.......and still they come

Overnight conditions were mild but extremely wet. Just one trap out, though it was under the overhanging shed roof. 8 species is exceptional for this time of year, also nice to see there is still some migrants around.

 Rusty Dot Pearl Udea ferrugalis

December Moth

After keeping this female in a pot for a day, it layed eggs which will hopefully hatch in the next few weeks. They are common in my garden, probably on account of the mature Hawthorn on two of the boundaries. Apparently, they also feed on Oak and Birch.

Upper Caldecote Garden- 22-11-2014- 1x Twin T12 Synergetic Skinner, 8 of 8 species

0464  Diamond-back Moth (Plutella xylostella)  1
1395  Rusty-dot Pearl (Udea ferrugalis)  1
1524  Emmelina monodactyla  1
1631  December Moth (Poecilocampa populi)  1 NFY
1799  Winter Moth (Operophtera brumata)  1
2240  Blair's Shoulder-knot (Lithophane leautieri)  1
2259  Dark Chestnut (Conistra ligula)  1
2263  Red-line Quaker (Agrochola lota)  1

500 up..............

For the 2nd year in a row I've managed to record 500 species in the garden. I haven't trapped quite as much this year, but even so would have struggled to beat last year's 522 species. These are my last four NFY's.

Sprawler

Only the 2nd garden record on 14th November. Last caught, 9th November 2009.

Mottled Umber

This is the 5th record of this species. One per year since 2010. NFY, 15th November.

Winter Moth

Common in the garden and usually seen first at the beginning of the year. NFY, 15th November 

Scarce Umber 

 Only the 3rd record. NFY, 18th November. Last seen 28th November 2011.

October top 20

I did this last year with a very different outcome. It shows clearly just how good an October it was in 2013.  Last year's winner has been relegated to 4th place and to put it in context, I caught 63 Setaceous Hebrew Character on just one night ( 2nd October 2013). Whereas in 2014 it took a whole month to catch just 33! (not that I'm complaining)

October 2014

2267 Agrochola lychnidis  Beaded Chestnut 63
2092 Agrotis puta  Shuttle-shaped Dart  54
2240 Lithophane leautieri hesperica  Blair's Shoulder-knot 52
2126 Xestia c-nigrum  Setaceous Hebrew Character 33
2232 Aporophyla nigra  Black Rustic 31
2270 Omphaloscelis lunosa  Lunar Underwing 26
1795x Epirrita dilutata agg.  November Moth agg. 19
0998 Epiphyas postvittana  Light Brown Apple Moth 18
2107 Noctua pronuba  Large Yellow Underwing 17
1760 Chloroclysta siterata  Red-green Carpet 15
1937 Peribatodes rhomboidaria  Willow Beauty 15
2245 Allophyes oxyacanthae  Green-brindled Crescent  14
2263 Agrochola lota   Red-line Quaker 13
1745 Larentia clavaria  Mallow 12
2109 Noctua comes  Lesser Yellow Underwing 12
1764 Chloroclysta truncata  Common Marbled Carpet 11
2231 Aporophyla lutulenta  Deep-brown Dart 11
1395 Udea ferrugalis  Rusty-dot Pearl 9
2375 Rhizedra lutosa  Large Wainscot 8
0464 Plutella xylostella  Diamond-back Moth 8

October 2013

2126 Xestia c-nigrum  Setaceous Hebrew Character 208
2107 Noctua pronuba  Large Yellow Underwing 118
2267 Agrochola lychnidis  Beaded Chestnut 117
2240 Lithophane leautieri  Blair's Shoulder-knot 76
2389 Paradrina clavipalpis  Pale Mottled Willow 44
2232 Aporophyla nigra  Black Rustic 39
2109 Noctua comes  Lesser Yellow Underwing 39
2270 Omphaloscelis lunosa  Lunar Underwing 35
1937 Peribatodes rhomboidaria  Willow Beauty 31
2091 Agrotis ipsilon   Dark Sword-grass 19
1745 Larentia clavaria  Mallow 19
2092 Agrotis puta  Shuttle-shaped Dart  17
2306 Phlogophora meticulosa  Angle Shades 15
0998 Epiphyas postvittana  Light Brown Apple Moth 14
2264 Agrochola macilenta  Yellow-line Quaker  12
2375 Rhizedra lutosa  Large Wainscot 12
1764 Chloroclysta truncata  Common Marbled Carpet 11
1760 Chloroclysta siterata  Red-green Carpet 9
2263 Agrochola lota   Red-line Quaker 8
1524 Emmelina monodactyla 8

Hoopoe- Willington, Beds

I know it isn't a moth! I am just glad to finally catch up with a Hoopoe in Bedfordshire. Photos taken with Louie's Lumix camera held crudely onto a Kowa 823 scope with 30x wide eyepiece. These were the only passable shots. 

