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.


Tuesday 30 September 2014

Species List for 29/9/2014

240 moths of 31 species. One nice looking Pearly Underwing with a decent punk style top knot.

 Pearly Underwing


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
464 Plutella xylostella Diamond-back Moth 2
874 Blastobasis lacticolella 1
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 5
1048 Acleris variegana Garden Rose Tortrix 1
1342 Eudonia angustea 1
1524 Emmelina monodactyla 1
1682 Timandra comae Blood-vein 1
1745 Larentia clavaria Mallow 1
1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 2
1767 Thera firmata Pine Carpet 1
1835 Eupithecia tripunctaria White-spotted Pug 1
1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 1
1961 Campaea margaritata Light Emerald 1
2087 Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth 1
2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 4
2102 Ochropleura plecta Flame Shoulder 2
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 32
2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 14
2110 Noctua fimbriata Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing 2
2119 Peridroma saucia Pearly Underwing 1
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 61
2134 Xestia xanthographa Square-spot Rustic 4
2194 Mythimna albipuncta White-point 3
2202 Mythimna l-album L-album Wainscot 2
2232 Aporophyla nigra Black Rustic 2
2255 Polymixis lichenea Feathered Ranunculus 2
2267 Agrochola lychnidis Beaded Chestnut 8
2270 Omphaloscelis lunosa Lunar Underwing 77
2389 Paradrina clavipalpis Pale Mottled Willow 1
2474 Rivula sericealis Straw Dot 2
2477 Hypena proboscidalis Snout 3

Monday 29 September 2014

Species List for 28/9/2014

Two Very late records, a Yellow-tail and a Heart and Club. Also one new species for the year, Pine Carpet. In total 272 moths of 38 species.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
874 Blastobasis lacticolella 1
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 18
1011 Pseudargyrotoza conwagana 1
1041 Acleris sparsana 1
1048 Acleris variegana Garden Rose Tortrix 1
1524 Emmelina monodactyla 3
1738 Epirrhoe alternata Common Carpet 1
1745 Larentia clavaria Mallow 1
1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 4
1767 Thera firmata Pine Carpet 2 NFY
1914 Ennomos fuscantaria Dusky Thorn 2
1937 Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty 1
1961 Campaea margaritata Light Emerald 1
2030 Euproctis similis Yellow-tail 1
2087 Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth 2
2088 Agrotis clavis Heart and Club 1
2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 6
2102 Ochropleura plecta Flame Shoulder 1
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 22
2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 8
2117 Eugnorisma glareosa Autumnal Rustic 1
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 72
2134 Xestia xanthographa Square-spot Rustic 6
2194 Mythimna albipuncta White-point 3
2199 Mythimna pallens Common Wainscot 1
2202 Mythimna l-album L-album Wainscot 2
2232 Aporophyla nigra Black Rustic 3
2255 Polymixis lichenea Feathered Ranunculus 5
2267 Agrochola lychnidis Beaded Chestnut 14
2270 Omphaloscelis lunosa Lunar Underwing 74
2272 Xanthia aurago Barred Sallow 1
2274 Xanthia icteritia Sallow 1
2306 Phlogophora meticulosa Angle Shades 4
2364 Gortyna flavago Frosted Orange 1
2375 Rhizedra lutosa Large Wainscot 1
2441 Autographa gamma Silver Y 1
2474 Rivula sericealis Straw Dot 1
2477 Hypena proboscidalis Snout 3

