Latest Sightings

Around 25 species, but low numbers, with Bright-line Brown-eye, Poplar Grey, Puss Moth, Broken-barred Carpet, Plutella porrectella.  First for year: Figure of Eighty, Shoulder-striped Wainscot, Clouded Border, Bucculatrix sp and another as yet unidentified micro (min 10.2 degsC / cloudy)

A Butterfly Conservation moth trapping event took place on Lydlinch Common, kindly organised by Lawrie and Bridget de Whalley.

Five hours' trapping in perfect conditions of light cloud and 14 degsC produced a good tally of 52 species, with traps as follows: Robinson 125MV, Skinner 125MV, Skinner 40W Actinic, heath style 40W

Amongst the species recorded were highlights of: Twin-spot Plume, White-pinion Spotted, Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet, Reddish Light Arches, Small Seraphim, and 2 Green Silver-lines.

Other recorded species included: Pebble Hook-tip, Maiden's Blush, Mottled Pug, Sallow Kitten, Knot Grass, Great Prominent, Phoenix, Scorched Wing, Clouded Silver, Pale Prominent and around 200 Green Carpet.

Chocolate-tip and Small Angle Shades the best from the traps here, plus another 3 Orange Footman.

Only 16 species here including 1 Scorched Wing, 1 Orange Footman, 1 Pale Tussock, 1 Common Marbled Carpet and 43 Small Square-spots!

120 moths of 62 species, with highlights being Caloptilia azaleella (NFG), Plutella xylostella, Syndemis musculana (NFG), Rhodophaea formosa, May Highflyer (NFG), Broken-barred Carpet, Dwarf Pug (NFR), Puss Moth, Orange Footman, Coronet, Shark, and Least Black Arches (2).

c.50 Moths of 23 species with new for year Small White Wave, Small Angle Shades, Common Wave, Clouded Silver and Shoulder-stripe Wainscot.

A chilly wind.  32 species including 1 Phtheochroa rugosana.  FFY Ringed China-mark, Flame Carpet (not often seen here), Broken-barred Carpet, Peppered Moth, Dagger sp., Bright-line Brown-eye and Middle-barred Minor

Around 30 species, including: Mottled, Brown, and Sq-spot Rustics, Treble Brown Spot, Elephant Hawkmoth, Anania hortulata (Sm Magpie), Hedya pruniana.  Others included: Least Black Arches(3), Peach Blossom, Treble Lines, Broken-barred Carpet, Notocelia cynosbatella

Resulting in this late post, a fitting 'bag' of 103 Macros of 42 Species, for a day visit by my friend David Foot. FFY were Chinese Character, Lesser Treble-bar, Dark Spectacle, Grey Pug, Rivulet, Lobster Moth, Light Emerald, Red-green Carpet, Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet, Dark Arches, Small Clouded Brindle, Scorched Carpet, Rustic Shoulder-knot, Puss Moth and a 'free flying' Brown Silver-line. There was also a single Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth recorded.

The traps had no surprises, but among those present were: Light Brocade, Ingrailed Clay, Dusky Brocade, Foxglove Pug, Brindled Pug, Yellow-barred Brindle and Least Black Arches.  The only micro was a single Scoparia ambigualis.

A breezy wind interrupts the moth fauna tonight. There are late evening stirrings seen from my bedroom window and then the occasional tomahawk missile (may bug). First light and a little scatter of pugs on the old woven fence: Mottled, Freyer's, Common and Double-striped. Some new faces among the assembled: Light Brocade, Pale Prominent (at rest a shard of splintered timber, in flight an angel), Lychnis and a Yellow-barred Brindle...more green than yellow. But I count just 22 of 17 species among the macros. And May is almost done.

20 species including 1 Poplar Hawkmoth, 1 Small Magpie, 1 Reddish Light Arches, 2 Pale Tussock, 2 Treble Lines, 2 Brown Rustic. Note the Reddish Light Arches was an incorrect identification and on further study of my photograph, it was the light form of Clouded-bordered Brindle.

At last, it's beginning to liven up! 25 species including 2 Scorched Wing, 3 Common Swift, 1 Red Twin-spot, 1 Common White Wave, 3 Shoulder-stripped Wainscot, 1 Middle-barred Minor, 1 Flame Carpet, 1 Reddish Light Arches, 1 Peppered Moth, 1 Twenty Plume Moth and 1 Foxglove Pug.

