25th Nov 2015 - December Moth

A common moth but quite rare in my town garden. This December Moth (male) is only my second record since Nov 2009.
This is possibly due to larvae released on a small Hawthorn tree in the garden back in early April this year.

December Moth larvae approx. 1 week old on Hawthorn, April 17th 2015

December Moth ♂ 25th Nov 2015

December Moth (male) 25th Nov. 2015

15th Nov 2015 ... Ni Moth

Just one trap on last night as it was blowing a near gale, but still very mild.
Only 3 moths to show for it, Epiphyas postvittana, Herald and a garden 1st Ni Moth.
Ni Moth is a rare immigrant and this one is only the second record for VC30, since one was caught in 2006...

Herald

Ni Moth

Ni Moth

Garden traps catch up

7th Nov. 2015
After a nine year absence in the VC30 county, a Crocidosema plebejana appeared at the garden traps.
I.D. has been confirmed by county micro moth recorder.

BF1157 Crocidosema plebejana

Grey Shoulder-knot was absent from the garden in Spring but was added to the year list on 6th Nov and was pictured alongside a Blair's Shoulder-knot for comparison ...

Grey (left) and Blair's Shoulder-knot

 Another site first record was this Pearly Underwing, not in the best condition, added on 4th Nov.

Pearly Underwing

Phyllonorycter messaniella is one of the most common of the Phyllies but it took 6.5 years before I recorded it.
It is quite worn and usually looks much browner ... ID was determined by the micro recorder who wasn't happy with my initial ID of P harrisella

30th Oct. 2015 - Phyllonorycter messaniella