List for Home Wood- 25th May

Here is a belated list from a productive night's mothing last week; We used 2 x 80w Mercury Vapour lights and an Actinic/BLB combo. We then left one of the MV's in the wood for the rest of the night and Trent collected it in the morning.  Despite a few hiccups with the cheapo MVs 'dropping out' occasionally we managed to do quite well. Barely a breeze and good temperatures of a constant 14°C obviously helped. Many thanks to Andy Grimsey for his help in trying to keep up! It's a steep leaning curve this mothin' lark.

I am still experiencing major problems with blogger as I can't sign in! We are a week into the glitch now......is anyone else finding this problem? I can't comment on posts, even on my own blog!

Beautiful Hook-tip

1 of 2 caught in the Actinic/UV combo

Home Catapillar

I don't know much about larvae- I need to get a decent book I suppose?

More to come in the next few days.

Anyway the list, 238 moths of 64 species-

• 0017 Hepialus lupulinus Common Swift 29 NFS
• 0143 Nematopogon metaxella 30 NFS
• 0150 Adela reaumurella 1
• 0246 Tinea semifulvella 1 NFS
• 0417 Argyresthia spinosella 1 NFS
• 489-526 Coleophora sp.??? 1 NFS To be Confirmed
• 0601 Elachista albifrontella 1 NFS
• 0620 Elachista gangabella 1 NFS
• 0649 Esperia sulphurella 1 NFS
• 0892 Mompha subbistrigella 1 NFS
• 0970 Pandemis cerasana Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix 3 NFS
• 1011 Pseudargyrotoza conwagana 1 NFS
• 1082 Hedya pruniana Plum Tortrix 1 NFS
• 1083 Hedya nubiferana Marbled Orchard Tortrix 1 NFS
• 1142 Epinotia tedella 1 NFS
• 1176 Epiblema trimaculana 1 NFS
• 1219 Lathronympha strigana 1 NFS
• 1334 Scoparia ambigualis 6 NFS
• 1392 Udea olivalis 8 NFS
• 1680 Cyclophora punctaria Maiden's Blush 2
• 1693 Scopula floslactata Cream Wave 4
• 1727 Xanthorhoe montanata Silver-ground Carpet 20 NFS
• 1738 Epirrhoe alternata Common Carpet 4 NFS
• 1760 Chloroclysta siterata Red-green Carpet 1
• 1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 1 NFS
• 1768 Thera obeliscata Grey Pine Carpet 1
• 1776 Colostygia pectinataria Green Carpet 6
• 1778 Hydriomena impluviata May Highflyer 2 NFS
• 1819 Eupithecia exiguata Mottled Pug 2
• 1834 Eupithecia vulgata Common Pug 1
• 1837 Eupithecia subfuscata Grey Pug 2 NFS
• 1844 Eupithecia indigata Ochreous Pug 3 NFS
• 1893 Macaria liturata Tawny-barred Angle 1 NFS
• 1904 Plagodis dolabraria Scorched Wing 3 NFS
• 1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 4
• 1937 Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty 2 NFS
• 1944 Hypomecis punctinalis Pale Oak Beauty 10 NFS
• 1950 Parectropis similaria Brindled White-spot 1 NFS
• 1958 Lomographa temerata Clouded Silver 4 NFS
• 1961 Campaea margaritata Light Emerald 11 NFS
• 1978 Hyloicus pinastri Pine Hawk-moth 1 NFS
• 1981 Laothoe populi Poplar Hawk-moth 1 NFS
• 2011 Pterostoma palpina Pale Prominent 1
• 2014 Drymonia dodonaea Marbled Brown 1 NFS
• 2028 Calliteara pudibunda Pale Tussock 7 NFS
• 2043 Eilema sororcula Orange Footman 5
• 2060 Spilosoma lubricipeda White Ermine 1 NFS
• 2061 Spilosoma luteum Buff Ermine 5 NFS
• 2089 Agrotis exclamationis Heart and Dart 3 NFS
• 2102 Ochropleura plecta Flame Shoulder 1
• 2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 1 NFS
• 2199 Mythimna pallens Common Wainscot 1 NFS
• 2302 Rusina ferruginea Brown Rustic 4 NFS
• 2333 Apamea anceps Large Nutmeg 9 NFS
• 2337x Oligia strigilis agg. Marbled Minor agg. 3 NFS To be confirmed
• 2380 Charanyca trigrammica Treble Lines 8 NFS
• 2387 Caradrina morpheus Mottled Rustic 1 NFS
• 2410 Protodeltote pygarga Marbled White Spot 1 NFS
• 2422 Pseudoips prasinana Green Silver-lines 2 NFS
• 2434 Diachrysia chrysitis Burnished Brass 1 NFS
• 2450 Abrostola tripartita Spectacle 1 NFS
• 2473 Laspeyria flexula Beautiful Hook-tip 2 NFS
• 2474 Rivula sericealis Straw Dot 2 NFS
• 2477 Hypena proboscidalis Snout 1 NFS

Blogger Problems..........