A better night with 27 species.  FFY Peach Blossom.  There seem to be lots of Least Black Arches around this year - had 3 last night and several others over the last few days.

First time trapping after returning from uni produced 76 individuals of 40 species, with a fairly warm night, but rather breezy. First Hawks of the year, with Poplar (4), Privet and Elephant, plus Common Swift (2), Nematopogon metaxella, Mompha subbistrigella, Enarmonia formosana, Purple Bar, Yellow-barred Brindle (2) Pale Prominent, and Buff-tip being of some note.

Despite torrential rain around midnight, 50+ Moths of 33 species. New for 2016 Elephant Hawkmoth, Spectacle, White-spotted Pug, Beautiful Golden-Y, Ingrailed Clay, Marbled Minor agg., Small Magpie Anania hortulata, plus new for me Pale-shouldered Brocade, Mompha subbistrigella and Lathronympha strigana.

Numbers about the same as previous night but added to Year List Pale Mottled Willow, Flame, Vine's Rustic, Mottled Rustic, Light Brocade, Narrow-winged Pug and White-spotted Pug.

Numbers much lower after the heavy rain.  FFY Large Yellow Underwing.

Finally, a plan to keep the cat out of harms way. He's in the tool shed with a comfortable blanket. He will jump onto the bicycle seat and watch the moths come in until he gets bored. At least he doesn't fuse the electrics or burn the office down...which he's attempted several times. This morning: hurray for moths, the trap has been busy and what a prize sitting on the top, a Puss Moth, the first ever, since trapping here began in 1997. 72 macros all told including Silky Wainscot, Buff-tip, Cypress Carpet, a Dagger, with its distinctive mediaeval markings, Knot-grass and a Marbled Minor. Still no sign of my seasonal friends the Oak-tree Pug, Bordered White and Figure of 80. Still, 25 species is a fair total.

Another decent night with 91 Macros of 35 Species. FFY included Orange Footman, Coronet, Middle-barred Minor, Small Square-spot, Common Swift, Foxglove Pug, Small Seraphim, Tawny Marbled Minor, Oak Hook-tip and Marbled Brown.

Best night this year with 32 species including Great Prominent. FFY Pebble Hook-tip, Yellow-barred Brindle, Grey Pine Carpet, Marbled Brown and Marbled Minor

35 species, but still only 45 moths, with plenty of ffy's including: Treble Lines, Green Carpet, H & Dart, Pale Mottled Willow, Flame, Chocolate-tip, Mocha, Iron Prominent.  12 micro species including Mompha and Epiblema sp (tbc), E angustea, Udea olivalis, A sociana, C lacunana, P xylostella ( 10.4 degsC min )

Leigh 26 May

A dramatic upturn in numbers to 46 species. Nothing of any real note although Elachista argentella and Monopsis laevigella (Skin Moth), worth a mention.

24 species - NFY were Poplar & Eyed Hawkmoth, Small Square-spot, Buff Ermine, Bright-line Brown-eye, Poplar Kitten, Pale Tussock, May Highflyer, Broken-barred Carpet, Light Brocade, Currant, Common & White-spotted Pugs.

26 May 2016 12 deg C 15 species 24 moths Scorched Wing 1, Iron Prominent 1, Muslin 1, Treble Lines 6, Heart and Club 1, Red-green Carpet 1, Celypha lacunana 1.

Several of the minute Psychoides filicivora might have been easily overlooked flying in the garden.  The traps produced more species overnight with Light Brocade, Scalloped Hazel, Pebble Prominent, Scorched Carpet, Poplar Hawkmoth, Mottled Pug and Plutella porrectella among those logged.

Big increase in numbers and variety with over 75 moths of 40 species with 18 new for 2016, including Green Arches, Alder Moth, Buff Ermine, Chinese Character, Coronet, Rivulet, Flame Shoulder and Common Marbled Carpet. With my first Tinea trinotella.

A good night with 30 species.  FFY Spruce Carpet, Buff Ermine, Rivulet, Burnished Brass, Clouded-bordered Brindle, Orange Footman, Cinnabar and Heart & Dart.  Also 1 Silver Y.

