WE ARE THE CAMPIONS

1st June 2012 .. Coronet for jubilee day

2012-06-02T17:04:00.000+01:00

Overnight low 10.3 deg. Light rain showers, chilly breeze.
Plenty of action around the traps despite the cooler and at times rather wet conditions. Varied Coronet was a highlight.

17 Common Swift Hepialus lupulinus 2
310 Callisto denticulella 3, year first (Below)

647 Brown House-moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella 2
648 White-shouldered House-moth Endrosis sarcitrella 7
787 Bryotropha terrella 1, year first (Below)

808 Platyedra subcinerea 2
892 Mompha subbistrigella 1, year first (Below)

1010 Red-barred Tortrix Ditula angustiorana 1, year first (Below)

1076 Celypha lacunana 1

1356 Garden Pebble Evergestis forficalis 1

1428 Bee Moth Aphomia sociella 5, (Below)

1707 Small Dusty Wave Idaea seriata 2

1728 Garden Carpet Xanthorhoe fluctuata 4

1867 Treble-bar Aplocera plagiata 1

1906 Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis luteolata 2

1920 Scalloped Hazel Odontopera bidentata 1

1937 Willow Beauty Peribatodes rhomboidaria 2

1979 Lime Hawk-moth Mimas tiliae 1

2087 Turnip Moth Agrotis segetum 3

2089 Heart & Dart Agrotis exclamationis 3

2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart Agrotis puta 9

2102 Flame Shoulder Ochropleura plecta 1

2154 Cabbage Moth Mamestra brassicae 1

2157 Light Brocade Lacanobia w-latinum 1

2160 Bright-line Brown-eye Lacanobia oleracea 2

2170 Varied Coronet Hadena compta 1, year first (Below)

2283/4 Dark/Grey Dagger Acronicta tridens/psi agg 1

2289 Knot Grass Acronicta rumicis 1

2333 Large Nutmeg Apamea anceps 1

2337 Marbled Minor Oligia strigilis year first (Below)

**** Marbled Minor agg. (3 others were caught of which 1 was almost certainly Marbled but not so well marked as the one illustrated, and two that were possibly Tawny but would have required gen. det....Future MM's will now be labelled aggs or Tawbled Minors....Our recorders have said they are happy to accept well marked examples as past gen. dets. have proven to be 99 % correct, especially in gardens like mine where previous gen. dets. have been carried out and both Marbled and Tawny were present....makes sense to me ! )

Tawbled Minor (Below).... It could catch on !

2380 Treble Lines Charanyca trigrammica 8 (record count)

2381 The Uncertain Hoplodrina alsines 7

2389 Pale Mottled Willow Paradrina clavipalpis 7

2441 Silver Y Autographa gamma 2

THE PUGS....

1817 Foxglove Pug Eupithecia pulchellata 1, year first (Above)

1819 Mottled Pug Eupithecia exiguata 1, (Below)

1827 Freyer's Pug Eupithecia intricata 1, year first (Above 27mm w'span)

1834 Common Pug Eupithecia vulgata 5, (Below)

31st May 2012 ... Good end to month

2012-06-01T17:04:00.000+01:00

Overnight low 13.3 deg. cloudy
The month ended on a high with 45 species in and around the garden traps, including 11 additions to the year list.

17 Common Swift Hepialus lupulinus 1
229 Monopis obviella 1
647 Brown House-moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella 3
648 White-shouldered House-moth Endrosis sarcitrella 3
779 Bryotropha affinis 1
808 Platyedra subcinerea 2
974 Argyrotaenia ljungiana 1
998 Light Brown Apple Moth Epiphyas postvittana 3
1063 Celypha striana 1, year first
1133 Epinotia bilunana 1 year first (Below)

1174 Epiblema cynosbatella 2
1428 Bee Moth Aphomia sociella 3
1524 Emmelina monodactyla 1
1728 Garden Carpet Xanthorhoe fluctuata 5
1768 Grey Pine Carpet Thera obeliscata 1 year first (Below)

1776 Green Carpet Colostygia pectinataria 4
1819 Mottled Pug Eupithecia exiguata 1
1825 Lime-speck Pug Eupithecia centaureata 1
1834 Common Pug Eupithecia vulgata 7
1860 Green Pug Pasiphila rectangulata 2, year first (Below)

1906 Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis luteolata 3
1920 Scalloped Hazel Odontopera bidentata 1
1937 Willow Beauty Peribatodes rhomboidaria 4
1958 Clouded Silver Lomographa temerata 1, year first (Below)

