[Surreybirder]

I thought I'd put up my garden list here, in case it's of any interest. I'll try and keep it updated from time to time.
My garden is in SE Surrey. Most of the moths have been caught with an 80W MV trap. (Most of the exceptions are either leafminers or larvae.)
We've been at this house since Sept. 2003 but I've only had the trap since mid-March 2004. I'm planting more flowers and shrubs that will attract a larger variety of moths (sedum, honeysuckle, buddleia, evening primrose, Nicotania, hemp-agrimony, bedstraw, birch, hawthorn, greater knapweed, field scabious etc). We have a few mature trees in the neighbourhood (oak, alder, hawthorn, beech) and a good variety of woodland within half a mile.

No Species Scientific name
6 Eriocrania subpurpurella
17 Common swift Hepailus lupulinus
50 Stigmella aurella
64 Stigmella continuella (Stainton, 1856)
75 Stigmella floslactella (Haworth, 1828)
81 Stigmella hemargyrella (Kollar, 1832)
111 Stigmella microtheriella (Stainton, 1854)
114 Stigmella glutinosae (Stainton, 1858)
247 Tinea trinotella
304 Parornix devoniella (Stainton, 1850)
332 Phyllonorycter corylifoliella (Hübner, 1796)
332a Firethorn leafminer Phyllonorycter leucographella
341 Phyllonorycter maestingella (Müller, 1764)
342 Phyllonorycter coryli
345 Phyllonorycter rajella (Linnaeus, 1758)
353 Phyllonorycter ulmifoliella (Hübner, 1817)
411 Argyresthai goedartella
461 Ypsolopha ustella
658 Carcina quercana
663 Diurnea fagella
873 Blastobasis lignea
937 Agapeta hamana
969 Pandemis corylana
970 Pandemis cerasana
980 Archips xylosteanus
998 Light brown apple moth Epiphyas postvittana
1011 Psuedargyrotoza conwagana
1032 Aleimma loeflingiana
1033 Green oak tortrix Tortrix viridana
1048 Acleris variegana
1076 Syricoris lacunana
1108 Lobesia absciasana
1113 Eudemis profundana
1126 Ancylis badiana
1174 Epiblema cynosbatella
1175 Notocelia uddmannniana
1260 Cydia splendana
1288 20-plumed moth Alucita hexadactyla
1293 Chrysoteuchia culmella
1302 Crambus perlella
1304 Agriphila straminella
1305 Agriphila tristella
1316 Catoptria falsella
1333 Scoparia pyralella
1334 Scoparia ambigualis
1345 Brown china-mark Elophila nymphaeata
1361 Pyrausta aurata
1376 Small magpie Eurrhypara hotulata
1378 Phlyctaenia coronata
1390 Udea prunalis
1392 Udea olivalis
1395 Udea ferrugalis
1405 Mother of pearl Pleuroptya ruralis
1413 Hypsopygia costalis
1415 Orthopygia glaucinalis
1424 Endotricha flammealis
1428 Bee moth Aphomia sociella
1439 Trachycera advenella
1452 Phycita roborella
1470 Euzophera pinguis
1631 December moth Poecilocampa populi
1637 oak eggar Lasiocampa quercus
1640 the drinker Euthrix potatoria
1645 Scalloped hook-tip Falcaria lacertinaria
1646 Oak hook-tip Drepana binaria
1648 Pebble hook-tip Drepana falcataria
1651 Chinese character Cilix glaucata
1652 Peach blossom Thyatira batis
1653 Buff arches Habrosyne pyritoides
1657 Common lutestring Ochropacha duplaris
1658 oak lutestring Cymatophorima diluta
1663 March moth Alsophila aescularia
1667 Blotched emerald Comibaena bajularia
1669 Common emerald Hemithea aestivaria
1677 Birch mocha Cyclophora albipunctata
1680 Maiden's blush Cyclophora punctaria
1682 Blood-vein Scopula immorata
1690 small blood-vein Scopula imitaria
1702 Small fan-footed wave Idaea biselata
1708 Single-dotted wave Idaea dimidiata
1712 Small scallop Idaea emarginata
1713 Riband wave Idaea aversata
1716 vestal Rhodometra sacraria
1722 Flame carpet Xanthorhoe designata
1727 Silver-ground carpet Xanthorhoe montanata
1738 common carpet Epirrhoe alternata
1742 Yellow shell Camptogramma bilineata
1746 Shoulder stripe Anticlea badiata
1747 The streamer Anticlea derivata
1752 Purple bar Cosmorhoe ocellata
1757 Spinach Eulithis mellinata
1759 small phoenix Ecliptopera silaceata
1760 Red-green carpet Chloroclysta siterata
1764 common marbled carpet C truncata
1765 Barred yellow Cidaria fulvata
1768 grey pine carpet Thera obeliscata
1773 Broken-barred carpet Electrophaes corylata
1776 Green carpet Colostygia pectinataria
1777 July highflyer Hydriomena furcata
1778 May highflyer Hydriomena impluviata
1781 Small waved umber Horisme vitalbata
1794 sharp-angled carpet Euphyia unangulata
1795 November moth Epirrita dilutata
1803 Small rivulet Perizoma alchemillata
1825 Lime-speck pug Eupithecia centaureata
1832 Currant pug Eupithecia assimilata
1834 Common pug Eupithecia vulgata
1846 Narrow-winged pug Eupithecia nonata
1852 Brindled pug Eupithecia abbreviata
1853 Oak-tree pug Eupithecia dodoneata
1858 V pug Chlorclystis v-ata
1860 Green pug Pasiphila rectangulata
1862 Double-striped pug Gymnoscelis rufifasciata
1887 Clouded border Lomaspilis marginata
1888 Scorched carpet Ligida adustata
1894 latticed heath Chiasmia clathrata
1902 Brown silver-line Petrophora chlorosata
1904 Scorched wing Plagodis dolabraria
1906 Brimstone Opisthograptis luteolata
1914 Dusky thorn Ennomos fuscantaria
1915 September thorn Ennomas erosaria
1917 Early thorn Selenia dentaria
1919 Purple thorn Selenia tetralunaria
1921 Scalloped oak Crocallis elinguaria
1923 feathered thorn Colotois pennaria
1927 Brindled beauty Lycia zonaria