Best catch of 2016 thus far, 85 Macro x 30 Species, including FFY Vine's Rustic, Yellow Belle, Buff Ermine, Common Wave, Tawny-barred Angle and Common Wainscot. A couple still in abeyance.

I found three pammene regiana cocoons near Crossways on 1.5.2016 and yesterday this cracking beast emerged.

Just eight of 4 species: 4 Muslin Moth, 2 Sm Square-spot(ffy), singles of Shuttle-shaped Dart, Spectacle (fall again to 4.4 degsC)

Still chilly. Just 7 moths including FFY Common Wave and 1 Silver Y.

Numbers improved with no real change in weather pattern, 11 species including 1 Scalloped Hazel, 1 Clouded Silver, 1 Bright-line Brown-eye, 1 Treble Lines, 1 Spectacled.

Another chilly night. 17 species including FFY Clouded Border, Elephant Hawkmoth, White-point, Setaceous Hebrew Character and Rustic Shoulder-knot.

+2C at East Parley at dawn, 24 Macros of 13 Species from 5 traps. Large Yellow Underwing FFY, a 2nd Sandy Carpet, Pale Tussock, Pale Pinion and Poplar Hawk-moth thought worth a mention.

Just five species here and 7 moths, including Silver-ground Carpet, Pebble Prominent (min 5.5 degsC) several E postvittana seen lately during the day

only 4 species including 1 Mullein and 2 Flame Shoulder.

Low numbers again with 12 Moths of 9 species, with a Scalloped Hazel and 2 X Brindled Beauty the best, but nothing new for year.

A chilly wind.  Not many moths but they included 1 Eyed Hawkmoth and 1 Light Brocade.

Best of another very poor catch White Point

Both Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth and Common Heath on the wing here at East Parley today. Have been unable to upload (reasonable) images of former so may I direct you to http://bagsy-thecaptainslog.blogspot.co.uk/

22 May 2016 Winterborne Stickland 6 deg C Muslin 1, Treble Lines 1, Square-spot Rustic 1 . Only 3 individuals.

19 Macros of 11 species include FFY Eyed Hawk-moth and Snout + Treble Lines, Turnip and Iron Prominent.

Only 4 species, but including 1 unexpected Scalloped Hazel

Only 4 moths here, with Common Swift and Notocelia cynosbatella first for year (min 7.7 degsC / cloudy)

15w actinic Heath trap - - Silver- ground carpet , V pug , Pebble Prominent , White Ermine , Muslin Moth , Flame Shoulder , Cabbage , Bright- line Brown-eye , Powdered Quaker , Silver Y.

Only 18 Moths of 10 species, including Poplar Hawkmoth, 2 x Scalloped Hazel and new for year 2 x Small Square-spot.

Just 9 moths of 7 species: Clouded Drab, 2 White Ermine and Flame Shoulder, with first for year Alder Moth, Silver-ground Carpet, Knot-grass, Silver Y (almost constant heavy rain / min 12 degsC)

Nothing unusual this week, but a nice selection and among those making the log were: White Ermine, Chinese Character, Brown Rustic, Early Thorn, Treble Lines, Brimstone, Pale Tussock, Scoparia ambigualis and the first Scoparia pyralella.

The following were my New for the Year. 2x Lime Hawk-moth, 2x Swallow Prominent, 2x Pebble Prominent, Peppered Moth, Silver-ground Carpet, Treble lines, White Ermine, Small Magpie. Just can't help taking a pic of our first Hawk-moth :0)

30+ Moths of 17 species, with 2 x Orange Footman, Silver-ground Carpet, Double-striped Pug, Udea olivalis and Nut-tree Tussock new for year. With amongst the rest, 3 x Least Black Arches and 4 x Green Carpet.

At last a few more moths with a count of 9 species, including 1 Broken-barred Carpet, 1 Oak-tip, 2 Common Swift (1 male, 1 female), 2 Flame Shoulder, 1 Mottled Pug, 2 Pseudoswammerdama combinella, 1 Eudonia angustea.

First 'garden trap' of the year and 13 macro-moth species to light, matching closely the results of the past 10 years here. No surprises, but good to see old favourites such as Waved Umber, Poplar Grey, Mullein and Freyer's Pug. A single Diamond-back among the micros.