1961 Light Emerald Campaea margaritata 1, year first (Below)

2000 Iron Prominent Notodonta dromedarius 1
2006 Lesser Swallow Prominent Pheosia gnoma 1, year first (Below)

2011 Pale Prominent Pterostoma palpina 1, year first (Below)

2028 Pale Tussock Calliteara pudibunda 1
2060 White Ermine Spilosoma lubricipeda 1, year first (Below)

2087 Turnip Moth Agrotis segetum 8
2089 Heart & Dart Agrotis exclamationis 4, (Below)

2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart Agrotis puta 15
2102 Flame Shoulder Ochropleura plecta 1
2126 Setaceous Hebrew Character Xestia c-nigrum 1
2154 Cabbage Moth Mamestra brassicae 2
2173 The Lychnis Hadena bicruris 1
2223 Toadflax Brocade Calophasia lunula 1
2333 Large Nutmeg Apamea anceps 2
2380 Treble Lines Charanyca trigrammica 4
2381 The Uncertain Hoplodrina alsines 7
2283/4 Dark/Grey Dagger Acronicta tridens/psi agg.1
2387 Mottled Rustic Caradrina morpheus 1, year first (Below)

2389 Pale Mottled Willow Paradrina clavipalpis 8
2418 Cream-bordered Green Pea Earias clorana 1, year first (Below)

2441 Silver Y Autographa gamma 4

30th May 2012, It starts ! Heart & Darts

2012-05-31T19:43:00.001+01:00

Overnight low 11.5 deg. light breeze, cloudy
The first heart & Darts turned up last night, the first of many to come no doubt.
I was so thrilled, I forgot to photograph one !

409a Argyresthia trifasciata 2 (Below)

647 Brown House-moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella 3
648 White-shouldered House-moth Endrosis sarcitrella 3
998 Light Brown Apple Moth Epiphyas postvittana 5
1261 Codling Moth Cydia pomonella 3
1342 Eudonia angustea 1
1356 Garden Pebble Evergestis forficalis 1
1361 Pyrausta aurata 1
1428 Bee Moth Aphomia sociella 5
1524 Emmelina monodactyla 1
1646 Oak Hook-tip Watsonalla binaria 1, year first (Below)

1728 Garden Carpet Xanthorhoe fluctuata 3
1776 Green Carpet Colostygia pectinataria 3
1834 Common Pug Eupithecia vulgata 2
1906 Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis luteolata 3
1920 Scalloped Hazel Odontopera bidentata 1
1936 Waved Umber Menophra abruptaria 1
1937 Willow Beauty Peribatodes rhomboidaria 2
2043 Orange Footman Eilema sororcula 1
2087 Turnip Moth Agrotis segetum 2
2089 Heart & Dart Agrotis exclamationis 3, year first
2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart Agrotis puta 18
2154 Cabbage Moth Mamestra brassicae 1
2283/4 Dark/Grey Dagger Acronicta tridens/psi 1
2380 Treble Lines Charanyca trigrammica 2
2381 The Uncertain Hoplodrina alsines 4, year first (Below)

2384 Vine's Rustic Hoplodrina ambigua 2
2389 Pale Mottled Willow Paradrina clavipalpis 2

2441 Silver Y Autographa gamma 2

2450 The Spectacle Abrostola tripartita 2

Also a couple of micros for ID...

The one below looks like 1212 Rhyacionia pinivorana, although it seems a bit on the large size with a wingspan of almost 16mm

29th May 2012 ... New micro for The Dells

2012-05-30T20:18:00.000+01:00

A little cooler last night and numbers were down.
Macros were the same as the last few nights with no additions to the year list, but a garden first micro was added.

1000 Ptycholoma lecheana

28th May 2012 ... 5 New moths for the year

2012-05-30T10:37:00.000+01:00

Yet another warm evening saw 5 newcomers for the year in and around the garden traps.....

1680 Maiden's Blush Cyclophora punctaria (Below)

1867 Treble-bar Aplocera plagiata (Below)

1904 Scorched Wing Plagodis dolabraria (Below)

2157 Light Brocade Lacanobia w-latinum (Below)

2279 The Sycamore Acronicta aceris (Below)

27th May 2012 .. Minor detail

2012-05-28T18:34:00.000+01:00

Another warm night (10.8 min).
A brace of Tawney Marbled Minor made a year first appearance, I won't get these gen det'd as the first ones in my garden are usually Tawney MM and both of these had brown in the wings..... Previous gen det has shown these to be TMM's.
No doubts about Small Ranunculus however.
The Haul :- in no particular order...

