Saturday, June 30, 2012

Mothing Marathon..........Home/Garden

As most moth-ers know; this year has been particularly pants. But it is incredible how species counts and sheer numbers increase, even with just a couple of nights of warm and humid weather. The 26th was a fairly good night, especially for micros where six were new for the year. But perfect conditions ensued on 27th and to capitalise on this, I dusted of 3 traps, 2x Twin 15w Actinic/UV's and the trusty twin 25w FUL Actinic . The latter is slightly more powerful and has to be placed so not to shine in neighbour's windows!
 I also put an 80w MV Skinner into Home Wood which Trent collected in the morning. A list of the macros is included further down this post.

1345 Brown China-mark Elophila nymphaeata
NFY, 26th June. Only the second record for the garden.

Upper Caldecote Garden- 27-06-2012- 177 of  66 species- from 3 traps-

0640    Batia lunaris
1    NFY
0647    Hofmannophila pseudospretella Brown House-moth 3
0648    Endrosis sarcitrella White-shouldered House-moth 1
0905    Blastodacna hellerella
1    NFY
0925    Phtheochroa rugosana
1
0937    Agapeta hamana
1    NFY
1076    Celypha lacunana
1
1083    Hedya nubiferana Marbled Orchard Tortrix 2
1133    Epinotia bilunana
2
1176    Epiblema trimaculana
1
1261    Cydia pomonella Codling Moth 1
1293    Chrysoteuchia culmella Garden Grass-veneer 2
1294    Crambus pascuella
3
1304    Agriphila straminella
2
1331    Acentria ephemerella Water Veneer 2
1334    Scoparia ambigualis
2
1338    Dipleurina lacustrata
1    NFY
1344    Eudonia mercurella
2
1348    Parapoynx stratiotata Ringed China-mark 1    NFY
1392    Udea olivalis
3
1413    Hypsopygia costalis Gold Triangle 1
1428    Aphomia sociella Bee Moth 2
1481    Homoeosoma sinuella
1    NFY
1707    Idaea seriata Small Dusty Wave 2
1711    Idaea trigeminata Treble Brown Spot 1
1713    Idaea aversata Riband Wave 1
1728    Xanthorhoe fluctuata Garden Carpet 1
1742    Camptogramma bilineata Yellow Shell 1
1758    Eulithis pyraliata Barred Straw 1    NFY
1825    Eupithecia centaureata Lime-speck Pug 1
1827    Eupithecia intricata Freyer's Pug 1
1834    Eupithecia vulgata Common Pug 1
1837    Eupithecia subfuscata Grey Pug 1
1906    Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 1
1931    Biston betularia Peppered Moth 1    NFY
1937    Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty 2
1958    Lomographa temerata Clouded Silver 1
1994    Phalera bucephala Buff-tip 3
2011    Pterostoma palpina Pale Prominent 1    NFY
2050    Eilema lurideola Common Footman 1
2061    Spilosoma luteum Buff Ermine 1
2087    Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth 3
2088    Agrotis clavis Heart and Club 12
2089    Agrotis exclamationis Heart and Dart 19
2098    Axylia putris Flame 22
2102    Ochropleura plecta Flame Shoulder 2
2107    Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 1
2128    Xestia triangulum Double Square-spot 3
2145    Discestra trifolii Nutmeg 1    NFY
2147    Hada plebeja Shears 1
2155    Melanchra persicariae Dot Moth 1    NFY
2199    Mythimna pallens Common Wainscot 2
2205    Mythimna comma Shoulder-striped Wainscot 1    NFG
2278    Acronicta megacephala Poplar Grey 1
2284    Acronicta psi Grey Dagger 1    agg.
2302    Rusina ferruginea Brown Rustic 2
2321    Apamea monoglypha Dark Arches 17
2322    Apamea lithoxylaea Light Arches 3
2327    Apamea epomidion Clouded Brindle 1    NFY
2333    Apamea anceps Large Nutmeg 6
2337x    Oligia strigilis agg. Marbled Minor agg. 5
2380    Charanyca trigrammica Treble Lines 1
2381    Hoplodrina alsines Uncertain 10
2387    Caradrina morpheus Mottled Rustic 1
2389    Paradrina clavipalpis Pale Mottled Willow 1
2489    Zanclognatha tarsipennalis Fan-foot 1    NFY



