Mothing at St Mary's, Isles of Scilly, 31/10/2014

A windy night and therefore few moths, just 36 of ten species. In addition Jack found a Convoluvulus Hawk moth on a cottage wall down the road.

Convolvulus Hawk-moth

	Code	Taxon	Vernacular	Individuals
998	Epiphyas postvittana	Light Brown Apple Moth	3
1395	Udea ferrugalis	Rusty-dot Pearl	2
1716	Rhodometra sacraria	Vestal	1
1764	Chloroclysta truncata	Common Marbled Carpet	5
1972	Agrius convolvuli	Convolvulus Hawk-moth	1
2087	Agrotis segetum	Turnip Moth	1
2107	Noctua pronuba	Large Yellow Underwing	7
2232	Aporophyla nigra	Black Rustic	2
2255	Polymixis lichenea scillonea	Feathered Ranunculus	13
2441	Autographa gamma	Silver Y	1

 The various "traps" used over the week varied from the sophisiticated to the crude.

 I brought the Actinic tube and el;ectrics with the intention of finding a cardboard box in the shop to make a temporary trap, but on the way up from the Scillonian I found this plastic box in the dust-bin enclosure on Porth Mellon beach. During the week it attracted 384 moths of 27 species.

 A collapsible garden waste container, a piece of thin ply and a sawn off plastic funnel were the basis for this 80W MV trap. The electrics were taken from an old strip light and the cheapest waterproof box I could find. I fixed it on my tripod at night. It was usually higher than this, but I lowered it in the high wind. This is a "Heath Robinson" trap (my joke!). Rather disappointing in it's performance, as it missed all the real goodies, but did have the Mecyna asinalis, a tick for me. I placed it a sheltered part of the garden, where the light didn't shine in any windows, possible it was too hidden for the best results. During the week it attracted 341 moths of 28 species.

Pete, Jack and Josh's Heath trap came up with the goods, including the Slender Burnished Brass, Speckled Crimson and one of the Convolvulus Hawk-moths (the one today was on the wall of the cottage down the road where our friends, Alex, Jason and Katie, were staying). I was in a prime position, and although the vanes are nor good in high wind, it was well sheltered and stable.A clear view across the sea probably made it the number one target. During the week it attracted 491 moths of 38 species.

Sam's Heath trap was on site on the 29th and 30th, During two days it attracted 94 moths of 17 species.

Mothing at St Mary's, Isles of Scilly, 30/10/2014

A slightly windier night produced a reduction in moth numbers. In total there were 225 moths of 28 species, using the four traps including Sam's Heath trap.The Vestals and P. vitiealis fest continued and the first, and only Small Mottled Willow arrived. Sam was pleased with two Pearly Underwings in his trap.

 Pearly Underwing

 Small Mottled Willow

 Grey Pine Carpet

Pearly Underwing and Dark Sword-grass

Code	Taxon	Vernacular	Individuals
0278a	Opogona omoscopa		Present
648	Endrosis sarcitrella	White-shouldered House Moth	1
998	Epiphyas postvittana	Light Brown Apple Moth	17
1157	Crocidosema plebejana		3
1342	Eudonia angustea		7
1395	Udea ferrugalis	Rusty-dot Pearl	79
1408	Palpita vitrealis		3
1716	Rhodometra sacraria	Vestal	2
1728	Xanthorhoe fluctuata	Garden Carpet	1
1764	Chloroclysta truncata	Common Marbled Carpet	7
1768	Thera obeliscata	Grey Pine Carpet	1
1862	Gymnoscelis rufifasciata	Double-striped Pug	1
2087	Agrotis segetum	Turnip Moth	7
2091	Agrotis ipsilon	Dark Sword-grass	2
2107	Noctua pronuba	Large Yellow Underwing	31
2119	Peridroma saucia	Pearly Underwing	2
2126	Xestia c-nigrum	Setaceous Hebrew Character	6
2203	Mythimna unipuncta	White-speck	8
2232	Aporophyla nigra	Black Rustic	6
2240	Lithophane leautieri	Blair's Shoulder-knot	2
2255	Polymixis lichenea scillonea	Feathered Ranunculus	23
2263	Agrochola lota	Red-line Quaker	2
2270	Omphaloscelis lunosa	Lunar Underwing	1
2306	Phlogophora meticulosa	Angle Shades	4
2375	Rhizedra lutosa	Large Wainscot	4
2384	Hoplodrina ambigua	Vine's Rustic	1
2385	Spodoptera exigua	Small Mottled Willow	1
2441	Autographa gamma	Silver Y	3

Mothing at St Mary's, Isles of Scilly, 29/10/2014

Another new moth for me, a rather plain looking Pyralid, Mecyna asinalis. Three more Vestals demonstrated their variability, two more Vitrialis, one of my favourite Pyralids and first Dark Sword-grass of the week. The Lesser Yellow Underwings we caught were very distinctive, perhaps a particular Scilly colour morph. In total there were 318 moths of 34 species.We had an extra trap with Sam Perfect bringing his Heath trap to the garden.

