19th May 2009

A good night with 32 moths of 17 species including two new for the year.

Epiblema cynosbatella:

Evergestis forficalis (Garden Pebble):

This Common Marbled Carpet was a more normal form than yesterday's:

The second Pale Tussock of the year put on this fierce pose:

2nd April 2009

With an early start for work in the morning and a potentially chilly night forecast I was in two minds as to whether I should put the trap out, but the prospect of a cold wet weekend to come convinced me to try the actinic. My reward in the morning was a garden first in the shape of this gorgeous Pine Beauty - not particularly scarce elsewhere, I know, but a species I thought unlikely to turn up here.


This handsome male Pale Tussock was new for the year and also very early - not normally recorded before May.


More expected than the above moths was the first Diurnea fagella of the year. But even this was of interest as it was last caught here in 2007.


Also expected at this time of year is Double-striped Pug - but hopefully I'll catch a less worn-looking individual in the weeks to come.


Trap List (15w Actinic):

Diurnea fagella - 1
Emmelina monodactyla - 1
Double-striped Pug - 1
Dotted Border - 1
Pale Tussock - 1
Red Chestnut - 1
Pine Beauty - 1
Hebrew Character - 7
Common Quaker - 5
Clouded Drab - 2
Early Grey - 2