A few moths from the last couple of nights.

Tuesday 30 August 2011

Okay okay...

Its a sad state of affairs when you cant get away with stringing a micro in the garden...it gets short shift in the blogosphere. I'll be changing my Strawberry Tort to an agg after all... ;) I was hoping to become the DIMW of mothing!

Rustic take over...

Heath Rustic.

Strawberry Tortrix Stringy Tortrix.

Cydia not so splendana
11 degrees, overcast.

New for me was 1260 Cydia splendana ( anything but splendid), I have added 1039 Strawberry Tortrix to thelist because it looks too good to make an 'agg'. Better than those though was a nice Heath Rustic, my second for the garden.

Taxa
0972 Dark Fruit-tree Tortrix (Pandemis heparana) 1
1039 Strawberry Tortrix (Acleris comariana) 1 NEW  Just forget it!
1260 Cydia splendana 1 NEW
1305 Agriphila tristella 1
1388 Udea lutealis 6
1728 Garden Carpet (Xanthorhoe fluctuata) 1
1738 Common Carpet (Epirrhoe alternata) 1
1764 Common Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta truncata) 2
1777 July Highflyer (Hydriomena furcata) 1
2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart (Agrotis puta) 3
2107 Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) 29
2109 Lesser Yellow Underwing (Noctua comes) 17
2111 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (Noctua janthe) 2
2123 Small Square-spot (Diarsia rubi) 4
2134 Square-spot Rustic (Xestia xanthographa) 30
2135 Heath Rustic (Xestia agathina) 1 NFY
2178 Feathered Gothic (Tholera decimalis) 1
2266 Brown-spot Pinion (Agrochola litura) 1
2299 Mouse Moth (Amphipyra tragopoginis) 1
2321 Dark Arches (Apamea monoglypha) 3
2343x Common Rustic agg. (Mesapamea secalis agg.) 1
2353 Flounced Rustic (Luperina testacea) 3
2361 Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea) 7
2441 Silver Y (Autographa gamma) 1

119 Moths of 24 sp.

Sunday 28 August 2011

Another autumn arrival...

Brown spot Pinion
Windy and 9 degrees curtailed the catch.

Another one of the autumn cast has appeared - Brown spot Pinion.

Taxa
0672 Parsnip Moth (Depressaria heraclei) 1
0688 Agonopterix heracliana 1
0873 Blastobasis adustella 1
1016 Cnephasia longana 1
1038x Acleris laterana/comariana 1
1405 Mother of Pearl (Pleuroptya ruralis) 1
1738 Common Carpet (Epirrhoe alternata) 1
2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart (Agrotis puta) 2
2107 Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) 15
2109 Lesser Yellow Underwing (Noctua comes) 11
2111 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (Noctua janthe) 1
2123 Small Square-spot (Diarsia rubi) 2
2134 Square-spot Rustic (Xestia xanthographa) 10
2254 Grey Chi (Antitype chi) 1
2266 Brown-spot Pinion (Agrochola litura) 1 NFY
2299 Mouse Moth (Amphipyra tragopoginis) 1
2343x Common Rustic agg. (Mesapamea secalis agg.) 2
2353 Flounced Rustic (Luperina testacea) 1
2361 Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea) 2

56 moths of 19 sp

Saturday 27 August 2011

26th August...Lesser Treble Bar a first for VC68.

10 degrees last night, things up on the previous one...

Lesser Treble Bar is a new garden record ( I had Treble Bar last year) and is new for the vice county. Other highlights were my third Bulrush Wainscot of the month, a Dark Swordgrass and 3 Centre barred Sallows.

Lesser Treble Bar

Lesser Treble Bar showing underside of abdomen.

