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.


Wednesday 13 November 2013

Species List For 12/11/2013

After a blank night, followed by one moth, in my 125 MV trap, too worn too identify, there were two moths in my actinic trap today, but none in my MV.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
1923 Colotois pennaria Feathered Thorn 1
2262 Agrochola circellaris Brick 1

Species List For 9/11/2013

I'm still hoping, and ran two traps last night. Four moths of four species, what fun.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 1
2258 Conistra vaccinii Chestnut 1
2262 Agrochola circellaris Brick 1
2441 Autographa gamma Silver Y 1

Species (List) For 8/11/2013

Just one moth, but a very seasonal addition to the year list.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
1631 Poecilocampa populi December Moth 1

Friday 8 November 2013

Species List For 7/11/2013

After a week on St Mary's, Isles of Scilly, I did run two traps on Monday night, but not one moth paid a visit. Last night was a little, but only a little, better with just five moths.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 4
2441 Autographa gamma Silver Y 1

Friday 25 October 2013

Species List For 23/10/2013

This is will be the last list for about ten days while I take a short break birding off shore. Still time to pick up a few more goodies then.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 4
1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 1
1795 Epirrita dilutata November Moth 3
2091 Agrotis ipsilon Dark Sword-grass 1
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 3
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 4
2232 Aporophyla nigra Black Rustic 1
2255 Polymixis lichenea Feathered Ranunculus 2
2259 Conistra ligula Dark Chestnut 1
2264 Agrochola macilenta Yellow-line Quaker 1
2267 Agrochola lychnidis Beaded Chestnut 2

Tuesday 22 October 2013

Species List For 21/10/2013

A different species of micro moth makes a change! Eight micro moths of two species and 22 macro moths of ten species.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 7
1041 Acleris sparsana
1
1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 2
2091 Agrotis ipsilon Dark Sword-grass 1
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 6
2117 Eugnorisma glareosa Autumnal Rustic 1
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 6
2232 Aporophyla nigra Black Rustic 1
2240 Lithophane leautieri Blair's Shoulder-knot 2
2255 Polymixis lichenea Feathered Ranunculus 1
2272 Xanthia aurago Barred Sallow 1
2375 Rhizedra lutosa Large Wainscot 1


Large Wainscot

The 148th  Dark Sword-grass of the year, and still more possible.


Acleris sparsana, I suspect I've missed a few of these as they tend to sit on the out side of the trap and on adjacent surfaces.

Species List For 20/10/2013

A very blustery night, only nine moths in total.

Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 1
1342 Eudonia angustea   1
2091 Agrotis ipsilon Dark Sword-grass 1
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 2
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 2
2267 Agrochola lychnidis Beaded Chestnut 1
2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 1

Sunday 20 October 2013

Species List For 19/10/2013

Four micro moths and 21 macro moths of 12 species may be indicating that it's time to reduce the number of traps I'm running.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 4
1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 1
2087 Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth 1
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 2
2117 Eugnorisma glareosa Autumnal Rustic 1
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 9
2232 Aporophyla nigra Black Rustic 1
2255 Polymixis lichenea Feathered Ranunculus 1
2264 Agrochola macilenta Yellow-line Quaker 1
2272 Xanthia aurago Barred Sallow 1
2306 Phlogophora meticulosa Angle Shades 2
2400 Helicoverpa armigera Scarce Bordered Straw 1
2441 Autographa gamma Silver Y 1
 
A few from last night.

 The eighth Scarce Bordered Straw of the year. This is the second best year that I've had, and there is still some time for more!

 I hadn't noticed the how distinctive the underside of the Scarce Bordered Straw is. I need to look at a similar view of Bordered Straw to compare the two, this is the scarcer moth of the two, in my garden.

 I was discussing what species were missing so far this year with a couple of other mothers at Hemsted Forest the other day. The Yellow-line Quaker was one of them so it's good to catch one last night.

 Autumnal Rustic has been more common this year than in any previous year, and this is the latest record I've had by seven days.

 The Silver Y has a very long season, the earliest I've ever caught was on 31st March and the latest 23rd November.
I'm still getting the tail end of Barred Sallows, my lates daye was 21st October, so it may yet be beaten this year.

