Damp Mothing

Last night was cooler, damp and drizzly in comparison with the recent sticky conditions. So it was more out of curiosity about how much less there would be to see in the morning that I put a trap out. In the end it was quite a good catch with a few year firsts and my first ever Small Angle Shades (not an uncommon moth but still new to me).


65 moths of 32 species
0647 Brown House-moth (Hofmannophila pseudospretella), 1
0970 Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix (Pandemis cerasana), 1
0980 Variegated Golden Tortrix (Archips xylosteana), 1
1016x Cnephasia sp., 1
1033 Green Oak Tortrix (Tortrix viridana), 1
1293 Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella), 8
1304 Agriphila straminella, 1
1344 Eudonia mercurella, 1
1392 Udea olivalis, 2
1713 Riband Wave (Idaea aversata), 3
1758 Barred Straw (Eulithis pyraliata), 1
1931 Peppered Moth (Biston betularia), 1
1937 Willow Beauty (Peribatodes rhomboidaria) f.perfumaria, 1
1961 Light Emerald (Campaea margaritata), 1
2050 Common Footman (Eilema lurideola), 1
2061 Buff Ermine (Spilosoma lubricipeda), 1
2089 Heart & Dart (Agrotis exclamationis), 8
2098 The Flame (Axylia putris), 8
2107 Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba), 1
2126 Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum), 1
2160 Bright-line Brown-eye (Lacanobia oleracea), 1
2199 Common Wainscot (Mythimna pallens), 1
2302 Brown Rustic (Rusina ferruginea), 1
2305 Small Angle Shades (Euplexia lucipara), 1
2321 Dark Arches (Apamea monoglypha), 3
2333 Large Nutmeg (Apamea anceps), 3
2337x Marbled Minor agg. (Oligia strigilis agg.), 6
2340 Middle-barred Minor (Oligia fasciuncula), 1
2380 Treble Lines (Charanyca trigrammica), 2
2381 The Uncertain (Hoplodrina alsines), 1
2450 The Spectacle (Abrostola tripartita), 2
Ophion sp. (an ichneumon fly) 1


Click the pictures for a bigger images.

Small Angle Shades (Euplexia lucipara)


Light Emerald (Campaea margaritata)


Green Oak Tortrix (Tortrix viridana)


Variegated Golden Tortrix (Archips xylosteana)


Peppered Moth (Biston betularia)


The Spectacle (Abrostola tripartita)



Nikon CP995

The Sycamore Awakes

This larva insisted on pupating just after being photographed on 23 September 2004, so it has been kept in a safe place ever since and today emerged as a pristine imago.

The Sycamore (Acronicta aceris) - click for bigger pictures





Nikon CP995

Chim Chim Cher-ee

Visited Barnack Hills and Holes this lunchtime specifically looking for this gorgeous little moth. It is a dayflier in grassy, limey places and rather locally distributed. It may be small but it has loads of character. I particularly like the way it waves its wings slowly after settling. I encountered about eight moths, mainly on the western side of the reserve.

Other species present:
Chrysoteuchia culmella
Crambus lathoniellus
Crambus perlella
The Cinnabar Tyria jacobaeae
Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus
Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus
Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina
Marbled White Melanargia galathea

Chimney Sweeper (Odezia atrata) - click for bigger pictures





Crambus perlella


Fragrant Orchid (Gymnadenia conopsea)


Nikon CP995

Even More Garden Moths

The run of hot weather continues and resulted in the best catch of the year so far.

