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Tuesday 29 September 2015

A new moth for Herts, a new one for me and others

Last Wednesday I took a moth with which I was not familiar, a well marked large micro. Investigations led me to believe it was Dioryctria sylvestrella but this would have been a county first record. Therefore, confirmation required, so off to Graeme J Smith who thought the same. As it was a female, gen det would prove inconclusive. We agreed that further confirmation was required, so off to County Recorder, Colin W Plant who today confirmed it to be D. sylvestrella. A most pleasing record and indeed, a county first.
Thanks to both Graeme and Colin for their endeavours to help with this identification. Well worth the effort
Dioryctria sylvestrella: a first for Hertfordshire
Following on, this morning a strange macro which I, under electric light, thought to be a ridiculously late Light Arches. This would have been the latest for Herts by 6 weeks. However, in better light it transpired that it was a new for my parish records, a pale pinion. My 301st macro for the parish since 2011 and 196th macro for the year.
Only other addition to the list over the last few days has been an expected beaded chestnut. Otherwise, now becoming quieter at the garden trap, averaging just 9 moths per night at present.
Beaded chestnut

Pale pinion (301st macro for parish records.

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