1930 Oak Beauty Biston strataria
1931 Peppered moth Biston betularia
1935 Mottled umber Erannis defoliaria
1936 waved umber Menophra abruptaria
1937 Willow beauty Peribatodes rhomboidaria
1944 Pale oak beauty Hypomecis punctinalis
1947 Engrailed Ectropis bistortata
1955 Common white wave Cabera pusaria
1957 White pinion spotted Lomographa bimacualta
1958 Clouded silver Lomographa temerata
1961 Light emerald Campaea margaritata
1981 Poplar hawkmoth Laothoe populi
1991 Elephant hawkmoth Deilephila elpenor
1994 Buff-tip Phalera bucephala
1997 sallow kitten Furcula furcula
1998 Alder kitten Furcula bifida
2000 Iron prominent Notodonta dromedarius
2003 Pebble prominent Notodonta ziczac
2005 Great prominent Peridea anceps
2006 Lesser swallow prominent Pheosia gnoma
2007 swallow prominent Pheosia tremula
2008 Coxcomb prominent Ptilodon capucina
2011 Pale prominent Pterostoma palpina
2015 Lunar marbled brown Drymonia ruficornis
2019 Chocolate-tip Clostera curtula
2020 figure of eight Diloba caeruleocephala
2026 Vapourer Orgyia antiqua
2028 pale tussock Calliteara pudibunda
2030 Yellow-tail Euproctis similis
2037 Rosy footman Miltochrista miniata
2047 Scarce footman Eilema complana
2050 Common footman Eilema lurideola
2060 White ermine Spilosoma lubricipeda
2061 Buff ermine Spilosoma luteum
2063 Muslin moth Diaphora mendica
2064 ruby tiger Phragmatobia fuliginosa
2069 Cinnabar Tyria jacobaeae
2077 short-cloaked moth Nola cucullatella
2078 least black arches Nola confusalis
2089 heart and dart Agrotis exclamationis
2091 dark sword-grass Agrotis ipsilon
2092 Shuttle-shaped dart Agrotis puta
2098 The flame Axylia putris
2102 Flame shoulder Ochropleura plecta
2107 Large yellow underwing Noctua pronuba
2109 Lesser yellow underwing Noctua comes
2110 broad-bordered yellow underwing Noctua fimbriata
2111 Lesser bb yellow underwing Noctua janthe
2112 Least yellow underwing Noctua interjecta
2119 pearly underwing Peridroma saucia
2120 Ingrailed clay Diarsia mendica
2123 small square spot Diarsia rubi
2126 Setaceous Hebrew character Xistia c-nigrum
2128 Double square-spot Xestia triangulum
2133 Six-striped rustic Xestia sexstrigata
2134 square-spot rustic Xestia xanthographa
2139 Red chestnut Cerastis rubricosa
2157 Light brocade Lacanobia w-latinum
2160 Bright-line brown-eye Lacanobia oleracea
2178 Feathered gothic Tholera decimalis
2179 Pine beauty Panolis flammea
2182 Small quaker Orthosia cruda
2187 Common quaker Orthosia cerasi
2188 Clouded drab Orthosia inserta
2189 Twin-spotted quaker Orthosia munda
2190 Hebrew character Orthosia gothica
2193 The clay Mythimna ferrago
2198 Smoky wainscot Mythimna impura
2199 common wainscot Mythimna pallens
2205 Shoulder-striped wainscot Mythimna comma
2214 Chamomile shark Cucullia chamomillae
2225 Minor shoulder-knot Brachylomia viminalis
2227 the sprawler Brachionycha sphinx
2231 deep-brown dart Aporophyla lutulenta
2232 black rustic Aporophyla nigra
2237 grey shoulder-knot Lithophane ornitopus
2240 Blair's shoulder-knot Lithophane leautieri hesperica
2243 Early grey Xylocampa areola
2245 green-brindled crescent Allophyes oxyacanthae
2247 merveille du jour Dichonia aprilina
2248 brindled green Dryobotodes eremita
2252 large ranunculus Polymixis flavicincta
2256 The Satellite Eupsilia transversa
2258 the chestnut Conistra vaccinii
2262 the brick Agrochola circellaris
2263 red-line quaker Agrochola lota
2264 yellow-line quaker Agrochola macilenta
2269 centre-barred sallow Atethmia centrago
2270 lunar underwing Omphaloscelis lunosa
2271 orange sallow Xanthia citrago
2272 barred sallow Xanthia aurago
2274 sallow Xanthia icteritia
2278 Poplar grey Acronicta megacephala
2280 The miller Acronicta leporina
2289 Knot grass Acronicta rumicis
2293 marbled beauty Cryphia domestica
2303 straw underwing Thalpophila matura
2306 Angle shades Phlogophora meticulosa
2312 The olive Ipimorpha subtusa
2318 Dun-bar Cosmia trapezina
2321 Dark arches Apamea monoglypha
2322 Light arches Apamea lithoxylaea
2326 Clouded bordered brindle Apamea crenata
2335 Slender brindle Apamea scolopacina
2339 Tawny marbled minor Oligia latruncula
2340 Middle-barred minor Oligia fasciuncula
2343 Common rustic Mesapamea secalis
2343a Lesser common rustic Mesapamea didyma
2361 Rosy rustic Hydraecia crinanesis
2380 Treble lines Charanyca trigrammica
2381 Uncertain Hoplodrina alsines
2382 Rustic Hoplodrina blanda
2384 Vine's rustic Hoplodrina ambigua
2387 Mottled rustic Caradrina morpheus
2389 Pale mottled willow Paradrina clavipalpis
2396 Rosy marbled Elaphria venustula
2410 Marbled white-spot Protodeltote pygarga
2422 Green silver-lines Pseudoips prasinana
2423 Oak nycteoline Nycteoloa revayana
2425 Nut-tree tussock Colocasia coryli
2434 burnished brass Diachrysia chrysitis
2441 Silver-Y Autographa gamma
2450 The spectacle Abrostola tripartita
2469 The herald Scolipoteryx libatrix
2474 Straw dot Rivula sericealis
2476 Beautiful snout Hypena crassalis
2477 The snout Hypena proboscidalis
2489 Fan-foot Zanclognatha tarsipennalis





Garden list till 11 November, 2004--254 species
59 Micros + 195 Macros

[Brian Stone]

