Moths of August 2012 (1 Viewer)

[Jonny721]

Nothing of particular note in the garden trap this morning, best being Shuttle Shaped Dart, Dark Spectacle, Poplar Hawkmoth, 3 Swallow Prominent and a Pebble Prominent.

However my week staying on the East Sussex/Kent border last week produced some brilliant moths, 29 new species for me, with the best being:
Jersey Tiger (in the Olympic Park!), Chocolate Tip, 6 Prominent species in 1 night (Iron, Swallow, Lesser Swallow, Pale, Coxcomb and Pebble), Purple Thorn, Black Arches, True Lovers Knot, Scalloped and Pebble Hook Tips.

 

[Steve Arlow]

Nearly all of those would be additions for me, not been able to get out with the trap for a while so probably give it a whirl this evening.

 

[Tri-Counties Birder]

No particular highlights in the trap this morning, best being new micros of Orchard Ermine and Caloptilia robustella. But I did have this Tortrix for ID. Looking in the micro book, Celypha cespitana seems the best match, but the habitat is completely wrong. Any thoughts?

The highlight however came after hearing rustling in the bushes below the window I release the moths out of. A tame half-grown Hedgehog appeared, hoovering up some of the more docile moths!

More details on the blog.

 

[davidg]

No particular highlights in the trap this morning, best being new micros of Orchard Ermine and Caloptilia robustella. But I did have this Tortrix for ID. Looking in the micro book, Celypha cespitana seems the best match, but the habitat is completely wrong. Any thoughts?

Sean,

I think it is probably a very dark Eudemis profundana but I can't find a good matching image online.

David

 

[Tri-Counties Birder]

Thanks David.

 

[Jonny721]

About 180 in the trap this morning. Tawny Speckled Pug was a nice new for me, Latticed Heath was new for garden, and Rosy Rustic and Orange Swift were new for year.

 

[antshrike69]

Last night finally came up with some interesting moths after a very frustratingly wet season. 3 species were added to the garden list, taking it to 741 species - Clavigesta purdeyi, Plain Wave and by far the best - this awesome female Oak Eggar. I checked the trap at 3.45 am and nearly passed her off as a dead leaf in the grass by the trap. Another hour and the blackbirds would have had a meal and a half!

She laid eggs before I released her this morning so I may have a go at rearing the caterpillars. Either way, a totally stonking moth and the highlight of the year for me so far.

 

[billsbirding]

My first ever Jersey Tiger (of the scarcer lutescens form) was waiting for me in the garden trap on the morning of the 11th. Let's just say I've seen duller moths!

 

[Mike Shurmer]

Only my second ever trapping session on Saturday night, but well over 150 moths, 41 of which were Scarce Footman! A couple of nice micros were a Carcina quercana and a Phycita roborella.

 

[billsbirding]

The first garden record of Toadflax Brocade was in the trap this morning, a stunningly fresh adult. There is believed to be a small population down the road in Berrylands, where I suspect this moth has come from.

Also in the trap, my highest ever single count of 7 Tree-lichen Beauty was interesting to note, a species that has no doubt strongly colonised the southern counties.

 

[aeshna5]

This is the first year for several years now that I haven't found Toadflax Brocade larvae in my Greenford garden on Purple Toadflax.

 

[Tri-Counties Birder]

Fantastic mothing last night at wetland site in London suburbs. Typical London suburb moths of Jersey Tigers and my first Tree-lichen Beauties. Best though was three Cream-bordered Green Peas.

More shots and details on the blog.

 

[Steve Lister]

Reasonable catch last night, 157 moths of 33 species.

Two new micros for my garden - Cochylimorpha straminea (Cat C locally) and even better Bucculatrix thoracella (Cat D).

Also several NFY - Euzophera pinguis, Cacoecimorpha pronubana, White Satin Moth, Square-spot Rustic, Flounced Rustic and Spectacle.

Steve

 

[Jonny721]

251 moths of 45 species last night with 3 new species for me, Canary-shouldered Thorn, The Olive and Ypsolopha sequella. Also 2 Copper Underwing (plus 1 Svensson's) which were new for the garden.

 

[Tri-Counties Birder]

At a chalk site last night, my first ever Square-spotted Clay. Surprised also to get the migrant Cydia amplana, so they're getting about!

 

[antshrike69]

The other night I had three new macros in the garden trap - Pale-shouldered Brocade, a lovely Bordered Beauty and Small Phoenix. None are scarce in the county, but have never shown up before despite nightly trapping over 3 years. That brings the garden list to 746, half of which are macros.

 

[davidg]

The other night I had three new macros in the garden trap - Pale-shouldered Brocade, a lovely Bordered Beauty and Small Phoenix. None are scarce in the county, but have never shown up before despite nightly trapping over 3 years. That brings the garden list to 746, half of which are macros.

Hi Jonathan,

Let me know when you get to 751 as you'll then be past my total which has taken me much longer (8 years). There must be a limit to the number of species an inland site can attract but I wonder what it is - 800, 850? I know that some sites on the south coast are at 1000+ species, anyone know the highest species recorded at an inland site?

David

 

[antshrike69]

Cheers David - still a few to go then for me! It's very interesting seeing the differences between sites that are relatively close together - maybe we should merge lists