At the moment I don't seem to be able to sign in. Therefore it seems Blogger thinks I'm an anonymous user and forbids be from posting comment. It's been the same for 2 days now............hopefully normal service will be resumed soon.

Blow Wind!

Well the gazebo was almost uprooted by the strong winds last night, as a result I was forced to take down the BLB tubes to prevent breakages. In the morning I packed it away to save it being totally written off! But despite the wind there were still a few moths. The kids netted a Pea Moth during the day and there were a few new macros as well. If I do any trapping tonight it will be with the usual 2x 15w Actinic/UV as I don't suppose this wind will slacken off any time soon.

1257 Pea Moth Cydia nigricana

Swept from the hedge during the day.

 Yellow Shell

Swept from the hedge.

 Brown Rustic

 Puss Moth

I've seen 4 of these this year!

The result- 55 of 23 species-

• 1995 Cerura vinula Puss Moth 1
• 1994 Phalera bucephala Buff-tip 1
• 2337x Oligia strigilis agg. Marbled Minor agg. 5
• 2089 Agrotis exclamationis Heart and Dart 11
• 1728 Xanthorhoe fluctuata Garden Carpet 1
• 2333 Apamea anceps Large Nutmeg 12
• 2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 2
• 2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 3
• 1931 Biston betularia Peppered Moth 1
• 2087 Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth 4
• 2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 1
• 2381 Hoplodrina alsines Uncertain 1 1st of the year
• 1301 Crambus lathoniellus 1
• 2284 Acronicta psi Grey Dagger 1
• 2102 Ochropleura plecta Flame Shoulder 2
• 2302 Rusina ferruginea Brown Rustic 1 1st of the year
• 2160 Lacanobia oleracea Bright-line Brown-eye 1
• 2380 Charanyca trigrammica Treble Lines 1
• 1082 Plum Tortrix Hedya pruniana 1
• 1177 Epiblema rosaecolana 1
• 1083 Marbled Orchard Tortrix Hedya nubiferana 1
• 1257 Pea Moth Cydia nigricana 1 1st of the year
• 1742 Camptogramma bilineata Yellow Shell 1 1st of the year

Gazeboo!

After yesterday's big build up nothing really happened in the gazebo- the best being two Shears and the 3rd Maiden's Blush of the year. But then again, compared to the haul on 19th it was generally not as good a night anyway. Only two new species in the form of a tatty Blood-vein and a garden 1st Plum Tortrix. The gazebo is probably best suited to hot summer nights. But now it's up, it won't hurt to try it again.

Blood-vein

 Shears

A good year for these with 8 so far.

 Iron Prominent

 1082 Plum Tortrix Hedya pruniana

Garden 1st.

The results- 40 of 21 species-

• 2147 Hada plebeja Shears 2
• 1680 Cyclophora punctaria Maiden's Blush 1
• 1682 Timandra comae Blood-vein 1 1st of the year
• 2000 Notodonta dromedarius Iron Prominent 1
• 2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 2
• 2333 Apamea anceps Large Nutmeg 9
• 2337x Oligia strigilis agg. Marbled Minor agg. 3
• 2278 Acronicta megacephala Poplar Grey 1
• 1994 Phalera bucephala Buff-tip 1
• 2089 Agrotis exclamationis Heart and Dart 7
• 2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 1
• 1474 Ephestia parasitella unicolorella 1
• 0017 Hepialus lupulinus Common Swift 1
• 648 Endrosis sarcitrella White-shouldered House-moth 1
• 2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 1
• 2061 Spilosoma luteum Buff Ermine 1
• 2380 Charanyca trigrammica Treble Lines 2
• 2199 Mythimna pallens Common Wainscot 1
• 1834 Eupithecia vulgata Common Pug 1
• 1082 Hedya pruniana Hedya pruniana 1 Garden 1st
• 2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 1

........Trent's Nemesis

Over the past few nights Trent has got back into the lead in the Mothin' Marathon and now has to suffer the consequences. He got in front about a month ago and this was enough to receive a verbal warning. But now with the competition in full flow, it is time to unveil the ultimate sanction. 