Carcina quercana

Bulrush Wainscot
Taxa
0658 Carcina quercana 1
0688 Agonopterix heracliana 2
0873 Blastobasis adustella 5
1305 Agriphila tristella 1
1388 Udea lutealis 8
1405 Mother of Pearl (Pleuroptya ruralis) 1
1738 Common Carpet (Epirrhoe alternata) 8
1764 Common Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta truncata) 3
1868 Lesser Treble-bar (Aplocera efformata) 1 NEW
2050 Common Footman (Eilema lurideola) 1
2091 Dark Sword-grass (Agrotis ipsilon) 1
2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart (Agrotis puta) 1
2107 Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) 40
2109 Lesser Yellow Underwing (Noctua comes) 21
2111 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (Noctua janthe) 7
2123 Small Square-spot (Diarsia rubi) 11
2130 Dotted Clay (Xestia baja) 1
2134 Square-spot Rustic (Xestia xanthographa) 19
2269 Centre-barred Sallow (Atethmia centrago) 3
2321 Dark Arches (Apamea monoglypha) 1
2342 Rosy Minor (Mesoligia literosa) 1
2343x Common Rustic agg. (Mesapamea secalis agg.) 7
2353 Flounced Rustic (Luperina testacea) 2
2361 Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea) 5
2369 Bulrush Wainscot (Nonagria typhae) 1
2474 Straw Dot (Rivula sericealis) 1

153 Moths of 26 sp.

25th August...First frost of autumn...

A poor night this one, even though 11 degrees...

First Frosted Orange and Canary Shouldered Thorn of the year...

Canary Shouldered Thorn

Frosted Orange
Taxa
1016 Cnephasia longana 1
1305 Agriphila tristella 1
1388 Udea lutealis 2
1405 Mother of Pearl (Pleuroptya ruralis) 1
1913 Canary-shouldered Thorn (Ennomos alniaria) 1 NFY
2107 Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) 12
2109 Lesser Yellow Underwing (Noctua comes) 9
2111 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (Noctua janthe) 3
2123 Small Square-spot (Diarsia rubi) 1
2130 Dotted Clay (Xestia baja) 3
2133 Six-striped Rustic (Xestia sexstrigata) 1
2134 Square-spot Rustic (Xestia xanthographa) 9
2269 Centre-barred Sallow (Atethmia centrago) 1
2343x Common Rustic agg. (Mesapamea secalis agg.) 3
2353 Flounced Rustic (Luperina testacea) 1
2361 Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea) 6
2364 Frosted Orange (Gortyna flavago) 1 NFY

56 moths of 17 sp.

Thursday 25 August 2011

Mothing off piste...

Tom organise a short trapping session at East Chevington reedbeds, his thoughts emblazoned with rare wainscots. As the sky cleared the catch was ordinary but held a few interesting species...

Taxa
0670 Depressaria daucella 1
0688 Agonopterix heracliana 4
0695 Agonopterix alstromeriana 1
0697 Agonopterix arenella 2
1126 Ancylis badiana 1
1139 Nut Bud Moth (Epinotia tenerana) 1
1304 Agriphila straminella 2
1305 Agriphila tristella 3
1388 Udea lutealis 4
1640 Drinker (Euthrix potatoria) 1
1732 Shaded Broad-bar (Scotopteryx chenopodiata) 7
1759 Small Phoenix (Ecliptopera silaceata) 1
1913 Canary-shouldered Thorn (Ennomos alniaria) 1 NFY
2081 White-line Dart (Euxoa tritici) 14
2085 Archer's Dart (Agrotis vestigialis) 1 a new species for me.
2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart (Agrotis puta) 1
2107 Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) 9
2109 Lesser Yellow Underwing (Noctua comes) 13
2111 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (Noctua janthe) 1
2123 Small Square-spot (Diarsia rubi) 1
2130 Dotted Clay (Xestia baja) 1
2133 Six-striped Rustic (Xestia sexstrigata) 5
2134 Square-spot Rustic (Xestia xanthographa) 71
2198 Smoky Wainscot (Mythimna impura) 3
2274 Sallow (Xanthia icteritia) 3 NFY
2306 Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa) 1
2318 Dun-bar (Cosmia trapezina) 1
2343x Common Rustic agg. (Mesapamea secalis agg.) 6
2350 Small Wainscot (Chortodes pygmina) 1
2353 Flounced Rustic (Luperina testacea) 5
2361 Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea) 2
2369 Bulrush Wainscot (Nonagria typhae) 1 the only scarce wainscot.
Sorry too dark for pics...

Sunday 21 August 2011

Chi's and Ears...

