Pugs..............

Battered Pugs at this time of year are the hardest to identify. In fact, after a certain amount of wear this becomes pretty much impossible. The most common in the garden at the moment are Green, Grey and of course Common Pug. Though most of the pugs are on the wing in June/July. Below are a couple that have/are testing me.

Oak-tree Pug?

Caught 27th June. It's been ages since I've caught one (11th May), but this seems to be what it is? Size, shape and distinctive white area to the outside of the discals all seem to fit. If it is an Oak-tree, it certainly is late. My latest previously record was 24th May 2010.................

Dwarf Pug

Caught 26th June. This could be a new species for the garden. 18mm wingspan, posture and very large discals give it all the hallmarks of a Dwarf Pug. I could easily be wrong of course as its so badly worn- retained for gen. det. So will find out soon enough....... confirmed by gen det. A. Banthorpe

Dark-barred?...........

..............Probably, though it has been taken away by Andy Banthorpe (recorder, VC30) along with the pug that I strongly believe to be an Oak-tree.

Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet

I've caught many red versions, but my interest was aroused when this one turned up. The image is a bit 'flashy' but you can clearly see the the bar is indeed dark!

Oak-tree Pug

........Or so I believe. Andy took this for further analysis too. A bit of an odd pose, having just been refrigerated. But small and compact (wingspan 19mm). Has to be a good candidate, especially as the garden is flanked on two sides by Hawthorn. Confirmed female Oak-tree Pug, gen det. by A. Banthorpe- VC30 Moths

01-05...................

Upper Caldecote Garden- 2x15w Actinic/UV Skinner, 15w BLB Bulb- 14 of 11 species-

0130	Incurvaria masculella		1	NFY
0648	Endrosis sarcitrella	White-shouldered House-moth	2	NFY
1342	Eudonia angustea		2
1524	Emmelina monodactyla		1
1648	Drepana falcataria	Pebble Hook-tip	1	NFY
1852	Eupithecia abbreviata	Brindled Pug	1
1853	Eupithecia dodoneata	Oak-tree Pug	1	NFY
1883	Acasis viretata	Yellow-barred Brindle	1	NFY
1906	Opisthograptis luteolata	Brimstone Moth	1
2019	Clostera curtula	Chocolate-tip	1	NFY
2188	Orthosia incerta	Clouded Drab	2

Pebble Hook-tip

Oak-tree Pug

Chocolate-tip

Yellow-barred Brindle

Pug problems........09/04

.......And they've started earlier than usual. Yet another warm night early on, but a surprising dip in temp to just 3°C. Numbers were down on previous nights even though I had 2 traps out again.

This little critter was 1 of 2 pretty much identical moths found last night. When I caught it, I immediately thought it was Oak-tree due to the compact size (barely bigger than Double-striped) and pale patches beside the central black dots. However the strong white line along the trailing edge also made me think of Common.

I will leave it up to the jury of bloggers far more experienced than me to decide.

Oak-tree Pug

Thanks for ID confirmation from Mark & Andy.

 Muslin Moth

The Teddy Bear of moths- always nice to see.

The result- 12 of 8 species-

• Hebrew Character- 2
• Oak-tree Pug- 2 - Year tick
• Clouded Drab- 2
• Brindled Beauty- 1
• Nut-tree Tussock- 1
• Muslin Moth- 1- Year tick
• Powdered Quaker- 1

Not sure about this one?.........

Pug sp.

At 1st I thought it was a Mottled, but now I dont think so..............

Looks like it's an Oak-tree Pug, many thanks Bill..........