Passenger, caught 23/9/2006 (National moth night).

Mothing at St Margaret's

Most of the Moth lists and Photographs are from my garden (TR359450) in the village of St Margaret's at Cliffe in Kent. It is situated about 1Km from the sea and has farmland with in 100 metres. The garden is well shrubbed and about 1600 sq metres. I normally run a 125 MV lamp and a 15W actinic light over-night and once the season gets going a couple of other traps. At the moment both are 25W black Lamps. previously I used a 160W blended lamp in one of them. All traps are home made. Trapping dates refer to the date the trap was put out.

Trap Update in 2017. A new 125W MV Robinson was added to a 125W MV Skinner, 15W Actinic Skinner, two 80W MV Morris modified Skinners and a 80W MVMorris Box trap.
Traps are now (2020 onwards) 2x 125W Robinsons, 2x 80W Skinner type and 1x 15W Actinic strip light on a Skinner type .

I try and identify all the Macro Moths, with the micros I am not at all systematic, I do more than I used to with the help of the new book, but there are some that do get through.


Friday 28 September 2012

Species List for 27/9/2012

After  four day of almost incessant rain I finally put the traps out last night, but without any spectacular success. Only 36 moths of nine species in four traps! More rain tonight so another without mothing.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 1
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 12
2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 1
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 4
2134 Xestia xanthographa Square-spot Rustic 1
2202 Mythimna l-album L-album Wainscot 1
2255 Polymixis lichenea Feathered Ranunculus 3
2270 Omphaloscelis lunosa Lunar Underwing 11
2297 Amphipyra pyramidea Copper Underwing 2

Monday 24 September 2012

Species List for 22/9/2012

The last mothing for a couple of days if the gloomy forecast is proved correct. 143 moths of 19 species.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 4
1728 Xanthorhoe fluctuata Garden Carpet 1
1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 3
1961 Campaea margaritata Light Emerald 1
2091 Agrotis ipsilon Dark Sword-grass 2
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 28
2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 6
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 70
2134 Xestia xanthographa Square-spot Rustic 5
2154 Mamestra brassicae Cabbage Moth 1
2194 Mythimna albipuncta White-point 2
2202 Mythimna l-album L-album Wainscot 1
2255 Polymixis lichenea Feathered Ranunculus 1
2269 Atethmia centrago Centre-barred Sallow 2
2270 Omphaloscelis lunosa Lunar Underwing 8
2306 Phlogophora meticulosa Angle Shades 3
2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 2
2434 Diachrysia chrysitis Burnished Brass 1
2441 Autographa gamma Silver Y 2

Saturday 22 September 2012

Species List for 21/9.2012

A cool night. One new micro for the year. 163 moths of 17 species.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 7
1041 Acleris sparsana 1 NFY
1048 Acleris variegana Garden Rose Tortrix 1
1728 Xanthorhoe fluctuata Garden Carpet 1
2087 Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth 1
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 47
2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 7
2110 Noctua fimbriata Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing 1
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 76
2134 Xestia xanthographa Square-spot Rustic 3
2255 Polymixis lichenea Feathered Ranunculus 1
2270 Omphaloscelis lunosa Lunar Underwing 10
2306 Phlogophora meticulosa Angle Shades 2
2353 Luperina testacea Flounced Rustic 2
2361 Hydraecia micacea Rosy Rustic 1
2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 1
2441 Autographa gamma Silver Y 1

Friday 21 September 2012

Species List for 20/9/2012

A milder, calmer night, lots of the usual. 309 moths of 20 species.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
873 Blastobasis adustella 1
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 10
1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 3
1862 Gymnoscelis rufifasciata Double-striped Pug 1
1937 Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty 1
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 66
2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 10
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 184
2134 Xestia xanthographa Square-spot Rustic 4
2154 Mamestra brassicae Cabbage Moth 1
2194 Mythimna albipuncta White-point 3
2202 Mythimna l-album L-album Wainscot 2
2255 Polymixis lichenea Feathered Ranunculus 1
2269 Atethmia centrago Centre-barred Sallow 2
2270 Omphaloscelis lunosa Lunar Underwing 7
2297 Amphipyra pyramidea Copper Underwing 1
2306 Phlogophora meticulosa Angle Shades 1
2353 Luperina testacea Flounced Rustic 4
2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 1
2441 Autographa gamma Silver Y 6