2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart Agrotis puta 10

2334 Rustic Shoulder-knot Apamea sordens 1
1728 Garden Carpet Xanthorhoe fluctuata 3
2028 Pale Tussock Calliteara pudibunda 1 (Below)

1906 Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis luteolata 4
17.....Common Swift Hepialus lupulinus 3
2283/4 Dark/Grey Dagger Acronicta tridens/psi 5
2480 Buttoned Snout Hypena rostralis 1

2289 Knot Grass Acronicta rumicis 1

2339 Tawny Marbled Minor Oligia latruncula 2, year first (Below)

1937 Willow Beauty Peribatodes rhomboidaria 4

2087 Turnip Moth Agrotis segetum 3

2306 Angle Shades Phlogophora meticulosa 1

1920 Scalloped Hazel Odontopera bidentata 2

2441 Silver Y Autographa gamma 4

2126 Setaceous Hebrew Character Xestia c-nigrum 2

2043 Orange Footman Eilema sororcula 1

2102 Flame Shoulder Ochropleura plecta 1

2450 The Spectacle Abrostola tripartita 1

2384 Vine's Rustic Hoplodrina ambigua 2

2165 Small Ranunculus Hecatera dysodea 1, year first (Below)

1834 Common Pug Eupithecia vulgata 2

1819 Mottled Pug Eupithecia exiguata 4

2389 Pale Mottled Willow Paradrina clavipalpis 3

2069 The Cinnabar Tyria jacobaeae 1

2160 Bright-line Brown-eye Lacanobia oleracea 2

2333 Large Nutmeg Apamea anceps 2

648.. White-shouldered House-moth Endrosis sarcitrella 5

1474 Ephestia parasitella 3

1524 Emmelina monodactyla 3

998.. Light Brown Apple Moth Epiphyas postvittana 4

1174 Epiblema cynosbatella 5, year first (Below)

974.. Argyrotaenia ljungiana 2

986.. Syndemis musculana 1

1428 Bee Moth Aphomia sociella 4

1356 Garden Pebble Evergestis forficalis 2
409a Argyresthia trifasciata 2
808.. Platyedra subcinerea 1
1076 Celypha lacunana 1, year first (Below)

26th May 2012 ... נחמד לראות אותך

2012-05-27T14:49:00.001+01:00

I first started "mothing" in mid 2009, and some of the vernacular names caught my imagination.
None more so than Setaceous Hebrew Character .... wonderful !
The warm evenings continue and look like remaining for the week ahead and I'm sure many trappers are struggling to keep up with their blog posts, unlike a week ago when we were scratching for something post.
The blog title is in Hebrew and means, "Nice to see you", (courtesy of "Google Translate") which I thought was quite apt for a brace of "year first" Setaceous Hebrew Characters found in the trap this morning.
Trap Report :-
17 Common Swift Hepialus lupulinus 4
247 Tinea trinotella 1

647 Brown House-moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella 1

648 Whi te-shouldered House-moth Endrosis sarcitrella 4

808 Platyedra subcinerea 1

998 Light Brown Apple Moth Epiphyas postvittana 3

1356 Garden Pebble Evergestis forficalis 2

1524 Emmelina monodactyla 2

1707 Small Dusty Wave Idaea seriata 1, year first (Below)

1728 Garden Carpet Xanthorhoe fluctuata 2

1819 Mottled Pug Eupithecia exiguata 1

1825 Lime-speck Pug Eupithecia centaureata 2

1834 Common Pug Eupithecia vulgata 1

1937 Willow Beauty Peribatodes rhomboidaria 2

2043 Orange Footman Eilema sororcula 1, year first (Below)

2061 Buff Ermine Spilosoma luteum 1

2069 The Cinnabar Tyria jacobaeae 1, year first (Below)

2078 Least Black Arches Nola confusalis 1

2087 Turnip Moth Agrotis segetum 3

2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart Agrotis puta 9

2107 Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba 1

2126 Setaceous Hebrew Character Xestia c-nigrum 2, year first (Below)

2160 Bright-line Brown-eye Lacanobia oleracea 2

2145 The Nutmeg Discestra trifolii 1

2154 Cabbage Moth Mamestra brassicae 1

2173 The Lychnis Hadena bicruris 1

2283/4 Dark/Grey Dagger Acronicta tridens/psi 3

2306 Angle Shades Phlogophora meticulosa 1
2384 Vine's Rustic Hoplodrina ambigua 1, year first (Below)

2389 Pale Mottled Willow Paradrina clavipalpis 3

2450 The Spectacle Abrostola tripartita 1

2480 Buttoned Snout Hypena rostralis 2

**** Dichrorampha species to be determined 1

25th May 2012 ... In the buff

2012-05-26T14:53:00.000+01:00

Overnight low ... 11.4 deg. Clear with an easterly breeze, gusty at times.
A Buff Ermine was a newcomer for the year, along with another nice selection....

