7th June 2016

The recent influx of Diamond-backed Moths continues with over 300 in the two traps and many more flying in the garden. Overnight there were thunderstorms and some heavy rain but over 100 moths of 42 species were still attracted to the traps. Amongst several new for the year was this attractive tort, Ptycholoma lecheana, a new garden record.

 

5th June 2016

Another non-moth visitor  - a female Broad-bodied Chaser visited the garden pond briefly this afternoon looking more like a giant wasp than a dragonfly.

8/9th May 2016

Amongst a good catch for early May the first Incurvaria masculella since 2012.

Nothing to do with moths but this fellow was terrorising the newts and frogs in the garden pond yesterday:

1st May 2016

A game of two halves last night with 11 moths of 9 species in the MV trap and absolutely nothing in the actinic - I'm not sure if that has happened before. Highlight of the catch was a Chamomile Shark which is new for the garden. Slightly smaller than the very similar Shark which is common here later in the year, the black lines extending into the fringe of the wing are clearly visible in the photos but difficult to see in the hand.

19th April 2016

Between 1 and 3 male Emperor Moths in the garden this afternoon attracted to the EMP pheromone lure. This is the first time I've been successful with the lure the only previous record of EM here being of 2 males attracted to a 'singing' female a few years ago. It all seems a very hit and miss affair with the male hurtling around the garden rarely going anywhere near the lure. I netted one and, after taking some rather poor photos, released him onto the lure. He immediately flew off.

16th December 2015

An extremely late Calybites phasianipennella was the only moth in the MV trap overnight despite record warm temperatures. The common form here is f.quadruplella I rarely catch this, the nominate form.

1st December 2015

A single Pearly Underwing was the only moth in the traps after a very warm but rather windy night. It is only the 3rd garden record and the first since 2006.