Disappointing here too, just 18 moths of 12 spp. A Twenty Plume and Common Plume, 2 Silver Ys and the expected late Oct spp.

Plenty of flies about, including the luckless one in the picture that fell prey to the ?Yellow Dung Fly. Not so many moths; 26 of 13 species; NFY were Yellow-line Quaker and a Gem (... 1st for 2 years to be exact!). Also a Turnip Moth which don't turn up here that often.

I seem to have had a better night here than elsewhere.  40 moths of 15 species with 2 Vapourers being my first of the year.
When I first recorded Cypress Carpet here in 2003 it was only the second county record. I have recorded it in increasing numbers every year since then but I am still waiting to record it here this year.
I cannot understand what the Small Mottled Willows are doing this year. They fly over from the continent and then seem to settle in South Somerset rather than going a few miles further north to Minehead. Whilst Jane was recording her first of the year last night I recorded 84 of them during the summer.

16 species but included 2 migrants..Silver Y and Small Mottled Willow which I haven't trapped before.

Same here Paul - just nine moths of six species including a Cypress Carpet.

Quite mild, light breezes, and no rain= lots of moths ?  No, just 7 altogether, with the only FFY a Cypress Carpet.  When I first recorded this species in 2005, there were only a handful of records in the whole County at the time, whereas now it's widespread and relatively common.  A success story for global warming ?

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - MIn Temp 8.8 degrees, wet and windy.

23 moths of 17 species including FFY- a Large Wainscot.

A good night with 29 moths of 16 species including my second ever Scarce Bordered Straw (FFY), plus Vestal, Brick (FFY), Grey Pine Carpet (FFY), Cypress Carpet (2) and, very pleasingly as I had given them up for the year, a Mallow (FFY). Green-brindled Crescent (6) were the most numerous.

Probably too much breeze plus a nearly-full moon put paid to the concept of a good number of moths last night. Only 6, of 5 species altogether, and nothing new or exciting to report.

It has been a disappointing year for leaf-miners but there are still plenty to be found.  Here are the six common Nepticulidae that mine hawthorn.

Strange how different areas can have such different moths.  Peter may have only caught four moths last night, but I have never trapped Sallow or Merveille du Jour in Somerset, and not trapped a Rosy Rustic since 2009.

My computer forecast predicted low temperatures of around 41F (5C), so I felt it not unreasonable to put out the traps. In the event, there was a sharp frost, and just one hardy Blair's Shoulder-knot was the only moth to make it into an egg-box.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe

At 4 degrees the coldest night of the autumn so far and only four moths - November Moth, Sallow, Rosy Rustic and Merveille du Jour.

Comment below makes more sense - 'not previously trapped' - senior moment!

Just 20 moths 10 species. Green brindled crescent(2), 4 Large wainscots, one of which was very small. Singles of M du Jour, Mottled umber and Brick which are all new for my plot. I have previously trapped at this time of year so FFGs tend to come in good numbers.

Just 9 moths of 6 species last night, though Barred Sallow and Green-brindled Crescent (2) were FFY. It's the first time I've trapped more than one of the latter

For anyone interested in looking for micros, chiefly leaf miners, a few of us are gathering at 1.30 p.m. on Monday next at Stockhill Forest/ Priddy Mineries. Meet at the car park just inside the forest at ST548 515. It is a good idea to bring a hand lens and a polythene bag. In answer to Chris Iles, males of Thera spp. can be separated by the antennae, in the grey pine carpet thesegments are shorter and more deeply indented. See Entomologist's Record & Journal of Variation. 92: 162-166 (1980).

A definite late autumn feel to the moths attracted to two actinics run in the wood.

November Moth agg. (31)
Red-line Quaker (6)
Feathered Thorn (3)
Mottled Umber (3)
Green-brindled Crescent (2)
Common Marbled Carpet (2)
Winter Moth
Yellow-line Quaker
Spruce Carpet/Grey Pine Carpet (14) - both species involved, the first the more common of them.  Does anyone know of a way of separating these species on the underwing markings, as the majority of the moths refuse to open their wings?

Much milder here last night and a better haul with 47 moths of 22 species. Nothing new for the garden unfortunately but three FFYs: Large Wainscot, Green-brindled Crescent (2) and Red-line Quaker. The most numerous species was Blair's Shoulder-knot (9). Migrants represented were a Diamond-back Moth and Silver Y. I also had a fresh Heart and Dart a Brindled Green, Sallow (3) plus three micros: LBAM, Depressaria daucella and Agonopterix heracliana. Also of interest were four species of ichneumon wasp.

Paul - Thanks for the Dark Arches id. Looking at it now it all makes sense!

I put the trap out last night , not that many moths about here considering it was so mild and not very breezy early on; 36 of 15 macro and 1 micro ( a LBAM). No NFYs, Black Rustic the most numerous with 9, then beaded Chesnut with 6.

Amuch warmer night produced 79 macros of 17 species. Not a bad tally for late October. Nothing special but the total did include 7 Green Brindled Crescents, 9 Black Rustics and 16 Common Marbled Carpets.
My lack of Micro knowledge was found out by what I am assuming is a pyralid. It was very identifiable but I cannot find it in my book. I've passed it on to Robin Clatworthy who also couldn't immediately id it but who happens to be meeting with Phil Sterling tomorrow.