This is mine so far for 2004 (54 excluding butterflies):
663 Diurnea fagella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
688 Agonopterix heracliana (Fabricius, 1777)
695 Agonopterix alstromeriana (Clerck, 1759)
697 Agonopterix arenella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
701 Agonopterix ocellana (Fabricius, 1775)
893 Mompha epilobiella (Haworth, 1828)
1053 Acleris hastiana (Linnaeus, 1758)
1288 Twenty-plume Moth Alucita hexadactyla Linnaeus, 1758
1356 Garden Pebble Evergestis forficalis (Linnaeus, 1758)
1428 Bee Moth Aphomia sociella (Linnaeus, 1758)
1524 Emmelina monodactyla (Linnaeus, 1758)
1645 Scalloped Hook-tip Falcaria lacertinaria (Linnaeus, 1758)
1651 Chinese Character Cilix glaucata (Scopoli, 1763)
1659 Yellow Horned Achlya flavicornis (Linnaeus, 1758)
1663 March Moth Alsophila aescularia ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
1724 Red Twin-spot Carpet Xanthorhoe spadicearia ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
1728 Garden Carpet Xanthorhoe fluctuata (Linnaeus, 1758)
1738 Common Carpet Epirrhoe alternata (Müller, 1764)
1746 Shoulder-stripe Anticlea badiata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
1747 The Streamer Anticlea derivata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
1760 Red-green Carpet Chloroclysta siterata (Hufnagel, 1767)
1852 Brindled Pug Eupithecia abbreviata Stephens, 1831
1862 Double-striped Pug Gymnoscelis rufifasciata (Haworth, 1809)
1906 Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis luteolata (Linnaeus, 1758)
1917 Early Thorn Selenia dentaria (Fabricius, 1775)
1919 Purple Thorn Selenia tetralunaria (Hufnagel, 1767)
1927 Brindled Beauty Lycia hirtaria (Clerck, 1759)
1930 Oak Beauty Biston strataria (Hufnagel, 1767)
1932 Spring Usher Agriopis leucophaearia ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
1934 Dotted Border Agriopis marginaria (Fabricius, 1777)
1936 Waved Umber Menophra abruptaria (Thunberg, 1792)
1960 Early Moth Theria primaria (Haworth, 1809)
2007 Swallow Prominent Pheosia tremula (Clerck, 1759)
2011 Pale Prominent Pterostoma palpina (Clerck, 1759)
2015 Lunar Marbled Brown Drymonia ruficornis (Hufnagel, 1766)
2019 Chocolate-tip Clostera curtula (Linnaeus, 1758)
2063 Muslin Moth Diaphora mendica (Clerck, 1759)
2064 Ruby Tiger Phragmatobia fuliginosa (Linnaeus, 1758)
2078 Least Black Arches Nola confusalis (Herrich-Schäffer, 1847)
2139 Red Chestnut Cerastis rubricosa ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
2179 Pine Beauty Panolis flammea ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
2182 Small Quaker Orthosia cruda ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
2183 Blossom Underwing Orthosia miniosa ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
2185 Lead-coloured Drab Orthosia populeti (Fabricius, 1781)
2186 Powdered Quaker Orthosia gracilis ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
2187 Common Quaker Orthosia cerasi (Fabricius, 1775)
2188 Clouded Drab Orthosia incerta (Hufnagel, 1766)
2189 Twin-spotted Quaker Orthosia munda ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
2190 Hebrew Character Orthosia gothica (Linnaeus, 1758)
2237 Grey Shoulder-knot Lithophane ornitopus (Dadd, 1911)
2243 Early Grey Xylocampa areola (Esper, 1789)
2258 The Chestnut Conistra vaccinii (Linnaeus, 1761)
2389 Pale Mottled Willow Caradrina clavipalpis (Scopoli, 1763)
2469 The Herald Scoliopteryx libatrix (Linnaeus, 1758)

[Swift]

I have been running a moth trap every night for a week and have managed to trap one moth!! A White Shouldered House Moth! Perhaps its the trap I am using? I will post some pics of the trap tomorrow and hopefully you can help me out.

[Brian Stone]

Swift: Shouldn't think it was your trap. Catches have been universally down recently. I had an empty trap this morning, which was no worse than I was expecting. My last catch was Sunday night when I had 1 each of 8 species. Might be the last for some time looking at the forecast. :(
Bee Moth
Garden Pebble
Twenty-plume Moth
Agonopterix arenella
Mompha epilobiella
The Streamer
Early Grey
Pale Mottled Willow

[Atomic Elk]

Put my home made trap (mentioned in an earlier thread) out last night and picked up:

Eyed Hawk Moth
Poplar Hawk Moth
2x Hebrew Character
2x Garden Carpet
Swallow Prominent
Muslin

and guest appearances by the following beetles, under the egg trays

Nicrophorus Humator
3 x Cockchafer

[Andrew]

What are the numbers preceeding each moth name?

[harry eales]

Originally Posted by Andrew

What are the numbers preceeding each moth name?

Hi Andrew,
Yhe answer you are looking for is:- TA DAAAAAA.

The numbers allocated to each individual species in Bradley and Fletchers Check List. Nothing more exciting I'm afraid.

Harry Eales.

[Andrew]

Thanks Harry, is this list available online?

[harry eales]

Originally Posted by Andrew

Thanks Harry, is this list available online?

Hello Andrew,

Not as far as I am aware, however, I do have it on an Excell file. If you will PM me your Email I will send it to you.

Harry Eales.

[Brian Stone]

Take a look at this:
http://cgi.ukmoths.force9.co.uk/syst....php?mode=full

[harry eales]

Hello Brian,
The UK moths list is good in that it indicates which insects there are photographs for on that site. However, I think the list I have is far more useful in that it contains a lot of data missing or not included on the UK Moths site list.

Harry Eales.