 925 Hethethethpethetheth rugosana

1348 Ringed China-mark Parapoynx stratiotata 

 Clouded Brindle

 Shoulder-striped Wainscot
Garden 1st- a long awaited tick.

As mentioned earlier, I dropped a trap off at Home Wood, the results are for the macro moths only- the micros are still being processed.

Home Wood- 27-06-2012 Macros only- 50 of 26 species-

0017    Hepialus lupulinus Common Swift 2
1667    Comibaena bajularia Blotched Emerald 5    NFS
1682    Timandra comae Blood-vein 2
1711    Idaea trigeminata Treble Brown Spot 1    NFS
1713    Idaea aversata Riband Wave 2
1766    Plemyria rubiginata Blue-bordered Carpet 1    NFS
1784    Melanthia procellata Pretty Chalk Carpet 1
1887    Lomaspilis marginata Clouded Border 2
1904    Plagodis dolabraria Scorched Wing 1
1931    Biston betularia Peppered Moth 3
1937    Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty 5
1947    Ectropis bistortata Engrailed 2
1958    Lomographa temerata Clouded Silver 1
1961    Campaea margaritata Light Emerald 1
1979    Mimas tiliae Lime Hawk-moth 1    NFS
1981    Laothoe populi Poplar Hawk-moth 3
1994    Phalera bucephala Buff-tip 1
2007    Pheosia tremula Swallow Prominent 1
2011    Pterostoma palpina Pale Prominent 1
2050    Eilema lurideola Common Footman 1
2061    Spilosoma luteum Buff Ermine 1
2302    Rusina ferruginea Brown Rustic 7
2345    Photedes minima Small Dotted Buff 2    NFS
2441    Autographa gamma Silver Y 1    NFS
2443    Autographa jota Plain Golden Y 1    NFS
2474    Rivula sericealis Straw Dot 1



Blotched Emerald

 Blue-bordered Carpet

 Small Dotted Buff

 Plain Golden Y

 Pretty Chalk Carpet

Monday, June 25, 2012

Garden List- 24-06

Upper Caldecote Garden- Twin 15w Actinic/UV, twin 25w FUL Skinners- 48 of 28 species-


0647    H. pseudospretella Brown House-moth2
0787    Bryotropha terrella
2
1063    Celypha striana
1
1175    Epiblema uddmanniana Bramble Shoot Moth 1    NFY
1301    Crambus lathoniellus
3
1302    Crambus perlella
2    NFY
1428    Aphomia sociella Bee Moth 1
1707    Idaea seriata Small Dusty Wave 1
1711    Idaea trigeminata Treble Brown Spot 1
1742    Camptogramma bilineata Yellow Shell 1
1827    Eupithecia intricata Freyer's Pug 1
1834    Eupithecia vulgata Common Pug 4
1837    Eupithecia subfuscata Grey Pug 1
1860    Pasiphila rectangulata Green Pug 1
1887    Lomaspilis marginata Clouded Border 1    NFY
1937    Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty 4
2050    Eilema lurideola Common Footman 1
2061    Spilosoma luteum Buff Ermine 1
2089    Agrotis exclamationis Heart and Dart 2
2092    Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 1
2098    Axylia putris Flame 2
2107    Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 2
2199    Mythimna pallens Common Wainscot 1
2306    Phlogophora meticulosa Angle Shades 1
2321    Apamea monoglypha Dark Arches 7
2337x    Oligia strigilis agg. Marbled Minor agg. 1
2384    Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 1
2473    Laspeyria flexula Beautiful Hook-tip 1    NFY


Clouded Border

Beautiful Hook-tip

Friday, June 22, 2012

The Garden.....21-06

It was blowing a gale last night- but I'm glad I gave it a go. Just one trap under the shed roof and a BLB bulb at the bottom of the garden.

