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 30 April 2014

Species List for 29/4/2014

Progress continues at a pedestrian rate. 29 moths of 16 species, three micros and 13 macros. Three species new for the year. The minimum temp was 8.8 deg C and there was a light Northerly breeze.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
648 Endrosis sarcitrella White-shouldered House Moth 1
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 3
1342 Eudonia angustea 1
1651 Cilix glaucata Chinese Character 2
1724 Xanthorhoe spadicearia Red Twin-spot Carpet 1
1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 1 NFY
1781 Horisme vitalbata Small Waved Umber 1 NFY
1832 Eupithecia assimilata Currant Pug 1 NFY
1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 8
2060 Spilosoma lubricipeda White Ermine 1
2063 Diaphora mendica Muslin Moth 1
2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 4
2102 Ochropleura plecta Flame Shoulder 1
2190 Orthosia gothica Hebrew Character 1
2284x Acronicta tridens/psi Dark Dagger / Grey Dagger 1
2306 Phlogophora meticulosa Angle Shades 1

Tuesday 29 April 2014

Species List for 28/4/2014

Only 28 moths of 12 species, two micro and 10 macro, but the year list moved on by three. Minimum temp 9.0 deg C.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 3
1342 Eudonia angustea
1 NFY
1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 6
2007 Pheosia tremula Swallow Prominent 1
2060 Spilosoma lubricipeda White Ermine 2 NFY
2063 Diaphora mendica Muslin Moth 1
2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 5
2102 Ochropleura plecta Flame Shoulder 1
2186 Orthosia gracilis Powdered Quaker 1
2187 Orthosia cerasi Common Quaker 2
2190 Orthosia gothica Hebrew Character 4
2284x Acronicta tridens/psi Dark Dagger / Grey Dagger 1 NFY

Species List for 27/4/2014

Nineteen moths, of nine macro n=and two micro species is something of an improvement. Min temp was 8.5 deg C but it was quite calm.the Agonopterix umbellana was my first record, but most likely due to me not previously identifying it rather than absence. Unfortunately it declined to wait for its photo, flying to freedom as I attempted to pot it.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
705 Agonopterix umbellana 1 NFS
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 1
1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 2
2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 1
2102 Ochropleura plecta Flame Shoulder 1
2186 Orthosia gracilis Powdered Quaker 2
2187 Orthosia cerasi Common Quaker 4
2188 Orthosia incerta Clouded Drab 1
2190 Orthosia gothica Hebrew Character 4
2243 Xylocampa areola Early Grey 1
2389 Paradrina clavipalpis Pale Mottled Willow 1

Monday 28 April 2014

Species List for 26/4/2014

Very few moths! Min temp 8.6 deg.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 1
2007 Pheosia tremula Swallow Prominent 1
2011 Pterostoma palpina Pale Prominent 1
2187 Orthosia cerasi Common Quaker 3
2190 Orthosia gothica Hebrew Character 3
2306 Phlogophora meticulosa Angle Shades 1

Saturday 26 April 2014

Species List for 25/4/2014

Only nine moths of  seven species was a poor return from four traps! Even so three were new for the year. Minimum temp was 11.1deg C and there was a fresh southerly breeze.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
1883 Acasis viretata Yellow-barred Brindle 1 NFY
2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 1
2166 Hadena rivularis Campion 1 NFY
2186 Orthosia gracilis Powdered Quaker 1
2187 Orthosia cerasi Common Quaker 3
2190 Orthosia gothica Hebrew Character 1
2306 Phlogophora meticulosa Angle Shades 1 NFY

Friday 25 April 2014

Species List for 24/4/2014

Just 30 moths of 13 species, Min temperature 12.2 deg C. Four new for the year, including a stunning Pale Prominent. One of natures best.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
1651 Cilix glaucata Chinese Character 1 NFY
1862 Gymnoscelis rufifasciata Double-striped Pug 1
1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 1
1936 Menophra abruptaria Waved Umber 1
2011 Pterostoma palpina Pale Prominent 1 NFY
2063 Diaphora mendica Muslin Moth 1
2078 Nola confusalis Least Black Arches 1 NFY
2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 7
2102 Ochropleura plecta Flame Shoulder 2
2160 Lacanobia oleracea Bright-line Brown-eye 1 NFY
2187 Orthosia cerasi Common Quaker 5
2190 Orthosia gothica Hebrew Character 6
2243 Xylocampa areola Early Grey 2