Eyed Hawk , 2 Vines Rustic. + 3 Nettle-tap Lodmoor RSPB .

Just 9 of 6 species: 3 Muslin Moth, 2 White Ermine, singles of Scalloped Hazel, Hebrew Character, ffy Small Phoenix.  The only micro, Pseudoswammerdamia combinella (min 10.2 degsC / cloudy, no rain)

Two interesting new species for the garden : Poplar kitten and Gem

2 each of Mullein and Heart and Dart. Dire!

Only 4 species but including 1 Pale Tussock.

Five moths !  Alucita hexadactyla , Common Quaker , Pebble Prominent , Marbled Minor agg. , Silver Y.

Very poor showing with only 5 moths and 5 species including 1 White Ermine and 1 Small Waved Umber.

6 species only, including 1 Spectacle and 1 Muslin Moth.

Tachystola acroxantha , Common Marbled Carpet , Cypress Carpet , Double-striped Pug , Muslin moth , 2 Least Black Arches , Bright-line Brown-eye , Vines Rustic.

Just 14 of 5 species, with Powdered Quaker, 6 Muslin Moth, and first for year Mullein Moth ( min 6 degsC)

Fall in temperature and numbers to 7.4 degsC and 11 of 8 species.  First for year Poplar Hawkmoth, Red Twin-spot Carpet, Scalloped Hazel

2 Diamond-back Moth , Tachystola acroxantha , 3 Muslin Moth , Powdered Quaker , Mullein , Vines Rustic , 2 Silver Y.

11 species including 2 Scorched Carpet, 3 Muslin Moth, 1 Brindled Beauty, 1 Flame Shoulder.

A chilly wind.  Only 14 moths from 2 traps.  Including FFY Poplar Hawkmoth and Spectacle.

Just 32 of 18 species, with: Poplar Grey, Lunar Marbled Brown, Flame Shoulder, Chinese Character, ffy Spectacle Micros: P combinella, (6)E postvittana, E sulphurella, H pseudospretella, (2)Plutella protectella and Ancylis badiana (both to be confirmed) min 10.8 degsC

FFY included Pseudoswammerdamia combinella, Carpatolechia proximella (tbc), Silver-ground Carpet, Pale Pinion & Least Black Arches.

Yet another Incurvaria masculella. Also Privet Hawk, Broken-barred Carpet, Clouded Border and Pebble Hook-tip were NFY.

Waved Umber , 2 Heart & Dart , 2 Silver Y.

15 species including 1 Waved Umber, 2 Scorched Carpet, 1 Common White Wave, 1 Least Black Arches, 4 Chinese Character and 1 Parornix anglicella ag.

Another nice selection this morning including: White Ermine, Scorched Carpet, Silver-ground Carpet, Rustic Shoulder-knot, Light Brocade, Least Black Arches, and Syndemis musculana.

Another Incurvaria masculella, 4 Silver Y and my first Eyed Hawk of the spring.

Iron Prominent , Pebble Prominent , Muslin , Least Black Arches , 4 Silver Y.

A nice selection of 28 species including FFY Chocolate-tip and Small Clouded Brindle.  Also 1 Phtheochroa rugosana

14 species including 1 Waved Umber, 2 White Ermine, 1 Mullein, 1 Oak-tree Pug, 1 Lunar Marbled Brown , 1 Silver-ground Carpet and 2 Pseudoswammerdamia combinella.

Variety improving at last: Streamer, Muslin, Brimstone, Waved Umber, Scorched Carpet, a beautiful Eyed Hawkmoth, Angle Shades, a lovely bright V-pug, Pyrausta aurata, White Ermine, Yellow-barred Brindle and Rustic Shoulder-knot.  Also several immaculate Green Carpets over the last few nights.

A surprising 50 Moths of 33 Species, (as only 5 Moths when I checked at 11.30pm). With new for 2016, Buff-tip, Poplar Kitten, Angle Shades, Chocolate-tip, Garden Carpet, Pepper Moth, Mocha, Shark, Great Prominent and Incurvaria masculella with the last 3 being firsts for the Garden also. Plus a couple of Silver-Y too.

Only 6 macro moths this morning - must be a record for May. One was a Least Black Arches, the second this week. But there was a Red Admiral.