17 Common Swift Hepialus lupulinus 3
1648 Pebble Hook-tip Drepana falcataria 1, year first (Below)

1728 Garden Carpet Xanthorhoe fluctuata 2, (Below)

1781 Small Waved Umber Horisme vitalbata 1
1819 Mottled Pug Eupithecia exiguata 1, (Below)

1825 Lime-speck Pug Eupithecia centaureata 2 (Below)

1834 Common Pug Eupithecia vulgata 3, (Below)

1883 Yellow-barred Brindle Acasis viretata 1
1920 Scalloped Hazel Odontopera bidentata 2
1997 Sallow Kitten Furcula furcula 1
2028 Pale Tussock Calliteara pudibunda 1
2061 Buff Ermine Spilosoma luteum 1, year first (Below)

2087 Turnip Moth Agrotis segetum 3
2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart Agrotis puta 12 (Below)

2173 The Lychnis Hadena bicruris 1
2283/4 Dark/Grey Dagger Acronicta tridens/psi 1
2289 Knot Grass Acronicta rumicis 1, year first (Below)

2389 Pale Mottled Willow Paradrina clavipalpis 5
2441 Silver Y Autographa gamma 1, year first (Below)

2480 Buttoned Snout Hypena rostralis 1, (Below)

247 Tinea trinotella 1
409a Argyresthia trifasciata 1
648 White-shouldered House-moth Endrosis sarcitrella 2
697 Agonopterix arenella 1
808 Platyedra subcinerea 4
947 Aethes smeathmanniana 1
974 Argyrotaenia ljungiana 5
986 Syndemis musculana 1
998 Light Brown Apple Moth Epiphyas postvittana 5
1428 Bee Moth Aphomia sociella 2
1474 Ephestia parasitella 2, year first (Below)

1524 Emmelina monodactyla 2

24th May 2012... Any "bug" experts out there ?

2012-05-25T18:30:00.000+01:00

This green bug was crawling up my patio door curtain last night, before flying off into the garden.
Any ideas ? I only managed one quick shot of it as I wasn't expecting it to take off.

5mm in length approx.

24th May ... Garden Traps

2012-05-25T09:48:00.000+01:00

Overnight min. temp. 10.9 deg. fresh easterly breeze.
4 more newcomers for the year list.
Yellow-barred Brindle, Rustic & Large Yellow Underwing, plus one micro, Phtheochroa rugosana.

9, Shuttle-shaped Dart
6, Pale Mottled Willow
3, Least Black Arches
3, Grey Dagger agg
3, Common Pug.
2, Brimstone Moth
2, Turnip Moth
2, Scalloped Hazel
2, Garden Carpet
2, Common Swift
1, Waved Umber
1, Yellow-barred Brindle, year first (Below)

1, Pale Tussock
1, Small Waved Umber
1, Peppered Moth
!, Double-striped Pug
1, Mottled Pug
1, Lychnis
1, Large Yellow Underwing. year first (Below)
Louie...Is this a "Fox Underwing " ?

1, Early Grey
1, Angle Shades
1, Buttoned Snout
1, Rustic, year first (Below)

5, Epiphyas postvittana
4, Platyedra subcinerea
4, Aphomia sociella
3, Argyrotaenia ljungiana
3, Endrosis sarcitrella
3, Emmelina monodactyla
2, Syndemis musculana
2, Evergestis forficalis
2, Hofmannophila pseudospretella
2, Tinea trinotella (Below)

2, Bryotropha affinis
1, Alucita hexadactyla
1, Phtheochroa rugosana, year first (Below)

23rd May 2012 ... Crossing the Border

2012-05-24T23:21:00.000+01:00

Superb weather, and it's good to read the blogs and see the wide variety of catches for a change.
A Bordered White was new to The Dells garden and probably due to the neighbours large Scots Pine two gardens away.
After sorting through the numerous Pugs of the last two nights, a Mottled Pug was a year first of the identifiable ones, with several Commons and what could be a couple of Brindled or Oak-tree...
Catch Report :-
1728 Garden Carpet Xanthorhoe fluctuata 1
1819 Mottled Pug Eupithecia exiguata 1, year first (Below)

1834 Common Pug Eupithecia vulgata 4
1862 Double-striped Pug Gymnoscelis rufifasciata 2
1906 Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis luteolata 4
1920 Scalloped Hazel Odontopera bidentata 1
1936 Waved Umber Menophra abruptaria 2
1954 Bordered White Bupalus piniaria 1, garden first, (Below)

1979 Lime Hawk-moth Mimas tiliae 1, year first (Below)

2028 Pale Tussock Calliteara pudibunda 1
2087 Turnip Moth Agrotis segetum 1
2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart Agrotis puta 12
2145 The Nutmeg Discestra trifolii 1
2160 Bright-line Brown-eye Lacanobia oleracea 1
2243 Early Grey Xylocampa areola 2
2283/4 Dark/Grey Dagger Acronicta tridens/psi
2306 Angle Shades Phlogophora meticulosa 2
2380 Treble Lines Charanyca trigrammica 1, year first (Below)