Thursday 24 April 2014

Species List for 23/4/2014

A light breeze from the SW and a min. temp of 9.4 deg C with some light rain and drizzle. 31 moths of 15 species, two micro and 13 macro.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 2
1288 Alucita hexadactyla Twenty-plume Moth 4
1746 Anticlea badiata Shoulder Stripe 1
1862 Gymnoscelis rufifasciata Double-striped Pug 1
1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 2
1936 Menophra abruptaria Waved Umber 1
2007 Pheosia tremula Swallow Prominent 1 NFY
2063 Diaphora mendica Muslin Moth 1
2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 2
2102 Ochropleura plecta Flame Shoulder 2
2167 Hadena perplexa Tawny Shears 1 NFY
2186 Orthosia gracilis Powdered Quaker 1
2187 Orthosia cerasi Common Quaker 4
2190 Orthosia gothica Hebrew Character 7
2243 Xylocampa areola Early Grey 1

Species List for 22/4/2014

Another slow night with the minimum temperature 9.5 deg C.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 1
1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 1 NFY
2063 Diaphora mendica Muslin Moth 4
2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 1
2102 Ochropleura plecta Flame Shoulder 1
2186 Orthosia gracilis Powdered Quaker 1
2188 Orthosia incerta Clouded Drab 2
2190 Orthosia gothica Hebrew Character 5
2389 Paradrina clavipalpis Pale Mottled Willow 1 NFY
2450 Abrostola tripartita Spectacle 1 NFY

Tuesday 22 April 2014

Species list for 21/4/2014

A few moths. All four traps running. I've dispensed with the 160 un-choked MV and put the electrics together for a second 80w mv. Some surprise when it worked first time. The bits came from an old stip light the previous owner left in the garage. The chokes are heavy, but cost nothing. Six additions to the year list.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
647 Hofmannophila pseudospretella Brown House Moth 1
1862 Gymnoscelis rufifasciata Double-striped Pug 1
1936 Menophra abruptaria Waved Umber 1 NFY
1997 Furcula furcula Sallow Kitten 1 NFY
2063 Diaphora mendica Muslin Moth 2 NFY
2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 3 NFY
2102 Ochropleura plecta Flame Shoulder 2 NFY
2186 Orthosia gracilis Powdered Quaker 1
2187 Orthosia cerasi Common Quaker 1
2188 Orthosia incerta Clouded Drab 1
2243 Xylocampa areola Early Grey 2
2289 Acronicta rumicis Knot Grass 1 NFY

Species List for 20/4/2014

Back home and a not very productive night. Just one trap (125w MV).


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
2187 Orthosia cerasi Common Quaker 2
2190 Orthosia gothica Hebrew Character 6

A week on Islay

JUst back from a weeks holiday on the beautiful island of Islay.As well as the birds we also did some mothing at Carnduncan, where we had a cottage over looking Loch Gorm. On the 12th and 18th we ran just a 125W MV Skinner type trap and on the other nights an additional Actinic Heath trap. The windy weather definitely was the limiting facto.

Species List for a  Carnduncan 12/4/2014 Windy, wet, min temp 7.8 deg C
Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
688 Agonopterix heracliana
1








Species List for a Carnduncan 13/4/2014 Windy, dry, min temp 7.8 deg C
Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
2190 Orthosia gothica Hebrew Character 2




Species List for a Carnduncan 14/4/2014  very light wind, dry, min temp 4.7 deg C
Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
647 Hofmannophila pseudospretella Brown House Moth 1
688 Agonopterix heracliana 1
1862 Gymnoscelis rufifasciata Double-striped Pug 1
2139 Cerastis rubricosa Red Chestnut 4
2188 Orthosia incerta Clouded Drab 4
2190 Orthosia gothica Hebrew Character 45
2229 Dasypolia templi Brindled Ochre 4
2243 Xylocampa areola Early Grey 3




Species List for a Carnduncan 15/4/2014  windy, dry, min temp 8.0 deg C
Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
672 Depressaria heraclei Parsnip Moth 1
2190 Orthosia gothica Hebrew Character 2
2243 Xylocampa areola Early Grey 1




Species List for a Carnduncan 16/4/2014  very windy, dry, min temp 8.0 deg C
Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
2188 Orthosia incerta Clouded Drab 1




Species List for a Carnduncan 17/4/2014  very light wind, dry, min temp 3.7 deg C
Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
688 Agonopterix heracliana
1
2139 Cerastis rubricosa Red Chestnut 4
2186 Orthosia gracilis Powdered Quaker 5
2187 Orthosia cerasi Common Quaker 1
2190 Orthosia gothica Hebrew Character 61
2229 Dasypolia templi Brindled Ochre 2
2243 Xylocampa areola Early Grey 3








Species List for a Carnduncan 18/4/2014  light wind, small showers, min temp 6.1 deg C
Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
2139 Cerastis rubricosa Red Chestnut 8
2186 Orthosia gracilis Powdered Quaker 2
2187 Orthosia cerasi Common Quaker 1
2188 Orthosia incerta Clouded Drab 1
2190 Orthosia gothica Hebrew Character 67

