Late September Rush!

A few decent macros as the 'Indian Summer' continues. In fact, all of this week looks like a good chance to fill in the gaps. Disappointingly, I haven't seen too much evidence of any migrants, just a couple of Diamond-back Moths is all. 

Unfortunately, the Pinion-streaked Snout has disappeared and I have now given up after 2 days of 'lamping'.  It must of either escaped or died in the house somewhere. 

On Thursday (30th) there is a planned trip into Home Wood for some Autumnal Moths to add to the successful leaf-mining trip conducted during the day by David Manning and Trent Duval on 26th. They recorded 27 new species for the survey.

Mallow

NFY on 21st and then again 26th September.

Blair's Shoulder-knot

NFY on 23rd September.

263 Apple Leaf Miner Lyonetia clerkella 

I was hoping this was going to be #200, but it turned out to be a scarce dark form of the species.

 Beaded Chestnut

First time I've seen a white one! Common in the garden with 21 recorded so far this year.

Webb's Wainscot

2nd record this year, 24th September.

 Brown-spot Pinion

At last! In my 3rd Autumn season- been a long time coming. Garden 1st, 26th September.

 Dusky Thorn

Another good one out of the way, NFY and only the 2nd record, 26th September.

Chestnut

Autumn is truly here when these come out- it doesn't feel like it though when it's 24°C during the day. 

Pinion-streaked Snout........23/09

..........And its the world's worst photo of one! Unfortunately it is somewhere in my house having absconded from a photo shoot. Tonight I will try to lure it out using a BLB tube on the outside of a window. This technique has worked before when similar sized moths (usually micros) have flown into the house! So with any luck a full update later with some half decent shots of this garden 1st will appear shortly.

Pinion-streaked Snout

This is actually quite a rare moth in VC30 with only 9 previous records on the data base. Though this is probably not a true reflection as a fair few have probably been dismissed as micro moths.

(please do not click for big- as it won't do you any favours!)

........21st/22nd Sept.

Winds have died down and temperatures are up. This has lead to an increased catch over the last two days. Three new macros to add, but still no sign of the 200th micro for the year. The rest of the weekend and Monday looks good though, with a leaf-mining trip into Home Wood planned before the month's end.

Brindled Green

Only the 3rd record for the garden, I'm averaging one per year.......

 Deep-brown Dart

One of two caught, 20th September........

The result- 21-09-2011- Twin 15w Actinic/UV Skinner- 54 of 18 species-

• 1342 Eudonia angustea 1 
• 1524 Emmelina monodactyla 1 
• 1937 Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty 2 
• 2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 2 
• 2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 10 
•  2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 5 
•  2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 1 
•  2134 Xestia xanthographa Square-spot Rustic 1 
•  2231 Aporophyla lutulenta Deep-brown Dart 2 NFY 
•  2232 Aporophyla nigra Black Rustic 3 
•  2248 Dryobotodes eremita Brindled Green 1 NFY 
•  2252 Polymixis flavicincta Large Ranunculus 1 
•  2270 Omphaloscelis lunosa Lunar Underwing 13 
•  2274 Xanthia icteritia Sallow 1 
•  2306 Phlogophora meticulosa Angle Shades 1 
•  2353 Luperina testacea Flounced Rustic 2 
•  2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 4 
•  2389 Paradrina clavipalpis Pale Mottled Willow 3

The result- 22-09-2011- Twin 15w Actinic/UV Skinner- 55 of 16 species-

• 1745 Larentia clavaria Mallow 1 NFY 
• 1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 1 
• 1937 Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty 4 
• 1961 Campaea margaritata Light Emerald 1 
• 2087 Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth 1 
• 2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 4 
• 2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 11 
• 2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 2 
• 2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 2
• 2134 Xestia xanthographa Square-spot Rustic 2 
• 2232 Aporophyla nigra Black Rustic 1 
• 2252 Polymixis flavicincta Large Ranunculus 1 
• 2270 Omphaloscelis lunosa Lunar Underwing 19 
• 2274 Xanthia icteritia Sallow 1 
• 2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 1 
• 2389 Paradrina clavipalpis Pale Mottled Willow 3

........20/09

......Another 1 to add and some notable totals including a record 8 Black Rustics.