[CJW]

I haven't kept a list this year, but for what it's worth, here's my garden list (macros only) for the six years I've lived on the IOM:

1638 Fox Moth Macrothylacia rubi (Linnaeus, 1758)
1643 Emperor Moth Pavonia pavonia (Linnaeus, 1758)
1648 Pebble Hook-tip Drepana falcataria (Linnaeus, 1758)
1651 Chinese Character Cilix glaucata (Scopoli, 1763)
1652 Peach Blossom Thyatira batis (Linnaeus, 1758)
1653 Buff Arches Habrosyne pyritoides (Hufnagel, 1766)
1657 Common Lutestring Ochropacha duplaris (Linnaeus, 1761)
1663 March Moth Alsophila aescularia ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
1666 Large Emerald Geometra papilionaria (Linnaeus, 1758)
1669 Common Emerald Hemithea aestivaria (Hübner, 1799)
1682 Blood-vein Timandra comae (Schmidt, 1931)
1689 Mullein Wave Scopula marginepunctata (Goeze, 1781)
1701 Dotted Border Wave Idaea sylvestraria (Hübner, 1799)
1702 Small Fan-footed Wave Idaea biselata (Hufnagel, 1767)
1707 Small Dusty Wave Idaea seriata (Schrank, 1802)
1708 Single-dotted Wave Idaea dimidiata (Hufnagel, 1767)
1713 Riband Wave Idaea aversata (Linnaeus, 1758)
1716 The Vestal Rhodometra sacraria (Linnaeus, 1767)
1720 The Gem Orthonama obstipata (Fabricius, 1794)
1722 Flame Carpet Xanthorhoe designata (Hufnagel, 1767)
1723 Red Carpet Xanthorhoe munitata (Hübner, 1800-09)
1725 Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet Xanthorhoe ferrugata (Clerck, 1759)
1727 Silver-ground Carpet Xanthorhoe montanata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
1728 Garden Carpet Xanthorhoe fluctuata (Linnaeus, 1758)
1732 Shaded Broad-bar Scotopteryx chenopodiata (Linnaeus, 1758)
1734 July Belle Scotopteryx luridata (Hufnagel, 1767)
1735 Ruddy Carpet Catarhoe rubidata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
1738 Common Carpet Epirrhoe alternata (Müller, 1764)
1740 Galium Carpet Epirrhoe galiata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
1742 Yellow Shell Camptogramma bilineata (Linnaeus, 1758)
1746 Shoulder-stripe Anticlea badiata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
1747 The Streamer Anticlea derivata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
1748 Beautiful Carpet Mesoleuca albicillata (Linnaeus, 1758)
1749 Dark Spinach Pelurga comitata (Linnaeus, 1758)
1750 Water Carpet Lampropteryx suffumata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
1752 Purple Bar Cosmorhoe ocellata (Linnaeus, 1758)
1753 Striped Twin-spot Carpet Nebula salicata (Curtis, 1830)
1754 The Phoenix Eulithis prunata (Linnaeus, 1758)
1755 The Chevron Eulithis testata (Linnaeus, 1761)
1756 Northern Spinach Eulithis populata (Linnaeus, 1758)
1757 The Spinach Eulithis mellinata (Fabricius, 1787)
1758 Barred Straw Eulithis pyraliata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
1759 Small Phoenix Ecliptopera silaceata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
1760 Red-green Carpet Chloroclysta siterata (Hufnagel, 1767)
1761 Autumn Green Carpet Chloroclysta miata (Linnaeus, 1758)
1762 Dark Marbled Carpet Chloroclysta citrata (Linnaeus, 1761)
1764 Common Marbled Carpet Chloroclysta truncata (Hufnagel, 1767)
1767 Pine Carpet Thera firmata (Hübner, 1822)
1768 Grey Pine Carpet Thera obeliscata (Hübner, 1787)
1769 Spruce Carpet Thera britannica (Turner H J, 1925)
1775 Mottled Grey Colostygia multistrigaria (Haworth, 1809)
1776 Green Carpet Colostygia pectinataria (Knoch, 1781)
1777 July Highflyer Hydriomena furcata (Thunberg, 1784)
1778 May Highflyer Hydriomena impluviata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
1789 Scallop Shell Rheumaptera undulata (Linnaeus, 1758)
1793 Cloaked Carpet Euphyia biangulata (Haworth, 1809)
1794 Sharp-angled Carpet Euphyia unangulata (Haworth, 1809)
1795 November Moth Epirrita dilutata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
1797 Autumnal Moth Epirrita autumnata (Borkhausen, 1794)
1798 Small Autumnal Moth Epirrita filigrammaria (Herrich-Schäffer, 1846)
1799 Winter Moth Operophtera brumata (Linnaeus, 1758)
1802 The Rivulet Perizoma affinitata (Stephens, 1831)
1803 Small Rivulet Perizoma alchemillata (Linnaeus, 1758)
1808 Sandy Carpet Perizoma flavofasciata (Thunberg, 1792)
1809 Twin-spot Carpet Perizoma didymata (Linnaeus, 1758)
1817 Foxglove Pug Eupithecia pulchellata Stephens, 1831
1819 Mottled Pug Eupithecia exiguata (Hübner, 1809-13)
1823 Netted Pug Eupithecia venosata (Fabricius, 1787)
1825 Lime-speck Pug Eupithecia centaureata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
1827 Freyer's Pug Eupithecia intricata (Zetterstedt, 1839)
1830 Wormwood Pug Eupithecia absinthiata (Clerck, 1759)
1832 Currant Pug Eupithecia assimilata Doubleday, 1856
1834 Common Pug Eupithecia vulgata (Haworth, 1809)
1835 White-spotted Pug Eupithecia tripunctaria Herrich-Schäffer, 1852
1838 Tawny Speckled Pug Eupithecia icterata (Villers, 1789)
1840 Shaded Pug Eupithecia subumbrata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
1853 Oak-tree Pug Eupithecia dodoneata Guenée, 1857
1858 The V-Pug Chloroclystis v-ata (Haworth, 1809)
1860 Green Pug Chloroclystis rectangulata (Linnaeus, 1758)
1862 Double-striped Pug Gymnoscelis rufifasciata (Haworth, 1809)
1867 Treble-bar Aplocera plagiata (Linnaeus, 1758)
1875 Small White Wave Asthena albulata (Hufnagel, 1767)
1881 Early Tooth-striped Trichopteryx carpinata (Borkhausen, 1794)
1883 Yellow-barred Brindle Acasis viretata (Hübner, 1799)
1884 The Magpie Abraxas grossulariata (Linnaeus, 1758)
1885 Clouded Magpie Abraxas sylvata (Scopoli, 1763)
1887 Clouded Border Lomaspilis marginata (Linnaeus, 1758)
1893 Tawny-barred Angle Semiothisa liturata (Clerck, 1759)
1894 Latticed Heath Semiothisa clathrata (Linnaeus, 1758)
1902 Brown Silver-line Petrophora chlorosata (Scopoli, 1763)
1906 Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis luteolata (Linnaeus, 1758)
1910 Lilac Beauty Apeira syringaria (Linnaeus, 1758)
1912 August Thorn Ennomos quercinaria (Hufnagel, 1767)
1913 Canary-shouldered Thorn Ennomos alniaria (Linnaeus, 1758)
1914 Dusky Thorn Ennomos fuscantaria (Haworth, 1809)