Hoopoe- Willington, Beds 5th October 2014

Leaf Miners

Over the last few days I've tried to find as many different leaf mines in the garden as I can. My inadvertent decision many years ago to plant mainly indigenous species really has payed off. Some species are detectable in Summer, but the best time seems to be September/October.
The main reason for doing this is the fact that my wine is under threat by the ever active Trent Duval. He recently sent a lorry load of test tubes to micro recorder David Manning. This single act catapulted him into the lead as he recorded a huge amount of new micro moths for the year. Knowing that any commanding lead at this stage of the season could mean certain doom for any opponent.

It's not over yet Trent..........................

0110  Stigmella betulicola

NFG- tenanted mines in Birch

0357  Phyllonorycter stettinensis

NFG- Mine in Alder

0034  Ectoedemia occultella

NFY- Early gallery mine in Birch

0272  Bucculatrix cidarella

NFY- Mine in Alder

Upper Caldecote garden Leaf Mine list for 01-10-2014- 28 species

0006  Eriocrania sp. Birch NFY
0034  Ectoedemia occultella  Birch NFY
0050  Stigmella aurella  Bramble NFY
0075  Stigmella floslactella  Hazel & Hornbeam NFY
0099  Stigmella hybnerella  Hawthorn NFY
0100  Stigmella oxyacanthella  Hawthorn NFG
0107  Stigmella regiella  Hawthorn NFY
0110  Stigmella betulicola  Birch NFG
0111  Stigmella microtheriella  Hazel NFY
0254  Laburnum Leaf Miner (Leucoptera laburnella)  Laburnum NFY
0263  Apple Leaf Miner (Lyonetia clerkella) Hawthorn, Rowan, Birch
0272  Bucculatrix cidarella  Alder NFY
0275  Bucculatrix bechsteinella  Hawthorn NFY
0293  Caloptilia syringella  Lilac, Forsythia NFY
0303  Parornix anglicella  Hawthorn
0304  Parornix devoniella  Hazel NFY
0310  Callisto denticulella  Apple NFY
0318  Phyllonorycter tenerella  Hornbeam NFY
0323  Phyllonorycter oxyacanthae  Hawthorn NFY
0326  Phyllonorycter blancardella  Apple NFY
0332  Phyllonorycter corylifoliella  Hawthorn, Apple, Pear NFY
0342  Nut Leaf Blister Moth (Phyllonorycter coryli)  Hazel NFY
0343  Phyllonorycter esperella  Hornbeam NFY
0353  Phyllonorycter ulmifoliella  Birch NFY
0357  Phyllonorycter stettinensis  Alder NFG
0358  Phyllonorycter froelichiella  Alder NFY
0360  Phyllonorycter kleemannella  Alder NFG
0362  Phyllonorycter acerifoliella  Field Maple NFY

Another NFG!

Still ticking along as the unusually warm September comes to an end. On 30th, another good trapping session produced another garden 1st.

Autumnal Rustic

This is a species I have been expecting, but it seems to be stubbornly rare in mid Bedfordshire.

Eyes now turn to possible migrants, with the first Dark Sword-grass turning up on 29th.

Upper Caldecote garden- 30-10-2014-1 trap- 97 of 22 species-

1048  Garden Rose Tortrix (Acleris variegana)  1
1413  Gold Triangle (Hypsopygia costalis)  1
1764  Common Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta truncata)  1
1937  Willow Beauty (Peribatodes rhomboidaria)  3
1961  Light Emerald (Campaea margaritata)  1
2092  Shuttle-shaped Dart (Agrotis puta)  9
2107  Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba)  4
2109  Lesser Yellow Underwing (Noctua comes)  3
2117  Autumnal Rustic (Eugnorisma glareosa)  1 NFG
2126  Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum)  11
2199  Common Wainscot (Mythimna pallens)  5
2231  Deep-brown Dart (Aporophyla lutulenta)  6
2232  Black Rustic (Aporophyla nigra)  7
2240  Blair's Shoulder-knot (Lithophane leautieri hesperica)  7
2252  Large Ranunculus (Polymixis flavicincta)  1
2267  Beaded Chestnut (Agrochola lychnidis)  6
2270  Lunar Underwing (Omphaloscelis lunosa)  12
2272  Barred Sallow (Xanthia aurago)  1
2361  Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea)  1
2384  Vine's Rustic (Hoplodrina ambigua)  1
2389  Pale Mottled Willow (Paradrina clavipalpis)  4
2477  Snout (Hypena proboscidalis)  1

The End of Summer........

.........usually means the end of huge amounts of 'brown stuff' and heralds the beginning of more manageable numbers and the odd splash of colour.

Brown-spot Pinion f. rufa-pallida

 I don't get many B-s P's anyway. But have never seen the aberrant form before.

Centre-barred Sallow

Deep-brown Dart

Large & Small Ranunculus

 Caught on 18th September, this is the first time I've ever caught both on the same night. Whereas Large Ranunculus have remained fairly constant (4-5 per year), Small Ranunculus have become much more common. The late second generation idividuals overlap with their larger name sakes.