Beaded Chestnut

 Common Marbled Carpet

The result- 20-09-2011- Twin 15w Actinic/UV Skinner- 59 of 19 species-

• 0015 Hepialus sylvina Orange Swift 1 
• 1413 Hypsopygia costalis Gold Triangle 1 
• 1524 Emmelina monodactyla 1 
• 1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 1 
• 1937 Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty 2 
• 1961 Campaea margaritata Light Emerald 1 
• 2087 Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth 1 
• 2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 1 
• 2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 12 
• 2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 6 
• 2110 Noctua fimbriata Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing 1 
• 2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 2 
• 2134 Xestia xanthographa Square-spot Rustic 2 
• 2232 Aporophyla nigra Black Rustic 8 
• 2267 Agrochola lychnidis Beaded Chestnut 1 NFY 
• 2270 Omphaloscelis lunosa Lunar Underwing 10 
• 2353 Luperina testacea Flounced Rustic 2 
• 2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 5 
• 2441 Autographa gamma Silver Y 1

Ranunculuses.....18/19th

The catches are really beginning to tail off now. However there are still species that I have yet to see  in three Autumnal seasons. Brown-spot Pinion is one such species that springs to mind, as I have yet to see one anywhere so far........

On the micro front things have gone pretty well, poised on 199 for the year, I am just waiting for that last one. I'm just hoping I get it before I run out of year.

Large Ranunculus

New for year- 18th September.

 Lunar Underwing

 A common moth in these parts- 28 recorded up to 19th September.

440 Paraswammerdamia albicapitella

Garden 1st- 18th September

 1497 Amblyptilia acanthadactyla

New for year- 19th September

The result- 18-09-2011- Twin 15w Actinic/UV Skinner 51 of 18 species-

• 0409a Argyresthia trifasciata 5 
• 0440 Paraswammerdamia albicapitella 1 Garden 1st 
• 0998 Epiphyas postvittana Ligth Brown Apple Moth 2 
• 1309 Agriphila geniculea 1 
• 1342 Eudonia angustea 1 
• 1862 Gymnoscelis rufifasciata Double-striped Pug 1 
• 1937 Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty 7 
• 2087 Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth 1 
• 2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 10 
• 2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 1 
• 2134 Xestia xanthographa Square-spot Rustic 4 
• 2252 Polymixis flavicincta Large Ranunculus 2 NFY 
• 2269 Atethmia centrago Centre-barred Sallow 1 
• 2270 Omphaloscelis lunosa Lunar Underwing 3 
• 2299 Amphipyra tragopoginis Mouse Moth 1 
• 2353 Luperina testacea Flounced Rustic 1 
• 2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 6 
• 2389 Paradrina clavipalpis Pale Mottled Willow 3

14th & 15th September

It looks like Autumn is right on top of us as the weather starts to become unsettled. And after some high winds, the 15th yielded a few seasonal moths.

Black Rustic

 Sallow

 Frosted Orange

The result- 14-09-11- Twin 15w Actinic/UV, Twin 25w FUL Actinic Skinners- 64 0f 28 species-

•  0015 Hepialus sylvina Orange Swift 2 
•  0229 Monopis obviella 1 
•  0648 Endrosis sarcitrella White-shouldered House-moth 1 
•  0658 Carcina quercana 1 
•  0697 Agonopterix arenella 1 
•  0874 Blastobasis lacticolella 2 
•  0994 Clepsis consimilana 1 
•  1309 Agriphila geniculea 3 
•  1413 Hypsopygia costalis Gold Triangle 2  
•  1524 Emmelina monodactyla 1 
•  1937 Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty 6 
•  2087 Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth 4 
•  2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 10 
•  2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 5 
•  2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 2 
•  2134 Xestia xanthographa Square-spot Rustic 3 
•  2154 Mamestra brassicae Cabbage Moth 1 
•  2199 Mythimna pallens Common Wainscot 2 
•  2232 Aporophyla nigra Black Rustic 2 NFY 
•  2269 Atethmia centrago Centre-barred Sallow 1 
•  2270 Omphaloscelis lunosa Lunar Underwing 1 
•  2274 Xanthia icteritia Sallow 1 NFY 
•  2299 Amphipyra tragopoginis Mouse Moth 1 
•  2306 Phlogophora meticulosa Angle Shades 1 
•  2353 Luperina testacea Flounced Rustic 7 
•  2361 Hydraecia micacea Rosy Rustic 1 
•  2364 Gortyna flavago Frosted Orange 1 NFY 
•  2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 2

On 15th the traps were relatively empty, but I found this indoors-

216 Cork Moth Nemapogon cloacella

 I'm not sure which one- but looks to be new for the garden. I've sent these record shots to D. Manning, but have also retained the moth just in case......No, not new for the garden- it's a 2nd record. It was a debutant 7th May.........ID D. Manning.

Early September..........

.................and not too much in he way of highlights. And who would expect it, in a week where I've probably had Manx Shearwaters flying over my head only to ditch tantalisingly close in Cambridgeshire!

However, the 8th provided a respite and I even recorded a few micros. Among them, these two-

Epinotia sp??

 

At this time of year, I think this is probably Epinotia immundana (1136) and I did record it last year.......

