Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing et al

The always spectacular Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing and plenty of Dark Arches were the features of this session. First Ruby Tigers, Flounced Rustic and the Clay of the year.

150 moths of 47 species
0779 Bryotropha affinis 2
0787 Bryotropha terrella 2
0994 Clepsis consimilana 1
1016x Cnephasia sp. 2
1261 Codling Moth (Cydia pomonella) 1
1293 Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella) 7
1304 Agriphila straminella 5
1305 Agriphila tristella 1
1331 Water Veneer (Acentria ephemerella) 3
1344 Eudonia mercurella 1
1405 Mother of Pearl (Pleuroptya ruralis) 6
1424 Endotricha flammealis 9
1436 Conobathra repandana 1
1653 Buff Arches (Habrosyne pyritoides) 2
1702 Small Fan-footed Wave (Idaea biselata) 1
1708 Single-dotted Wave (Idaea dimidiata) 2
1713 Riband Wave (Idaea aversata) ab. remutata 12
1713 Riband Wave (Idaea aversata) typical 5
1724x Red/Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet (Xanthorhoe spadicearia/ferrugata) 1
1738 Common Carpet (Epirrhoe alternata) 2
1862 Double-striped Pug (Gymnoscelis rufifasciata) 1
1921 Scalloped Oak (Crocallis elinguaria) 2
1931 Peppered Moth (Biston betularia) typical 3
1937 Willow Beauty (Peribatodes rhomboidaria) f. perfumaria 1
1976 Privet Hawk-moth (Sphinx ligustri) 2
2044 Dingy Footman (Eilema griseola) 1
2049 Buff Footman (Eilema deplana) 1
2050 Common Footman (Eilema lurideola) 4
2064 Ruby Tiger (Phragmatobia fuliginosa) 2
2089 Heart & Dart (Agrotis exclamationis) 4
2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart (Agrotis puta) 1
2107 Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) 6
2109 Lesser Yellow Underwing (Noctua comes) 2
2110 Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (Noctua fimbriata) 1
2160 Bright-line Brown-eye (Lacanobia oleracea) 3
2193 The Clay (Mythimna ferrago) 1
2198 Smoky Wainscot (Mythimna impura) 3
2283x Dark/Grey Dagger (Acronicta tridens agg.) 1
2289 Knot Grass (Acronicta rumicis) 1
2293 Marbled Beauty (Cryphia domestica) 2
2321 Dark Arches (Apamea monoglypha) 23
2341 Cloaked Minor (Mesoligia furuncula) 1
2343x Common Rustic agg. (Mesapamea secalis agg.) 9
2353 Flounced Rustic (Luperina testacea) 3
2381 The Uncertain (Hoplodrina alsines) 4
2382 The Rustic (Hoplodrina blanda) 1
2441 Silver Y (Autographa gamma) 1

Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (Noctua fimbriata)


Cloaked Minor (Mesoligia furuncula)


Privet Hawk-moth (Sphinx ligustri)


Marbled Beauty (Cryphia domestica)


Small Fan-footed Wave (Idaea biselata)


Agriphila tristella


Nikon Coolpix 995

A Weekend in Northumberland

A fair way to go for a weekend but worth it. The butterfly and burnets were in the dunes along the causeway to Holy Island and the rest on the path up to St Cuthbert's Cave just inland.

Dark Green Fritillary (Argynnis aglaja)


Six-Spot Burnet (Zygaena filipendulae)


Silver-ground Carpet (Xanthorhoe montanata)


Udea lutealis


Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus)



Nikon Coolpix 995

Magpie & co.

I usually run two traps in the garden and wouldn't normally trap two nights in a row (to allow the released moths and others to get on with doing normal moths things). However conditions were very good so I put out wine rags and just an actinic skinner. A good job I didn't use any more traps as this little one was more than enough work for a morning when I was a bit pushed for time.

The Old Lady came to the wine rags along with a Large Yellow Underwing. All others were at the actinic light including the first Magpie for ages. Some believe this species is in decline.

113 moths of 48 species.

