Tree-mendous! 30-08

A good night with slightly higher temperatures heralded only the 2nd ever VC30 record of Tree-lichen Beauty. The 1st was caught in Barton Hills in 2007 by A&M Banthrope, but since then the species has been steadily moving north and is classed as an 'Immigrant / Recent Colonist'. A pretty handy record for a village back garden. 

Tonight is the monthly trip to Home Wood for the Forestry Commission survey, let's hope something equally as good turns up there.............Will try and catch up with lists/posts after this.

Tree-lichen Beauty

....29/08

A slightly better night, but still nothing new to add as the NW winds persist. Still, there are a few gaps in the list. Notably Burnished Brass, which has failed to appear so far. Still waiting for the Sallows.................

The result- Twin 15w Actinic/UV Skinner- 129 of 29 species-

•  0015 Hepialus sylvina Orange Swift 5 
•  1260 Cydia splendana 1 
•  1304 Agriphila straminella 1 
•  1305 Agriphila tristella 4 
•  1309 Agriphila geniculea 26 
•  1439 Trachycera advenella 1 
•  1682 Timandra comae Blood-vein 1 
•  1742 Camptogramma bilineata Yellow Shell 1 
•  1776 Colostygia pectinataria Green Carpet 1 
•  1862 Gymnoscelis rufifasciata Double-striped Pug 2 
•  1867 Aplocera plagiata Treble-bar 1 
•  1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 2 
•  1937 Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty 5 
•  1961 Campaea margaritata Light Emerald 3 
•  2087 Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth 7 
•  2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 1 
•  2102 Ochropleura plecta Flame Shoulder 2 
•  2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 11 
•  2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 1 
•  2111 Noctua janthe Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing 1 
•  2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 3 
•  2134 Xestia xanthographa Square-spot Rustic 6 
•  2199 Mythimna pallens Common Wainscot 5 
•  2299 Amphipyra tragopoginis Mouse Moth 3 
•  2303 Thalpophila matura Straw Underwing 2 
•  2321 Apamea monoglypha Dark Arches 1 
•  2343x Mesapamea secalis agg. Common Rustic agg. 1 
•  2353 Luperina testacea Flounced Rustic 17 
•  2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 9 
•  2389 Paradrina clavipalpis Pale Mottled Willow 5

More from 24/08

Old Lady

Not a sniff for almost 2 years and then back to back records.

 Light Emerald

 Dichrorampha sp?

Don't know which one?................

24/08........

As the kids are on holiday, I set 3 traps up in the garden and let them stay up to 'monitor' them. We made a combined list for all 3, but the new ones went for the Twin 25w Actinic. Including this.........

Small Mottled Willow

This is an immigrant species with only 20 records in VC30 and is a Garden 1st.

The result- 24-08-2011- 2x Twin Actinic/UV Skinners, Twin 25w Actinic Skinner- 288 of 46 species-

• 0015 Hepialus sylvina Orange Swift 16 
• 0427 Yponomeuta sp. 1  
• 0464 Plutella xylostella Diamond-back Moth 1 
• 0658 Carcina quercana 3 
• 0964 Cochylis dubitana 1 
• 0965 Cochylis hybridella 1 
• 0998 Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth 2 
• 1048 Acleris variegana Garden Rose Tortrix 2 
• 1273 Dichrorampha sp. 1 
• 1305 Agriphila tristella 3 
• 1309 Agriphila geniculea 38 
• 1331 Acentria ephemerella Water Veneer 30 circa 
• 1334 Scoparia sp. 1
• 1524 Emmelina monodactyla 3 
• 1707 Idaea seriata Small Dusty Wave 1 
• 1713 Idaea aversata Riband Wave 1 
• 1728 Xanthorhoe fluctuata Garden Carpet 1 
• 1825 Eupithecia centaureata Lime-speck Pug 2 
• 1862 Gymnoscelis rufifasciata Double-striped Pug 1 
• 1883 Acasis viretata Yellow-barred Brindle 1 NFY 
• 1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 4 
• 1913 Ennomos alniaria Canary-shouldered Thorn 1 
• 1937 Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty 6 
• 1961 Campaea margaritata Light Emerald 3 
• 2087 Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth 2 
• 2089 Agrotis exclamationis Heart and Dart 1 
• 2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 1 
• 2102 Ochropleura plecta Flame Shoulder 1 
• 2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 25 
• 2110 Noctua fimbriata Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing 1 
• 2111 Noctua janthe Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing 1 
• 2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 16 
• 2134 Xestia xanthographa Square-spot Rustic 6 
• 2145 Discestra trifolii Nutmeg 2 
• 2199 Mythimna pallens Common Wainscot 20 
• 2297 Amphipyra pyramidea Copper Underwing 1 
• 2299 Amphipyra tragopoginis Mouse Moth 2 
• 2300 Mormo maura Old Lady 1 
• 2303 Thalpophila matura Straw Underwing 11 
• 2306 Phlogophora meticulosa Angle Shades 1 
• 2343 Mesapamea secalis agg. Common Rustic agg. 1 
• 2353 Luperina testacea Flounced Rustic 21 
• 2381 Hoplodrina alsines Uncertain 2 
• 2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 35 
• 2385 Spodoptera exigua Small Mottled Willow 1 Garden 1st 
• 2389 Paradrina clavipalpis Pale Mottled Willow 12