294 Aspilapteryx tringipennella

A garden 1st- and I may just record 200 micros for the year. Just 3 more species to find and there is still a few in reserve waiting for ID.....

On 9th, the only new moth was a single Lunar Underwing.........

 Small Wainscot

I wondered whether I would ever record this as it is another elusive (for me anyway) woodland species. But finally it's on the list, trapped on 10th September.

That's 8 Wainscot sp. for the year, the others are;  Common, Smoky, Webb's, Twin-spotted, Bulrush, Large and Mere. 

Square-'spotless' Rustic?

Has anyone else seen one of these? 10th September. 

The Secret Weapon! 04/09

Scarce Moths have nowhere to hide when you've got a couple of these............

Simply arm them with basic field equipment; torches and nets- in Keely's case, a personalised pink-handled net. Then let them loose in the garden with 3 traps set up in stratigic places. Though this time it just didn't work as the wind strengthened and the temperature plummeted. No new moths and a disappointingly low catch, the kids loved it though.......

The Moth Patrol 

Keely and Louie pictured with the Twin 25w FUL trap in the background.

The result from 3 traps-04-09-11- 174 of 24 species-

• 0015 Hepialus sylvina Orange Swift 5 
• 0648 Endrosis sarcitrella White-shouldered House-moth 1 
• 0998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 1 
• 1048 Acleris variegana Garden Rose Tortrix 1 
• 1304 Agriphila straminella 1 
• 1305 Agriphila tristella 1 
• 1309 Agriphila geniculea 17 
• 1524 Emmelina monodactyla 2 
• 1742 Camptogramma bilineata Yellow Shell 1 
• 1862 Gymnoscelis rufifasciata Double-striped Pug 1 
• 2087 Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth 6 
• 2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 41 
• 2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 8 
• 2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 8 
• 2134 Xestia xanthographa Square-spot Rustic 12 
• 2145 Discestra trifolii Nutmeg 2 
• 2154 Mamestra brassicae Cabbage Moth 1 
• 2199 Mythimna pallens Common Wainscot 5 
• 2297x Amphipyra pyramidea agg. Copper Underwings 3 
• 2299 Amphipyra tragopoginis Mouse Moth 2 
• 2353 Luperina testacea Flounced Rustic 35 
• 2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 12 
• 2389 Paradrina clavipalpis Pale Mottled Willow 7 
• 2477 Hypena proboscidalis Snout 1

Trent's Offy Run 03/08

A much improved night; its amazing just how much more is about after a short run of warm days. Though it seems it could be short lived as the wind and rain sweep back in. It was joked at the end of April/start of May that Summer was over and in hind sight the statement was pretty much correct as the weather has been a lot colder/wetter/windier than normal. Perhaps a so-called 'Indian Summer' can lift our spirits and list totals.

Anyway, the upshot was that important gaps were filled. With the afore mentioned in a previous post- Burnished Brass, finally making an appearance. NFYs totaled 3 of which 2 were brand new for the garden.

Trent's earlier fertile run seems to have fallen on stony ground and a trip to the offy now looks inevitable (again!). I say again.......he still hasn't obliged me from last year's wager. So heres a few photos, not including a pristine garden 1st Ypsolopha sequella that escaped my camera this morning!

Feathered Gothic

This is the 1st 'Gothic' type moth I've ever had in the garden.

 Burnished Brass

A long awaited year tick.

 Centre-barred Sallow

2 of 3 caught, the other was a bit battered!

The result- 03-09-11- Twin 15w Actinic/UV, Twin 25w FUL Actinic- 310 of 43 species-