0161 Leopard Moth (Zeuzera pyrina) 1
0441 Paraswammerdamia lutarea 1
0462 Ypsolopha sequella 1
0647 Brown House-moth (Hofmannophila pseudospretella) 1
0898 Limnaecia phragmitella 1
0905 Blastodacna hellerella 1
0937 Agapeta hamana 1
0994 Clepsis consimilana 1
1016x Cnephasia sp. 1
1063 Celypha striana 1
1169 Gypsonoma dealbana 1
1212 Spotted Shoot Moth (Rhyacionia pinivorana) 1
1293 Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella) 18
1302 Crambus perlella 1
1331 Water Veneer (Acentria ephemerella) 2
1338 Dipleurina lacustrata 2
1405 Mother of Pearl (Pleuroptya ruralis) 10
1424 Endotricha flammealis 2
1428 Bee Moth (Aphomia sociella) 1
1470 Euzophera pinguis 1
1513 White Plume Moth (Pterophorus pentadactyla) 1
1651 Chinese Character (Cilix glaucata) 2
1708 Single-dotted Wave (Idaea dimidiata) 1
1713 Riband Wave (Idaea aversata) ab. remutata 3
1713 Riband Wave (Idaea aversata) typical 3
1860 Green Pug (Chloroclystis rectangulata) 3
1884 The Magpie (Abraxas grossulariata) 1
1917 Early Thorn (Selenia dentaria) 2
1921 Scalloped Oak (Crocallis elinguaria) 1
1937 Willow Beauty (Peribatodes rhomboidaria) f. perfumaria 2
1955 Common White Wave (Cabera pusaria) 1
1976 Privet Hawk-moth (Sphinx ligustri) 1
1994 Buff-tip (Phalera bucephala) 1
2030 Yellow-tail (Euproctis similis) 2
2050 Common Footman (Eilema lurideola) 14
2107 Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) 5
2109 Lesser Yellow Underwing (Noctua comes) 1
2128 Double Square-spot (Xestia triangulum) 1
2160 Bright-line Brown-eye (Lacanobia oleracea) 1
2293 Marbled Beauty (Cryphia domestica) 1
2300 Old Lady (Mormo maura) 1
2318 The Dun-bar (Cosmia trapezina) 1
2321 Dark Arches (Apamea monoglypha) 4
2337x Marbled Minor agg. (Oligia strigilis agg.) 3
2343x Common Rustic agg. (Mesapamea secalis agg.) 1
2349 Mere Wainscot (Photedes fluxa) 1
2381 The Uncertain (Hoplodrina alsines) 4
2382 The Rustic (Hoplodrina blanda) 1
2473 Beautiful Hook-tip (Laspeyria flexula) 1

Old Lady (Mormo maura)


The Magpie (Abraxas grossulariata)


The Dun-bar (Cosmia trapezina)


Marbled Beauty (Cryphia domestica)


Beautiful Hook-tip (Laspeyria flexula)


White Plume Moth (Pterophorus pentadactyla)


Limnaecia phragmitella


Privet Hawk-moth (Sphinx ligustri)


Buff-tip (Phalera bucephala)


Leopard Moth (Zeuzera pyrina)


Ypsolopha sequella


Gypsonoma dealbana


Nikon Coolpix 995

Pine Hawk-moth, etc.

The usual two traps running again in the garden last night and the largest catch of the year awaited me this morning, including Pine Hawk-moth, which is not very common around here and the nationally scarce Eucosma conterminana. Worth getting up at 04:30? You decide!

202 moths of 63 species plus a few others still to determine.