Ditto as below at East Parley.

First Hawk-moth of the year in the form of a Lime Hawk but little else of note.

Bagsy has asked me to post his photo of the Lace Border on here. Amazing occurrence, first record since 1960! Full story at: http://bagsy-thecaptainslog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/border-song-elton-john.html

It seems to have been raining pugs last night. Of the others, NFY were Orange Footman, Small Mottled Willow, Brown Silver-lines, Pebble and Lesser Swallow Prominent and Streamer. Now to look at the pugs . . .

At last, the moths are beginning to appear in reasonable numbers with 16 species including 2 Brimstone Moth, 2 Chinese Character, 1 Pale Pinion, 1 Streamer, 1 Pebble Prominent, 1 Currant Pug, 1 Brindled Pug, 1 Poplar Hawk Moth, 1 Great Prominent, 1 Brindled Beauty.

Bright-line Brown-eye , Pine Beauty , an early Gold Spot , Puss moth , Swallow Prominent , White Ermine.

A damp night.  Not many moths but a nice selection including Mullein and Shoulder Stripe (which I don't get that often).

Around 45 of 20 species, including (9)Muslin Moth, (3)Waved Umber, (2)Great Prominent, Chinese Character, Shoulder Stripe, Streamer, (4)Lunar Marbled Brown.  FFY: Flame Shoulder, Coxcomb Prominent, Least Black Arches

Turned off trap at 3.30am expecting heavy rain which didn't arrive. New for year Scalloped Hazel, Treble Lines, Brown Silver-lines, Red Twin-spot Carpet, Least Black Arches, Clouded Border, Small Phoenix, Scorched Wing & Bee Moth Aphomia sociella

My 'first' personal Post on DMG starts with LACE BORDER at East Parley at 07:00 10/05/2016, an image will be posted on The Bagsy Blog tomorrow. Guess now "the only way is down"?

Best moths here were another Incurvaria masculella and my third record of Poplar Kitten. Also, Lunar Marbled Brown, Maiden's Blush and Waved Umber worth a mention.

21 individuals of 14 species. FFG Esperia sulphurella and Early Tooth-striped. FFY included Pale Tussock and Mullein.

Peppered , Pale Tussock , Powdered Quaker , Vines Rustic , Bloxworth Snout.

Highlights here were singles of: Ypsolopha mucronella, May Highflyer, Frosted Green and Dotted Chestnut. Migrants represented by a single Dark Sword Grass and 2 Diamond-back.

40 of 24 species, including: Waved Umber, Powdered Quaker, Great Prominent, (different) S steinkellneriana and FFY Setaceous Hebrew Character, (3)Poplar Grey, (2)Buff Ermine, Pseudoswammerdamia combinella, (2) Plutella xylostella (min 14.2 degsC / cloudy)

A half decent night with some interesting micros. Best macros were Great Prominent (only my 2nd ever!), Pine Beauty and Streamer. Micros of note were: 2 Incurvaria masculella, Cydia strobilella, Mompha subbistrigella and Caloptilia stigmatella. Also 3 Diamond-back and a Silver Y.

More micros than macros ! plutella xylostella , Esperia sulphurella , Tachystola acroxantha , Agonopterix alstromeriana , Cochylis atricapitana , Cydia pomonella , Eudonia angustea , Common wave , Silver Y.

A warm night.  27 species including 1 Puss Moth. Also a Cydia strobilella now confirmed by Phil Sterling.

8 May 2016 Winterborne Stickland 15 deg C Powdered Quaker 1, Silver Y 1, Scalloped Hook-tip 1, Least black Arches 1, Streamer 1, Red Twin-spot carpet 1, Waved Umber 3.  11 species, 29 specimens.

At last a reasonable night on this windy coast, although still only 22 macro species. A Gem blew in, and I have recorded 2 Puss Moths and 3 Streamers in the last few days.

Total of several traps at Alners Gorse were 365 moths of 77 species. Species include Dyseriocrania subpurpurella (6), Adela reaumurella (3), Incurvaria masculella, Plutella xylostella (12), Semioscopis steinkellneriana, Pammene argyrana (3), Oak Hook-tip, Frosted Green, Marbled Pug (10), Poplar Kitten, Great Prominent (11), Chocolate-tip (4), Orange Footman, Sycamore, Dark Sword-grass, Least Black Arches (5) and Oak Nycteoline.