202 moths of 65-6 species
0450 Hawthorn Moth (Scythropia crataegella), 1
0647 Brown House-moth (Hofmannophila pseudospretella), 3
0977 Large Fruit-tree Tortrix (Archips podana), 1
0994 Clepsis consimilana, 1
1002 Lozotaenia forsterana, 3
1010 Red-barred Tortrix (Ditula angustiorana), 3
1016x Cnephasia sp., 1
1033 Green Oak Tortrix (Tortrix viridana), 12
1076 Celypha lacunana, 1
1293 Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella), 2
1329 Donacaula forficella, 1
1338 Dipleurina lacustrata, 2
1344 Eudonia mercurella, 2
1376 Small Magpie (Eurrhypara hortulata), 1
1392 Udea olivalis, 8
1428 Bee Moth (Aphomia sociella), 5
1654 Figure of Eighty (Tethea ocularis), 1
1682 Blood-vein (Timandra comae), 1
1708 Single-dotted Wave (Idaea dimidiata), 1
1711 Treble Brown Spot (Idaea trigeminata), 1
1713 Riband Wave (Idaea aversata), 4
1728 Garden Carpet (Xanthorhoe fluctuata), 1
1758 Barred Straw (Eulithis pyraliata), 3
1765 Barred Yellow (Cidaria fulvata), 1
1860 Green Pug (Chloroclystis rectangulata), 5
1904 Scorched Wing (Plagodis dolabraria), 2
1922 Swallow-tailed Moth (Ourapteryx sambucaria), 1
1931 Peppered Moth (Biston betularia), 1
1937 Willow Beauty (Peribatodes rhomboidaria) f.perfumaria, 3
1941 Mottled Beauty (Alcis repandata), 1
1976 Privet Hawk-moth (Sphinx ligustri), 1
1981 Poplar Hawk-moth (Laothoe populi), 1
1991 Elephant Hawk-moth (Deilephila elpenor), 5
1994 Buff-tip (Phalera bucephala), 2
2050 Common Footman (Eilema lurideola), 1
2061 Buff Ermine (Spilosoma lubricipeda), 4
2069 The Cinnabar (Tyria jacobaeae), 1
2089 Heart & Dart (Agrotis exclamationis), 25
2098 The Flame (Axylia putris), 21
2102 Flame Shoulder (Ochropleura plecta), 2
2107 Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba), 2
2126 Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum), 4
2128 Double Square-spot (Xestia triangulum), 1
2160 Bright-line Brown-eye (Lacanobia oleracea), 3
2199 Common Wainscot (Mythimna pallens), 1
2278 Poplar Grey (Acronicta megacephala), 1
2302 Brown Rustic (Rusina ferruginea), 8
2321 Dark Arches (Apamea monoglypha), 3
2333 Large Nutmeg (Apamea anceps), 8
2337x Marbled Minor agg. (Oligia strigilis agg.), 10
2380 Treble Lines (Charanyca trigrammica), 1
2381 The Uncertain (Hoplodrina alsines), 2
2389 Pale Mottled Willow (Caradrina clavipalpis), 1
2434 Burnished Brass (Diachrysia chrysitis), 1
2450 The Spectacle (Abrostola tripartita), 1
2473 Beautiful Hook-tip (Laspeyria flexula), 1
2474 Straw Dot (Rivula sericealis), 1
2477 The Snout (Hypena proboscidalis), 3
2489 The Fan-foot (Herminia tarsipennalis), 14
Still to confirm:
518 Coleophora mayrella, 1
533 Pistol Case-bearer (Coleophora anatipennella), 1
765 Teleiodes vulgella, 1
866 Brachmia blandella, 1
962-8 Cochylis sp., 2
1824 Fletcher's Pug, 1

Click images for bigger pictures.

Swallow-tailed Moth (Ourapteryx sambucaria)


Small Magpie (Eurrhypara hortulata)


Scorched Wing (Plagodis dolabraria)


Blood-vein (Timandra comae)


Barred Straw (Eulithis pyraliata)


Pale Mottled Willow (Caradrina clavipalpis)


Mottled Beauty (Alcis repandata)


Green Pug (Chloroclystis rectangulata)


Masked Assassin Bug (Reduvius personatus) - thanks to Steve for the ID.


Nikon CP995

Pyrausta aurata

Just ran the one trap as time was a bit short this morning (hence few photos). Still one new species for the garden (**)
80 moths of 35 species
0870x Oegoconia sp., 1
**0965 Cochylis hybridella, 1
0970 Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix (Pandemis cerasana), 1
0994 Clepsis consimilana, 2
1002 Lozotaenia forsterana, 1
1010 Red-barred Tortrix (Ditula angustiorana), 1
1016x Cnephasia sp., 1
1076 Celypha lacunana, 1
1115 Ancylis achatana, 1
1331 Water Veneer (Acentria ephemerella), 2
1344 Eudonia mercurella, 1
1348 Ringed China-mark (Parapoynx stratiotata), 1
1361 Pyrausta aurata, 1
1392 Udea olivalis, 6
1654 Figure of Eighty (Tethea ocularis), 1
1707 Small Dusty Wave (Idaea seriata), 4
1708 Single-dotted Wave (Idaea dimidiata), 1
1711 Treble Brown Spot (Idaea trigeminata), 1
1713 Riband Wave (Idaea aversata), 1
1765 Barred Yellow (Cidaria fulvata), 3
1906 Brimstone Moth (Opisthograptis luteolata), 1
1958 Clouded Silver (Lomographa temerata), 1
1994 Buff-tip (Phalera bucephala), 2
2089 Heart & Dart (Agrotis exclamationis), 11
2098 The Flame (Axylia putris), 11
2107 Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba), 1
2126 Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum), 1
2302 Brown Rustic (Rusina ferruginea), 2
2321 Dark Arches (Apamea monoglypha), 1
2334 Rustic Shoulder-knot (Apamea sordens), 1
2337x Marbled Minor agg. (Oligia strigilis agg.), 8
2381 The Uncertain (Hoplodrina alsines), 2
2434 Burnished Brass (Diachrysia chrysitis), 1
2474 Straw Dot (Rivula sericealis), 1
2489 The Fan-foot (Herminia tarsipennalis), 4

Click picture for a bigger image.