Orange Sallow

Sallow

White-point

A good year for these- this is my 3rd record so far.

New Macro- 14-09

After weeks of standard brown noctuids in the trap, the 14th September finally had something slightly more interesting. Two NFY's and a NFG in the shape of a superb Lunar Yellow Underwing. I've been looking out for this after the first VC30 confirmation in Spring this year. This is now the 2nd confirmed record of this declining, but probably overlooked species.

Lunar Yellow Underwing

In the same trap a Deep-brown Dart was also new but expected. More eye catching was this totally pink Vestal. A variation I haven't ever seen before.

Vestal

Also a couple of notables from last week.

Brown-spot Pinion

 NFY- 11th September

Feathered Gothic

 NFY- 9th September. Only my second ever record

 Upper Caldecote Garden- 14-09-2014, Twin 20w Synergetic Skinner- 80 moths of 21 species

1309  Agriphila geniculea  1
1316  Catoptria falsella  1
1342  Eudonia angustea  1
1413  Gold Triangle (Hypsopygia costalis)  3
1524  Emmelina monodactyla  1
1716  Vestal (Rhodometra sacraria)  1 NFY
1728  Garden Carpet (Xanthorhoe fluctuata)  1
1906  Brimstone Moth (Opisthograptis luteolata)  2
1937  Willow Beauty (Peribatodes rhomboidaria)  10
1961  Light Emerald (Campaea margaritata)  3
2092  Shuttle-shaped Dart (Agrotis puta)  8
2107  Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba)  20
2108  Lunar Yellow Underwing (Noctua orbona)  1 NFG
2109  Lesser Yellow Underwing (Noctua comes)  2
2126  Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum)  11
2134  Square-spot Rustic (Xestia xanthographa)  3
2199  Common Wainscot (Mythimna pallens)  1
2231  Deep-brown Dart (Aporophyla lutulenta)  1 NFY
2270  Lunar Underwing (Omphaloscelis lunosa)  7
2353  Flounced Rustic (Luperina testacea)  1
2384  Vine's Rustic (Hoplodrina ambigua)  1

Ptocheuusa paupella.........

Really struggling to trap anything worth much of a mention recently as Awful August drew to a close. But a decent list from 28th yielded a new micro for the garden. NFG's as expected, are getting fewer and further between these days after a halcyon year in 2013.

748 Ptocheuusa paupella

Only the 5th record for VC30- though probably under recorded due to a lack of interest!

Upper Caldecote Garden- 28-08-2014- 2 traps- 343 of 40 species

0015  Orange Swift (Hepialus sylvina)  7

0464  Diamond-back Moth (Plutella xylostella)  2

0647  Brown House Moth (Hofmannophila pseudospretella)  2

0748  Ptocheuusa paupella  1 NFG

0998  Light Brown Apple Moth (Epiphyas postvittana)  2

1076  Celypha lacunana  2

1134  Epinotia ramella  1

1260  Cydia splendana  1

1305  Agriphila tristella  3

1309  Agriphila geniculea  51

1413  Gold Triangle (Hypsopygia costalis)  1

1524  Emmelina monodactyla  1

1651  Chinese Character (Cilix glaucata)  7

1707  Small Dusty Wave (Idaea seriata)  1

1742  Yellow Shell (Camptogramma bilineata)  2

1906  Brimstone Moth (Opisthograptis luteolata)  5

1914  Dusky Thorn (Ennomos fuscantaria)  1

1937  Willow Beauty (Peribatodes rhomboidaria)  2

1961  Light Emerald (Campaea margaritata)  1

2007  Swallow Prominent (Pheosia tremula)  1

2087  Turnip Moth (Agrotis segetum)  4

2092  Shuttle-shaped Dart (Agrotis puta)  5

2102  Flame Shoulder (Ochropleura plecta)  6

2107  Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba)  85

2109  Lesser Yellow Underwing (Noctua comes)  5

2110  Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (Noctua fimbriata)  1

2111  Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (Noctua janthe)  5

2126  Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum)  43

2134  Square-spot Rustic (Xestia xanthographa)  29

2154  Cabbage Moth (Mamestra brassicae)  1

2199  Common Wainscot (Mythimna pallens)  10

2297x  Copper Underwings (Amphipyra pyramidea agg.)  2

2299  Mouse Moth (Amphipyra tragopoginis)  1

2303  Straw Underwing (Thalpophila matura)  2

2343x  Common Rustic agg. (Mesapamea secalis agg.)  1

2353  Flounced Rustic (Luperina testacea)  21

2384  Vine's Rustic (Hoplodrina ambigua)  22

2389  Pale Mottled Willow (Paradrina clavipalpis)  4

2450  Spectacle (Abrostola tripartita)  1

2477  Snout (Hypena proboscidalis)  1

selasella vs tristella

This is very topical at this time of year. This excellent page is from Northumberland Moths............ Despite looking at many tristella, I have yet to turn one into the much scarcer selasella.