1915 September Thorn Ennomos erosaria ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
1917 Early Thorn Selenia dentaria (Fabricius, 1775)
1919 Purple Thorn Selenia tetralunaria (Hufnagel, 1767)
1920 Scalloped Hazel Odontopera bidentata (Clerck, 1759)
1921 Scalloped Oak Crocallis elinguaria (Linnaeus, 1758)
1922 Swallow-tailed Moth Ourapteryx sambucaria (Linnaeus, 1758)
1923 Feathered Thorn Colotois pennaria (Linnaeus, 1761)
1926 Pale Brindled Beauty Apocheima pilosaria ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
1927 Brindled Beauty Lycia hirtaria (Clerck, 1759)
1931 Peppered Moth Biston betularia (Linnaeus, 1758)
1934 Dotted Border Agriopis marginaria (Fabricius, 1777)
1935 Mottled Umber Erannis defoliaria (Clerck, 1759)
1936 Waved Umber Menophra abruptaria (Thunberg, 1792)
1937 Willow Beauty Peribatodes rhomboidaria ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
1941 Mottled Beauty Alcis repandata (Linnaeus, 1758)
1947 The Engrailed Ectropis bistortata (Goeze, 1781)
1948 Small Engrailed Ectropis crepuscularia ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
1949 Square Spot Paradarisa consonaria (Hübner, 1799)
1952 Common Heath Ematurga atomaria (Linnaeus, 1758)
1955 Common White Wave Cabera pusaria (Linnaeus, 1758)
1956 Common Wave Cabera exanthemata (Scopoli, 1763)
1958 Clouded Silver Lomographa temerata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
1961 Light Emerald Campaea margaritata (Linnaeus, 1767)
1962 Barred Red Hylaea fasciaria (Linnaeus, 1758)
1972 Convolvulus Hawk-moth Agrius convolvuli (Linnaeus, 1758)
1980 Eyed Hawk-moth Smerinthus ocellata (Linnaeus, 1758)
1981 Poplar Hawk-moth Laothoe populi (Linnaeus, 1758)
1984 Hummingbird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum (Linnaeus, 1758)
1987 Bedstraw Hawk-moth Hyles gallii (Rottemburg, 1775)
1991 Elephant Hawk-moth Deilephila elpenor (Linnaeus, 1758)
1992 Small Elephant Hawk-moth Deilephila porcellus (Linnaeus, 1758)
1994 Buff-tip Phalera bucephala (Linnaeus, 1758)
1995 Puss Moth Cerura vinula (Linnaeus, 1758)
2000 Iron Prominent Notodonta dromedarius (Linnaeus, 1767)
2003 Pebble Prominent Eligmodonta ziczac (Linnaeus, 1758)
2006 Lesser Swallow Prominent Pheosia gnoma (Fabricius, 1777)
2007 Swallow Prominent Pheosia tremula (Clerck, 1759)
2008 Coxcomb Prominent Ptilodon capucina (Linnaeus, 1758)
2020 Figure of Eight Diloba caeruleocephala (Linnaeus, 1758)
2028 Pale Tussock Calliteara pudibunda (Linnaeus, 1758)
2030 Yellow-tail Euproctis similis (Fuessly, 1775)
2040 Four-dotted Footman Cybosia mesomella (Linnaeus, 1758)
2047 Scarce Footman Eilema complana (Linnaeus, 1758)
2049 Buff Footman Eilema deplana (Esper, 1787)
2050 Common Footman Eilema lurideola (Zincken, 1817)
2051 Four-spotted Footman Lithosia quadra (Linnaeus, 1758)
2057 Garden Tiger Arctia caja (Linnaeus, 1758)
2060 White Ermine Spilosoma lubricipeda (Linnaeus, 1758)
2061 Buff Ermine Spilosoma luteum (Hufnagel, 1766)
2063 Muslin Moth Diaphora mendica (Clerck, 1759)
2064 Ruby Tiger Phragmatobia fuliginosa (Linnaeus, 1758)
2078 Least Black Arches Nola confusalis (Herrich-Schäffer, 1847)
2082 Garden Dart Euxoa nigricans (Linnaeus, 1761)
2084 Light Feathered Rustic Agrotis cinerea ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
2085 Archer's Dart Agrotis vestigialis (Hufnagel, 1766)
2087 Turnip Moth Agrotis segetum ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
2089 Heart & Dart Agrotis exclamationis (Linnaeus, 1758)
2090 Crescent Dart Agrotis trux Stephens, 1829
2091 Dark Sword-grass Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel, 1766)
2098 The Flame Axylia putris (Linnaeus, 1761)
2102 Flame Shoulder Ochropleura plecta (Linnaeus, 1761)
2103 Plain Clay Eugnorisma depuncta (Linnaeus, 1761)
2104 Northern Rustic Standfussiana lucernea (Linnaeus, 1758)
2105 Dotted Rustic Rhyacia simulans (Hufnagel, 1766)
2107 Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba Linnaeus, 1758
2109 Lesser Yellow Underwing Noctua comes Hübner, 1813
2110 Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing Noctua fimbriata (Schreber, 1759)
2111 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing Noctua janthe Borkhausen, 1792
2112 Least Yellow Underwing Noctua interjecta Schawerda, 1919
2117 Autumnal Rustic Paradiarsia glareosa (Esper, 1788)
2118 True Lover's Knot Lycophotia porphyrea ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
2119 Pearly Underwing Peridroma saucia (Hübner, 1808)
2120 Ingrailed Clay Diarsia mendica (Fabricius, 1775)
2122 Purple Clay Diarsia brunnea ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
2123 Small Square-spot Diarsia rubi (Vieweg, 1790)
2126 Setaceous Hebrew Character Xestia c-nigrum (Linnaeus, 1758)
2127 Triple-spotted Clay Xestia ditrapezium ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
2128 Double Square-spot Xestia triangulum (Hufnagel, 1766)
2130 Dotted Clay Xestia baja ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
2133 Six-striped Rustic Xestia sexstrigata (Haworth, 1809)
2134 Square-spot Rustic Xestia xanthographa ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
2135 Heath Rustic Xestia agathina (Duponchel, 1827)
2138 Green Arches Anaplectoides prasina ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
2139 Red Chestnut Cerastis rubricosa ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
2150 Grey Arches Polia nebulosa (Hufnagel, 1766)
2154 Cabbage Moth Mamestra brassicae (Linnaeus, 1758)
2155 Dot Moth Melanchra persicariae (Linnaeus, 1761)
2156 Beautiful Brocade Lacanobia contigua ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
2158 Pale-shouldered Brocade Lacanobia thalassina (Hufnagel, 1766)
2160 Bright-line Brown-eye Lacanobia oleracea (Linnaeus, 1758)
2163 Broom Moth Ceramica pisi (Linnaeus, 1758)
2166 The Campion Hadena rivularis (Fabricius, 1775)
2167 Tawny Shears Hadena perplexa ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
2171 Marbled Coronet Hadena confusa (Hufnagel, 1766)
2173 The Lychnis Hadena bicruris (Hufnagel, 1766)
2176 Antler Moth Cerapteryx graminis (Linnaeus, 1758)