2389 Pale Mottled Willow Paradrina clavipalpis 3

2450 The Spectacle Abrostola tripartita 1

227 Skin Moth Monopis laevigella 1, year first (Below)

I suspect this could be M.weaverella

Gen det. pending

229 Monopis obviella 1
409a Argyresthia trifasciata 3
647 Brown House-moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella 6
648 White-shouldered House-moth Endrosis sarcitrella 4
672 Parsnip Moth Depressaria heraclei 3
779 Bryotropha affinis 1
808 Platyedra subcinerea 5
974 Argyrotaenia ljungiana 5
986 Syndemis musculana 1
998 Light Brown Apple Moth Epiphyas postvittana 3
1261 Codling Moth Cydia pomonella 1, year first (Below)

1342 Eudonia angustea 2
1356 Garden Pebble Evergestis forficalis 1
1428 Bee Moth Aphomia sociella 4
1524 Emmelina monodactyla 4

22nd May 2012 ... Bumper evening

2012-05-23T13:03:00.000+01:00

Overnight min. temp. 10.4 deg ... warm and calm.
Hands up anyone who didn't get a year first last night....
As expected, this was the best night of the year so far with around 40 species in and around the traps.
Trap results :-
1728 Garden Carpet Xanthorhoe fluctuata 5
1769 Spruce Carpet Thera britannica 1, year first (Below)

1781 Small Waved Umber Horisme vitalbata 1

1825 Lime-speck Pug Eupithecia centaureata 1, year first
1834 Common Pug Eupithecia vulgata 3
1862 Double-striped Pug Gymnoscelis rufifasciata 2
1906 Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis luteolata 2
1920 Scalloped Hazel Odontopera bidentata 4
1937 Willow Beauty Peribatodes rhomboidaria 1, year first (Below)

1997 Sallow Kitten Furcula furcula 1, year first (Below)

2063 Muslin Moth Diaphora mendica 2

2078 Least Black Arches Nola confusalis 2, (Below)

2087 Turnip Moth Agrotis segetum 3
2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart Agrotis puta 8
2145 The Nutmeg Discestra trifolii 1, year first (Below)

2154 Cabbage Moth Mamestra brassicae 2

2160 Bright-line Brown-eye Lacanobia oleracea 1, year first (Below)

2190 Hebrew Character Orthosia gothica 1
2283/4 Dark/Grey Dagger Acronicta tridens/psi 1
2306 Angle Shades Phlogophora meticulosa 3

2333 Large Nutmeg Apamea anceps 1, year first (Below)

2389 Pale Mottled Willow Paradrina clavipalpis 5

2480 Buttoned Snout Hypena rostralis 1, year first (Below)

Micro moths :-
229 Monopis obviella 2
247 Tinea trinotella 3, year first (Below)

409a Argyresthia trifasciata 2, year first
647 Brown House-moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella 1
648 White-shouldered House-moth Endrosis sarcitrella 3
672 Parsnip Moth Depressaria heraclei 2, year first (Below)

779 Bryotropha affinis 3
808 Platyedra subcinerea 4
947 Aethes smeathmanniana 1, year first (Below)

974 Argyrotaenia ljungiana 2
998 Light Brown Apple Moth Epiphyas postvittana 5
1342 Eudonia angustea 2
1428 Bee Moth Aphomia sociella 1
1524 Emmelina monodactyla 6
plus 2 for the recorder to determine

21st May 2012 ... Garden traps

2012-05-22T20:28:00.002+01:00

Overnight min. temp. 10.1 deg. light breeze
A larger catch was in line with the warmer evening, although it was chilly all day until 16.00 hrs.
Tonight should be very busy after the first hot day for eons, temps were approaching 80 f on the old scale.... when I was spending groats.
A Least Dark Arches was the only new moth for the year but no photos due to an unfortunate accidental massacre whilst trying to shake it out of the pot.

648 White-shouldered House-moth Endrosis sarcitrella 3
779 Bryotropha affinis 1
974 Argyrotaenia ljungiana 1
985 Carnation Tortrix Cacoecimorpha pronubana 1
998 Light Brown Apple Moth Epiphyas postvittana 3
1428 Bee Moth Aphomia sociella 1
1524 Emmelina monodactyla 2
1728 Garden Carpet Xanthorhoe fluctuata 4
1834 Common Pug Eupithecia vulgata 2
1862 Double-striped Pug Gymnoscelis rufifasciata 5
1906 Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis luteolata 2
1920 Scalloped Hazel Odontopera bidentata 2
2000 Iron Prominent Notodonta dromedarius 1
2078 Least Black Arches Nola confusalis 1, year first
2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart Agrotis puta 9
2173 The Lychnis Hadena bicruris 1
2243 Early Grey Xylocampa areola 2
2283/4 Dark/Grey Dagger Acronicta tridens/psi 1
2389 Pale Mottled Willow Paradrina clavipalpis 2