Wednesday 9 April 2014

Species List for 8.4.2014

A quiet night with a gentle breeze and a mainly  clear sky with the temperature dropping to 5.6 deg C. A minor set back was the loss of my 160W trap due to a blown lamp, and I think an electrical fault.I'm taking a trip up to Islay with Pete so there will be a break at the Hidden House. It will be interesting to see if we catch any moths there.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
648 Endrosis sarcitrella White-shouldered House Moth 1
1746 Anticlea badiata Shoulder Stripe 1
1917 Selenia dentaria Early Thorn 1
2187 Orthosia cerasi Common Quaker 6
2190 Orthosia gothica Hebrew Character 6
2243 Xylocampa areola Early Grey 2

Tuesday 8 April 2014

Soecies List for 7/4/2014

A cold and, after 10 pm, clear night. The temperature fell to 6.2 deg C with a moderate WSW breeze, occasionally gusting up to near gale. Most moths declined to visit.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
2187 Orthosia cerasi Common Quaker 6
2190 Orthosia gothica Hebrew Character 2
2243 Xylocampa areola Early Grey 1

Monday 7 April 2014

Species List for 6/4/2014

Minimum Temperature 12.0 deg C, light rain, should have meant there'd be some moths, but there were very few. The wind was from the SW and the early evening was quite blustery with a fresh breeze gusting to the top end of strong breeze. Later it dropped to a gentle breeze but I presume the early weather was responsible for the lack of moths.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
2182 Orthosia cruda Small Quaker 1
2187 Orthosia cerasi Common Quaker 10
2188 Orthosia incerta Clouded Drab 1
2190 Orthosia gothica Hebrew Character 3
2243 Xylocampa areola Early Grey 1

Sunday 6 April 2014

Species List for 5/4/2014

Although the temperature only dropped to 11.7 deg C, the moderate breeze from SW to SSW and light drizzle seemed to deter my garden moths from flying. Just 25 moths of nine species was scant reward for running four traps. The Mottled Grey was new for the year and only my third record.


697 Agonopterix arenella 1
1524 Emmelina monodactyla 1
1775 Colostygia multistrigaria Mottled Grey 1 NFY
2182 Orthosia cruda Small Quaker 5
2186 Orthosia gracilis Powdered Quaker 1
2187 Orthosia cerasi Common Quaker 8
2188 Orthosia incerta Clouded Drab 3
2190 Orthosia gothica Hebrew Character 3
2243 Xylocampa areola Early Grey 2

 Mottled  Grey  (Colostygia multistrigaria)

Saturday 5 April 2014

Species List for 4/4/2014

I attached a new Max/Min thermometer to my 125W MV trap and got the result of min 6.3 deg C. This compares to 6.7 deg C on the Langdon Bay Met Office site. A quiet night, but another Barred Tooth-striped record. I need to examine it closely to see if there is any possibility that it is  the moth from 2/4/14 returned for a second visit.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
1288 Alucita hexadactyla Twenty-plume Moth 1
1747 Anticlea derivata Streamer 1
1880 Trichopteryx polycommata Barred Tooth-striped 1
1917 Selenia dentaria Early Thorn 1
2182 Orthosia cruda Small Quaker 7
2187 Orthosia cerasi Common Quaker 26
2188 Orthosia incerta Clouded Drab 3
2190 Orthosia gothica Hebrew Character 14
2243 Xylocampa areola Early Grey 6

This is the Barred Tooth-stripe from today. I can't see anything that would be contrary to it being the same moth as two days ago, but with two days wear.

Friday 4 April 2014

Species Liat for 3/4/2014

A change in the weather, with a gentle to moderate SW breeze and temperatures falling to around 9 deg C. After yesterday's bonanza very few moths today, but a pine beauty was new for the year.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
1917 Selenia dentaria Early Thorn 1
2179 Panolis flammea Pine Beauty 1 NFY
2182 Orthosia cruda Small Quaker 5
2187 Orthosia cerasi Common Quaker 16
2190 Orthosia gothica Hebrew Character 6
2243 Xylocampa areola Early Grey 2

 Pine Beauty (Panolis flammea)

Thursday 3 April 2014

A few moths from last night (2/4/2014)

 Barred Tooth-striped (Trichopteryx polycommata)
 The Barred Tooth-striped moth is a priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP), and the Species Action Plan produced aims to maintain all known populations, with enhancement of these populations by the year 2010 ( Abit out of date now).

 Scalloped Hazel (Odontopera bidentata )

 Shoulder Stripe (Anticlea badiata )


Red Twin-spot Carpet (Xanthorhoe spadicearia)

 Blossom Underwing  (Orthosia miniosa)

 Powdered Quaker (Orthosia gracilis)

Streamer (Anticlea derivata)

Red-green Carpet (Chloroclysta siterata )

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