Sunday 28 September 2014

Species List for 27/9/2014

274 moths of 35 species. Setaceous Hebrew Character is still the most numerous but Lunar Underwings are catching up. Mallow, Brick and Dusky-lemon Sallow were new for the year.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
464 Plutella xylostella Diamond-back Moth 1
874 Blastobasis lacticolella 1
994 Clepsis consimilana 2
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 12
1042 Acleris rhombana Rhomboid Tortrix 1
1342 Eudonia angustea 1
1415 Orthopygia glaucinalis 1
1745 Larentia clavaria Mallow 2 NFY
1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 2
1931 Biston betularia Peppered Moth 1
1937 Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty 2
1961 Campaea margaritata Light Emerald 4
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 27
2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 8
2110 Noctua fimbriata Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing 1
2117 Eugnorisma glareosa Autumnal Rustic 1
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 84
2134 Xestia xanthographa Square-spot Rustic 10
2160 Lacanobia oleracea Bright-line Brown-eye 3
2194 Mythimna albipuncta White-point 2
2199 Mythimna pallens Common Wainscot 3
2202 Mythimna l-album L-album Wainscot 2
2232 Aporophyla nigra Black Rustic 1
2255 Polymixis lichenea Feathered Ranunculus 4
2262 Agrochola circellaris Brick 1 NFY
2266 Agrochola litura Brown-spot Pinion 1
2267 Agrochola lychnidis Beaded Chestnut 9
2270 Omphaloscelis lunosa Lunar Underwing 75
2275 Xanthia gilvago Dusky-lemon Sallow 1
2295 Cryphia muralis Marbled Green 1
2306 Phlogophora meticulosa Angle Shades 1
2361 Hydraecia micacea Rosy Rustic 1
2389 Paradrina clavipalpis Pale Mottled Willow 1
2449 Abrostola triplasia Dark Spectacle 1
2477 Hypena proboscidalis Snout 6

Saturday 27 September 2014

Species List for 26/9/2014

Another mild night with a minimum temp 14.1 deg C. An increase in the number of moths, but nothing new. In total there were 277 moths of 28 species.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
464 Plutella xylostella Diamond-back Moth 2
977 Archips podana Large Fruit-tree Tortrix 1
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 15
1041 Acleris sparsana 1
1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 10
1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 2
1914 Ennomos fuscantaria Dusky Thorn 1
1937 Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty 3
1961 Campaea margaritata Light Emerald 2
2076 Meganola albula Kent Black Arches 1
2087 Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth 2
2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 3
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 30
2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 6
2110 Noctua fimbriata Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing 2
2117 Eugnorisma glareosa Autumnal Rustic 1
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 103
2134 Xestia xanthographa Square-spot Rustic 5
2194 Mythimna albipuncta White-point 2
2199 Mythimna pallens Common Wainscot 1
2202 Mythimna l-album L-album Wainscot 1
2255 Polymixis lichenea Feathered Ranunculus 3
2267 Agrochola lychnidis Beaded Chestnut 4
2270 Omphaloscelis lunosa Lunar Underwing 62
2272 Xanthia aurago Barred Sallow 1 NFY
2306 Phlogophora meticulosa Angle Shades 2
2474 Rivula sericealis Straw Dot 1
2477 Hypena proboscidalis Snout 10

Friday 26 September 2014

Species List for 25/9/2014

Still hoping but last night was disappointing despite being warmer (min temp 15.1) and overcast. 142 moths of 17 species.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
977 Archips podana Large Fruit-tree Tortrix 1
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 2
1682 Timandra comae Blood-vein 1
1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 1
2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 1
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 14
2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 12
2110 Noctua fimbriata Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing 2
2117 Eugnorisma glareosa Autumnal Rustic 2
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 55
2160 Lacanobia oleracea Bright-line Brown-eye 1
2202 Mythimna l-album L-album Wainscot 2
2255 Polymixis lichenea Feathered Ranunculus 6
2267 Agrochola lychnidis Beaded Chestnut 8
2270 Omphaloscelis lunosa Lunar Underwing 32
2449 Abrostola triplasia Dark Spectacle 1
2474 Rivula sericealis Straw Dot 1

Thursday 25 September 2014

Species List for 24/9/2014

199 moths, but of these 167 were just three species. In total there were 23 species with Sallow new for the year. The view of a large "Catocala" in one trap had me momentarily excited, there have been a few "Blue Underwings" around and I've new caught, or even seen one. This turned out to be a Red Underwing, beautiful in its own right, but still not a show topper.