When it was used last year I had my best results, as it retains a lot of which it attracts during the night. As I don't do much patrolling, just about everything I record is in the traps; therefore I probably miss an awful lot.

The Gazebo

 The harvesting method is very simple- 1) Wait until morning. 2) Let Louie out into the garden with a light weight insect net. 3) Give him some pots and zip down the sides. 4) Don't let him out until all moths are potted ready for photos and ID.

                          Gazebo Interior                                                             Tramp-o-trap

The light fitting inside the gazebo is a twin T12 40w BLB tube and fitting that neatly tie-wraps to the inside of the roof frame.
Mean while, last night's effort was to put the twin 25w FUL Skinner in the trampoline to test. This would be good for night patrols as all moths end up either on the in or outside of the safety net. However, by morning they all hide in the most inaccessible areas around the crash mats and underneath. Not something I will be doing again, though it did lead to my highest ever count of Large Nutmegs (43).

 1176 Epiblema trimaculana

New for year, 18th May.

 986 Syndemis musculana

Garden 1st, 18th May.

 1474 Ephestia parasitella

 Tawny Shears

 Light Brocade

 Poplar Grey

The results for 19th May- 121 of 29 species-

• 1707 Idaea seriata Small Dusty Wave 1
• 0275 Bucculatrix bechsteinella 1 1st of the year
• 0263 Lyonetia clerkella 1 Garden 1st
• 0247 Tinea trinotella 1
• 2389 Paradrina clavipalpis Pale Mottled Willow 1
• 1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 1
• 1728 Xanthorhoe fluctuata Garden Carpet 1
• 2278 Acronicta megacephala Poplar Grey 1 1st of the year
• 1177 Epiblema rosaecolana 3
• 1961 Campaea margaritata Light Emerald 2 1st of the year
• 2337x Oligia strigilis agg. Marbled Minor agg. 4
• 2089 Agrotis exclamationis Heart and Dart 31 High Count!
• 2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 7
• 2333 Apamea anceps Large Nutmeg 43 High Count!
• 2007 Pheosia tremula Swallow Prominent 1
• 2060 Spilosoma lubricipeda White Ermine 4
• 2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 4
• 2380 Charanyca trigrammica Treble Lines 6
• 2147 Hada plebeja Shears 1
• 2087 Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth 1
• 1301 Crambus lathoniellus 1
• 2102 Ochropleura plecta Flame Shoulder 2
• 2334 Apamea sordens Rustic Shoulder-knot 2
• 2061 Spilosoma luteum Buff Ermine 1
• 2199 Mythimna pallens Common Wainscot 2
• 2167 Hadena perplexa Tawny Shears 1 Garden 1st
• 2157 Lacanobia w-latinum Light Brocade 1
• 1474 Ephestia parasitella unicolorella 1
• 1834 Eupithecia vulgata Common Pug 1

Better.....17/05

Feeling that Trent was starting to get the better of me again. I quickly dusted off the 2x 25w FUL Skinner and put it in a favourable position down the bottom of the garden. It faces west and is approximately 100ft away from my usual east facing trap near the house. Five new for the year is a great improvement.

229 Monopis obviella

This was a 1st for the year, 16th May.

 Mottled Rustic

Almost overlooked as a Pale Mottled Willow!

 Buff Ermine

 Common Marbled Carpet

 Clouded Silver

4th record this year.

 Maiden's Blush

2nd record this year.

 Middle-barred Minor

 1301 Crambus lathoniellus

Many more to come I would say......

The results- 91 of 30 species-

• 1301 Crambus lathoniellus 1 1st of the year
• 2089 Agrotis exclamationis Heart and Dart 18
• 2337x Oligia strigilis agg. Marbled Minor agg. 4
• 0808 Platyedra subcinerea 1
• 0017 Hepialus lupulinus Common Swift 2
• 1428 Aphomia sociella Bee Moth 1
• 1937 Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty 1 1st of the year
• 1931 Biston betularia Peppered Moth 1 1st of the year
• 1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 1
• 2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 2
• 1819 Eupithecia exiguata Mottled Pug 1
• 2333 Apamea anceps Large Nutmeg 20
• 1680 Cyclophora punctaria Maiden's Blush 1
• 2380 Charanyca trigrammica Treble Lines 4
• 2087 Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth 3
• 2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 12
• 0648 Endrosis sarcitrella White-shouldered House-moth 1
• 0647 Hofmannophila pseudospretella Brown House-moth 1
• 2147 Hada plebeja Shears 1
• 1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 1
• 1958 Lomographa temerata Clouded Silver 1
• 2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 4
• 2061 Spilosoma luteum Buff Ermine 1
• 2199 Mythimna pallens Common Wainscot 1
• 1994 Phalera bucephala Buff-tip 1
• 2340 Oligia fasciuncula Middle-barred Minor 1 1st of the year
• 1728 Xanthorhoe fluctuata Garden Carpet 2
• 2154 Mamestra brassicae Cabbage Moth 1
• 2389 Paradrina clavipalpis Pale Mottled Willow 1
• 2387 Caradrina morpheus Mottled Rustic 1 1st of the year