20th May 2012 Lac of character

2012-05-21T11:13:00.003+01:00

Overnight min. temp. 8.3 deg. chilly Northerly breeze, low level cloud.
Celypha lacunana & Chinese Character were added to the garden year list.
Garden traps:-
1076 Celypha lacunana 1, year first
1356 Garden Pebble Evergestis forficalis 1
1524 Emmelina monodactyla 2
1651 Chinese Character Cilix glaucata 1, year first
1728 Garden Carpet Xanthorhoe fluctuata 1
2064 Ruby Tiger Phragmatobia fuliginosa 1
2087 Turnip Moth Agrotis segetum 3
2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart Agrotis puta 4
2334 Rustic Shoulder-knot Apamea sordens 1
2389 Pale Mottled Willow Paradrina clavipalpis 1
2450 The Spectacle Abrostola tripartita 1

Celypha lacunana

Chinese Character, Cilix glaucata

19th May 2012 ... Rumours of warm weather abound

2012-05-20T10:58:00.000+01:00

Dust off your bikinis, I'm hearing that temperatures of 20+ degrees are on the way for the coming week !
Last night was no indication tho, 7 deg, but feeling more like 3 or 4 in the chilly NE breeze, not to mention the drizzle that accompanied it later in the night.
In short, the weather has been diabolical.
Trap results :-
240 Case-bearing Clothes Moth Tinea pellionella 1
In the house, on the P.C. screen ! Watching U.K. Moth channel.
1342 Eudonia angustea 1
1524 Emmelina monodactyla 1
1920 Scalloped Hazel Odontopera bidentata 1, (below)

2087 Turnip Moth Agrotis segetum 2
2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart Agrotis puta 5
2102 Flame Shoulder Ochropleura plecta 1, year first (below)

2154 Cabbage Moth Mamestra brassicae 1
2173 The Lychnis Hadena bicruris 1, year first (below)

2190 Hebrew Character Orthosia gothica

18th May 2012 ... Rain hampers a good night

2012-05-19T13:20:00.000+01:00

Last nights minimum temperature was 11 degrees (10.9 to be exact) in The Dells garden, conditions were perfect until dusk, then down came the rain.
There was a brief respite for an hour around 22.30 but then it was light rain through until dawn.
Pity really, because there was plenty of activity around the traps, but despite the rain I had the best species tally so far this year.
Traps results (and surrounding walls)
0647 Brown House-moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella 1
0649 Esperia sulphurella 1
0779 Bryotropha affinis 1, year first

779, Bryotropha affinis

0808 Platyedra subcinerea 1
0986 Syndemis musculana 1
1342 Eudonia angustea 1
1428 Bee Moth Aphomia sociella 2, year first
1524 Emmelina monodactyla 4
1728 Garden Carpet Xanthorhoe fluctuata 4
1776 Green Carpet Colostygia pectinataria 1
1834 Common Pug Eupithecia vulgata 3
1862 Double-striped Pug Gymnoscelis rufifasciata 2
1920 Scalloped Hazel Odontopera bidentata 1

Scalloped Hazel, Odontopera bidentata

2007 Swallow Prominent Pheosia tremula 1
2063 Muslin Moth Diaphora mendica 1
2087 Turnip Moth Agrotis segetum 2
2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart Agrotis puta 6
2154 Cabbage Moth Mamestra brassicae 1
2389 Pale Mottled Willow Paradrina clavipalpis 2
2334 Rustic Shoulder-knot Apamea sordens 1, year first

Rustic Shoulder-knot, Apamea sordens

Also a tinea to be gen determined, possibly Tinea pellionella or maybe Niditinea fuscella.

Unidentified Tinea spp.

Not bad tho, considering the year we've had so far....

31 moths of 21 species.

17th May 2012 ... Going green, carpet that is...

2012-05-18T13:53:00.000+01:00

Overnight min. temp. 7.6 deg. breezy, overcast.
Gradually improving,
I was pleased to see Toadflax Brocade turn up again....none recorded up until last year when half a dozen or so appeared in the garden, but no sign of the food plant, which is probably in one of the adjacent gardens.

0648 White-shouldered House-moth Endrosis sarcitrella 1
0649 Esperia sulphurella 2
0998 Light Brown Apple Moth Epiphyas postvittana 2
1342 Eudonia angustea 1
1356 Garden Pebble Evergestis forficalis 1, year first
1776 Green Carpet Colostygia pectinataria 1, year first
1781 Small Waved Umber Horisme vitalbata 1
1834 Common Pug Eupithecia vulgata 2
1862 Double-striped Pug Gymnoscelis rufifasciata 2
2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart Agrotis puta 6
2223 Toadflax Brocade Calophasia lunula 1, year first
2389 Pale Mottled Willow Paradrina clavipalpis 2
2450 The Spectacle Abrostola tripartita 1, year first