More Recent Highlights........

As Summer starts to wind down the catch is becoming far more predictable with large numbers of grass moth species, Flounced Rustics and Underwings. There has been a few highlights, though I missed a couple of moth emptying sessions as I was helping the Heligoland Heroes in Buckton on Flamborough Head, East Yorkshire. See some of the progress on Mark Thomas' Blog. While I was away the Kids did the recording and as usual kept any 'specials' for me in the fridge. They did save a Six-striped Rustic,(19th August) but the photos didn't make the cut- click HERE for last year's effort.

Square-spot Rustic

NFY, 17th August with many more since.

461 Ypsolopha ustella

This is a difficult one as it has hardly any noticeable field marks. However a small white tuft of scales on top of the thorax and a general long winged appearance seems to lean towards this species. If confirmed it will be a Garden 1st, 18th August. Confirmed..........D. Manning

 Purple Bar

A real stunner and only my 2nd record. NFY 21st August.

 Rosy Rustic

I don't get many of these, so nice to record it early. Last year my 1st and last one was 31st October!

 Treble-bar

Only my 2nd Record, 23rd August.

 Old Lady

1st record since 2009- NFY 23rd August.

Results for 23-08-11- Twin 15w Actinic/UV Skinner- 158 of 29 species-

• 0015 Hepialus sylvina Orange Swift 7 
• 0658 Carcina quercana 1 
• 1063 Celypha striana 1 
• 1305 Agriphila tristella 4 
• 1309 Agriphila geniculea 33 
• 1524 Emmelina monodactyla 1 
• 1651 Cilix glaucata Chinese Character 1 
• 1728 Xanthorhoe fluctuata Garden Carpet 3 
• 1825 Eupithecia centaureata Lime-speck Pug 1 
• 1862 Gymnoscelis rufifasciata Double-striped Pug 4 
• 1867 Aplocera plagiata Treble-bar 1 NFY 
• 1937 Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty 1 
• 1961 Campaea margaritata Light Emerald 1 
• 2087 Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth 8 
• 2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 1 
• 2102 Ochropleura plecta Flame Shoulder 1 
• 2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 9 
• 2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 1 
• 2111 Noctua janthe Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing 4 
• 2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 7 
• 2134 Xestia xanthographa Square-spot Rustic 3 
• 2145 Discestra trifolii Nutmeg 1 
• 2199 Mythimna pallens Common Wainscot 7 
• 2297 Amphipyra pyramidea Copper Underwing 2 
• 2299 Amphipyra tragopoginis Mouse Moth 1 
• 2300 Mormo maura Old Lady 1 NFY 
• 2303 Thalpophila matura Straw Underwing 8 
• 2353 Luperina testacea Flounced Rustic 20 
• 2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 20 
• 2389 Paradrina clavipalpis Pale Mottled Willow 5

Highlights and Milestones.........