Home Wood 02-07-14

The perfect storm of three pairs of eyes, five different light positions and the best conditions of the year leant themselves to a massive list. There are still a few gen. dets. to do of both macros and micros. So expect quite a few extras to be added and hopefully something new for VC30. We ran all lights along one ride running east to west using three different generators. No doubt a huge amount to add to the overall list for the wood, when I get a minute!

Lights/traps used-

160w Blended MV Robinson
125w MV Robinson
80w Actinic/tungsten combo Skinner
80w MV Skinner
80w MV bulkhead on tripod with vertical sheet

Combined list of all traps 2100- 0245 216 species so far......

0014  Ghost Moth (Hepialus humuli)  2
0017  Common Swift (Hepialus lupulinus)  2
0018  Map-winged Swift (Hepialus fusconebulosa)  1
0161  Leopard Moth (Zeuzera pyrina)  2
0246  Tinea semifulvella  1
0385  Anthophila fabriciana  1
0410  Argyresthia brockeella  2
0411  Argyresthia goedartella  1
0422  Argyresthia albistria  1
0424  Bird-cherry Ermine (Yponomeuta evonymella)  1
0441  Paraswammerdamia nebulella  3
0449  Ash Bud Moth (Prays fraxinella)  7
0464  Diamond-back Moth (Plutella xylostella)  1
0640  Batia lunaris  1
0642  Batia unitella  4
0647  Brown House Moth (Hofmannophila pseudospretella)  2
0648  White-shouldered House Moth (Endrosis sarcitrella)  1
0658  Carcina quercana  2
0726  Metzneria metzneriella  1
0731  Eulamprotes atrella  1
0787  Bryotropha terrella  6
0844  Syncopacma larseniella  5
0874  Blastobasis lacticolella  3
0905  Blastodacna hellerella  2
0937  Agapeta hamana  11
0938  Agapeta zoegana  8
0946  Aethes rubigana  1
0965  Cochylis hybridella  2
0970  Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix (Pandemis cerasana)  15
0972  Dark Fruit-tree Tortrix (Pandemis heparana)  3
0977  Large Fruit-tree Tortrix (Archips podana)  7
0979  Archips crataegana  9
0980  Variegated Golden Tortrix (Archips xylosteana)  4
0989  Timothy Tortrix (Aphelia paleana)  1
0993  Cyclamen Tortrix (Clepsis spectrana)  2
0994  Clepsis consimilana  1
1001  Lozotaeniodes formosanus  1
1010  Red-barred Tortrix (Ditula angustiorana)  5
1011  Pseudargyrotoza conwagana  1
1013  Olindia schumacherana  5
1020  Grey Tortrix (Cnephasia stephensiana)  1
1032  Aleimma loeflingiana  53
1033  Green Oak Tortrix (Tortrix viridana)  6
1036  Acleris forsskaleana  2
1037  Acleris holmiana  1
1047  Acleris schalleriana  1
1050  Acleris kochiella  1
1053  Acleris hastiana  1
1063  Celypha striana  5
1076  Celypha lacunana  10
1082  Plum Tortrix (Hedya pruniana)  5
1083  Marbled Orchard Tortrix (Hedya nubiferana)  3
1084  Hedya ochroleucana  1
1086  Hedya salicella  3
1094  Apotomis capreana  2
1113  Eudemis profundana  1
1115  Ancylis achatana  2
1133  Epinotia bilunana  1
1150  Epinotia abbreviana  15
1155  Epinotia brunnichana  3
1159  Holly Tortrix (Rhopobota naevana)  2
1163  Spruce Bud Moth (Zeiraphera ratzeburgiana)  1
1165  Zeiraphera isertana  13
1168  Gypsonoma sociana  2
1169  Gypsonoma dealbana  1
1175  Bramble Shoot Moth (Epiblema uddmanniana)  4
1200  Eucosma hohenwartiana  1
1201  Eucosma cana  6
1202  Eucosma obumbratana  10
1205  Bud Moth (Spilonota ocellana)  1
1236  Pammene fasciana  1
1288  Twenty-plume Moth (Alucita hexadactyla)  1
1293  Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella)  15
1294  Crambus pascuella  3
1301  Crambus lathoniellus  1
1302  Crambus perlella  1
1304  Agriphila straminella  5
1313  Catoptria pinella  1
1331  Water Veneer (Acentria ephemerella)  10
1333  Scoparia pyralella  1
1334  Scoparia ambigualis  9
1334a  Scoparia basistrigalis  15
1338  Dipleurina lacustrata  9
1376  Small Magpie (Eurrhypara hortulata)  2
1378  Phlyctaenia coronata  1
1390  Udea prunalis  2
1392  Udea olivalis  2
1405  Mother of Pearl (Pleuroptya ruralis)  12
1413  Gold Triangle (Hypsopygia costalis)  1
1415  Orthopygia glaucinalis  3
1424  Endotricha flammealis  1
1428  Bee Moth (Aphomia sociella)  1
1433  Cryptoblabes bistriga  1
1436  Conobathra repandana  11
1452  Phycita roborella  1
1461  Assara terebrella  3
1470  Euzophera pinguis  1
1474  Ephestia parasitella  2
1483  Phycitodes binaevella  1
1513  White Plume Moth (Pterophorus pentadactyla)  2
1651  Chinese Character (Cilix glaucata)  2
1652  Peach Blossom (Thyatira batis)  10
1653  Buff Arches (Habrosyne pyritoides)  6
1669  Common Emerald (Hemithea aestivaria)  1
1680  Maiden's Blush (Cyclophora punctaria)  1
1682  Blood-vein (Timandra comae)  4
1702  Small Fan-footed Wave (Idaea biselata)  25
1705  Dwarf Cream Wave (Idaea fuscovenosa)  15
1708  Single-dotted Wave (Idaea dimidiata)  5
1711  Treble Brown Spot (Idaea trigeminata)  5
1713  Riband Wave (Idaea aversata)  19