Toadflax Brocade, Calophasia lunula

Spectacle, Abrostola tripartita

Green Carpet, Colostygia pectinataria

Garden Pebble, Evergestis forficalis

16th May ... The Dells garden traps

2012-05-17T20:27:00.000+01:00

Overnight min. temp. a heady 7.1 deg. calm, cloudy

It should have been much better, given the comparatively tropical conditions last night, but the expected full traps turned out to be wishful thinking.
A year first Peppered Moth turned up with a highly probable Oak-tree Pug.
Agonopterix arenella was a year first micro, along with two other micros for ID, one an Agonopterix species and the other a Monopis type or similar.
Traps :-
0648 White-shouldered House-moth Endrosis sarcitrella 3
0697 Agonopterix arenella 1, year first
1342 Eudonia angustea 3
1497 Amblyptilia acanthadactyla 1
1524 Emmelina monodactyla 1
1834 Common Pug Eupithecia vulgata 2
1853 Oak-tree Pug Eupithecia dodoneata 1, year first (tbc)
1862 Double-striped Pug Gymnoscelis rufifasciata 1
1906 Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis luteolata 2
1931 Peppered Moth Biston betularia 1, year first
2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart Agrotis puta 8
2306 Angle Shades Phlogophora meticulosa 1
plus two unidentified micros.

Peppered Moth, Biston betularia

Oak-tree Pug, Eupithecia dodoneata
confirmation required

Agonopterix arenella

One of the unidentified micro moths

12th May 2012... garden update

2012-05-13T18:22:00.000+01:00

Night temps are down to 2 or 3 degrees again which equals slim pickings.
Last night was a little better in the early evening as the wind dropped and the temperature held up for the first couple of hours of darkness.
11th May min. temp. 3.4 deg. windy
1342 Eudonia angustea x 2
0017 Common Swift Hepialus lupulinus 1, year first
2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart Agrotis puta 3
2306 Angle Shades Phlogophora meticulosa 1

Common Swift, Hepialus lupulinus

12th May min. temp. 3.7 deg. light breeze, clear.
0647 Brown House-moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella
0808 Platyedra subcinerea 2
0998 Light Brown Apple Moth Epiphyas postvittana 1
1342 Eudonia angustea 3
1524 Emmelina monodactyla 3
1781 Small Waved Umber Horisme vitalbata 1
1862 Double-striped Pug Gymnoscelis rufifasciata 1
2000 Iron Prominent Notodonta dromedarius 1, year first
2064 Ruby Tiger Phragmatobia fuliginosa 1
2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart Agrotis puta 9
2154 Cabbage Moth Mamestra brassicae 2
2190 Hebrew Character Orthosia gothica 1
2243 Early Grey Xylocampa areola 1

1 micro, possibly Mompha subbistrigella or similar, for gen. det.

Mompha subbistrigella ???

Small Waved Umber. Horisme vitalbata

Iron Prominent, Notodonta dromedarius

10th May 2012...Micro-night

2012-05-11T15:04:00.000+01:00

Overnight min. temp. 9 deg. strong gusting wind, warm.
Too windy, but the trap in the lee of the house pulled a half dozen micros.
Adela reaumurella was caught on one of the walls in the daytime.

0130 Incurvaria masculella Female 1
0150 Adela reaumurella Male 1, year first
0647 Brown House-moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella 1
0649 Esperia sulphurella 1
0974 Argyrotaenia ljungiana 1
0986 Syndemis musculana 1, year first
0998 Light Brown Apple Moth Epiphyas postvittana 2
1342 Eudonia angustea 2
1524 Emmelina monodactyla 1
1834 Common Pug Eupithecia vulgata 1
2064 Ruby Tiger Phragmatobia fuliginosa 1
2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart Agrotis puta 4
2306 Angle Shades Phlogophora meticulosa 1

Adela reaumurella

Syndemis musculana

10th May 2012... The Empress

2012-05-10T19:33:00.002+01:00

A few weeks ago I was given a female Emperor Moth pupa by Andy & Melissa Banthorpe, the Bedfordshire County macro moth recorders,
Today the moth emerged and hopefully the wind will settle down to a breeze in the next couple of days so I can do some assembling.
With the terrible April conditions, it appears that there are very few males around so one can only hope.....

Below is the pupa, showing light coloured bands where it has stretched prior to hatching and a picture of the hatched female........

