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.


Sunday 30 June 2013

Species List for 29/6/2013



Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
17 Hepialus lupulinus Common Swift 1
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 1
1002 Lozotaenia forsterana 1
1063 Celypha striana 1
1376 Eurrhypara hortulata Small Magpie 1
1738 Epirrhoe alternata Common Carpet 1
1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 1
1931 Biston betularia Peppered Moth 2
1941 Alcis repandata Mottled Beauty 1
1958 Lomographa temerata Clouded Silver 1
1991 Deilephila elpenor Elephant Hawk-moth 1
2028 Calliteara pudibunda Pale Tussock 1
2060 Spilosoma lubricipeda White Ermine 1
2061 Spilosoma luteum Buff Ermine 3
2088 Agrotis clavis Heart and Club 1
2089 Agrotis exclamationis Heart and Dart 32
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 1
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 1
2147 Hada plebeja Shears 2
2154 Mamestra brassicae Cabbage Moth 1
2278 Acronicta megacephala Poplar Grey 1
2279 Acronicta aceris Sycamore 1
2284x Acronicta tridens/psi Dark Dagger / Grey Dagger 1
2306 Phlogophora meticulosa Angle Shades 1
2321 Apamea monoglypha Dark Arches 1
2380 Charanyca trigrammica Treble Lines 2
2441 Autographa gamma Silver Y 3
2449 Abrostola triplasia Dark Spectacle 1

Saturday 29 June 2013

Species List for 28/6/2013

A poor night, cool and very windy.

17 Hepialus lupulinus Common Swift 3
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 1
1738 Epirrhoe alternata Common Carpet 1
1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 1
1961 Campaea margaritata Light Emerald 1
2087 Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth 1
2088 Agrotis clavis Heart and Club 1
2089 Agrotis exclamationis Heart and Dart 6
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 3
2337 Oligia strigilis Marbled Minor 1
2380 Charanyca trigrammica Treble Lines 2

Friday 28 June 2013

Species List for 27/6/2013

A new micro for the site, Cochylis molliculana, a spcies now spreading through the SE and a Kitten. I always have trouble with these. They start as Poplar but always turn out to be Sallow. Although I've recorded this one as Sallow I'm still not 100% convinced. It seems that my first instincts were right and it is a Poplar. Thanks to David Howdon and Robin Hemming on UKmoths group for their help. Record ammended.




Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
17 Hepialus lupulinus Common Swift 2
0964a Cochylis molliculana 1 NFS
1076 Celypha lacunana 1
1334 Scoparia ambigualis 1
1336 Eudonia pallida 1
1356 Evergestis forficalis Garden Pebble 1
1727 Xanthorhoe montanata Silver-ground Carpet 1
1738 Epirrhoe alternata Common Carpet 1
1776 Colostygia pectinataria Green Carpet 1
1819 Eupithecia exiguata Mottled Pug 1
1931 Biston betularia Peppered Moth 1
1976 Sphinx ligustri Privet Hawk-moth 1
1991 Deilephila elpenor Elephant Hawk-moth 2
1994 Phalera bucephala Buff-tip 1
1998 Furcula bifida Poplar Kitten 1 NFS
2043 Eilema sororcula Orange Footman 1
2060 Spilosoma lubricipeda White Ermine 1
2088 Agrotis clavis Heart and Club 1
2089 Agrotis exclamationis Heart and Dart 19
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 3
2147 Hada plebeja Shears 2
2154 Mamestra brassicae Cabbage Moth 1
2279 Acronicta aceris Sycamore 1
2284x Acronicta tridens/psi Dark Dagger / Grey Dagger 1
2306 Phlogophora meticulosa Angle Shades 1
2334 Apamea sordens Rustic Shoulder-knot 1
2380 Charanyca trigrammica Treble Lines 2
2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 2

Two torts two Scoparia.

Tortrix One, about 8mm. I think this might be a Cochylidia species, but not sure which one.



Scoparia One. Is this pallida?


Tortix Two. Not sure on this one.


Scoparia two. Is this another Pallida?


Species List of 26/6/2013

98 Moths, 12 micros of 9 species and 86 Macros of 32 species. I fell asleep doing this last night and was surprised to find I hadn't posted it when I looked this morning. Old age strikes!