A warm night last night, 15 degrees at midnight, overcast with rain.

A new one for me last night. No wonder either, I could miss this family daily due to their size! After taking pics I think I may have breathed it in?

Another 3 Grey Chi, 4 Ear agg and a Feathered Gothic were the highlights.

Phyllonorycter spinicolella

Taxa
0329 Phyllonorycter spinicolella 2 NEW
0453 Honeysuckle Moth (Ypsolopha dentella) 3
0647 Brown House Moth (Hofmannophila pseudospretella) 1
0873 Blastobasis adustella 9
0874 Blastobasis lacticolella 4
0972 Dark Fruit-tree Tortrix (Pandemis heparana) 2
1016 Cnephasia longana 6
1126 Ancylis badiana 1
1305 Agriphila tristella 22
1388 Udea lutealis 14
1405 Mother of Pearl (Pleuroptya ruralis) 3
1439 Trachycera advenella 1
1713 Riband Wave [non-banded form] (Idaea aversata ab. remutata) 1
1732 Shaded Broad-bar (Scotopteryx chenopodiata) 1
1738 Common Carpet (Epirrhoe alternata) 10
1764 Common Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta truncata) 2
1777 July Highflyer (Hydriomena furcata) 1
1802 Rivulet (Perizoma affinitata) 1
1838 Tawny Speckled Pug (Eupithecia icterata) 1
2006 Lesser Swallow Prominent (Pheosia gnoma) 1
2089 Heart and Dart (Agrotis exclamationis) 1
2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart (Agrotis puta) 2
2107 Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) 67
2109 Lesser Yellow Underwing (Noctua comes) 17
2111 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (Noctua janthe) 32
2112 Least Yellow Underwing (Noctua interjecta) 1
2123 Small Square-spot (Diarsia rubi) 13
2130 Dotted Clay (Xestia baja) 3
2133 Six-striped Rustic (Xestia sexstrigata) 1
2134 Square-spot Rustic (Xestia xanthographa) 27
2173 Lychnis (Hadena bicruris) 1
2176 Antler Moth (Cerapteryx graminis) 2
2178 Feathered Gothic (Tholera decimalis) 1
2254 Grey Chi (Antitype chi) 3
2293 Marbled Beauty (Cryphia domestica) 1
2299 Mouse Moth (Amphipyra tragopoginis) 1
2318 Dun-bar (Cosmia trapezina) 4
2321 Dark Arches (Apamea monoglypha) 8
2342 Rosy Minor (Mesoligia literosa) 1
2343x Common Rustic agg. (Mesapamea secalis agg.) 23
2350 Small Wainscot (Chortodes pygmina) 1
2353 Flounced Rustic (Luperina testacea) 12
2360x Ear Moth agg. (Amphipoea oculea agg.) 4
2361 Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea) 10
2439 Gold Spot (Plusia festucae) 1

A worn pug to id.

324 moths of 46 sp.

Saturday 20 August 2011

One Sallow doesnt make an Autumn...

Crescent

Chinese Character

Centre barred Sallow

Honeysuckle Moth
Some interest in the yellow underwings last night. Crescent was only my second, Centre Barred Sallow, Chinese Character and Honeysuckle Moth were new for the year and I had my second Bulrush Wainscot of the year.

10 degrees, cloudy with drizzle, breezy, clear later.