Around 50 of 24 Species, with first for year: Pine Beauty, V-Pug, Pale Tussock, Scorched Carpet, Pale Prominent, Semioscopis steinkellneriana, Eudonia angustea.  Others included, Great Prominent, Streamer, Shoulder Stripe, Powdered Quaker (steady rain / min 13.8 degs C)

A bit of quality to 15w actinic Heath trap included Streamer , Water Carpet , Purple Thorn , Brindled Beauty , Puss Moth , Great Prominent , Pale Tussock , Lunar Marbled Brown , Muslin , Powdered Quaker , Nut-tree Tussock.

Pebble Prominent and Streamer the only modest notables; plus an Oak-tree Pug which is unusual enough here to be quite a celebrity.

Despite a quite wet night, over 60 Moths of 26 species with Streamer, Diamond-back Moth Plutella xylostella, Celypha lacuna, Eudonia angustea, Green Carpet, Grey Pine Carpet & Silver Y all new for 2016.

Single Diamond-back the only immigrant here. 2 Lunar Marbled Brown to add to yesterday's, normally a rare moth here. Iron Prominent, Puss, Small White Wave, Oak-tree Pug, Dagger sp, Heart and Dart, Chinese Character and Flame Shoulder all NFY. Also 3 Esperia sulphurella were new for garden.

More rain than I expected.  Best of the bunch were 1 Pale Pinion and a FFG Incurvaria masculella.

A fine early May night. Best here were singles of Phtheochroa rugosana and Satyr Pug - both new species for the garden. Also, Dwarf Pug, Scalloped hook-tip (2), Great Prominent (4), Least Black Arches and Dotted Chestnut among a total of 24 species. Trap out again tonight as the weather forecast looks great!

Lunar Marbled Brown and Mompha epilobiella the best from the traps. Shuttle-shaped Dart, Pebble Prominent, V-Pug and Vine's Rustic NFY.

60+ of 23 species, with (2) Frosted Green. (5) Swallow Prominent, Angle Shades. Shoulder Stripe, (2) Waved Umber, Esperia sulphurella.  New for year: Early Tooth-striped, Muslin, Puss Moth, Chinese Character, White Ermine, (2) Lunar Marbled Brown, Great Prominent, (3) Brimstone, (3) Pebble Prominent, Twenty Plume Moth (9.5 degsC / cloudy)

44 moths of 21 species. Highlights were Digitivalva pulicariae, Mompha subbistrigella (2nd garden record), Streamer (2), Wormwood Pug, Muslin Moth and Cinnabar.

Just 8 of 5 species: Early Grey, Streamer. Early Thorn, Clouded Drab, and FFY Frosted Green

A Psychoides filicivora found in the kitchen this afternoon.

Shuttle-shaped Dart, Dark Sword-grass, Brindled Beauty and Pseudoswammerdamia combinella were all first for the year here.

3 Brimstone , Buff Ermine , Muslin Moth , Mullein , Early Grey , 2 Angle Shades.

Circa 40 Moths of 18 species, including new for 2016 Brimstone, White Ermine, Pebble Prominent, 20-Plume Alucita hexadactyla & Lunar Marbled Brown.

Northern Drab taken by John Gifford last night, a good county rarity and one which has so far eluded my traps!

Esperia sulphurella in sunshine this afternoon

Still very low numbers.  Among those logged were: Muslin, Brindled Beauty, Lunar Marbled Brown and Powdered Quaker.  Scarlet Tiger larvae beginning to show again now on Comfrey here, eating both leaves and flowers.

11 species including Coxcomb Prominent, Shoulder Stripe, 6 x Brindled Beauty, Muslin Moth, Early Grey and Parsnip Moth Depressaria radiella

Still low numbers here, 4 species including 1 Brindled Beauty and 1 Powdered Quaker.

Even less here - just 2 E postvittana and FFY Nut-tree Tussock, despite min 10.2 degsC / cloudy

Still quiet here. Only 11 individuals of 7 species. FFY V-Pug and Pebble Prominent.

very little here, just 1 Swallow Prominent, 1 Clouded Drab and 3 Hebrew Character.