Pyrausta aurata


Nikon CP995

Admiralable

Noticed a few of these migratory insects around today. This one in the garden insisted on landing repeatedly on Alex's head or mine.

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)



Nikon CP995

Many Garden Moths

A large catch to the two garden traps including six species new to the garden.

143 moths of 56 species ** = garden first
0017 Common Swift (Hepialus lupulinus), 3
0647 Brown House-moth (Hofmannophila pseudospretella), 1
0779 Bryotropha affinis, 1
0977 Large Fruit-tree Tortrix (Archips podana), 1
0994 Clepsis consimilana, 1
1002 Lozotaenia forsterana, 1
1010 Red-barred Tortrix (Ditula angustiorana), 1
**1032 Aleimma loeflingiana, 1
1033 Green Oak Tortrix (Tortrix viridana), 2
1076 Celypha lacunana, 1
**1087 Orthotaenia undulana, 1
1293 Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella), 2
1301 Crambus lathoniellus, 1
**1329 Donacaula forficella, 1
1331 Water Veneer (Acentria ephemerella), 8
1338 Dipleurina lacustrata, 5
1344 Eudonia mercurella, 1
**1350 Beautiful China-mark (Parapoynx stagnata), 1
1356 Garden Pebble (Evergestis forficalis), 1
1392 Udea olivalis, 7
1428 Bee Moth (Aphomia sociella), 2
**1646 Oak Hook-tip (Drepana binaria), 1
1654 Figure of Eighty (Tethea ocularis), 2
1711 Treble Brown Spot (Idaea trigeminata), 1
1713 Riband Wave (Idaea aversata), 1
1727 Silver-ground Carpet (Xanthorhoe montanata), 1
1765 Barred Yellow (Cidaria fulvata), 2
1834 Common Pug (Eupithecia vulgata), 2
1862 Double-striped Pug (Gymnoscelis rufifasciata), 1
1931 Peppered Moth (Biston betularia), 1
1937 Willow Beauty (Peribatodes rhomboidaria) f.perfumaria, 2
**1955 Common White Wave (Cabera pusaria), 1
1976 Privet Hawk-moth (Sphinx ligustri), 1
1991 Elephant Hawk-moth (Deilephila elpenor), 3
2061 Buff Ermine (Spilosoma lubricipeda), 5
2089 Heart & Dart (Agrotis exclamationis), 10
2098 The Flame (Axylia putris), 3
2102 Flame Shoulder (Ochropleura plecta), 1
2128 Double Square-spot (Xestia triangulum), 1
2158 Pale-shouldered Brocade (Lacanobia thalassina), 2
2160 Bright-line Brown-eye (Lacanobia oleracea), 4
2198 Smoky Wainscot (Mythimna impura), 1
2278 Poplar Grey (Acronicta megacephala), 1
2293 Marbled Beauty (Cryphia domestica), 1
2302 Brown Rustic (Rusina ferruginea), 2
2333 Large Nutmeg (Apamea anceps), 11
2334 Rustic Shoulder-knot (Apamea sordens), 6
2337x Marbled Minor agg. (Oligia strigilis agg.), 18
2340 Middle-barred Minor (Oligia fasciuncula), 1
2380 Treble Lines (Charanyca trigrammica), 1
2389 Pale Mottled Willow (Caradrina clavipalpis), 1
2410 Marbled White Spot (Protodeltote pygarga), 1
2450 The Spectacle (Abrostola tripartita), 4
2474 Straw Dot (Rivula sericealis), 5
2477 The Snout (Hypena proboscidalis), 1
2489 The Fan-foot (Herminia tarsipennalis), 1

Click images for bigger pictures.

Oak Hook-tip (Drepana binaria)


Beautiful China-mark (Parapoynx stagnata)


Common White Wave (Cabera pusaria)


Privet Hawk-moth (Sphinx ligustri)



Elephant Hawk-moth (Deilephila elpenor)



Peppered Moth (Biston betularia)


Figure of Eighty (Tethea ocularis)


Pale-shouldered Brocade (Lacanobia thalassina)


Treble Brown Spot (Idaea trigeminata)


Marbled White Spot (Protodeltote pygarga)


Poplar Grey (Acronicta megacephala)


Donacaula forficella


Large Fruit-tree Tortrix (Archips podana)


Eudonia mercurella


Dipleurina lacustrata


Lozotaenia forsterana


Aleimma loeflingana


Orthotaenia undulana


Crambus lathoniellus


Nikon CP995