0424 Bird-cherry Ermine (Yponomeuta evonymella) 1
0441 Paraswammerdamia lutarea 1
0866 Brachmia blandella 1
0965 Cochylis hybridella 1
0972 Dark Fruit-tree Tortrix (Pandemis heparana) 1
1001 Lozotaeniodes formosanus 1
1016x Cnephasia sp. 3
1020 Grey Tortrix (Cnephasia stephensiana) 1
1115 Ancylis achatana 1
1175 Bramble Shoot Moth (Epiblema uddmanniana) 1
1192 Eucosma conterminana 1
1261 Codling Moth (Cydia pomonella) 1
1288 Twenty-plume Moth (Alucita hexadactyla) 1
1293 Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella) 42
1331 Water Veneer (Acentria ephemerella) 5
1376 Small Magpie (Eurrhypara hortulata) 2
1390 Udea prunalis 1
1398 Phlyctaenia coronata 1
1405 Mother of Pearl (Pleuroptya ruralis) 15
1413 Gold Triangle (Hypsopygia costalis) 1
1424 Endotricha flammealis 1
1425 Wax Moth (Galleria mellonella) 1
1458 Thistle Ermine (Myelois circumvoluta) 1
1634 The Lackey (Malacosoma neustria) 1
1651 Chinese Character (Cilix glaucata) 6
1690 Small Blood-vein (Scopula imitaria) 2
1705 Dwarf Cream Wave (Idaea fuscovenosa) 1
1707 Small Dusty Wave (Idaea seriata) 1
1708 Single-dotted Wave (Idaea dimidiata) 1
1713 Riband Wave (Idaea aversata) ab. Remutata 9
1713 Riband Wave (Idaea aversata) typical 1
1738 Common Carpet (Epirrhoe alternata) 1
1860 Green Pug (Chloroclystis rectangulata) 2
1906 Brimstone Moth (Opisthograptis luteolata) 1
1917 Early Thorn (Selenia dentaria) 4
1921 Scalloped Oak (Crocallis elinguaria) 2
1978 Pine Hawk-moth (Hyloicus pinastri) 1
1981 Poplar Hawk-moth (Laothoe populi) 1
1994 Buff-tip (Phalera bucephala) 3
2030 Yellow-tail (Euproctis similis) 1
2031 White Satin Moth (Leucoma salicis) 1
2035 Round-winged Muslin (Thumatha senex) 1
2044 Dingy Footman (Eilema griseola) 1
2050 Common Footman (Eilema lurideola) 16
2061 Buff Ermine (Spilosoma lubricipeda) 2
2077 Short-cloaked Moth (Nola cucullatella) 2
2089 Heart & Dart (Agrotis exclamationis) 2
2098 The Flame (Axylia putris) 1
2107 Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) 4
2109 Lesser Yellow Underwing (Noctua comes) 1
2111 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (Noctua janthe) 1
2160 Bright-line Brown-eye (Lacanobia oleracea) 4
2198 Smoky Wainscot Mythimna impura 1
2205 Shoulder-striped Wainscot (Mythimna comma) 1
2283x Dark/Grey Dagger (Acronicta tridens agg.) 1
2293 Marbled Beauty (Cryphia domestica) 2
2321 Dark Arches (Apamea monoglypha) 15
2322 Light Arches (Apamea lithoxylaea) 1
2337x Marbled Minor agg. (Oligia strigilis agg.) 5
2343x Common Rustic agg. (Mesapamea secalis agg.) 8
2381 The Uncertain (Hoplodrina alsines) 5
2384 Vine's Rustic (Hoplodrina ambigua) 1
2387 Mottled Rustic (Caradrina morpheus) 1
2477 The Snout (Hypena proboscidalis) 2

The Lackey (Malacosoma neustria) - compare with the one two days ago


Pine Hawk-moth (Hyloicus pinastri)


White Satin Moth (Leucoma salicis)


Shoulder-striped Wainscot (Mythimna comma)


Round-winged Muslin (Thumatha senex)


Scalloped Oak (Crocallis elinguaria)


Early Thorn (Selenia dentaria)


Dwarf Cream Wave (Idaea fuscovenosa)


Codling Moth (Cydia pomonella)


Eucosma conterminana (Nationally Scarce B)


Nikon Coolpix 995

PBC Barbeque Ferry Meadows

Following the PBC barbeque a few intrepid souls stayed for an hour's mothing near the visitor centre carpark. We recorded over 140 moths of 24 species, the best of which were a few Maple Prominents.

0937 Agapeta hamana 1
1086 Hedya salicella 1
1201 Eucosma cana 1
1293 Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella)
1329 Donacaula forficella 1
1331 Water Veneer (Acentria ephemerella) c.100
1392 Udea olivalis 1
1405 Mother of Pearl (Pleuroptya ruralis) 2
1713 Riband Wave (Idaea aversata) ab. Remutata 1
1732 Shaded Broad-bar (Scotopteryx chenopodiata) 1
1766 Blue-bordered Carpet (Plemyria rubiginata) 1
1906 Brimstone Moth (Opisthograptis luteolata) 1
1931 Peppered Moth (Biston betularia) typical 1
2009 Maple Prominent (Ptilodontella cucullina) 3
2030 Yellow-tail (Euproctis similis) 1
2044 Dingy Footman (Eilema griseola) 5
2047 Scarce Footman (Eilema complana) 2
2050 Common Footman (Eilema lurideola) 1
2107 Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) 4
2109 Lesser Yellow Underwing (Noctua comes) 1
2128 Double Square-spot (Xestia triangulum) 2
2198 Smoky Wainscot (Mythimna impura) 2
2199 Common Wainscot (Mythimna pallens) 1
2314 Dingy Shears (Parastichtis ypsillon) 1

