my first moths (1 Viewer)

Hello .... my new trap was set up Friday evening and I was up at day break today to see what we had caught, carefully lifting out the egg boxes I was pleased to see several species of moth including some micro ones and
not having an I/d book on those yet I released them . Here are some of which I took some photos of.There were quite a few of third ones but I cant seem to find them in my book, the first one I believe is an August thorn, next I think is a common wainscot but one these two I am having trouble finding what it is, one I think is a large yellow underwing the other I have no idea, if some one could confirm it would be most appreciated !
regards and many thanks Bram

With the caveat that I have only looked at these on my phone...

1. Agree, but it is out of focus I think.
2. Agree.
3. Setaceous Hebrew Character.
4. Agree - Large Yellow Underwing.

Andy M

Many thanks Andy for I/d confirmation and yes august thorn is out of focus

Bram

I'm sorry. I can't turn the first photo into August Thorn.

Despite being included in the BAP regarding common but severely declining moths, my experience is that Dusky Thorn is the commonest of the yellow thorns that I encounter. Canary-shouldered Thorn is the second commonest. September Thorn is common in habitat rather than gardens but it flies late - typically 1am or so. August Thorn in my view is the least common. I rarely catch it. It holds its wings in a curious shallow v, has a heavily curved first line and a curious outwards kink in the second line. The moth in the photo (to me) appears to be Dusky Thorn.

I am intrigued by the second moth in the fourth photo. Flounced Rustic would be the common choice but it looks stubbornly like a Feathered Ranunculus which I am yet to catch this year though it should be on the wing I suppose. I'll look again when on a computer rather than a handheld.

All the best

Must be my eyes, and the small pic, but I thought no. 1 was a Small Elephant Hawk-moth!

MSA said:

Must be my eyes, and the small pic, but I thought no. 1 was a Small Elephant Hawk-moth!

Click to expand...

Excluded on flight period.

All the best

Yes, not a serious suggestion - but I do struggle to see enough detail in that pic for an ID. Is there a way to enlarge the image?

Mark

Clearly either a Dusky or August Thorn. It's then down to the shape of the cross-lines and the shape is clear enough to see (just) on the image in my opinion to separate the two species particularly on the first line (ie the one nearest the head).

All the best

Thanks Paul - it's great to be able to learn so much here from those with experience, like yourself, as my mothing is largely a solitary venture (necessarily so, unless I want other moth-ers turning up at my home at 5am!).