Taxa
0453  Honeysuckle Moth (Ypsolopha dentella)  1 NFY
0647  Brown House Moth (Hofmannophila pseudospretella)  1
0688  Agonopterix heracliana  1
0873  Blastobasis adustella  3
0874  Blastobasis lacticolella  2
1016  Cnephasia longana  7
1305  Agriphila tristella  14
1388  Udea lutealis  9
1405  Mother of Pearl (Pleuroptya ruralis)  2
1439  Trachycera advenella  2
1651  Chinese Character (Cilix glaucata)  1 NFY
1713  Riband Wave [non-banded form] (Idaea aversata ab. remutata)  1
1732  Shaded Broad-bar (Scotopteryx chenopodiata)  1
1738  Common Carpet (Epirrhoe alternata)  2
1742  Yellow Shell (Camptogramma bilineata)  1
1764  Common Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta truncata)  3
1802  Rivulet (Perizoma affinitata)  1
1838  Tawny Speckled Pug (Eupithecia icterata)  1
2050  Common Footman (Eilema lurideola)  1
2081  White-line Dart (Euxoa tritici)  2
2089  Heart and Dart (Agrotis exclamationis)  1
2091  Dark Sword-grass (Agrotis ipsilon)  1
2092  Shuttle-shaped Dart (Agrotis puta)  10
2107  Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba)  97
2109  Lesser Yellow Underwing (Noctua comes)  22
2111  Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (Noctua janthe)  32
2123  Small Square-spot (Diarsia rubi)  10
2126  Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum)  1
2130  Dotted Clay (Xestia baja)  6
2134  Square-spot Rustic (Xestia xanthographa)  13
2269  Centre-barred Sallow (Atethmia centrago)  1
2299  Mouse Moth (Amphipyra tragopoginis)  1
2306  Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa)  1
2321  Dark Arches (Apamea monoglypha)  7
2342  Rosy Minor (Mesoligia literosa)  3
2343x  Common Rustic agg. (Mesapamea secalis agg.)  33
2353  Flounced Rustic (Luperina testacea)  9
2361  Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea)  5
2368  Crescent (Celaena leucostigma)  1
2369  Bulrush Wainscot (Nonagria typhae)  1
2441  Silver Y (Autographa gamma)  4

An there is an ermine still to id...

311 moths of 42 sp.


Friday 19 August 2011

Butterbur...


11 degrees, cloudy and some rain.

My third garden record of Butterbur was a good record, there aren't too many dots on the atlas for it, but a second for Platyptilia gonodactyla and a first showing for Aspilapteryx tringipennella was even better.

In no particular order... Butterbur.

Aspilapteryx tringipennella

Platyptilia gonodactyla


Taxa
0294 Aspilapteryx tringipennella 1 NEW
0424 Bird-cherry Ermine (Yponomeuta evonymella) 1
0647 Brown House Moth (Hofmannophila pseudospretella) 1
0873 Blastobasis adustella 4
0874 Blastobasis lacticolella 1
0972 Dark Fruit-tree Tortrix (Pandemis heparana) 2
1016 Cnephasia longana 8
1029 Eana osseana 1
1305 Agriphila tristella 19
1316 Catoptria falsella 1
1388 Udea lutealis 14
1405 Mother of Pearl (Pleuroptya ruralis) 4
1439 Trachycera advenella 1
1501 Platyptilia gonodactyla 1 NFY
1713 Riband Wave [non-banded form] (Idaea aversata ab. remutata) 4
1728 Garden Carpet (Xanthorhoe fluctuata) 1
1732 Shaded Broad-bar (Scotopteryx chenopodiata) 1
1738 Common Carpet (Epirrhoe alternata) 10
1759 Small Phoenix (Ecliptopera silaceata) 1
1764 Common Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta truncata) 2
1777 July Highflyer (Hydriomena furcata) 1
1906 Brimstone Moth (Opisthograptis luteolata) 1
2050 Common Footman (Eilema lurideola) 4
2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart (Agrotis puta) 5
2107 Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) 48
2109 Lesser Yellow Underwing (Noctua comes) 11
2110 Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (Noctua fimbriata) 1
2111 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (Noctua janthe) 25
2123 Small Square-spot (Diarsia rubi) 6
2130 Dotted Clay (Xestia baja) 2
2133 Six-striped Rustic (Xestia sexstrigata) 2
2134 Square-spot Rustic (Xestia xanthographa) 26
2198 Smoky Wainscot (Mythimna impura) 2
2321 Dark Arches (Apamea monoglypha) 5
2342 Rosy Minor (Mesoligia literosa) 1
2343x Common Rustic agg. (Mesapamea secalis agg.) 20
2353 Flounced Rustic (Luperina testacea) 8
2361 Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea) 4
2362 Butterbur (Hydraecia petasitis) 1 NFY
2477 Snout (Hypena proboscidalis) 1

252 moths of 40 sp with a drab pyralid still to id...