A trip away meant no trapping for a few days (12th-14th) and then catching up with a few bits and pieces. On 10th August David Manning the VC30 Micro Moth recorder, spent an hour or so checking my garden for leaf mines. He certainly knows his onions, as he managed no less than 22 species! This gave the Micro list a real shot in the arm and spelt certain doom for Trent's already flagging list. I noticed him last week looking at bargain booze online and I suppose that's better than nothing. I still haven't seen last year's prize yet............

Milestones

It looks like 2 momentous events have happened more or less simultaneously; I have now recorded 500 species for the garden since starting mid way through 2009. I have also surpassed last year's total of 373 species and broke the 400 species mark for 2011 with many more to come. It couldn't have been done without help from A & M Banthorpe, David Manning and of course, the expertise of the bloggers who follow my posts- especially Ben and Skev- Thank you to one and all!

Bordered Straw

Garden 1st, 10th August.

698 Agonopterix kaekeritziana

Garden 1st, 11th August

 Canary-shouldered Thorn

Garden 1st, 14th August

692 Agonopterix subpropinquella

Judging by lack of obvious markings and the earlier flight time, I think this is a correct ID- waiting for confirmation CONFIRMED................15th August

1309 Agriphila geniculea

1st of many, NFY 15th August

 White-line Dart

Garden 1st, 15th August

 Red Underwing

Finally got one to pose! NFY 15th August

Common Wave

Tatty, but NFY, 15th August.

Leaf Mines recorded 10-08-11, Upper Caldecote- by D V Manning

• 0050 Stigmella aurella Leaf Mine- on Bramble- Garden 1st 
• 0064 Stigmella continuella  Leaf Mine- on Birch- Garden 1st 
• 0075 Stigmella floslactella  Leaf Mine- on Hazel- Garden 1st 
• 0097 Stigmella malella  Leaf mine- on Apple- Garden 1st 
• 0099 Stigmella hybnerella  Leaf Mine- on Hawthorn- Garden 1st 
• 0107 Stigmella regiella  Leaf Mine- on Hawthorn- Garden 1st 
• 0108 Stigmella crataegella  Leaf Mine- on Hawthorn- Garden 1st 
• 0111 Stigmella microtheriella  Leaf Mine- on Hazel-  
• 0125 Emmetia marginea  Leaf Mine- on Bramble- Garden 1st 
• 0156 Heliozela resplendella  Leaf Mine- on Alder- Garden 1st 
• 0263 Lyonetia clerkella  Leaf Mine- on Birch, Apple, Rowan
• 0265 Bucculatrix cristatella Leaf Mine and Cocoonet on Yarrow           
• 0275 Bucculatrix bechsteinella  Leaf Mine- on Hawthorn- Garden 1st 
• 0303 Parornix anglicella  Leaf Mine- on Hawthorn- Garden 1st 
• 0304 Parornix devoniella  Leaf Mine- on Hazel- Garden 1st 
• 0310 Callisto denticulella  Leaf mine- on Apple 
• 0323 Phyllonorycter oxyacanthae  Leaf Mine- on Hawthorn- Garden 1st 
• 0326 Phyllonorycter blancardella  Leaf mine- on Apple- Garden 1st 
• 0332 Phyllonorycter corylifoliella  Leaf Mine- on Hawthorn- Garden 1st 
• 0342 Phyllonorycter coryli  Leaf Mine- on Hazel- Garden 1st 
• 0345 Phyllonorycter rajella  Leaf Mine- on Alder,Garden 1st 
• 0353 Phyllonorycter ulmifoliella  Leaf Mine- on Birch- Garden 1st

08/08..................

Still no Macros to add as the year marches on. A couple of interesting Micros though..........

1113 Eudemis profundana

A smart looking moth and a Garden 1st- confirmed by D. Manning.

 1452 Phycita roborella

After looking at all the internet has to offer, I and more importantly the recorder are stumped over this one. There seems to be no other explanation other than it being a rare aberrant form of the species. Unless, that is anyone else has seen a moth like this? Just for the record its 14mm long and the image has been brightened slightly to show a few more field marks..........After a gen. det. by D. Manning it turned out to be a female of this species...........

Another woeful night as far as species/numbers are concerned.