1726  Large Twin-spot Carpet (Xanthorhoe quadrifasiata)  30
1728  Garden Carpet (Xanthorhoe fluctuata)  1
1732  Shaded Broad-bar (Scotopteryx chenopodiata)  4
1738  Common Carpet (Epirrhoe alternata)  1
1752  Purple Bar (Cosmorhoe ocellata)  1
1758  Barred Straw (Eulithis pyraliata)  4
1759  Small Phoenix (Ecliptopera silaceata)  1
1765  Barred Yellow (Cidaria fulvata)  1
1769  Spruce Carpet (Thera britannica)  1
1777  July Highflyer (Hydriomena furcata)  3
1784  Pretty Chalk Carpet (Melanthia procellata)  2
1791  Brown Scallop (Philereme vetulata)  3
1813  Haworth's Pug (Eupithecia haworthiata)  1
1817  Foxglove Pug (Eupithecia pulchellata)  1
1830  Wormwood Pug (Eupithecia absinthiata)  1
1834  Common Pug (Eupithecia vulgata)  1
1837  Grey Pug (Eupithecia subfuscata)  2
1856  Larch Pug (Eupithecia lariciata)  1
1858  V-Pug (Chloroclystis v-ata)  2
1860  Green Pug (Pasiphila rectangulata)  6
1862  Double-striped Pug (Gymnoscelis rufifasciata)  2
1874  Dingy Shell (Euchoeca nebulata)  3
1876  Small Yellow Wave (Hydrelia flammeolaria)  2
1887  Clouded Border (Lomaspilis marginata)  22
1888  Scorched Carpet (Ligdia adustata)  1
1893  Tawny-barred Angle (Macaria liturata)  3
1906  Brimstone Moth (Opisthograptis luteolata)  7
1917  Early Thorn (Selenia dentaria)  1
1921  Scalloped Oak (Crocallis elinguaria)  1
1922  Swallow-tailed Moth (Ourapteryx sambucaria)  5
1931  Peppered Moth (Biston betularia)  6
1937  Willow Beauty (Peribatodes rhomboidaria)  1
1940  Satin Beauty (Deileptenia ribeata)  1
1941  Mottled Beauty (Alcis repandata)  11
1947  Engrailed (Ectropis bistortata)  9
1955  Common White Wave (Cabera pusaria)  11
1956  Common Wave (Cabera exanthemata)  3
1958  Clouded Silver (Lomographa temerata)  31
1961  Light Emerald (Campaea margaritata)  5
1962  Barred Red (Hylaea fasciaria)  3
1976  Privet Hawk-moth (Sphinx ligustri)  2
1978  Pine Hawk-moth (Hyloicus pinastri)  1
1981  Poplar Hawk-moth (Laothoe populi)  2
1991  Elephant Hawk-moth (Deilephila elpenor)  1
1994  Buff-tip (Phalera bucephala)  4
2007  Swallow Prominent (Pheosia tremula)  1
2008  Coxcomb Prominent (Ptilodon capucina)  1
2009  Maple Prominent (Ptilodon cucullina)  3
2029  Brown-tail (Euproctis chrysorrhoea)  3
2030  Yellow-tail (Euproctis similis)  11
2031  White Satin (Leucoma salicis)  2
2033  Black Arches (Lymantria monacha)  1
2044  Dingy Footman (Eilema griseola)  3
2047  Scarce Footman (Eilema complana)  3
2049  Buff Footman (Eilema depressa)  20
2050  Common Footman (Eilema lurideola)  4
2061  Buff Ermine (Spilosoma luteum)  1
2069  Cinnabar (Tyria jacobaeae)  1
2077  Short-cloaked Moth (Nola cucullatella)  4
2088  Heart and Club (Agrotis clavis)  3
2089  Heart and Dart (Agrotis exclamationis)  4
2098  Flame (Axylia putris)  2
2102  Flame Shoulder (Ochropleura plecta)  1
2107  Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba)  5
2109  Lesser Yellow Underwing (Noctua comes)  2
2110  Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (Noctua fimbriata)  1
2126  Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum)  2
2128  Double Square-spot (Xestia triangulum)  2
2147  Shears (Hada nana)  1
2160  Bright-line Brown-eye (Lacanobia oleracea)  2
2192  Brown-line Bright Eye (Mythimna conigera)  2
2193  Clay (Mythimna ferrago)  2
2198  Smoky Wainscot (Mythimna impura)  5
2225  Minor Shoulder-knot (Brachylomia viminalis)  1
2278  Poplar Grey (Acronicta megacephala)  1
2279  Sycamore (Acronicta aceris)  1
2302  Brown Rustic (Rusina ferruginea)  6
2314  Dingy Shears (Parastichtis ypsillon)  1
2318  Dun-bar (Cosmia trapezina)  10
2319  Lunar-spotted Pinion (Cosmia pyralina)  1
2321  Dark Arches (Apamea monoglypha)  11
2326  Clouded-bordered Brindle (Apamea crenata)  1
2327  Clouded Brindle (Apamea epomidion)  1
2335  Slender Brindle (Apamea scolopacina)  5
2337x  Marbled Minor agg. (Oligia strigilis agg.)  5
2339  Tawny Marbled Minor (Oligia latruncula)  2
2343x  Common Rustic agg. (Mesapamea secalis agg.)  2
2345  Small Dotted Buff (Photedes minima)  9
2349  Mere Wainscot (Chortodes fluxa)  5
2381  Uncertain (Hoplodrina alsines)  3
2382  Rustic (Hoplodrina blanda)  2
2410  Marbled White Spot (Protodeltote pygarga)  14
2421  Scarce Silver-lines (Bena bicolorana)  2
2422  Green Silver-lines (Pseudoips prasinana)  1
2423  Oak Nycteoline (Nycteola revayana)  4
2425  Nut-tree Tussock (Colocasia coryli)  1
2434  Burnished Brass (Diachrysia chrysitis)  1
2442  Beautiful Golden Y (Autographa pulchrina)  1
2450  Spectacle (Abrostola tripartita)  2
2466  Blackneck (Lygephila pastinum)  1
2473  Beautiful Hook-tip (Laspeyria flexula)  12
2474  Straw Dot (Rivula sericealis)  24
2477  Snout (Hypena proboscidalis)  14
2489  Fan-foot (Zanclognatha tarsipennalis)  6
2492  Small Fan-foot (Herminia grisealis)  4