8th May 2012... Good, until the rain came (again)

2012-05-10T12:57:00.000+01:00

Overnight min. temp. 9.1 deg. gentle southerly breeze....then RAIN
Once again the weather put the brakes on what was becoming an excellent night.
It was still 12 deg at 23.00 hrs. and the local moths were itching for an excursion around The Dells garden.
But at 23.30...down it came and continued for the rest of the night.
Best moth of the night by a long chalk was Chamomile Shark, a garden first and
scarce for the county with just 23 past records.
NB. Another county Chamomile was caught on the same night by Will George....see blog on http://i-moff.blogspot.co.uk/ I believe this one is a male, whereas mine is a female, which deposited eggs in the capture pot.
Thanks to Andy & Melissa Banthorpe (county macro recorders) for confirming ID

Trap results :-
0229 Monopis obviella 1
0647 Brown House-moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella 1
0649 Esperia sulphurella 1
0695 Agonopterix alstromeriana 1
0808 Platyedra subcinerea 4, year first
0974 Argyrotaenia ljungiana 3
0985 Carnation Tortrix Cacoecimorpha pronubana 1, year first
0998 Light Brown Apple Moth Epiphyas postvittana 2
1524 Emmelina monodactyla 2
Plus 1 unidentified for gen det...result later
1728 Garden Carpet Xanthorhoe fluctuata 2
1834 Common Pug Eupithecia vulgata 2
1862 Double-striped Pug Gymnoscelis rufifasciata 8
1906 Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis luteolata 1
1936 Waved Umber Menophra abruptaria 2, year first
2007 Swallow Prominent Pheosia tremula 1, year first
2063 Muslin Moth Diaphora mendica 1, year first
2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart Agrotis puta 7
2243 Early Grey Xylocampa areola 1
2214 Chamomile Shark Cucullia chamomillae 1, garden first
2283/4 Dark/grey Dagger agg 1
2389 Pale Mottled Willow Paradrina clavipalpis 2

Chamomile Shark, Cucullia chamomillae

Waved Umber, Menophra abruptaria

Swallow Prominent, Pheosia tremula

Grey/Dark Dagger agg

Muslin Moth, Diaphora mendica

808 Platyedra Subcinerea

985 Cacoeicimorpha pronubana

3rd May 2012 ... Garden Traps

2012-05-04T20:54:00.001+01:00

Min. temp. 6.3 deg. Intermittent fine drizzle
A low catch as expected with the mizzle falling.
It's strange, but I catch more when it's raining than I do with a fine mist or drizzle.
Trap results :-
1342 Eudonia angustea 2
1524 Emmelina monodactyla 1
1728 Garden Carpet Xanthorhoe fluctuata 1
2087 Turnip Moth Agrotis segetum 1, year first
2186 Powdered Quaker Orthosia gracilis 1
2306 Angle Shades Phlogophora meticulosa 1

Turnip Moth, Agrotis segetum

Snoop and the Turnip grower

1st May 2012...Trail of the Lonesome Pine

2012-05-02T10:42:00.001+01:00

Overnight min. temp. 9.2 deg, light breeze, fine drizzle late evening.
The late drizzle/heavy mist put the mockers on a promising night, but not before three more species were added to the year list.
Common Pug put in an appearance as expected, but a Pine Beauty in the trap was pleasing as I was beginning to think about consigning it to the "dipped out" file along with March Moth.
Incurvaria masculella was a year first for the micro tally.

Pine Beauty (above)
Laurel and Hardy, Trail of the Lonesome Pine 1937 (below)

Common Pug

Incurvaria masculella (male)

Trap results:-
130 Incurvaria masculella 1 year first
648 White-shouldered House-moth Endrosis sarcitrella 1
998 Light Brown Apple Moth Epiphyas postvittana 1
1524 Emmelina monodactyla 2
1728 Garden Carpet Xanthorhoe fluctuata 1
1834 Common Pug Eupithecia vulgata 1, year first
1862 Double-striped Pug Gymnoscelis rufifasciata 10
1906 Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis luteolata 1
2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart Agrotis puta 1
2179 Pine Beauty Panolis flammea 1, year first
2190 Hebrew Character Orthosia gothica 3

2389 Pale Mottled Willow Paradrina clavipalpis 3

1st May 2012 ...Gen det results...500 species reached.

2012-05-01T20:34:00.000+01:00

The gen det results for 7 micro moths were received today from David Manning, county micro moth recorder.
5 garden first records were added with 1044 Acleris ferrugana bringing up the 500 species milestone for The Dells garden.
Bill D, if you are reading......great call on 890 Mompha jurassicella from 15th March.
Our micro man informs me that he hadn't seen this moth in the county in 40 years until one turned up in 2010 and a couple more have been ID'd since.
Bedfordshire was at the northern end of its range and signs are that it is spreading.
Gen. det. results :-
15th March.....0890...Mompha jurassicella, garden first
20th March.....1044...Acleris ferrugana, garden first
20th March.....0435...Zelleria hepariella, garden first, confirmed earlier by photo
26th March.....0692...Agonopterix subpropinquella, garden first
29th March.....1041...Acleris sparsana, year first
18th April.......0607...Elachista canopennella, garden first
27th April.......0240...Tinea pellionella, year first

896 Mompha jurassicella from 15th March

692 Agonopterix subpropinquella from 20th March

1044 Acleris ferrugana from 20th March