Maple Prominent (Ptilodontella cucullina)


Yellow-tail (Euproctis similis), female


Shaded Broad-bar Scotopteryx chenopodiata


Double Square-spot (Xestia triangulum)


Hedya salicella


Donacaula forficella, female


Nikon Coolpix 995

Green Soldier Fly

Why this chose the hosepipe to pose on I can't say.

Chloromyia formosa (Green Soldier Fly or Broad Centurion)


Nikon CP995

Bedstraw Hawk-moth

Golly! I always check my actinic skinner trap first and this morning the first moth I saw was a Scalloped Oak (first of the year) and the second was this beauty. Probably the fourth for VC31 (Huntingdonshire). Boy am I chuffed!

Click on the pictures for larger images. Pics of other species and the list for the night below.

Bedstraw Hawk-moth (Hyles gallii)




The Lackey (Malacosoma neustria)


Scalloped Oak (Crocallis elinguaria)


Phlyctaenia perlucidalis


Phlyctaenia coronata


Udea prunalis


Nikon CP995

124 moths of 43 species

0647 Brown House-moth (Hofmannophila pseudospretella) 2
1063 Celypha striana 1
1212 Spotted Shoot Moth (Rhyacionia pinivorana) 1
1293 Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella) 36
1376 Small Magpie (Eurrhypara hortulata) 1
1380 Phlyctaenia perlucidalis 1
1390 Udea prunalis 2
1398 Phlyctaenia coronata 1
1405 Mother of Pearl (Pleuroptya ruralis) 5
1424 Endotricha flammealis 1
1428 Bee Moth (Aphomia sociella) 2
1634 The Lackey (Malacosoma neustria) 1
1708 Single-dotted Wave (Idaea dimidiata) 1
1713 Riband Wave (Idaea aversata) ab. Remutata 1
1742 Yellow Shell (Camptogramma bilineata) 1
1758 Barred Straw (Eulithis pyraliata) 2
1860 Green Pug (Chloroclystis rectangulata) 2
1917 Early Thorn (Selenia dentaria) 1
1921 Scalloped Oak (Crocallis elinguaria) 5
1931 Peppered Moth (Biston betularia) typical 1
1937 Willow Beauty (Peribatodes rhomboidaria) f. perfumaria 1
1981 Poplar Hawk-moth (Laothoe populi) 1
1987 Bedstraw Hawk-moth (Hyles gallii) 1
2044 Dingy Footman (Eilema griseola) 2
2050 Common Footman (Eilema lurideola) 2
2089 Heart & Dart (Agrotis exclamationis) 3
2107 Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) 8
2128 Double Square-spot (Xestia triangulum) 1
2154 Cabbage Moth (Mamestra brassicae) 1
2155 Dot Moth (Melanchra persicariae) 1
2160 Bright-line Brown-eye (Lacanobia oleracea) 1
2198 Smoky Wainscot (Mythimna impura) 3
2199 Common Wainscot (Mythimna pallens) 2
2321 Dark Arches (Apamea monoglypha) 10
2322 Light Arches (Apamea lithoxylaea) 1
2337x Marbled Minor agg. (Oligia strigilis agg.) 2
2343x Common Rustic agg. (Mesapamea secalis agg.) 4
2381 The Uncertain (Hoplodrina alsines) 4
2382 The Rustic (Hoplodrina blanda) 3
2387 Mottled Rustic (Caradrina morpheus) 1
2434 Burnished Brass (Diachrysia chrysitis) 1
2477 The Snout (Hypena proboscidalis) 1
2489 The Fan-foot (Herminia tarsipennalis) 2

White Admiral

Some good butterfly action today at Bedford Purlieus with White-letter Hairstreaks particularly showy and a couple of White Admirals very active but just photographable.

White Admiral (Limenitis camilla)


A better picture is at Weedon's World of Nature.

Nikon CP995