June 2012

A dark form of Celypha lacunana, trapped on 16th June, was unusual, but on 28th Elachista alpinella appeared - a garden first and only the second occurrence for the county.

May 2012

Every year Barry Dickerson, the Huntingdonshire county recorder, identifies by dissection a number of moths that I have been otherwise unable to identify. This year's results add 7 species to the garden list (bringing it to 456 for the year and 757 in total). Where I have photos they are copied below together with several species not recorded here recently.

Only the 4th garden record of Elachista humilis and the first decent photo.

4th August 2012

A surprisingly chilly night halved the moth count over the previous night. All the more surprising then to find a beautifully fresh Tissue - a garden first that takes the garden moth list to 750 species.

3rd August 2012

A rather battered Small Fan-footed Wave is the first here since 2009 and a rather smarter Maple Pug was new for the year.

 

2nd August 2012

A cooler night led to a much reduced catch with just one moth new for the year - the second garden record of Coleophora hemerobiella.

1st August 2012

A bit warmer again overnight - and the midges are back! A good collection of moths with another 'autumn' species appearing, Rosy Rustic. Several micros included a garden first in the form of the huge Coleophora trifolii and a very pretty form of Ostrinia nubilalis, the first recorded here since 2007 and perhaps attracted by the maize plants in the vegetable patch as much as the MV light!

31st July 2012

After a couple of cool nights something a bit warmer and the first trapping in weeks where I haven't been overwhelmed by midges. A few new for the year including the first of the 'autumn' species - Flounced Rustic and Copper Underwing. The highlight though was the second garden record of Brachmia inornatella.