The Slow down........

After the halcyon days of the first weekend of the month, things have got back to normal. Wind and more seasonal temperatures have kept new species down to a mere trickle. Though there have been some highlights.......

Swallow Prominent

1st of the year, 7th May

Small Waved Umber

1st of the year, 8th May

Buff-tip

1st of the year, 9th May

925 Phtheochroa rugosana

1st of the year, 10th May

Privet Hawk-moth

1st of the year, 13th May

246 Tinea semifulvella

Garden 1st, 13th May

1083 Marbled Orchard Tortrix Hedya nubiferana

1st of the year, 14th May

List for 15th May- 40 of 14 species

• 2333 Apamea anceps Large Nutmeg 8
• 2089 Agrotis exclamationis Heart and Dart 9
• 1819 Eupithecia exiguata Mottled Pug 1
• 2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 8
• 2087 Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth 2
• 2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 1
• 2147 Hada plebeja Shears 2
• 2334 Apamea sordens Rustic Shoulder-knot 1
• 2098 Axylia putris Flame 1
• 2337x Oligia strigilis agg. Marbled Minor agg. 1
• 2380 Charanyca trigrammica Treble Lines 3
• 2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 1
• 1994 Phalera bucephala Buff-tip 1
• 1707 Idaea seriata Small Dusty Wave 1
• 1428 Aphomia sociella Bee Moth 1

List for 7/5........

Not a lot of time at present. Still not sure about some but pics of the contentious will follow. Some already with recorders for an overview-

A decent haul of 59 species not including a white micro and an almost certain Tawny Shears. The micro escaped into the night, but the poss. TS was eaten by a bat in the beam of my torch light!

