It's always nice to get a new species for the garden.
It was Ypsolopha mucronella's turn last night, a sporadic visitor to light, and looking back at my previous records it's not that common. The caterpillar feeds from Spindle.
Overall it was the best night of the month (And possibly best night ever in February) with 40 moths of 12 species.
Two other species were new for the year, a very nicely marked Lead-coloured Drab, and an equally impressive smart Acleris literana.
The 2nd Black-spotted Chestnut of the year was also recorded.
Hebrews and Quakers are going neck and neck for top position currently, making up over half of the catch.
The trap is getting a break for a few nights now.
Moth garden list for 2026 stands at 28 species
27/02/26 - Back Garden - Fordham - East Cambridgeshire - Actinic Trap
Macro Moths
Lead-coloured Drab 1 [NFY]
Black-spotted Chestnut 1
Clouded Drab 2
Common Quaker 12
Dotted Border 1
Hebrew Character 10
March Moth 6
Oak Beauty 3
Small Quaker 1
Micro Moths
Acleris literana 1 [NFY]
Ypsolopha mucronella 1 [NFG]
Agonopterix alstromeriana 1
Agonopterix heracliana 2
.JPG) |
| Ypsolopha mucronella |
.JPG) |
| Acleris literana |
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| Black-spotted Chestnut |
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| Lead-coloured Drab |