Moth round up.

Whilst there have been plenty of moths about recently, it has certainly been quantity over quality, with large yellow underwing, setaceous hebrew character and square spot rustics making up the bulk of the records.

30th August saw 30 setaceous hebrews to the trap, whilst last night, 16 of the same species, with 15 common wainscot, 18 square spot rustics and double figures of large yellow underwing.

In amongst this common stuff a few new for year moths: feathered gothic on the 1st and centre-barred sallow and six striped rustic on the 2nd. Also, singles of common wave, angle shades, chinese character, small square spot and sliver y have made checking the trap worthwhile.

Micro wise, very quiet with just last few Agriphila geniculea appearing, and the next generation of Celypha lacunana now on the wing, along with a Pandemis heperana this morning. Should now be starting to get the true autumnal moths, so still plenty to look forward to.

feathered gothic

six striped rustic

Pandemis heparana

centre barred sallow

Last night, I had a brief wander round the local lanes with head torch and net. In the hayfield just up from the house were literally hundreds of square spot rustics and common wainscot and I stopped counting setaceous hebrew characters after 50. Just shining the torch into the field revealed many pairs of eyes reflected in the beam.

Both square spot rustics after dark.