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

........25/09

The recent cold snap seems to have finally kick started the arrival of some seasonal moths. The dreaded Turnip Moth seems to be in steep decline now and is being replaced by a sharp increase in Lunar Underwing numbers. Still no Sallows, but they may start turning up before the week's end. The weather is by no means ideal though with a fairly strong, gusting wind last night.

Brick

1st of the year and only my 2nd record....

Lunar Underwing

A high count last night, but more to come.

Beaded Chestnut

Full Count-

1. Lunar Underwing- 15
2. Willow Beauty- 2
3. Turnip Moth- 1
4. Beaded Chestnut- 1
5. Brick- 1
6. Shuttle-shaped Dart- 1

Deep-brown Dart.......18/09

After another 5 day drought and some terrible weather, this turns up. Last night was the best in a while, though still fairly windy. Hopefully next week's weather will be slightly more moth friendly!

Deep-brown Dart

1st of the year.

 Lesser Yellow Underwing

 Lunar Underwing

1 of many........

The full count was as follows-

1. Large Yellow Underwing- 8
2. Pale Mottled Willow- 7- High Count
3. Lunar Underwing- 7
4. Turnip Moth- 5
5. Square-spot Rustic- 3
6. Common Wainscot- 3
7. Setaceous Hebrew Character- 2
8. Vine's Rustic- 2
9. Deep-brown Dart- 1 Year Tick
10. Lesser Yellow Underwing
11. Light Brown Apple Moth
12. Ringed China-mark
13. Flounced Rustic

Lunar Underwing.........04/09

This is the start of an onslaught I fear.....last year I had up to 20 of these at a time!

Others included-

• Snout
• Brimstone Moth
• Light Emerald
• Carcina quercana

The Lunar Module

This is the extremely variable Lunar Underwing in 4 different phases. The one to the top right is the 1st ultra pale caught in the trap on 20th Sept.

2 phases of the Moon

The Lunar Underwing is a September specialty with 4 in the trap in one go on the 6th!These shots show 2 of the 3 different phases very clearly.