Trent, Matt, Ben

Pug Sp. 26/06

This looks a little different to me both in size and shape. At first glance looks like a Common Pug, but rests with tail heavily curved up. At 24mm wingspan, it's a bit of a brute in Pug terms. What do you think?
I found this page on British Lepidoptera, the detail on the tornus area of the hind wing is diagnostic.

Plain Pug

...........NFG, 26th June 2014. Macro #350 for the garden.

NFG's bring up 300......

Hectic to say the least of late and as usual, miles behind with my records. Big totals and the World Cup have been to blame as I try to cram in every game. But all that said, 300 species are now in the bag- constituting 111 Micros and 189 Macros.
New moths are getting harder to find these days as my lists begin to stagnate. But two new macros, the first this year have revitalised my interest...........

Small Angle Shades

I've been waiting for this a very long time after a suspected one evaded my pot on a humid night back in 2010. NFG 20th June.

Marbled Coronet

 ........and I haven't even had Varied Coronet this year.............

Other notables have included Small Seraphim, Red-necked Footman, Round-winged Muslin and what looks like a ridiculously early Square-spot Rustic caught on 21st June!

Monster!, Monster!

The 13th June was a special night with 27 species new for year. A list of 100 species is a very good total by any stretch of the imagination. But this is the first time I've done it with just one trap. Also included was Bucculatrix cristatella (no 101) which was found during the day as a mine on Yarrow. To cap it off, I even recorded a new moth for the garden in the shape of this, otherwise known as a Yarrow Plume.