2177 Hedge Rustic Tholera cespitis ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
2179 Pine Beauty Panolis flammea ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
2182 Small Quaker Orthosia cruda ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
2186 Powdered Quaker Orthosia gracilis ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
2187 Common Quaker Orthosia cerasi (Fabricius, 1775)
2188 Clouded Drab Orthosia incerta (Hufnagel, 1766)
2189 Twin-spotted Quaker Orthosia munda ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
2190 Hebrew Character Orthosia gothica (Linnaeus, 1758)
2192 Brown-line Bright-eye Mythimna conigera ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
2193 The Clay Mythimna ferrago (Fabricius, 1787)
2195 The Delicate Mythimna vitellina (Hübner, 1808)
2199 Common Wainscot Mythimna pallens (Linnaeus, 1758)
2203 White-speck Mythimna unipuncta (Haworth, 1809)
2205 Shoulder-striped Wainscot Mythimna comma (Linnaeus, 1761)
2208 The Cosmopolitan Mythimna loreyi (Duponchel, 1827)
2214 Chamomile Shark Cucullia chamomillae ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
2216 The Shark Cucullia umbratica (Linnaeus, 1758)
2229 Brindled Ochre Dasypolia templi (Thunberg, 1792)
2232 Black Rustic Aporophyla nigra (Haworth, 1809)
2236 Pale Pinion Lithophane hepatica (Clerck, 1759)
2237 Grey Shoulder-knot Lithophane ornitopus (Dadd, 1911)
2240 Blair's Shoulder-knot Lithophane leautieri Boursin, 1957
2241 Red Sword-grass Xylena vetusta (Hübner, 1813)
2242 Sword-grass Xylena exsoleta (Linnaeus, 1758)
2243 Early Grey Xylocampa areola (Esper, 1789)
2245 Green-brindled Crescent Allophyes oxyacanthae (Linnaeus, 1758)
2247 Merveille du Jour Dichonia aprilina (Linnaeus, 1758)
2248 Brindled Green Dryobotodes eremita (Fabricius, 1775)
2254 Grey Chi Antitype chi (Linnaeus, 1758)
2256 The Satellite Eupsilia transversa (Hufnagel, 1766)
2258 The Chestnut Conistra vaccinii (Linnaeus, 1761)
2259 Dark Chestnut Conistra ligula (Esper, 1791)
2262 The Brick Agrochola circellaris (Hufnagel, 1766)
2263 Red-line Quaker Agrochola lota (Clerck, 1759)
2264 Yellow-line Quaker Agrochola macilenta (Hübner, 1809)
2265 Flounced Chestnut Agrochola helvola (Linnaeus, 1758)
2267 Beaded Chestnut Agrochola lychnidis ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
2269 Centre-barred Sallow Atethmia centrago (Haworth, 1809)
2273 Pink-barred Sallow Xanthia togata (Esper, 1788)
2274 The Sallow Xanthia icteritia (Hufnagel, 1766)
2275 Dusky-lemon Sallow Xanthia gilvago ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
2278 Poplar Grey Acronicta megacephala ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
2280 The Miller Acronicta leporina (Linnaeus, 1758)
2283 Dark Dagger Acronicta tridens ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
2284 Grey Dagger Acronicta psi (Linnaeus, 1758)
2289 Knot Grass Acronicta rumicis (Linnaeus, 1758)
2293 Marbled Beauty Cryphia domestica (Hufnagel, 1766)
2297 Copper Underwing Amphipyra pyramidea (Linnaeus, 1758)
2299 Mouse Moth Amphipyra tragopogonis (Clerck, 1759)
2300 Old Lady Mormo maura (Linnaeus, 1758)
2302 Brown Rustic Rusina ferruginea (Esper, 1785)
2305 Small Angle Shades Euplexia lucipara (Linnaeus, 1758)
2306 Angle Shades Phlogophora meticulosa (Linnaeus, 1758)
2318 The Dun-bar Cosmia trapezina (Linnaeus, 1758)
2321 Dark Arches Apamea monoglypha (Hufnagel, 1766)
2322 Light Arches Apamea lithoxylaea ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
2326 Clouded-bordered Brindle Apamea crenata (Hufnagel, 1766)
2327 Clouded Brindle Apamea epomidion (Haworth, 1809)
2330 Dusky Brocade Apamea remissa (Hübner, 1809)
2334 Rustic Shoulder-knot Apamea sordens (Hufnagel, 1766)
2335 Slender Brindle Apamea solopacina (Esper, 1788)
2337 Marbled Minor Oligia strigilis (Linnaeus, 1758)
2339 Tawny Marbled Minor Oligia latruncula ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
2340 Middle-barred Minor Oligia fasciuncula (Haworth, 1809)
2341 Cloaked Minor Mesoligia furuncula ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
2342 Rosy Minor Mesoligia literosa (Haworth, 1809)
2343 Common Rustic Mesapamea secalis (Linnaeus, 1758)
2353 Flounced Rustic Luperina testacea ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
2364 Frosted Orange Gortyna flavago ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
2369 Bulrush Wainscot Nonagria typhae (Thunberg, 1784)
2380 Treble Lines Charanyca trigrammica (Hufnagel, 1766)
2382 The Rustic Hoplodrina blanda ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
2385 Small Mottled Willow Spodoptera exigua (Hübner, 1808)
2387 Mottled Rustic Caradrina morpheus (Hufnagel, 1766)
2389 Pale Mottled Willow Caradrina clavipalpis (Scopoli, 1763)
2399 Bordered Sallow Pyrrhia umbra (Hufnagel, 1766)
2400 Scarce Bordered Straw Heliothis armigera (Hübner, 1808)
2403 Bordered Straw Heliothis peltigera ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
2412 Silver Hook Deltote uncula (Clerck, 1759)
2422 Green Silver-lines Pseudoips prasinana (Warren, 1913)
2423 Oak Nycteoline Nycteola revayana (Scopoli, 1772)
2434 Burnished Brass Diachrysia chrysitis (Linnaeus, 1758)
2439 Gold Spot Plusia festucae (Linnaeus, 1758)
2440 Lempke's Gold Spot Plusia putnami Lempke, 1966
2441 Silver Y Autographa gamma (Linnaeus, 1758)
2442 Beautiful Golden Y Autographa pulchrina (Haworth, 1809)
2443 Plain Golden Y Autographa jota (Linnaeus, 1758)
2444 Gold Spangle Autographa bractea ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
2449 Dark Spectacle Abrostola triplasia (Linnaeus, 1758)
2450 The Spectacle Abrostola tripartita (Hufnagel, 1766)
2474 Straw Dot Rivula sericealis (Scopoli, 1763)
2477 The Snout Hypena proboscidalis (Linnaeus, 1758)
2484 Pinion-streaked Snout Schrankia costaestrigalis (Stephens, 1834)
2488 Common Fan-foot Pechipogo strigilata (Linnaeus, 1758)
2488a Plumed Fan-foot Pechipogo plumigeralis (Hübner, 1825)
2489 The Fan-foot Herminia tarsipennalis (Treitschke, 1835)
2491 Shaded Fan-foot Herminia tarsicrinalis (Knoch, 1782)
2492 Small Fan-foot Herminia grisealis ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