•  0015 Hepialus sylvina Orange Swift 5 
•  0229 Monopis obviella 1 
•  0462 Ypsolopha sequella 1 Garden 1st 
•  0647 Hofmannophila pseudospretella Brown House-moth 1 
•  0648 Endrosis sarcitrella White-shouldered House-moth 1 
•  0658 Carcina quercana 1 
•  0697 Agonopterix arenella 1 
•  0873 Blastobasis adustella 1 
•  1048 Acleris variegana 1 
•  1063 Celypha striana 1 
•  1309 Agriphila geniculea 41 
•  1316 Catoptria falsella 1 
•  1331 Acentria ephemerella Water Veneer 50 circa 
•  1342 Eudonia angustea 2 
•  1348 Parapoynx stratiotata Ringed China-mark 1 
•  1524 Emmelina monodactyla 4 
•  1690 Scopula imitaria Small Blood-vein 1 
•  1707 Idaea seriata Small Dusty Wave 1 
•  1728 Xanthorhoe fluctuata Garden Carpet 1 
•  1742 Camptogramma bilineata Yellow Shell 2 
•  1776 Colostygia pectinataria Green Carpet 1 
•  1867 Aplocera plagiata Treble-bar 1 
•  1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 2 
•  1937 Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty 2 
•  1956 Cabera exanthemata Common Wave 1 
•  1961 Campaea margaritata Light Emerald 1 
•  2064 Phragmatobia fuliginosa Ruby Tiger 1 
•  2087 Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth 3 
•  2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 47 
•  2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 5 
•  2111 Noctua janthe Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing 1 
•  2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 11 
•  2134 Xestia xanthographa Square-spot Rustic 20 
•  2178 Tholera decimalis Feathered Gothic 1 Garden 1st 
•  2199 Mythimna pallens Common Wainscot 11 
•  2269 Atethmia centrago Centre-barred Sallow 3 
•  2299 Amphipyra tragopoginis Mouse Moth 5 
•  2300 Mormo maura Old Lady 1 
•  2303 Thalpophila matura Straw Underwing 1 
•  2353 Luperina testacea Flounced Rustic 28 
•  2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 38 
•  2389 Paradrina clavipalpis Pale Mottled Willow 7 
•  2434 Diachrysia chrysitis Burnished Brass 1 NFY

The Garden...........02/09

Large Wainscot

The Result- Twin 15w Actinic/UV Skinner-173 of 32 species-

•  0647 Hofmannophila pseudospretella Brown House-moth 1 
•  0658 Carcina quercana 2 
•  0692 Agonopterix subpropinquella 1 
•  1063 Celypha striana 1 
•  1309 Agriphila geniculea 33 
•  1439 Trachycera advenella 1 
•  1742 Camptogramma bilineata Yellow Shell 2 
•  1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 1 
•  1768 Thera obeliscata Grey Pine Carpet 1 
•  1825 Eupithecia centaureata Lime-speck Pug 2 
•  1862 Gymnoscelis rufifasciata Double-striped Pug 1 
•  1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 2 
•  1937 Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty 3 
•  2087 Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth 1 
•  2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 1 
•  2102 Ochropleura plecta Flame Shoulder 2 
•  2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 38 
•  2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 4 
•  2111 Noctua janthe Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing 2 
•  2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 2 
•  2134 Xestia xanthographa Square-spot Rustic 9 
•  2145 Discestra trifolii Nutmeg 1 
•  2199 Mythimna pallens Common Wainscot 7 
•  2269 Atethmia centrago Centre-barred Sallow 2 
•  2297x Amphipyra pyramidea agg. Copper Underwings 1 
•  2303 Thalpophila matura Straw Underwing 2 
•  2353 Luperina testacea Flounced Rustic 24 
•  2369 Nonagria typhae Bulrush Wainscot 1 
•  2375 Rhizedra lutosa Large Wainscot 1 NFY 
•  2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 10 
•  2389 Paradrina clavipalpis Pale Mottled Willow 7

Home Wood Survey 31-08

After a haul of 90+ species just under 1 month ago, I did expect a fairly good catch. But in 2 1/2 hours we only managed 22 species. Conditions seemed to be good, although temperatures had been fairly low over the previous few nights. That said there were a few highlights- one being getting home at a reasonable hour!

Square-spotted Clay

This was the star moth of the evening.............

 Centre-barred Sallow

A nice fresh one!

 460 Ypsolopha parenthesella

1 of 2 caught.

The result- 8.00-10.30- Twin 25w Actinic Skinner, 80w MV Skinner- 61 of 22 species-

• 0460 Ypsolopha parenthesella 2 NFS
• 0658 Carcina quercana 3 
• 0969 Pandemis corylana Chequered Fruit-tree Tortrix 2 
• 0972 Pandemis heparana Dark Fruit-tree Tortrix 1 NFS
• 1304 Agriphila straminella 2 
• 1405 Pleuroptya ruralis Moth of Pearl 1 
• 1682 Timandra comae Blood-vein 1 NFS
• 1722 Xanthorhoe designata Flame Carpet 1 
• 1742 Camptogramma bilineata Yellow Shell 1 
• 1776 Colostygia pectinataria Green Carpet 20 
• 1893 Macaria liturata Tawny-barred Angle 1 
• 1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 3 
• 1937 Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty 3 
• 1961 Campaea margaritata Light Emerald 2 
• 2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 2 
• 2131 Xestia rhomboidea Square-spotted Clay 1 NFS
• 2134 Xestia xanthographa Square-spot Rustic 7 NFS
• 2269 Atethmia centrago Centre-barred Sallow 1 NFS
• 2474 Rivula sericealis Straw Dot 1 
• 2477 Hypena proboscidalis Snout 4

+ 2 micros to be Identified by DV Manning.