October Moths - 2021 (1 Viewer)

[JWN Andrewes]

Trap wasn't exactly hopping with moths this morning, but its contents had a very autumnal feel, with singles of Blair's Shoulder-knot, Rosy & Black Rustics, Lunar Underwing and a NFY Red-line Quaker. Silver Y, Large Yellow Underwing and Common Marbled & Red-green Carpets made up the balance, the latter the only species to go past single individuals, with a grand total of two.

 

[KenM]

After a day of rain, a night of unbridled joy on my patio doors in NE.London.👍🍷

 

[JWN Andrewes]

Oof!!! Bravo Ken. Not jealous at all here. Oh no.

 

[KenM]

Oof!!! Bravo Ken. Not jealous at all here. Oh no.

I’ve been “hammering” the garden birding as it’s now the Firecrest time frame, with no joy so far!…. this is beyond my wildest dreams!
If you think it looks interesting from beneath, seeing it in flight bouncing off the patio doors is a totally different experience!
Like a moth from a different planet, essentially
a fluttering black & white apparition….I’ll stop now and have my last 🍷👍

 

[Andy Adcock]

I’ve been “hammering” the garden birding as it’s now the Firecrest time frame, with no joy so far!…. this is beyond my wildest dreams!
If you think it looks interesting from beneath, seeing it in flight bouncing off the patio doors is a totally different experience!
Like a moth from a different planet, essentially
a fluttering black & white apparition….I’ll stop now and have my last 🍷👍

What's the status in London Ken?

It has a large range in Europe, I've had it right up in St Petersburg as you might know.

 

[KenM]

I’ve no idea Andy, save I recall someone on London Wiki Birds reported seeing one within the last couple of weeks.
For me the most mesmerising thing was seeing it in flight!
Essentially the largest moth I’ve seen (perhaps the white ground colour with black streaking made it look even more impressive).
Certainly no doubt enhanced by the 400w security light!
Presume you’ve seen them flying?

Cheers

 

[Andy Adcock]

I’ve no idea Andy, save I recall someone on London Wiki Birds reported seeing one within the last couple of weeks.
For me the most mesmerising thing was seeing it in flight!
Essentially the largest moth I’ve seen (perhaps the white ground colour with black streaking made it look even more impressive).
Certainly no doubt enhanced by the 400w security light!
Presume you’ve seen them flying?

Cheers

I have, I don't think they're (much) any bigger than Red Underwing or even Old Lady?

 

[KenM]

I have, I don't think they're (much) any bigger tha Red Underwing or even Old Lady?

I believe bigger than those according to Lewington…FW 41-48mm?

 

[aeshna5]

I have, I don't think they're (much) any bigger than Red Underwing or even Old Lady?

They are noticeably larger as I've seen images of both underwings side by side. Becoming more frequent in the London area & the south-east, though I'm yet to see one myself.

 

[KenM]

They are noticeably larger as I've seen images of both underwings side by side. Becoming more frequent in the London area & the south-east, though I'm yet to see one myself.

How frequent have CN become in London A?

Cheers

 

[aeshna5]

How frequent have CN become in London A?

Cheers

They seem to be turning up in some of the suburbs now. Not sure if they've been found in the inner city, but certainly there seems to be a year on year increase. Les Evan-Hill who traps on Wimbledon Common now gets some catches each year along with Dark Crimson Underwing.

 

[Allen]

After a day of rain, a night of unbridled joy on my patio doors in NE.London.👍🍷

Brilliant Ken, such an amazing moth.... only saw my first one recently too.

 

[IamFof]

Well. Please put all us non-lepidopterists out of our misery. What the bloody hell is it? CN OK but what is CN?

 

[JWN Andrewes]

Clifden Nonpareil.

 

[IamFof]

From all the non-lepidopterists who check out this site THANK YOU.

 

[IamFof]

Ok. A question.
It would appear that this spp is also called Catocala fraxini. This name follows the standard binomial format ie Genus with Upper case and species, lower case.
Most of the references I can see on the web, and your answer give the spp with upper case.
Why? Is this just a British idiosyncrasy? Something rare therefore upper case it?

Fof

 

[IamFof]

Whoops!
OK CN is common name.

Fof

 

[Steve Lister]

No CNs under any name here, but my first attempt of the month yielded ten moths of six species.
Garden Rose Tortrix
Large Yellow Underwing
Lunar Underwing (4)
Red-line Quaker (NFY)
Beaded Chestnut (2, NFY)
Angle Shades
Up to a total of 207 species for the year now, just about what I ended up on last year.

Steve

 

[Andy Adcock]

Whoops!
OK CN is common name.

Fof

No, CN is Clifden Nonpareil!

 

[Andy Adcock]

Ok. A question.
It would appear that this spp is also called Catocala fraxini. This name follows the standard binomial format ie Genus with Upper case and species, lower case.
Most of the references I can see on the web, and your answer give the spp with upper case.
Why? Is this just a British idiosyncrasy? Something rare therefore upper case it?

Fof

Can you illustrate what you mean, link?