Pempelia genistella - 3rd for Hertfordshire

A 3rd record for Hertfordshire attracted to my Actinic trap I run at work a couple of night's per week.

 

I went through the trap as normal before work, noted what was in there and potted up a few nice moths, nothing spectacular.

Spin ahead 3 hours and on my tea break I was just packing away the lights next to the trap and I spotted a Pyalid moth walking about in the grass, my goodness a Pempelia! I ran into the tea room (much to the bemusement of my colleagues) to grab a glass tube, ran back out and it was still walking around, just a short distance from where I originally found it, fantastic!

Two tips re-learnt... Always carry a pot on your person, 2 or 3 better, and always check the grass around the trap!

It is a new moth for me and my second Pempelia species after netting a Pempelia palumbella whilst on holiday in Dorset in 2019.

 

My County recorder was shown the moth and he's 99.9% sure it is of migrant origin.

Pempelia genistella