Lesser Yellow Underwing

 Mecyna asinalis

 Rush Veneer

 Palpita vitrealis

Vestal

Dark Sword-grass

Code	Taxon	Vernacular	Individuals
0278a	Opogona omoscopa		present
648	Endrosis sarcitrella	White-shouldered House Moth	1
998	Epiphyas postvittana	Light Brown Apple Moth	5
1157	Crocidosema plebejana		6
1342	Eudonia angustea		8
1395	Udea ferrugalis	Rusty-dot Pearl	108
1397	Mecyna asinalis		1
1398	Nomophila noctuella	Rush Veneer	2
1408	Palpita vitrealis		2
1524	Emmelina monodactyla		2
1716	Rhodometra sacraria	Vestal	3
1728	Xanthorhoe fluctuata	Garden Carpet	2
1764	Chloroclysta truncata	Common Marbled Carpet	14
1768	Thera obeliscata	Grey Pine Carpet	1
1862	Gymnoscelis rufifasciata	Double-striped Pug	6
1937	Peribatodes rhomboidaria	Willow Beauty	1
2087	Agrotis segetum	Turnip Moth	6
2089	Agrotis exclamationis	Heart and Dart	1
2091	Agrotis ipsilon	Dark Sword-grass	1
2107	Noctua pronuba	Large Yellow Underwing	60
2109	Noctua comes	Lesser Yellow Underwing	1
2119	Peridroma saucia	Pearly Underwing	1
2126	Xestia c-nigrum	Setaceous Hebrew Character	1
2195	Mythimna vitellina	Delicate	2
2203	Mythimna unipuncta	White-speck	9
2232	Aporophyla nigra	Black Rustic	25
2240	Lithophane leautieri	Blair's Shoulder-knot	1
2255	Polymixis lichenea scillonea	Feathered Ranunculus	30
2263	Agrochola lota	Red-line Quaker	7
2270	Omphaloscelis lunosa	Lunar Underwing	1
2306	Phlogophora meticulosa	Angle Shades	4
2375	Rhizedra lutosa	Large Wainscot	3
2384	Hoplodrina ambigua	Vine's Rustic	2
2441	Autographa gamma	Silver Y	1

Mothing at St Mary's, Isles of Scilly, 28/10/2014

Another good night, with three Gems and a Scarce Bordered Straw adding to the migrant count. In total there were 287 moths, plus the ever present Opogona omoscopa, of 30 species.

 Rusty-dot Pearl

 Gem

 Scarce Bordered Straw

 

  Vestal

 Vestal

 Opogona omoscopa

Code	Taxon	Vernacular	Individuals
0278a	Opogona omoscopa		present
648	Endrosis sarcitrella	White-shouldered House Moth	1
998	Epiphyas postvittana	Light Brown Apple Moth	12
1157	Crocidosema plebejana		2
1342	Eudonia angustea		3
1395	Udea ferrugalis	Rusty-dot Pearl	84
1398	Nomophila noctuella	Rush Veneer	3
1408	Palpita vitrealis		1
1716	Rhodometra sacraria	Vestal	7
1720	Orthonama obstipata	Gem	3
1728	Xanthorhoe fluctuata	Garden Carpet	2
1760	Chloroclysta siterata	Red-green Carpet	2
1764	Chloroclysta truncata	Common Marbled Carpet	10
1768	Thera obeliscata	Grey Pine Carpet	5
1769	Thera britannica	Spruce Carpet	1
1862	Gymnoscelis rufifasciata	Double-striped Pug	2
2087	Agrotis segetum	Turnip Moth	5
2089	Agrotis exclamationis	Heart and Dart	1
2107	Noctua pronuba	Large Yellow Underwing	47
2126	Xestia c-nigrum	Setaceous Hebrew Character	2
2203	Mythimna unipuncta	White-speck	4
2232	Aporophyla nigra	Black Rustic	24
2255	Polymixis lichenea scillonea	Feathered Ranunculus	51
2262	Agrochola circellaris	Brick	1
2263	Agrochola lota	Red-line Quaker	3
2270	Omphaloscelis lunosa	Lunar Underwing	2
2306	Phlogophora meticulosa	Angle Shades	3
2375	Rhizedra lutosa	Large Wainscot	3
2384	Hoplodrina ambigua	Vine's Rustic	2
2400	Helicoverpa armigera	Scarce Bordered Straw	1

Mothing at St Mary's, Isles of Scilly, 27/10/2014

One of the most exciting mothing sessions I can remember, not least because of the enthusiasm of Jack and Josh, surely amongst the most knowledgeable naturalists for their ages.In total there were 248 moths, including one mega, one very rare, a scarce hawk-moth in  a total of nine migrant species. Jack found the Hawk-moth by the trap and Josh quickly added to the excitement by finding the Crimson Speckled on the decking by their Heath Trap. As they emptied the trap Jack immediately recognised the Slender Burnished Brass, probably the rarest moth of the trip.