That's 289 species.

[Angus T]

Originally Posted by harry eales

Hello Brian,
The UK moths list is good in that it indicates which insects there are photographs for on that site. However, I think the list I have is far more useful in that it contains a lot of data missing or not included on the UK Moths site list.

Harry Eales.

I don't understand what list you have. The list that Brian gave link to IS
the full lep list, isn't it? There is a link on that page to the list that shows which moths are depicted on the site.

[harry eales]

Originally Posted by Angus T

I don't understand what list you have. The list that Brian gave link to IS
the full lep list, isn't it? There is a link on that page to the list that shows which moths are depicted on the site.

Hello Angus,
The UKMoths list is I believe the full Bradley and Fletcher check list and it does indicate by a colour code, which species are illustrated on their website.

The other list I have also includes the corrections, keys, references, status, synonyms etc., indicated in the original B&F Checklist. In other words it is more comprehensive.

If anyone wants a copy please PM me with your Email address and I will forward a copy to you.

Harry Eales.

[Angus T]

Originally Posted by harry eales

Hello Angus,
The UKMoths list is I believe the full Bradley and Fletcher check list and it does indicate by a colour code, which species are illustrated on their website.

The other list I have also includes the corrections, keys, references, status, synonyms etc., indicated in the original B&F Checklist. In other words it is more comprehensive.

If anyone wants a copy please PM me with your Email address and I will forward a copy to you.

Harry Eales.

Harry,

Thanks for clarifying that for me

[Surreybirder]

Things are hotting up. I've added at least 12 new species in the period 15 - 18 May, despite having fairly low numbers of moths in the trap. (And that's not counting various micros and pugs that the experts cannot agree on!)
Last night a bat was flying around, just visible at the limits of the area illuminated by the MV bulb--so I'm sure that that's where all my 'rarities' ended up

[Surreybirder]

I've now passed the 100 mark for my garden list. (See post #1)
I'm actually on more like 110 but I'm still waiting for some to be verified by my CR.
Still a long way to go to catch up with Chris, Angus and Brian!
Edit: Just noticed I'd got common pug down twice... oh, well, 99!

[Swift]

Well done with the recording, caught six new species for my garden last night .

[Grampy Bustard]

I have been catching in the garden since late July last year, and in coming up to 11 months have identified 229 species. This last 3 weeks has been pretty phenominal with 48 new ones alone. I wonder what the rest of June and July will bring?

[Ben Dickinson]

Just out of interest, someone further up said that moth catches this year have been universally down - are moths generally in some sort of decline?

[harry eales]

Originally Posted by Ben Dickinson

Just out of interest, someone further up said that moth catches this year have been universally down - are moths generally in some sort of decline?

Hello Ben,
Moth trapping produces various results depending on a large number of variables. E.g. Locality, type of habitat, air temperature, humidity, wind direction and wind speed, there may also be subtle changes in all of these factors which can alter the number of species and the totals of individual species caught.

No one can guarentee catching moths every night they trap. The type of trap used can also effect results. In my area the local council have recently replaced all the street lighting, and orange sodium bulbs now light my village. These have had an effect on the numbers of moths I catch in my garden. It's annoying at times to see very little in the way of moths coming to my MV trap when I can plainly see quite a number flying around the streetlights at the far end of my garden.

There has been some publicity on the Butterfly Conservation Web Site which mentions a decline in moth numbers in various parts of the British Isles. This data was obtained from the users of Rothamstead Moth Traps, who have, over a period of several years and in some cases decades, noted a decline in numbers of particular species being caught.

I for one am not at all surprised at that. Rothamstead Traps which are in a permanent position, operate every night of the year, and kill every insect entering the trap. Over a period of years or decades these traps are certainly likely to deplete the numbers of any local population. Admittedly, moths are mobile and do move around, but eventually less and less numbers of any particular species are caught.