Result for 08-08- Twin 15w Actinic/UV Skinner- 117 of 30 species-

• 1113 Eudemis profundana 1 Garden 1st
• 1294 Crambus pascuella 1 
•  1304 Agriphila straminella 4 
•  1305 Agriphila tristella 1 
•  1452 Phycita roborella 1 Aberrant form. 
•  1524 Emmelina monodactyla 1 
•  1742 Camptogramma bilineata Yellow Shell 1 
•  1862 Gymnoscelis rufifasciata Double-striped Pug 2 
•  1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 1 
•  1937 Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty 1 
•  2087 Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth 15 
•  2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 41
•  2102 Ochropleura plecta Flame Shoulder 2 
•  2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 1 
•  2110 Noctua fimbriata Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing 1 
•  2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 2 
•  2145 Discestra trifolii Nutmeg 2
•  2160 Lacanobia oleracea Bright-line Brown-eye 1 
•  2192 Mythimna conigera Brown-line Bright Eye 1 
•  2199 Mythimna pallens Common Wainscot 8 
•  2303 Thalpophila matura Straw Underwing 10 
•  2321 Apamea monoglypha Dark Arches 2 
•  2341 Mesoligia furuncula Cloaked Minor 1 
•  2343x  Mesapamea secalis agg. Common Rustic agg. 1 
•  2352 Eremobia ochroleuca Dusky Sallow 1 
•  2353 Luperina testacea Flounced Rustic 3 
•  2381 Hoplodrina alsines Uncertain 3 
•  2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 6 
•  2389 Paradrina clavipalpis Pale Mottled Willow 1 
•  2450 Abrostola tripartita Spectacle 1

Still Poor..........07/08

Another blowy, cold night produced nothing out of the ordinary, in fact it was one of the least productive nights of the year. Luckily Louie pulled this Garden 1st out of the bag, after a brief netting session along the hedge..........My 6th Argyresthia sp. of the campaign.

419 Argyresthia semifusca 

The result- Twin 15w Actinic/UV Skinner- 67 of 20 species-

•  0419 Argyresthia semifusca 1 Garden 1st 
•  1293 Chrysoteuchia culmella 1 
•  1294 Crambus pascuella 2 
•  1304 Agriphila straminella 1 
•  1305 Agriphila tristella 1 
•  1524 Emmelina monodactyla 1 
•  1708 Idaea dimidiata Single-dotted Wave 1 
•  1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 1 
•  1937 Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty 3 
•  2087 Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth 11 
•  2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 19 
•  2110 Noctua fimbriata Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing 1 
•  2111 Noctua janthe Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing 1 
•  2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 2 
•  2199 Mythimna pallens Common Wainscot 2 
•  2303 Thalpophila matura Straw Underwing 10 
•  2321 Apamea monoglypha Dark Arches 1 
•  2353 Luperina testacea Flounced Rustic 5 
•  2381 Hoplodrina alsines Uncertain 2 
•  2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 1

Moth Starvation........

In the last few nights I seem to have hit 'the wall'. Only 1 new species from 4th- 6th August, at this rate Trent will run away with it. Even with two traps running numbers were really low, hampered no doubt by lower temperatures and a gusty westerly wind. Still, there's always tonight.....

Orange Swift

NFY- 05-08

 Lesser Swallow Prominent

One of the few highlights, 06-08

Results for 06-08- 2x 15w Actinic/UV Skinner x 2- 130 of 28 species-

•  0658 Carcina quercana 1 
•  1293 Chrysoteuchia culmella 2 
•  1294 Crambus pascuella 1 
•  1304 Agriphila straminella 1 
•  1305 Agriphila tristella 1 
•  1313 Catoptria pinella 1 
•  1344 Eudonia mercurella 2 
•  1424 Endotricha flammealis 1 
•  1524 Emmelina monodactyla 3 
•  1651 Cilix glaucata Chinese Character 1 
•  1713 Idaea aversata Riband Wave 3 
•  1738 Epirrhoe alternata Common Carpet 1 
•  1937 Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty 6 
•  2006 Pheosia gnoma Lesser Swallow Prominent 1 
•  2047 Eilema complana Scarce Footman 1 
•  2087 Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth 13 
•  2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 44 
•  2111 Noctua janthe Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing 2 
•  2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 4 
•  2154 Mamestra brassicae Cabbage Moth 2 
•  2199 Mythimna pallens Common Wainscot 11 
•  2303 Thalpophila matura Straw Underwing 13 
•  2321 Apamea monoglypha Dark Arches 5 
•  2343x Mesapamea secalis agg. Common Rustic agg. 1 
•  2353 Luperina testacea Flounced Rustic 2 
•  2381 Hoplodrina alsines Uncertain 5 
•  2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 1 
•  2389 Paradrina clavipalpis Pale Mottled Willow 1