517 Clover Case-bearer Coleophora alcyonipennella

 1376 Small Magpie Eurrhypara hortulata

409a Argyresthia trifasciata 

 216 Cork Moth Nemapogon cloacella

 Tawny-barred Angle

 Buttoned Snout

 Common Carpet

 Cream Wave

 Poplar Kitten

 Sloe Pug

The Full List

• 2334 Apamea sordens Rustic Shoulder-knot 3
• 2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 4
• 0964 Cochylis dubitana 1 1st for year
• 0985 Cacoecimorpha pronubana Carnation Tortrix 1 1st for year
• 2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 30
• 2089 Agrotis exclamationis Heart and Dart 5
• 2380 Charanyca trigrammica Treble Lines 3
• 1979 Mimas tiliae Lime Hawk-moth 1
• 1728 Xanthorhoe fluctuata Garden Carpet 1
• 1724 Xanthorhoe spadicearia Red Twin-spot Carpet 1
• 1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 1 1st for year
• 1376 Eurrhypara hortulata Small Magpie 1 1st for year
• 2333 Apamea anceps Large Nutmeg 9
• 0808 Platyedra subcinerea  1
• 1958 Lomographa temerata Clouded Silver 3 1st for Year
• 2337x Oligia strigilis agg. Marbled Minor agg. 3 1st for year
• 2339 Oligia latruncula Tawny Marbled Minor 3 Garden 1st
• 1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 3
• 2007 Pheosia tremula Swallow Prominent 1 1st for year
• 1995 Cerura vinula Puss Moth 1
• 1261 Cydia pomonella Codling Moth 2 1st for year
• 1738 Epirrhoe alternata Common Carpet 2 1st for year
• 2280 Acronicta leporina Miller 1 1st for year
• 2480 Hypena rostralis Buttoned Snout 1 1st for year
• 1474 Ephestia parasitella unicolorella 1 1st for year
• 2102 Ochropleura plecta Flame Shoulder 1
• 409a Argyresthia trifascata 4 Garden 1st
• 2216 Cucullia umbratica Shark 1 Garden 1st
• 0247 Tinea trinotella 1
• 1693 Scopula floslactata Cream Wave 1 Garden 1st
• 1825 Eupithecia centaureata Lime-speck Pug 1
• 2284 Acronicta psi Grey Dagger agg. 2
• 1834 Eupithecia vulgata Common Pug 3
• 1819 Eupithecia exiguata Mottled Pug 1
• 0647 Hofmannophila pseudospretella Brown House-moth 1
• 0648 Endrosis sarcitrella White-shouldered House-moth 1
• 2145 Discestra trifolii Nutmeg 2
• 315 Phyllonorycter harrisella 1
• 2000 Notodonta dromedarius Iron Prominent 1
• 1859 Pasiphila chloerata Sloe Pug 1 Garden 1st
• 1893 Macaria liturata Tawny-barred Angle 1 Garden 1st
• 0449 Prays fraxinella 1 Garden 1st
• 2087 Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth 5
• 2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 2
• 2441 Autographa gamma Silver Y 1 1st for year
• 0517 Coleophora alcyonipennella Clover Case-bearer 1 Garden 1st
• 2289 Acronicta rumicis Knot Grass 1
• 2389 Paradrina clavipalpis Pale Mottled Willow 3
• 2160 Lacanobia oleracea Bright-line Brown-eye 2
• 1852 Eupithecia abbreviata Brindled Pug 2
• 1501 Platyptilia gonodactyla 1 Garden 1st
• 1356 Evergestis forficalis Garden Pebble 1
• 0017 Hepialus lupulinus Common Swift 2
• 1524 Emmelina monodactyla 1
• 1428 Aphomia sociella Bee Moth 1
• 0464 Plutella xylostella Diamond-back Moth 1
• 1998 Furcula bifida Poplar Kitten 1 Garden 1st
• 0216 Nemapogon cloacella Cork Moth 1 Garden 1st
• 2154 Mamestra brassicae Cabbage Moth 1

Night of the poisoned Dart 06/05

The best night so far as the 'Spanish Plume' continues. It may be a bit windy, but the hot, humid air is ideal for moths. Temperatures hovered around 15°C all night as the moths kept rolling in. Unfortunately due to early morning birding commitments, I can't patrol all night- like unemployed people can. So it's down to getting up earlier than the Robins and counting whats in the traps. There was also a Brucey Bonus this morning as a Whimbrel flew North over the garden- only my second record in 10 years.......

Shuttle-shaped Dart (deceased)

I know we're all getting sick of 'em- but I don't think it deserves this! Better than getting eaten by a Robin I suppose......

Flame

 Treble Lines

 Grey/Dark Dagger

 Maiden's Blush

 Common Swift

 Lychnis

Hooray! This is new for the garden. I have struggled with these type species. I have still only had one Campion to date too.

Cockchafer

Quite rare these days- so good to see, even if he's missing one antenna.

The results- 72 of 30 species-

• 2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 33
• 2333 Apamea anceps Large Nutmeg 7
• 2089 Agrotis exclamationis Heart and Dart 3
• 2087 Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth 3
• 2028 Calliteara pudibunda Pale Tussock 1 NFY
• 2284 Acronicta psi Grey Dagger 1 NFY
• 2063 Diaphora mendica Muslin Moth 1
• 2102 Ochropleura plecta Flame Shoulder 1
• 2173 Hadena bicruris Lychnis 1 Garden 1st
• 1834 Eupithecia vulgata Common Pug 1
• 2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 1
• 2003 Notodonta ziczac Pebble Prominent 1
• 1835 Eupithecia tripunctaria White-spotted Pug 1 NFY
• 2389 Paradrina clavipalpis Pale Mottled Willow 1
• 2098 Axylia putris Flame 1 NFY
• 0904 Spuleria flavicaput 1
• 2188 Orthosia incerta Clouded Drab 1
• 1680 Cyclophora punctaria Maiden's Blush 1 NFY
• 1524 Emmelina monodactyla 1
• 0998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 1
• 0648 Endrosis sarcitrella White-shouldered House-moth 1
• 0974 Argyrotaenia ljungiana 1
• 2061 Spilosoma luteum Buff Ermine 1 NFY
• 2380 Charanyca trigrammica Treble Lines 1 NFY
• 0017 Hepialus lupulinus Common Swift 1
• 2190 Orthosia gothica Hebrew Character 1
• 0649 Esperia sulphurella 1
• 1428 Aphomia sociella Bee Moth 1
• 1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 1
• 1707 Idaea seriata Small Dusty Wave 1
• 2069 Tyria jacobaeae Cinnabar 1 NFY