Were these traps to be switched off for perhaps five years, and then put back into use, I would expect those species which had been reported in decline, to be far more common in each trapping area. I am fully aware that Rothamstead traps only 'sample' the local population where the trap is located. But, it's like a sample 'bite' out a sandwich, if you take enough sample bites, the sandwich is eventually gone. It's the same with moth populations, same principle and the same eventual result.

Most moths caught at light are males, every one captured in Rothamstead traps and killed off, means simply that females of that species in the vicinity are less likely to find a mate and sucessfully breed. The principle of exterminating males of 'Pest' species is practiced worldwide and there are many sites on the WWW that advertise traps to attract the males, although these are usually based on the female's pheremone.

Local populations do fluctuate for many reasons, some species disappear and are replaced by other not previously recorded. That's what makes recording so interesting, you never know what is going to turn up.

Harry

[Surreybirder]

There seems to be widespread anecdotal evidence that insect numbers have generally declined. Which is hardly surprising given the wide use of insecticides. The RSPB 'splatometer' tests will make the figures 'scientific', I suppose. There has also been a decline in the numbers of many insectivorous birds. We've been having a discussion on our local newsgroup about the reduced number of spotted flycatchers breeding in Surrey in recent years. They are becoming quite hard to find.

[Brian Stone]

Originally Posted by harry eales

Hello Ben,
Moth trapping produces various results depending on a large number of variables. E.g. Locality, type of habitat, air temperature, humidity, wind direction and wind speed, there may also be subtle changes in all of these factors which can alter the number of species and the totals of individual species caught.

No one can guarentee catching moths every night they trap. The type of trap used can also effect results. In my area the local council have recently replaced all the street lighting, and orange sodium bulbs now light my village. These have had an effect on the numbers of moths I catch in my garden. It's annoying at times to see very little in the way of moths coming to my MV trap when I can plainly see quite a number flying around the streetlights at the far end of my garden.

There has been some publicity on the Butterfly Conservation Web Site which mentions a decline in moth numbers in various parts of the British Isles. This data was obtained from the users of Rothamstead Moth Traps, who have, over a period of several years and in some cases decades, noted a decline in numbers of particular species being caught.

I for one am not at all surprised at that. Rothamstead Traps which are in a permanent position, operate every night of the year, and kill every insect entering the trap. Over a period of years or decades these traps are certainly likely to deplete the numbers of any local population. Admittedly, moths are mobile and do move around, but eventually less and less numbers of any particular species are caught.

Were these traps to be switched off for perhaps five years, and then put back into use, I would expect those species which had been reported in decline, to be far more common in each trapping area. I am fully aware that Rothamstead traps only 'sample' the local population where the trap is located. But, it's like a sample 'bite' out a sandwich, if you take enough sample bites, the sandwich is eventually gone. It's the same with moth populations, same principle and the same eventual result.

Most moths caught at light are males, every one captured in Rothamstead traps and killed off, means simply that females of that species in the vicinity are less likely to find a mate and sucessfully breed. The principle of exterminating males of 'Pest' species is practiced worldwide and there are many sites on the WWW that advertise traps to attract the males, although these are usually based on the female's pheremone.

Local populations do fluctuate for many reasons, some species disappear and are replaced by other not previously recorded. That's what makes recording so interesting, you never know what is going to turn up.

Harry

I know very little about all this so what follows are my own ill-informed musings.

I would think the sandwich analogy is not valid as sandwiches don't breed in between nibbles. Also if only a small proportion of males are taken then there are still plenty of males left to mate with the remaining females and with a bit of effort I am sure they could get around to most of them. Even the males taken by the trap may already have mated.

Aren't Rothamstead traps intentionally rather inefficient? They would certainly not be anything like on the scale of pheromone lures, which could assemble just about every male of the target species for some distance.

I still don't like the concept of Rothamstead traps - I can't quite see why live trapping and release is not feasible. Is there any literature on how they affect local populations long term? How would you know if it was the trap or other factors?

[harry eales]

Hello Brian

[quote=brianhstone]I know very little about all this so what follows are my own ill-informed musings.

I would think the sandwich analogy is not valid as sandwiches don't breed in between nibbles. Also if only a small proportion of males are taken then there are still plenty of males left to mate with the remaining females and with a bit of effort I am sure they could get around to most of them. Even the males taken by the trap may already have mated.

I used the sandwich simply to demonstrate that you can only have so many bites before it is all gone. Certainly some males may have mated prior to being captured, but then again, they all may not have. Reducing the local popullation every night during the flight period of any insect is bound to have a cumulative effect eventually.

Aren't Rothamstead traps intentionally rather inefficient? They would certainly not be anything like on the scale of pheromone lures, which could assemble just about every male of the target species for some distance.

Rothamstead traps are fortunately, relatively inefficient compared to many modern traps, but they are run every night of the year and the total number of specimens killed is rather high. The majority of commercial pheromone traps are used by forresters because of their efficiency in catching pest species, but only individual destructive species are targetted.

I still don't like the concept of Rothamstead traps - I can't quite see why live trapping and release is not feasible. Is there any literature on how they affect local populations long term? How would you know if it was the trap or other factors?

Unfortunately not all Rothamstead trap operators are experienced entomologists capable of moth identification. Many operators are simply volunteers helping out the Rothamstead Recording Scheme. A local recorder (now deceased) used to get 5 -10 packages a day from Rothamstead trappers for identification. It would be impractical to send living specimens from a trap perhaps several hundred miles to another recorder especially on a daily basis. I agree live trapping would be better but it's just not practicable the way the scheme is organised. Regarding literature, I'm not aware if any capture statistics are published by the Rothamstead Scheme, but they will have all the record sheets submitted by recorders since the scheme started.

It stands to reason that if you constantly take numbers of specimens of any given species from one particular area year after year after year, then at some time the population (locally at least) will be reduced. A female moth may lay several hundred eggs but generally speaking only one or two survive to adulthood. The more that are removed by catching, the less there will be the following year. Another friend of mine used to catch upto 10 specimens a night of the December Moth, every night that the moth was flying, the following year there were less captures of the same species, four or five years later he was lucky to see one specimen every other night. Fortunately he has stopped trapping.

Harry

[Surreybirder]

Past the 160 mark now.
This thread must have some of the longest posts on the whole of Birdforum!
Ken