Privet Hawk-moth
This morning, this moth did the rounds at the children's lower school and was shown to parents, teachers and pupils. Most popular comments were- "Is it real" and the classic "look at the size of it!" Keely and Louie had their 15 minutes of fame.............

Upper Caldecote Garden- 20 of 18 speicies-

0787    Bryotropha terrella
1
1063    Celypha striana
1    NFY
1301    Crambus lathoniellus
1
1344    Eudonia mercurella
1    NFY
1428    Aphomia sociella Bee Moth 1
1837    Eupithecia subfuscata Grey Pug 1    NFY
1976    Sphinx ligustri Privet Hawk-moth 1    NFY
2087    Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth 2
2088    Agrotis clavis Heart and Club 1
2098    Axylia putris Flame 1
2126    Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 1
2278    Acronicta megacephala Poplar Grey 1
2302    Rusina ferruginea Brown Rustic 1
2321    Apamea monoglypha Dark Arches 2
2340    Oligia fasciuncula Middle-barred Minor 1
2381    Hoplodrina alsines Uncertain 1
2384    Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 1
2450    Abrostola tripartita Spectacle 1

Garden Catch up........

A few highlights from the last week. The 19th June was certainly the best night of the year so far with 35 species accounted for. Since then, stormy conditions have set in once again and the catch has reverted from decent to rubbish again. Tomorrow night (23rd) I'm meant to be setting up some equipment for a moth-ing demo at Marston Vale Millennium Park for National Moth Night, I may also pack a wind-break and snorkel!

Treble Brown-spot
NFY- 17th June.


Maple Prominent
NFY- 17th June- absent in 2010.

Barred Yellow
NFY 18th June.

143 Nematopogon metaxella
A garden 1st, 18th June. 

Sandy Carpet
NFY 19th June- only my 2nd record and the only time I've manged to get a photo.

Elephant Hawk-moth
NFY, 19th June.

Heart and Club
NFY, 19th June- 3 caught so far.

Freyer's Pug
NFY, 19th June.

Light Arches
NFY, 19th June.

Middle-barred Minor f. pallida
NFY, 19th June.

Straw Dot
NFY 19th June.

1474 Ephestia parasitella
NFY, 19th June.

Monday, June 18, 2012

Garden List 17-06.............

Twin 15w Actinic/UV Skinner, 15w BLB bulb- 32 of 24 species-


0874    Blastobasis lacticolella
1    NFY
0925    Phtheochroa rugosana
1    NFY
0998    Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 1
1082    Hedya pruniana Plum Tortrix 1    NFY
1273    Dichrorampha petiverella
1    NFY
1334    Scoparia ambigualis
1
1428    Aphomia sociella Bee Moth 1
1711    Idaea trigeminata Treble Brown Spot 1    NFY
1728    Xanthorhoe fluctuata Garden Carpet 2
1819    Eupithecia exiguata Mottled Pug 1
1834    Eupithecia vulgata Common Pug 1
1867    Aplocera plagiata Treble-bar 1    NFY
1937    Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty 4
2009    Ptilodon cucullina Maple Prominent 1    NFY
2061    Spilosoma luteum Buff Ermine 1
2089    Agrotis exclamationis Heart and Dart 1
2092    Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 1
2098    Axylia putris Flame 3
2107    Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 1    NFY
2147    Hada plebeja Shears 1
2302    Rusina ferruginea Brown Rustic 1
2334    Apamea sordens Rustic Shoulder-knot 1
2337x    Oligia strigilis agg. Marbled Minor agg. 2
2441    Autographa gamma Silver Y 2

Anyone?