The last few days........

A good selection of moths of late, with perfect weather conditions and the use of the GAZEBO 'trap'. It looks like all change again as tonight is going to be a lot cooler. Back to just one trap again- it just saves on paper work! List to follow..........

458 Ypsolopha alpella

Garden 1st- 01/08

Spectacle

A long awaited year tick- 01/08

Twin-spotted Wainscot

NFY and only the 2nd one caught- 01/08

White-spotted Pinion

This is the 2nd record for this RDB species. I caught the 1st in 2009. NFY 02/08.

 757 Recurvaria nanella?

This is a bit worn, but whatever Gelechiid it is, it's new for the garden. It feeds on fruit trees so would be right at home- any other ideas welcome.

 873 Blastobasis adustella

NFY- 03/08

 Common White Wave

Apparently common, but rare in my garden. 2nd record 03/08.

 Common Wainscot

A record breaking haul of 10 individuals- 03/08.

The results for 03/08/2011- 2x 15w Actinic/UV Skinner- 204 of 46 species-

•  0227 Monopis laevigella Skin Moth 1 
•  0426 Yponomeuta malinellus Apple Ermine 1 
•  0658 Carcina quercana 1 
•  0757 Recurvaria nanella? 1 a garden 1st- very worn 
•  0779 Bryotropha affinis 2 
•  0787 Bryotropha terrella 1 
•  0873 Blastobasis adustella 1 NFY 
•  1011 Pseudargyrotoza conwagana 1 
•  1036 Acleris forsskaleana 1 
•  1205 Spilonota ocellana Bud Moth 1 
•  1261 Cydia pomonella Codling Moth 1 
•  1293 Chrysoteuchia culmella 2 
•  1294 Crambus pascuella 2 
•  1304 Agriphila straminella 1 
•  1305 Agriphila tristella 1 
•  1331 Acentria ephemerella Water Veneer 50 circa 
•  1348 Parapoynx stratiotata Ringed China-mark 1 
•  1413 Hypsopygia costalis Gold Triangle 1 
•  1424 Endotricha flammealis 1 
•  1524 Emmelina monodactyla 2 
•  1699 Idaea rusticata Least Carpet 7 
•  1713 Idaea aversata Riband Wave 2 
•  1812 Eupithecia inturbata Maple Pug 1 NFY 
•  1955 Cabera pusaria Common White Wave 1 NFY 
•  1991 Deilephila elpenor Elephant Hawk-moth 1 
•  2047 Eilema complana Scarce Footman 2 
•  2061 Spilosoma luteum Buff Ermine 1 
•  2064 Phragmatobia fuliginosa Ruby Tiger 1 
•  2087 Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth 5 
•  2092 Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart 59 
•  2102 Ochropleura plecta Flame Shoulder 1 
•  2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 1 
•  2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 2 
•  2110 Noctua fimbriata Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing 2 
•  2111 Noctua janthe Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing 1 
•  2126 Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character 4 
•  2145 Discestra trifolii Nutmeg 1 
•  2192 Mythimna conigera Brown-line Bright Eye 1 
•  2199 Mythimna pallens Common Wainscot 10 
•  2303 Thalpophila matura Straw Underwing 7 
•  2321 Apamea monoglypha Dark Arches 3 
•  2341 Mesoligia furuncula Cloaked Minor 1 
•  2343x Mesapamea secalis agg. Common Rustic agg. 5 
•  2381 Hoplodrina alsines Uncertain 9 
•  2382 Hoplodrina blanda Rustic 1 
•  2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 2