Moths of August 2010 (2 Viewers)

[black52bird]

News from Budapest

Hello, and thanks to those of you who have missed me!!

As I explained in personal emails, since we moved to the other end of Buda at Christmas 2009, my opportunities for mothing at home have become zero, so I have to rely on other situations. But just to show you all I am keeping my hand in, here are two finds from this week.

The first is the plume moth Amblyptilia acanthadactyla, which I photographed on my father's bathroom wall in Walsall England when visiting earlier this week; I'm showing it because it's a nice photo of a pretty moth, and it's a new species for me.

The second - a Marbled Grey - flew in off the street here in BP last night; it was a regular at the old flat, but as it's a UK rarity/migrant I thought I would put it up for the UK members.

See you were talking about Tree Lichen Beauty breeding in Surrey and Kent now - that's another common one here, which I got flying in a couple of weeks ago

Glad to see everyone keeping up the good work. Some lovely photos up and great hauls you're all getting. Very envious!!

best wishes

David A. Hill

 

[Oleander]

Finally the weather allowed me to trap, though the wind was quite strong. I got 89 moths and 26 species. One new for the year, Oak Lutestring.

 

[Nerine]

Marbled Grey - flew in off the street here in BP last night; it was a regular at the old flat, but as it's a UK rarity/migrant I thought I would put it up for the UK members.

Thanks, David, and it's great to see you back.

Nerine

 

[SveinB]

Here I had two Flounced Chestnuts in my actinic trap running last night out in the forest. Very pretty now when fresh. I also add a photo of a Blue-bordered Carpet, it is just such a pretty moth, I think.

Svein B

 

[KenM]

It was raining 'cats and dogs' last night...+ a few moths! thus I pre-empted the precipitation and set the trap up on the patio table under the parasol. Unfortunately it rained right through the night and was still raining at 5am when I switched the light off. It was probably a reasonable result for me considering the conditions. Return was 16 moths of 7 species...highlight being Six-striped Rustic (my 2nd for the year).

How do others fair...with non-stop rain? assuming of course that 'others' trap in the rain under canopy.

cheers

 

[SveinB]

I trap in the rain, and the rainy nights are often the best here. I trap in the open land. My only problem with the rain is that I have to bring the trap under a roof while checking it in the morning.

Svein B

 

[KenM]

Svein B Hi,

What is the aperture size on your trap?...as I've changed my regular trap for a relatively new improvised 'ali baba' ceramic pot...with a 50mm plastic funnel entrance...ie it keeps out the birds! :t:

cheers

 

[SveinB]

Hi KenM, I have a 50mm tube glued to the end of the funnel, with a clear plastic part- to prevent the moths from escaping after entering the trap. I find 50mm being large enough for "everything" to get in, but it keeps out the birds. Goat Moth, and loads og Poplar Hawks find their way into the trap, so 50mm entrance is enough. :t:

Svein B

 

[KenM]

Svein B thanks for that!.....it's given me an alternative idea to my current set-up. :t:

cheers

 

[antshrike69]

Ken - my two traps are on auto-timers and run even in the rain. I've yet (touch wood) to have a problem with bulbs blowing and catches can be excellent when its rained heavily. I use Robinson traps - the type with the bulb pointing towards the trap and covered by a small disc of perspex, but other than that I give no extra protection. One trap is under the canopy of trees; the other in the middle of the lawn. Lots of egg boxes protect the moths if water does enter - yesterday all the boxes were soggy but there were lots of moths including 3 species of prominent and many others.

 

[edenwatcher]

I often get good catches in the rain.
I was down visiting Sue's family in the Lake District at the weekend and ran the trap twice.
Friday night was rather disappointing with 11 spp. Highlight was 4 barred chestnuts.
Saturday was much better with a canary-shouldered thorn, true lover's knot, another 2 barred chestnuts, plus my first ever garden dart and buff footman.

Rob

 

[KenM]

Thanks Guys for the input!.....Svein B do I assume that your light source is encased beneath the tube/funnel or above outside the picture area?

cheers

 

[SveinB]

Thanks Guys for the input!.....Svein B do I assume that your light source is encased beneath the tube/funnel or above outside the picture area?

cheers

On this photo the funnel is turned upside down. I add a photo of the traps in parts, and one of the trap complete ready for use. Also a photo inside the trap- with drainage funnel with fine mesh over.

Svein B

 

[KenM]

Thanks Svein B.....now I can see how I might improve the set-up, for a much hoped for better return!

cheers

 

[Jamie Dunning]

another night of what seems to be very much the same species. would love to get a NFG!

highlights for me being,
8 Marbled Beauty (but im wondering if the tree lychn beauty has reached nottingham yet?)
2 Fresh DS Pugs
and a bloodvein (which i dont see very often here)

 

[joshjenkinsshaw]

The last few weeks have been terrible in my garden. I haven't even trapped a Large Yellow Underwing.
Last night was just as bad with 1 Orange Swift, 1 Straw Underwing, 7 Square-spot Rustic, 1 Turnip, 2 Straw Dot, 3 Lesser Yellow Underwing, 1 Cypress Pug, 1 Silver Y and 1 Flounced Rustic. Fingers crossed this weather will improve - as Jamie says, it would be nice to get a NFG sometime soon!

 

[antshrike69]

Two main highlights last night:

Tawny-barred Angle NFG
Centre-barred Sallow NFY and must mean autumn is in the air!

 

[dantheman]

Might as well post my results, keeping good company (actually probably quite a good night lol), although does prove that the Large Yellow Underwing still exists as a moth species down here in Cornwall ...

5.45am:-

Large Yellow Underwing 16
Flounced Rustic 10
Set Heb Character 3
Orange Swift 2 (f)
Mullein Wave 1
Common White Wave 1
Garden Carpet 1 (possibly NFY!)
DB Tw Spot Carpet 1
Rosy Rustic 1
The Lychnis 1
Flame Shoulder 1
Common Rustic agg. 1
Obligatory Pug sp. 1

 

[antshrike69]

Last night, despite heavy rain, I had Rusty-dot Pearl NFG and NFM.
The only others of interest were Iron Prominent and Poplar Hawk-Moth.
Large Yellow Underwings are building up in numbers now despite the weather.

Oh and forgot that I had my first Holly Blue in the trap 2 nights ago.

 

[dantheman]

Had 2 Frosted Orange in the trap last night; another sign of impending autumn ... 37 moths of 12 species, others included Purple Bar 2 and a nearby Brimstone.