Saturday 19 October 2013

Species List for 18/10/2013

0nly three micro moths and 44 macro moths of 15 species. One very worn L-album Wainscot and one very fresh, small Willow Beauty, at least that's the only species I can match it too.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 3
1745 Larentia clavaria Mallow 1
1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 6
1769 Thera britannica Spruce Carpet 1
1937 Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty 1
2087 Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth 1
2091 Agrotis ipsilon Dark Sword-grass 3
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 8
2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 1
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 13
2202 Mythimna l-album L-album Wainscot 1
2232 Aporophyla nigra Black Rustic 4
2255 Polymixis lichenea Feathered Ranunculus 1
2267 Agrochola lychnidis Beaded Chestnut 1
2270 Omphaloscelis lunosa Lunar Underwing 1
2272 Xanthia aurago Barred Sallow 1

Three from yesterday, and todays rather small dark Willow Beauty.

 Feathered Thorn

 Merveille du Jour

 Dark Chestnut


Willow Beauty

Friday 18 October 2013

Species List For 17/10/2013

22 micro moths, all postvittna and 52 macro moths of 14 species, including the first Feathered Thorn of the year.


998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 21
1760 Chloroclysta siterata Red-green Carpet 1
1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 4
1923 Colotois pennaria Feathered Thorn 1
2091 Agrotis ipsilon Dark Sword-grass 2
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 12
2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 2
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 20
2194 Mythimna albipuncta White-point 1
2247 Dichonia aprilina Merveille du Jour 1
2255 Polymixis lichenea Feathered Ranunculus 3
2259 Conistra ligula Dark Chestnut 1
2267 Agrochola lychnidis Beaded Chestnut 2
2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 1
2389 Paradrina clavipalpis Pale Mottled Willow 1

Thursday 17 October 2013

Species List for 16/10/2013

Colder, windy and with a bright moon was not a good mothing night. Three micro moths, one species and 28 macro moths, seven species.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 3
2091 Agrotis ipsilon Dark Sword-grass 1
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 8
2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 1
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 11
2202 Mythimna l-album L-album Wainscot 1
2267 Agrochola lychnidis Beaded Chestnut 4
2306 Phlogophora meticulosa Angle Shades 2

Wednesday 16 October 2013

Species List for 15/10/2013

There were 62 macro moths of 12 species, but nothing to get excited about.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 1
2087 Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth 1
2091 Agrotis ipsilon Dark Sword-grass 3
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 17
2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 1
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 25
2232 Aporophyla nigra Black Rustic 1
2245 Allophyes oxyacanthae Green-brindled Crescent 1
2255 Polymixis lichenea Feathered Ranunculus 2
2267 Agrochola lychnidis Beaded Chestnut 7
2272 Xanthia aurago Barred Sallow 1
2306 Phlogophora meticulosa Angle Shades 2

Species List for 14/10/2013

Only 3 micro moths, of two species and 37 macro moths of ten species. Only three traps on, I made the discovery that putting the plug in is a necessity if you want it to work! 


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 2
1342 Eudonia angustea 1
1760 Chloroclysta siterata Red-green Carpet 1
1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 1
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 12
2117 Eugnorisma glareosa Autumnal Rustic 1
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 10
2232 Aporophyla nigra Black Rustic 1
2247 Dichonia aprilina Merveille du Jour 1
2255 Polymixis lichenea Feathered Ranunculus 2
2267 Agrochola lychnidis Beaded Chestnut 7
2272 Xanthia aurago Barred Sallow 1

Monday 14 October 2013

Species List for 13/10/2013

Two micro moths and 44 macro moths of 12 species, not a very exciting catch!


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 2
1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 2
2087 Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth 1
2091 Agrotis ipsilon Dark Sword-grass 1
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 18
2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 1
2117 Eugnorisma glareosa Autumnal Rustic 1
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 12
2255 Polymixis lichenea Feathered Ranunculus 2
2267 Agrochola lychnidis Beaded Chestnut 2
2270 Omphaloscelis lunosa Lunar Underwing 1
2306 Phlogophora meticulosa Angle Shades 1
2441 Autographa gamma Silver Y 2

Sunday 13 October 2013

Species List For 12/10/2013

One micro and 25 macro moths of 12 species represents a bit of a revival after the last result.
 
Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 1
1760 Chloroclysta siterata Red-green Carpet 1
1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 1
2091 Agrotis ipsilon Dark Sword-grass 1
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 10
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 2
2202 Mythimna l-album L-album Wainscot 1
2240 Lithophane leautieri Blair's Shoulder-knot 1
2245 Allophyes oxyacanthae Green-brindled Crescent 2
2267 Agrochola lychnidis Beaded Chestnut 2
2270 Omphaloscelis lunosa Lunar Underwing 2
2389 Paradrina clavipalpis Pale Mottled Willow 1
2441 Autographa gamma Silver Y 1

Saturday 12 October 2013

Species for 10/10/2013

I didn't run my traps last night, the weather was just too bad to make it worth while. The night before I ran four traps from 6.30 p.m. until 1245 a.m. but with the wind with gust up to 50 mph and torrential rain forecast I covered them and put them in my mothing room the "do" in the morning. To say it was disappointing would be an understatement. Four traps, four moths, three Setaceous Hebrew Characters and a Large Yellow Underwing!

Thursday 10 October 2013

Species List for 9/10/2013

The barometer dropped and so did the temperature but the wind increase. With temperatures dropping to 7 deg C and the wind at 20mph with gusts up to 35mph unsurprisingly the number of moths fell drastically. There were some goodies and all for some reason were in immaculate nick. Not one micro moth, and only 56 macro moths of 14 species. The next few days do not appear to be more encouraging.

 Always a smart moth, this Rosy Rustic is in very good condition.

 Another Delicate, I love the subtle pattern, barely visible but quite definitely there.

Yet another Scarce Bordered Straw, and this time one that hasn't got a "bald" head as had yesterday's visitor.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 2
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 13
2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 2
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 25
2194 Mythimna albipuncta White-point 1
2195 Mythimna vitellina Delicate 1
2245 Allophyes oxyacanthae Green-brindled Crescent 1
2255 Polymixis lichenea Feathered Ranunculus 3
2267 Agrochola lychnidis Beaded Chestnut 1
2270 Omphaloscelis lunosa Lunar Underwing 3
2297 Amphipyra pyramidea Copper Underwing 1
2306 Phlogophora meticulosa Angle Shades 1
2361 Hydraecia micacea Rosy Rustic 1
2400 Helicoverpa armigera Scarce Bordered Straw 1

Wednesday 9 October 2013

Species List for 8/10/2013

Witht he forecast for the rest of the week it seems that the autumn revival may be going to stall for a few days. Another Palpita vitrealis (3rd for the year), a Vestal (4th for the year) and a Scarce Bordered Straw (7th for the year) were the highlights. The record year for Dark Sword-grass continues, perhaps they are breeding this year, something that has been suspected in good years, but as far as I know not proved. 26 micro moths, four species and 221 macro moths of 22 species


The Vestal

Scarce Bordered Straw

Turnip
The Turnip is quite similar to the Pearly Underwing from the 3/10/2013 but it lacks the punk hairstyle!

Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 23
1342 Eudonia angustea 1
1398 Nomophila noctuella Rush Veneer 1
1408 Palpita vitrealis 1
1716 Rhodometra sacraria Vestal 1
1745 Larentia clavaria Mallow 2
1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 3
1961 Campaea margaritata Light Emerald 2
2087 Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth 2
2091 Agrotis ipsilon Dark Sword-grass 2
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 58
2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 9
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 89
2134 Xestia xanthographa Square-spot Rustic 2
2194 Mythimna albipuncta White-point 4
2232 Aporophyla nigra Black Rustic 8
2255 Polymixis lichenea Feathered Ranunculus 2
2266 Agrochola litura Brown-spot Pinion 1
2267 Agrochola lychnidis Beaded Chestnut 6
2270 Omphaloscelis lunosa Lunar Underwing 16
2272 Xanthia aurago Barred Sallow 1
2297 Amphipyra pyramidea Copper Underwing 1
2306 Phlogophora meticulosa Angle Shades 2
2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 8
2389 Paradrina clavipalpis Pale Mottled Willow 1
2400 Helicoverpa armigera Scarce Bordered Straw 1

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