....................Caught 17th June. I've tagged it as Marbled Minor agg., as the size and shape seem right. Can't remember seeing one this colour before though..................


Friday, June 15, 2012

The Garden- 14-06

Three traps on, but still no significant upturn in numbers as the inclement conditions continue. I didn't bother on 15th and the rest of the week doesn't look too promising either. This time last year was a different story, see the species list HERE

Buff Ermine

 Common Rustic agg.

 966 Cochylis atricapitana

Upper Caldecote Garden- 2x 15w Actinic/UV, twin 25w FUL Skinners- 37 of 23 species-

0017    Hepialus lupulinus Common Swift 1
0647    H. pseudospretella Brown House-moth 1
0787    Bryotropha terrella
2
0808    Platyedra subcinerea
1
0966    Cochylis atricapitana
1    NFY
1176    Epiblema trimaculana
3
1301    Crambus lathoniellus
2    NFY
1392    Udea olivalis
1
1937    Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty 4
2060    Spilosoma lubricipeda White Ermine 2
2061    Spilosoma luteum Buff Ermine 1    NFY
2087    Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth 2
2089    Agrotis exclamationis Heart and Dart 1
2126    Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 2
2306    Phlogophora meticulosa Angle Shades 1
2321    Apamea monoglypha Dark Arches 4
2333    Apamea anceps Large Nutmeg 1
2334    Apamea sordens Rustic Shoulder-knot 1
2337x    Oligia strigilis agg. Marbled Minor agg. 2
2343x    Mesapamea secalis agg. Common Rustic agg. 1    NFY
2381    Hoplodrina alsines Uncertain 1
2441    Autographa gamma Silver Y 1
2450    Abrostola tripartita Spectacle 1

Monday, June 11, 2012

2 new, 10-06

......................otherwise a fairly forgettable cold, wet night.

Dark Arches

 Rustic?
I have never quite got to grips with these. Sometimes if I didn't know better Vine's, Uncertain and Rustic are all just same species of moth which someone (probably a birder) has split just to get two extra ticks. On balance I think the above is actually a Rustic...............if so, I've now got all three and will not have to bother any more for another year.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

What's the Point?

In an attempt to increase my year list, I put out 3 different Actinic traps. The wind had finally dropped and the temperature at dusk was a promising 12°C. However, as with most nights this year; there has been a general lack of either quantity or quality. One consolation did come in the form of a garden 1st White-point, macro #294 in my quest for 300. Otherwise, the cupboards were pretty bare. The only other new moth was a single worn Silver-ground Carpet.

White-point 
Rather worn, but I'll take it........

Bright-line Brown-eye

 Silver-ground Carpet

Upper Caldecote Garden- 09-06-2012- 2x 15w Actinic/BLB, 1x 25w FUL Skinners- 36 of 23 species

0648    Endrosis sarcitrella White-shouldered House-moth 2
0787    Bryotropha terrella
1
1133    Epinotia bilunana
1
1727    Xanthorhoe montanata Silver-ground Carpet 1    NFY
1819    Eupithecia exiguata Mottled Pug 3
1834    Eupithecia vulgata Common Pug 4
1883    Acasis viretata Yellow-barred Brindle 1
1906    Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 1
1937    Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty 2
2000    Notodonta dromedarius Iron Prominent 1
2069    Tyria jacobaeae Cinnabar 1
2089    Agrotis exclamationis Heart and Dart 4
2092    Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 1
2126    Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 2
2147    Hada plebeja Shears 1
2157    Lacanobia w-latinum Light Brocade 1
2160    Lacanobia oleracea Bright-line Brown-eye 1
2194    Mythimna albipuncta White-point 1    Garden 1st 
2334    Apamea sordens Rustic Shoulder-knot 1
      2337x    Oligia strigilis agg. Marbled Minor agg. 2
2381    Hoplodrina alsines Uncertain 1
2389    Paradrina clavipalpis Pale Mottled Willow 2
2441    Autographa gamma Silver Y 1