1504 Platyptilia pallidactyla

Upper Caldecote Garden- Twin 20w Synergetic Skinner- 266 of 101 species 13-06-2014

  Cnephasia species (Cnephasia sp.)  1
0265  Bucculatrix cristatella  1 Mine on Yarrow NFY
0449  Ash Bud Moth (Prays fraxinella)  1 NFY
0647  Brown House Moth (Hofmannophila pseudospretella)  1
0719  Ethmia quadrillella  1 NFY
0905  Blastodacna hellerella  1 NFY
0925  Phtheochroa rugosana  1
0937  Agapeta hamana  1 NFY
0965  Cochylis hybridella  1
0977  Large Fruit-tree Tortrix (Archips podana)  1 NFY
0985  Carnation Tortrix (Cacoecimorpha pronubana)  1
0994  Clepsis consimilana  2
0998  Light Brown Apple Moth (Epiphyas postvittana)  2
1001  Lozotaeniodes formosanus  1 NFY
1010  Red-barred Tortrix (Ditula angustiorana)  1
1011  Pseudargyrotoza conwagana  2
1032  Aleimma loeflingiana  1 NFY
1033  Green Oak Tortrix (Tortrix viridana)  1 NFY
1063  Celypha striana  1
1083  Marbled Orchard Tortrix (Hedya nubiferana)  1
1176  Epiblema trimaculana  1
1293  Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella)  1 NFY
1294  Crambus pascuella  2 NFY
1301  Crambus lathoniellus  3
1302  Crambus perlella  3 NFY
1329  Donacaula forficella  1 NFY
1333  Scoparia pyralella  1
1334  Scoparia ambigualis  2
1338  Dipleurina lacustrata  2 NFY
1344  Eudonia mercurella  2
1345  Brown China-mark (Elophila nymphaeata)  1 NFY
1361  Pyrausta aurata  1
1390  Udea prunalis  1
1392  Udea olivalis  1
1413  Gold Triangle (Hypsopygia costalis)  2 NFY
1415  Orthopygia glaucinalis  1
1428  Bee Moth (Aphomia sociella)  4
1436  Conobathra repandana  1 NFY
1452  Phycita roborella  1 NFY
1470  Euzophera pinguis  1 NFY
1474  Ephestia parasitella  4
1481  Homoeosoma sinuella  1
1504  Platyptilia pallidactyla  1 NFG
1669  Common Emerald (Hemithea aestivaria)  1 NFY
1682  Blood-vein (Timandra comae)  1
1690  Small Blood-vein (Scopula imitaria)  1 NFY
1711  Treble Brown Spot (Idaea trigeminata)  1
1713  Riband Wave (Idaea aversata)  3
1728  Garden Carpet (Xanthorhoe fluctuata)  1
1817  Foxglove Pug (Eupithecia pulchellata)  3
1819  Mottled Pug (Eupithecia exiguata)  1
1825  Lime-speck Pug (Eupithecia centaureata)  2
1827  Freyer's Pug (Eupithecia intricata)  3
1834  Common Pug (Eupithecia vulgata)  5
1837  Grey Pug (Eupithecia subfuscata)  5
1860  Green Pug (Pasiphila rectangulata)  4
1862  Double-striped Pug (Gymnoscelis rufifasciata)  1
1887  Clouded Border (Lomaspilis marginata)  3
1902  Brown Silver-line (Petrophora chlorosata)  1 NFY
1906  Brimstone Moth (Opisthograptis luteolata)  1
1931  Peppered Moth (Biston betularia)  2
1937  Willow Beauty (Peribatodes rhomboidaria)  6
1941  Mottled Beauty (Alcis repandata)  2
1954  Bordered White (Bupalus piniaria)  1 NFY
1955  Common White Wave (Cabera pusaria)  1
1956  Common Wave (Cabera exanthemata)  1 NFY
1958  Clouded Silver (Lomographa temerata)  5
1961  Light Emerald (Campaea margaritata)  1
1979  Lime Hawk-moth (Mimas tiliae)  1 NFY
1980  Eyed Hawk-moth (Smerinthus ocellata)  1
1991  Elephant Hawk-moth (Deilephila elpenor)  1
1994  Buff-tip (Phalera bucephala)  2 NFY
2009  Maple Prominent (Ptilodon cucullina)  1
2043  Orange Footman (Eilema sororcula)  1
2050  Common Footman (Eilema lurideola)  7
2061  Buff Ermine (Spilosoma luteum)  3
2069  Cinnabar (Tyria jacobaeae)  1
2087  Turnip Moth (Agrotis segetum)  2
2088  Heart and Club (Agrotis clavis)  5
2089  Heart and Dart (Agrotis exclamationis)  30
2092  Shuttle-shaped Dart (Agrotis puta)  1
2098  Flame (Axylia putris)  23
2102  Flame Shoulder (Ochropleura plecta)  3
2107  Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba)  6
2126  Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum)  5
2128  Double Square-spot (Xestia triangulum)  1
2147  Shears (Hada nana)  2
2199  Common Wainscot (Mythimna pallens)  2
2279  Sycamore (Acronicta aceris)  2
2284x  Grey Dagger / Dark Dagger (Acronicta tridens/psi)  4
2302  Brown Rustic (Rusina ferruginea)  5
2321  Dark Arches (Apamea monoglypha)  6
2333  Large Nutmeg (Apamea anceps)  2
2337x  Marbled Minor agg. (Oligia strigilis agg.)  13
2381  Uncertain (Hoplodrina alsines)  7
2387  Mottled Rustic (Caradrina morpheus)  4
2418  Cream-bordered Green Pea (Earias clorana)  1
2422  Green Silver-lines (Pseudoips prasinana)  1
2441  Silver Y (Autographa gamma)  1
2450  Spectacle (Abrostola tripartita)  1
2489  Fan-foot (Zanclognatha tarsipennalis)  4

Scoparia sp.

