22nd May 2010

A run of warm nights finally produced reasonable numbers of moths, with many new for the year. Of note were a well marked Oak-tree Pug, just the second garden record after one in 2007 was identified by dissection, and a female Muslin Moth, also just the second record here. A poorly marked Powdered Quaker caused some confusion as, in the hand, it looked very like an odd wainscot species.

Oak-tree Pug:

Female Muslin Moth:

Powdered Quaker:

With very similar weather conditions to the previous night it's interesting to see that the contents of last night's actinic trap didn't vary much from the MV trap on Friday. A second Powdered Quaker was quite different to the first:


Trap list (15w Actinic)

Double-striped Pug - 1
Red Chestnut - 3
Small Quaker - 1
Common Quaker - 3
Hebrew Character - 4
Clouded Drab - 4
Powdered Quaker - 1
Early Grey - 1

10th April 2009

My first Swallow of the year zipped over the garden and the first Willow Warbler was singing from the top of the Silver Birch as I went to empty the moth trap. It was dull and damp but quite warm and a reasonable number of moths had braved the overnight rain. 17 moths of 7 species included the first Powdered Quaker of the year.


Trap list (125w MV)

Early Thorn - 2
Red Chestnut - 1
Common Quaker - 2
Hebrew Character - 7
Clouded Drab - 2
Powdered Quaker - 1
Early Grey - 2