Thursday 20 September 2012

Species List for 19/9/2012

Another cool. clear night. 123 moths of 20 species.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 1
1728 Xanthorhoe fluctuata Garden Carpet 2
1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 1
1911 Ennomos autumnaria Large Thorn 1
1937 Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty 1
1961 Campaea margaritata Light Emerald 1
2087 Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth 1
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 23
2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 6
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 67
2134 Xestia xanthographa Square-spot Rustic 1
2194 Mythimna albipuncta White-point 1
2202 Mythimna l-album L-album Wainscot 1
2255 Polymixis lichenea Feathered Ranunculus 1
2269 Atethmia centrago Centre-barred Sallow 1
2270 Omphaloscelis lunosa Lunar Underwing 7
2306 Phlogophora meticulosa Angle Shades 1
2353 Luperina testacea Flounced Rustic 1
2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 1
2441 Autographa gamma Silver Y 4

Wednesday 19 September 2012

Species List for 18/9/2012

A cool, clear night that yielded 106 Moths of 16 species. No new species for the year but a couple of re-visitors, Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing after a four week gap and L-album Wainscot after nine weeks.

 Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing

 L-album Wainscot


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 2
1048 Acleris variegana Garden Rose Tortrix 1
1728 Xanthorhoe fluctuata Garden Carpet 1
1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 1
1862 Gymnoscelis rufifasciata Double-striped Pug 1
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 15
2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 5
2110 Noctua fimbriata Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing 1
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 68
2134 Xestia xanthographa Square-spot Rustic 2
2202 Mythimna l-album L-album Wainscot 1
2269 Atethmia centrago Centre-barred Sallow 3
2270 Omphaloscelis lunosa Lunar Underwing 1
2353 Luperina testacea Flounced Rustic 2
2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 1
2477 Hypena proboscidalis Snout 1

Tuesday 18 September 2012

Species List for 17/9/2012

It rained very hard at 2.25 am, and I got very wet securing the bulbs from my two "black" traps. 175 moths from just 14 species. The main arrival of Autumn specials should start in the next week or so if it happens.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 3
1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 1
1776 Colostygia pectinataria Green Carpet 1
1911 Ennomos autumnaria Large Thorn 1
1961 Campaea margaritata Light Emerald 1
2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 1
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 38
2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 7
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 110
2306 Phlogophora meticulosa Angle Shades 1
2353 Luperina testacea Flounced Rustic 3
2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 6
2441 Autographa gamma Silver Y 1
2477 Hypena proboscidalis Snout 1

Monday 17 September 2012

Species List for 16/9/2020


 As yet I've not identifies this. The hindwing is dark and it is the size of a Flounced Rustic. Thanks to Angus Tyner and Pete Maton, for the identification - Brindled Green, new for the year. 231 moths of 18 species.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 4
1048 Acleris variegana Garden Rose Tortrix 1
1309 Agriphila geniculea   1
1862 Gymnoscelis rufifasciata Double-striped Pug 1
1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 1
1911 Ennomos autumnaria Large Thorn 1
1961 Campaea margaritata Light Emerald 1
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 62
2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 5
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 130
2134 Xestia xanthographa Square-spot Rustic 6
2248 Dryobotodes eremita Brindled Green 1 NFY
2270 Omphaloscelis lunosa Lunar Underwing 2
2297 Amphipyra pyramidea Copper Underwing 2
2306 Phlogophora meticulosa Angle Shades 2
2353 Luperina testacea Flounced Rustic 3
2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 5
2441 Autographa gamma Silver Y 3