 Crimson Speckled (Utetheisa pulchella)

 Crimson Speckled (Utetheisa pulchella)

 Palpita vitrealis

 Vestal (Rhodometra sacraria)

 Delicate (Mythimna vitellina)

 Convolvulus Hawk-moth (Agrius convolvuli)

Slender Burnished Brass (Thysanoplusia orichalcea)

Slender Burnished Brass (Thysanoplusia orichalcea)

0278a	Opogona omoscopa		present
648	Endrosis sarcitrella	White-shouldered House Moth	3
998	Epiphyas postvittana	Light Brown Apple Moth	6
1157	Crocidosema plebejana		1
1342	Eudonia angustea		4
1395	Udea ferrugalis	Rusty-dot Pearl	63
1408	Palpita vitrealis		1
1716	Rhodometra sacraria	Vestal	2
1764	Chloroclysta truncata	Common Marbled Carpet	5
1768	Thera obeliscata	Grey Pine Carpet	1
1769	Thera britannica	Spruce Carpet	2
1771a	Thera cupressata	Cypress Carpet	1
1862	Gymnoscelis rufifasciata	Double-striped Pug	2
1937	Peribatodes rhomboidaria	Willow Beauty	1
1972	Agrius convolvuli	Convolvulus Hawk-moth	1
2054	Utetheisa pulchella	Crimson Speckled	1
2087	Agrotis segetum	Turnip Moth	11
2107	Noctua pronuba	Large Yellow Underwing	44
2119	Peridroma saucia	Pearly Underwing	1
2126	Xestia c-nigrum	Setaceous Hebrew Character	1
2195	Mythimna vitellina	Delicate	1
2203	Mythimna unipuncta	White-speck	7
2232	Aporophyla nigra	Black Rustic	24
2240	Lithophane leautieri	Blair's Shoulder-knot	1
2255	Polymixis lichenea scillonea	Feathered Ranunculus	47
2263	Agrochola lota	Red-line Quaker	1
2270	Omphaloscelis lunosa	Lunar Underwing	6
2306	Phlogophora meticulosa	Angle Shades	7
2375	Rhizedra lutosa	Large Wainscot	2
2433	Thysanoplusia orichalcea	Slender Burnished Brass	1

Mothing at St Mary's, Isles of Scilly, 26/10/2014

124 moths was a large increase on the previous night.

 White-speck (Mythimna unipuncta)

Code	Taxon	Vernacular	Individuals
0278a	Opogona omoscopa		present,
998	Epiphyas postvittana	Light Brown Apple Moth	1
1395	Udea ferrugalis		22
1524	Emmelina monodactyla		1
1764	Chloroclysta truncata	Common Marbled Carpet	6
1768	Thera obeliscata	Grey Pine Carpet	1
1769	Thera britannica	Spruce Carpet	1
1771a	Thera cupressata	Cypress Carpet	1
1862	Gymnoscelis rufifasciata	Double-striped Pug	3
2087	Agrotis segetum	Turnip Moth	2
2107	Noctua pronuba	Large Yellow Underwing	23
2109	Noctua comes	Lesser Yellow Underwing	1
2134	Xestia xanthographa	Square-spot Rustic	1
2203	Mythimna unipuncta	White-speck	2
2232	Aporophyla nigra	Black Rustic	17
2240	Lithophane leautieri	Blair's Shoulder-knot	2
2255	Polymixis lichenea scillonea	Feathered Ranunculus	33
2270	Omphaloscelis lunosa	Lunar Underwing	4
2306	Phlogophora meticulosa	Angle Shades	1
2441	Autographa gamma	Silver Y	2

Mothing at St Mary's, Isles of Scilly, 25/10/2014

Just back from a week on St Mary's, Isles of Scilly. Pam and I, with Pete, Nina, Jack and Josh were able to moth each night as the weather was much better than the same week last year  We stayed at Grenofen, a house with a large garden, over looking Porth Thomas. We ran three traps, a 15W Actinic tube, resting on a pastic box, a small Actinic Heath trap and a home made collapsible 80W MV trap. In addition we had a guest trap from Sam Perfect on two nights.
The 25th  was a bit of a wild and blowy night, and consequently not spectacular, with just 70 moths. In addition Pete found a Bloxworth Snout at Porthmellon, flying in daylight. This is a RDB species and was formally a rare immigrant and now a scarce resident. Both Bloxworth Snout and White-speck were new moths for me.

Bloxworth Snout (Hypena obsitalis)

Code	Taxon	Vernacular	Individuals
998	Epiphyas postvittana	Light Brown Apple Moth	2
1395	Udea ferrugalis	Rusty-dot Pearl	9
1764	Chloroclysta truncata	Common Marbled Carpet	4
1771a	Thera cupressata	Cypress Carpet	1
2087	Agrotis segetum	Turnip Moth	2
2107	Noctua pronuba	Large Yellow Underwing	6
2126	Xestia c-nigrum	Setaceous Hebrew Character	1
2195	Mythimna vitellina	Delicate	1
2203	Mythimna unipuncta	White-speck	1
2232	Aporophyla nigra	Black Rustic	18
2255	Polymixis lichenea scillonea	Feathered Ranunculus	21
2263	Agrochola lota	Red-line Quaker	1
2270	Omphaloscelis lunosa	Lunar Underwing	3
2306	Phlogophora meticulosa	Angle Shades	1
2375	Rhizedra lutosa	Large Wainscot	1