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
14 Hepialus humuli Ghost Moth 1
17 Hepialus lupulinus Common Swift 2
648 Endrosis sarcitrella White-shouldered House Moth 1
697 Agonopterix arenella 2
787 Bryotropha terrella 2
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 2
1011 Pseudargyrotoza conwagana 1
1174 Epiblema cynosbatella 1
1293 Chrysoteuchia culmella Garden Grass-veneer 1
1333 Scoparia pyralella 1
1356 Evergestis forficalis Garden Pebble 1
1651 Cilix glaucata Chinese Character 1
1727 Xanthorhoe montanata Silver-ground Carpet 1
1728 Xanthorhoe fluctuata Garden Carpet 1
1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 2
1776 Colostygia pectinataria Green Carpet 1
1819 Eupithecia exiguata Mottled Pug 1
1825 Eupithecia centaureata Lime-speck Pug 1
1827 Eupithecia intricata Freyer's Pug 1
1834 Eupithecia vulgata Common Pug 3
1883 Acasis viretata Yellow-barred Brindle 1
1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 1
1931 Biston betularia Peppered Moth 7
1958 Lomographa temerata Clouded Silver 1
1994 Phalera bucephala Buff-tip 1
2028 Calliteara pudibunda Pale Tussock 1
2060 Spilosoma lubricipeda White Ermine 1
2061 Spilosoma luteum Buff Ermine 1
2088 Agrotis clavis Heart and Club 3
2089 Agrotis exclamationis Heart and Dart 27
2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 3
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 3
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 2
2147 Hada plebeja Shears 2
2194 Mythimna albipuncta White-point 1
2334 Apamea sordens Rustic Shoulder-knot 2
2337 Oligia strigilis Marbled Minor 2
2380 Charanyca trigrammica Treble Lines 8
2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 1
2441 Autographa gamma Silver Y 2
2474 Rivula sericealis Straw Dot 1

Wednesday 26 June 2013

Species list for 25/6/2013

The Sycamore is always a nice moth to see, but still a bit disappointing.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
17 Hepialus lupulinus Common Swift 1
464 Plutella xylostella Diamond-back Moth 1
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 4
1376 Eurrhypara hortulata Small Magpie 1
1651 Cilix glaucata Chinese Character 1
1724 Xanthorhoe spadicearia Red Twin-spot Carpet 1
1728 Xanthorhoe fluctuata Garden Carpet 1
1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 3
1819 Eupithecia exiguata Mottled Pug 1
1825 Eupithecia centaureata Lime-speck Pug 2
1827 Eupithecia intricata Freyer's Pug 1
1834 Eupithecia vulgata Common Pug 5
1883 Acasis viretata Yellow-barred Brindle 1
1931 Biston betularia Peppered Moth 1
1958 Lomographa temerata Clouded Silver 1
1991 Deilephila elpenor Elephant Hawk-moth 2
2061 Spilosoma luteum Buff Ermine 1
2089 Agrotis exclamationis Heart and Dart 18
2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 2
2102 Ochropleura plecta Flame Shoulder 1
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 2
2147 Hada plebeja Shears 2
2279 Acronicta aceris Sycamore 1
2334 Apamea sordens Rustic Shoulder-knot 4
2380 Charanyca trigrammica Treble Lines 2
2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 3
2441 Autographa gamma Silver Y 1

Species List for 24/6/2013

Not much and nothing to get excited about


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
17 Hepialus lupulinus Common Swift 3
464 Plutella xylostella Diamond-back Moth 1
647 Hofmannophila pseudospretella Brown House Moth 1
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 5
1174 Epiblema cynosbatella 1
1201 Eucosma cana 1
1333 Scoparia pyralella 1
1376 Eurrhypara hortulata Small Magpie 1
1728 Xanthorhoe fluctuata Garden Carpet 1
1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 1
1819 Eupithecia exiguata Mottled Pug 1
1834 Eupithecia vulgata Common Pug 2
1931 Biston betularia Peppered Moth 1
2089 Agrotis exclamationis Heart and Dart 8
2147 Hada plebeja Shears 1
2337 Oligia strigilis Marbled Minor 2
2380 Charanyca trigrammica Treble Lines 1
2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 2

Monday 24 June 2013

Species List for 23/6/2013


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
17 Hepialus lupulinus Common Swift 2
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 1
1174 Epiblema cynosbatella   1
1728 Xanthorhoe fluctuata Garden Carpet 1
1834 Eupithecia vulgata Common Pug 2
1883 Acasis viretata Yellow-barred Brindle 1
1958 Lomographa temerata Clouded Silver 1
2061 Spilosoma luteum Buff Ermine 1
2089 Agrotis exclamationis Heart and Dart 7
2102 Ochropleura plecta Flame Shoulder 1
2123 Diarsia rubi Small Square-spot 1
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 2
2380 Charanyca trigrammica Treble Lines 1
2441 Autographa gamma Silver Y 1