I always have trouble with this group! Is it even possible to separate Scoparia ambigualis from similar species without a gen det?

1333 Scoparia pyralella 

Thanks for the confirmation all

Mystery Pug- 22-04........

..........I'm totally stumped here. Wingspan is 20mm and so is the size of an average Common Pug I suppose. It really is fairly non-descript other than the hatching along the leading edge. It appears to have very little wear, so very washed out and grey in appearance. I have retained the moth as I really don't know where to start? Has anyone got any ideas.

Ochreous Pug

Thanks for the help on this one. I have only seen a few Ochreous Pugs before and only the brown form. Once I had it in a pot, it started to rest in a more familiar wedge position with its wings lowered.

Another good night............

............in the best year I've had so far. 86 species by 22nd April is eight days earlier than my previous best in 2011. The highlight,(for me anyway) was finding not one, but two Least Black Arches. Having only trapped it on one occasion before on 29th April 2010. A full list below-

Least Black Arches

NFY- Two caught on 22nd April

Brindled Beauty

 NFY- 21 April, possible re-trap on 22nd.

 Pale Prominent

NFY- 22nd April

Upper Caldecote Garden- 22/04/2014- 2 traps- 37 of 20 species-

0925  Phtheochroa rugosana  1 NFY
1136  Epinotia immundana  1 NFY
1832  Currant Pug (Eupithecia assimilata)  1
1852  Brindled Pug (Eupithecia abbreviata)  1
1853  Oak-tree Pug (Eupithecia dodoneata)  4
1883  Yellow-barred Brindle (Acasis viretata)  1
1888  Scorched Carpet (Ligdia adustata)  1
1927  Brindled Beauty (Lycia hirtaria)  1
2006  Lesser Swallow Prominent (Pheosia gnoma)  1
2011  Pale Prominent (Pterostoma palpina)  1 NFY
2063  Muslin Moth (Diaphora mendica)  1
2078  Least Black Arches (Nola confusalis)  2 NFY
2092  Shuttle-shaped Dart (Agrotis puta)  6
2154  Cabbage Moth (Mamestra brassicae)  1
2186  Powdered Quaker (Orthosia gracilis)  4
2188  Clouded Drab (Orthosia incerta)  1
2190  Hebrew Character (Orthosia gothica)  6
2289  Knot Grass (Acronicta rumicis)  1 NFY
2423  Oak Nycteoline (Nycteola revayana)  1
2425  Nut-tree Tussock (Colocasia coryli)  1

Mystery Micro, help needed 22-04

I can't recall seeing this before, has anyone got any ideas? About 8mm long.................

Thanks for the help Dave and Ben, it is indeed 1136 Epinotia immundana

Mullein.........16/04

After a couple of cold nights, a slight upturn in temperature encouraged me to stick the lights on. A low of 6°C and a late rising moon leant itself to a little more variety, though numbers were still comparatively low.

Mullein 

NFY

Nut-tree Tussock

A record 4 caught.

Upper Caldecote Garden 16-04-2014 - 23 of 13 species-

0697  Agonopterix arenella  1
0998  Light Brown Apple Moth (Epiphyas postvittana)  1
1852  Brindled Pug (Eupithecia abbreviata)  1
1862  Double-striped Pug (Gymnoscelis rufifasciata)  1
1936  Waved Umber (Menophra abruptaria)  1
2063  Muslin Moth (Diaphora mendica)  2
2187  Common Quaker (Orthosia cerasi)  2
2188  Clouded Drab (Orthosia incerta)  1
2190  Hebrew Character (Orthosia gothica)  6
2221  Mullein (Shargacucullia verbasci)  1 NFY
2243  Early Grey (Xylocampa areola)  1
2306  Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa)  1 NFY
2425  Nut-tree Tussock (Colocasia coryli)  4

Recent Highlights...........

.....................these are some of last week's riches. This week the weather has turned cold, so the traps will remain off line for a couple of days at least.

1054 Acleris cristana

NFY on 7th April

649 Esperia sulphurella

672 Parsnip Moth Depressaria heraclei

Waved Umber

NFY- 9th April

130 Incurvaria masculella

Chinese Character

 NFY- 10th April

 Red Twin-spot Carpet

 NFY- 12th April

Tawny Pinion 6/4

...........Pretty rare these days. This is the third garden record of this moth after catching two in 2011. Previous to that, not seen in VC30 since 2006.

Tawny Pinion