Sunday 16 September 2012

Species List for 15/9/2012

 Rosy Rustic

Lunar Underwing

A couple of Autumnal moths above but only 20 species in total, 253 moths, mostly Setaceous Hebrew Characters and Large Yellow Underwings.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 8
1048 Acleris variegana Garden Rose Tortrix 3
1728 Xanthorhoe fluctuata Garden Carpet 2
1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 1
1862 Gymnoscelis rufifasciata Double-striped Pug 1
1914 Ennomos fuscantaria Dusky Thorn 3
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 66
2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 7
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 135
2134 Xestia xanthographa Square-spot Rustic 4
2154 Mamestra brassicae Cabbage Moth 1
2269 Atethmia centrago Centre-barred Sallow 1
2270 Omphaloscelis lunosa Lunar Underwing 1 NFY
2297 Amphipyra pyramidea Copper Underwing 2
2299 Amphipyra tragopoginis Mouse Moth 2
2306 Phlogophora meticulosa Angle Shades 2
2353 Luperina testacea Flounced Rustic 5
2361 Hydraecia micacea Rosy Rustic 1
2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 5
2441 Autographa gamma Silver Y 3
0 0 0 253

Saturday 15 September 2012

Species List fopr 14/9/12

Again a lot of Setaceous Hebrew Characters but little else of note. 272 moths of 22 species


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 7
1356 Evergestis forficalis Garden Pebble 2
1728 Xanthorhoe fluctuata Garden Carpet 1
1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 1
1883 Acasis viretata Yellow-barred Brindle 1
1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 1
1911 Ennomos autumnaria Large Thorn 2
1914 Ennomos fuscantaria Dusky Thorn 3
1961 Campaea margaritata Light Emerald 2
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 40
2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 13
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 175
2134 Xestia xanthographa Square-spot Rustic 1
2199 Mythimna pallens Common Wainscot 2
2269 Atethmia centrago Centre-barred Sallow 3
2299 Amphipyra tragopoginis Mouse Moth 1
2306 Phlogophora meticulosa Angle Shades 5
2353 Luperina testacea Flounced Rustic 3
2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 4
2389 Paradrina clavipalpis Pale Mottled Willow 2
2441 Autographa gamma Silver Y 2
2477 Hypena proboscidalis Snout 1

Friday 14 September 2012

Species List for 13/9/2012

A blustery night produced just 82 moths of 12 species, using all four traps.A small autumnal collection with the Centre-barred Sallow. Feathered Ranunculus and Gothic. 


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 1
2061 Spilosoma luteum Buff Ermine 1
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 17
2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 3
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 46
2134 Xestia xanthographa Square-spot Rustic 2
2178 Tholera decimalis Feathered Gothic 2
2255 Polymixis lichenea Feathered Ranunculus 1
2269 Atethmia centrago Centre-barred Sallow 1
2306 Phlogophora meticulosa Angle Shades 2
2353 Luperina testacea Flounced Rustic 4
2441 Autographa gamma Silver Y 2

Thursday 13 September 2012

Species List for 12/9/12

Two traps and the Actinic only had 15 moths, a very poor night. 96 moths of 10 species.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 2
1961 Campaea margaritata Light Emerald 1
2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 1
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 8
2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 8
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 66
2134 Xestia xanthographa Square-spot Rustic 3
2178 Tholera decimalis Feathered Gothic 1
2353 Luperina testacea Flounced Rustic 5
2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 1

Wednesday 12 September 2012

Species List for 11/9/2012

What a difference a few days makes. All four traps ran last night but of the 140 moths 122 were in my MV trap and most of those were just two species. Only 11 species were recorded possible due to the NW wind that dropped the temperature to 8deg C over night.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 4
1497 Amblyptilia acanthadactyla 1
1911 Ennomos autumnaria Large Thorn 1
2061 Spilosoma luteum Buff Ermine 1
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 38
2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 4
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 70
2134 Xestia xanthographa Square-spot Rustic 2
2306 Phlogophora meticulosa Angle Shades 1
2353 Luperina testacea Flounced Rustic 13
2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 5

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