 Red Underwing

 Sallow

 Burnished Brass

 Autumnal Rustic

Feathered Ranunculus (female)


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 2
1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 2
1914 Ennomos fuscantaria Dusky Thorn 1
1961 Campaea margaritata Light Emerald 1
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 28
2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 1
2110 Noctua fimbriata Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing 2
2117 Eugnorisma glareosa Autumnal Rustic 1
2119 Peridroma saucia Pearly Underwing 1
2123 Diarsia rubi Small Square-spot 1
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 100
2134 Xestia xanthographa Square-spot Rustic 6
2202 Mythimna l-album L-album Wainscot 2
2255 Polymixis lichenea Feathered Ranunculus 3
2267 Agrochola lychnidis Beaded Chestnut 1
2270 Omphaloscelis lunosa Lunar Underwing 39
2274 Xanthia icteritia Sallow 1 NFY
2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 1
2389 Paradrina clavipalpis Pale Mottled Willow 1
2434 Diachrysia chrysitis Burnished Brass 1
2441 Autographa gamma Silver Y 1
2452 Catocala nupta Red Underwing 1
2477 Hypena proboscidalis Snout 2

Species List for 23/9/2014

Not a great deal to get excited about but the Small Elephant Hawk-Moth was the latest I've caught but more than 8 weeks, and I suspect is a exceptional record. It was also quite a small specimen. Altogether there were 272 moths of 25 species.



Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
0998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 3
1048 Acleris variegana Garden Rose Tortrix 1
1424 Endotricha flammealis 1
1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 2
1825 Eupithecia centaureata Lime-speck Pug 1
1914 Ennomos fuscantaria Dusky Thorn 1
1992 Deilephila porcellus Small Elephant Hawk-moth 1
2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 2
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 43
2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 18
2110 Noctua fimbriata Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing 2
2123 Diarsia rubi Small Square-spot 1
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 107
2134 Xestia xanthographa Square-spot Rustic 8
2194 Mythimna albipuncta White-point 3
2202 Mythimna l-album L-album Wainscot 4
2232 Aporophyla nigra Black Rustic 1
2255 Polymixis lichenea Feathered Ranunculus 1
2267 Agrochola lychnidis Beaded Chestnut 5
2270 Omphaloscelis lunosa Lunar Underwing 57
2298 Amphipyra berbera Svensson's Copper Underwing 1
2343 Mesapamea secalis Common Rustic 2
2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 2
2389 Paradrina clavipalpis Pale Mottled Willow 2
2477 Hypena proboscidalis Snout 3

Tuesday 23 September 2014

Species List for 22/9/2014

A clear cool night with a NE wind. Just 218 moths of 24 species.


Code Taxon Vernacular Individuals
998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 1
1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 4
1825 Eupithecia centaureata Lime-speck Pug 1
2089 Agrotis exclamationis Heart and Dart 1
2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 2
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 26
2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 11
2117 Eugnorisma glareosa Autumnal Rustic 1
2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 98
2134 Xestia xanthographa Square-spot Rustic 6
2154 Mamestra brassicae Cabbage Moth 1
2160 Lacanobia oleracea Bright-line Brown-eye 3
2194 Mythimna albipuncta White-point 1
2199 Mythimna pallens Common Wainscot 1
2202 Mythimna l-album L-album Wainscot 2
2255 Polymixis lichenea Feathered Ranunculus 1
2267 Agrochola lychnidis Beaded Chestnut 1
2270 Omphaloscelis lunosa Lunar Underwing 49
2306 Phlogophora meticulosa Angle Shades 2
2353 Luperina testacea Flounced Rustic 2
2375 Rhizedra lutosa Large Wainscot 1
2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 1
2449 Abrostola triplasia Dark Spectacle 1
2477 Hypena proboscidalis Snout 1

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