Latest from the garden moth trap, a new species.

I've been running my trap most nights here and it's been pretty good to say the least, plenty of the regular species have been in good supply during these mild nights.

Best catch of the week was on Wednesday night where I counted 31 moths of a fabulous 16 species. 2 of the species were netted at dusk on the patio, a very effective way of adding bonus micro moths to the garden and year list.

Best moth of the night went to the 798th species for the garden, an Agonopterix ocellana, a moth i've taken before at nearby Chippenham Fen.

Oak-tree Pug was the only new species of macro moth added, but a real cracker of a specimen, and oddly before any Brindled Pugs here (Although both are scarce in my garden).

 

The 2 that I netted before the trap was lit were also new for the year, the Autumn form of Caloptilia semifascia and an early (Probable overwintering) Phyllonorycter sagitella. The latter will be retained just in case of the outside chance of apparella.

 

Last night, less moths but a similar amount of species, the best was an obscure form of Twin-spotted Quaker.

Tonight the temperature is set to slide away to low single figures, so i'm off.

Moth garden list for 2024 stands at 43 species

 

20/03/24 - Back Garden - Fordham - East Cambridgeshire - Actinic Trap

Macro Moths

 

Oak-tree Pug 1 [NFY] 

Brindled Beauty 2

Clouded Drab 1

Common Quaker 3

Double-striped Pug 5

Early Grey 2

Red Chestnut 2

Small Quaker 2

 

Micro Moths

 

Agonopterix ocellana 1 [NFG]

Caloptilia semifascia 1 [NFY]

Phyllonorycter sagitella/apparella 1 [NFY]

Agonopterix alstromeriana 2

Alucita hexdactyla 4

Emmelina monodactyla 2

Epiphyas postvittana 1

Eudonia angustea 1

Agonopterix ocellana

Caloptilia semifascia

Oak-tree Pug

Phyllonorycter sagitella/apparella

Twin-spotted Quaker