Sunday 23 June 2013

Species List for 21/6/2013

A very cold and blowy night, but the rain held off until 6a.m.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
17 Hepialus lupulinus Common Swift 1
647 Hofmannophila pseudospretella Brown House Moth 1
1920 Odontopera bidentata Scalloped Hazel 1
1937 Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty 1
2060 Spilosoma lubricipeda White Ermine 2
2061 Spilosoma luteum Buff Ermine 1
2089 Agrotis exclamationis Heart and Dart 10
2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 2
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 1
2245 Allophyes oxyacanthae Green-brindled Crescent 1
2334 Apamea sordens Rustic Shoulder-knot 1
2380 Charanyca trigrammica Treble Lines 5
2441 Autographa gamma Silver Y 1

Friday 21 June 2013

Species List for 20/6/2013

For the first time this year I ran four traps, and all had some moths! The star of the show was a fresh looking Silver Barred, a migrant here with a neat Red-necked Footman also catching the eye.In all 71 moths of 30 species, 13 micros of eight species and 58 macros of 22 species.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
17 Hepialus lupulinus Common Swift 4
464 Plutella xylostella Diamond-back Moth 2
648 Endrosis sarcitrella White-shouldered House Moth 1
697 Agonopterix arenella 1
873 Blastobasis adustella 1
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 2
1011 Pseudargyrotoza conwagana 1
1174 Epiblema cynosbatella 1
1728 Xanthorhoe fluctuata Garden Carpet 2
1776 Colostygia pectinataria Green Carpet 1
1827 Eupithecia intricata Freyer's Pug 1
1834 Eupithecia vulgata Common Pug 1
1883 Acasis viretata Yellow-barred Brindle 1
1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 1
1920 Odontopera bidentata Scalloped Hazel 2
1992 Deilephila porcellus Small Elephant Hawk-moth 1
2039 Atolmis rubricollis Red-necked Footman 1
2060 Spilosoma lubricipeda White Ermine 2
2061 Spilosoma luteum Buff Ermine 1
2089 Agrotis exclamationis Heart and Dart 14
2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 8
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 5
2147 Hada plebeja Shears 1
2154 Mamestra brassicae Cabbage Moth 1
2194 Mythimna albipuncta White-point 1
2334 Apamea sordens Rustic Shoulder-knot 1
2337 Oligia strigilis Marbled Minor 1
2380 Charanyca trigrammica Treble Lines 9
2413 Deltote bankiana Silver Barred 1
2441 Autographa gamma Silver Y 2

Thursday 20 June 2013

Species List for 19/6/2013

Not quite as prolific as yesterday but still 78 moths of 31 species, seven of which were micros.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
17 Hepialus lupulinus Common Swift 1
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 1
1011 Pseudargyrotoza conwagana 1
1033 Tortrix viridana Green Oak Tortrix 1
1174 Epiblema cynosbatella 1
1301 Crambus lathoniellus 1
1356 Evergestis forficalis Garden Pebble 1
1651 Cilix glaucata Chinese Character 1
1724 Xanthorhoe spadicearia Red Twin-spot Carpet 3
1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 1
1825 Eupithecia centaureata Lime-speck Pug 1
1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 3
1920 Odontopera bidentata Scalloped Hazel 3
1931 Biston betularia Peppered Moth 3
1958 Lomographa temerata Clouded Silver 1
1991 Deilephila elpenor Elephant Hawk-moth 4
1992 Deilephila porcellus Small Elephant Hawk-moth 1
2060 Spilosoma lubricipeda White Ermine 3
2061 Spilosoma luteum Buff Ermine 1
2089 Agrotis exclamationis Heart and Dart 17
2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 4
2102 Ochropleura plecta Flame Shoulder 2
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 1
2147 Hada plebeja Shears 4
2164 Hecatera bicolorata Broad-barred White 1
2284x Acronicta tridens/psi Dark Dagger / Grey Dagger 1
2289 Acronicta rumicis Knot Grass 1
2334 Apamea sordens Rustic Shoulder-knot 1
2380 Charanyca trigrammica Treble Lines 11
2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 2
2450 Abrostola tripartita Spectacle 1

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