A bit breezy but 28 moths of 14 spp. First Feathered Thorn and Brindled Green of the season.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 11.5 degrees

21 moths of 16 species including FFY - Mottled Umber and Dark Chestnut.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min temp 8.9 degrees and wet.

25 moths of 13 species including FFY - Feathered Thorn and, a first since April, a Pale Pinion.

First session for a couple of weeks so lots of FFYs, 47 moths of 17 spp, FFYs- 5 Epirrita egg, 4 Green-brindled Cresc, 2 Merveille du Jour, a Yellow & a Red-line Quakers, 6 Blair's Shoulder Knots, and a pristine Red-green Carpet.

I decided to put the trap out on Sunday night and had 20 moths of 9 species. FFG was Acleris sparsana and FFY were November Moth agg and Merveille-du-Jour.

Probably a bit too breezy for the moth populaton to venture out last night - only 1 in the actinic, and 14 in the MV trap, of 9 species altogether. The best one for me was a Brindled Green, only my 5th record here (the first since 2008), and there were also 2 FFY Sallows.

Liz - I would hazard a guess at your dismembered moth from 15th. as being a worn Dark Arches, but it's a difficult one for sure !!

28 moths of 16 species. FFG Brown-spot Pinion, November Moth agg and Red-green Carpet. Late Dusky and Canary-shouldered Thorn. 2 Firethorn Leaf-Miner disturbed in the morning and an incredibly dark female Light Brown Apple Moth.

Not a lot to shout about last week: 14th - 12 moths of 9 species. 15th - 20 moths of 13 species - Yellow-line Quaker (FFY), November Moth agg (FFY) and a late Dusky Thorn. 17th - 12 moths of 9 species - Merveille du Jour (2, FFY). I also found a suspected Ypsolopha ustella indoors on the 15th, thanks to James McGill for taking a look.

This woodland is proving a good site for leaf-mines - no less than six species of Ectoedemia were found there today (albifasciella, heringi and subbimaculella on oak, atricollis on hawthorn, minimella on hazel and septembrella on St John's wort).  I rarely come across minimella (which also feeds on birch); septembrella breeds on ornamental Hypericum outside my bedroom window but this is the first time I have come across it on native foodplant.

Also of note was the larval case of Coleophora lusciniaepennella (on sallow), the first time I have found the case in the autumn.  It overwinters and I have found the cases more readily in the spring, in some numbers in the east Mendips earlier this year.

This would be a fine woodland to run traps in, should anyone know the owner and were they willing.

First trap for a while after returning from Scotland. 18 moths of 11 species including FFG Green-brindled Crescent. Also Canary-shouldered Thorn, Lime-speck Pug, White-shouldered House Moth and Firethorn Leaf-Miner.

Still not much happening here - 26 moths of 13 speces, with just one FFY - a Red-line Quaker.  We had at least 1000 starlings arrived a lunchtime, stopping off to feed in our field, presumably on their way to the Levels to start off (or join in) the murmurations.

A much warmer night (at least to start with - but a chilly 5-6C by dawn) and a much better variety of moths; 73 individuals from 21 macro and 3 micro species. Several FFYs; Large Wainscot, Green Brindled Cresent, Feathered Thorn, November Moth agg.(4), Mottled Umber and Blairs Shoulder-knot(2).

I was amazed to get 15 Barred Sallows, the majority arrived before 8pm when it was quite warm. Also 7 Sallows and a Pink-barred Sallow, Rosy Rustic, Light Emerald, Merveille de Jour(2), Willow Beauty and Black Rustic(4).

Most of the moths were outside the trap including all the Sallows except a few Barred Sallows, but all but one of 9 Beaded Chestnuts were in the trap (could be they are harder to spot when not on an eggtray!).

Unfortunately there was a casualty - I found a couple of wings (maybe not even from the same moth, but they were close to one another). I would be grateful if anyone could I.D. it! Plus also found near trap a Pale Pinion andFFY Red line Quaker.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 6.1 degrees

29 moths of 15 species including FFY - a Merveille du Jour.

Quite a sharp frost here last night, so not a lot to report.  Only 9 moths, of 8 species, and nothing exciting or new.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min temp 6.9degrees

24 moths of 12 species including FFY - a Convolvulus Hawk-moth, our first since 2006.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min temp 7.4 degrees

67 moths of 16 species including FFY - an Autumn Green Carpet.

I normally don't trap on consecutive nights, so as to give the moths time out for mating and whatever else they get up to, but given the dire results of 10th., I tried again last night.  Success !! (well, sort of) - 22 moths of 12 species, including FFY November/Autumnal agg.(2), Barred Sallow, and one of my favourite moths, a Merveille du Jour. Also, a bunch of second-generation Common Marbled Carpets (5).  Only 1 Lunar U/wing - it looks as if they're finishing early this year.

Feathered Thorn, Merveille de Jour, November Moth (agg) and Yellow line Quaker were all firsts for the year last night. This is the first time I have ever recorded Yellow line before recording the more common Red Line Quaker.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 1o.9 degrees

64 moths of 19 species including FFY - White Speck and Blair's Shoulder-knot (2).

Two trapping sessions this last week. The first, on Wednesday night, produced just 7 moths of 6 species, though 2, Turnip Moth and Beaded Chestnut, were FFY.

Last night was better, with 24 moths of 9 species. FFY were 3 Black Rustics (the first time I've had more than 2)) and Blair's Shoulder-knot. Also of interest was a pristine Silver Y. It's been one of my worst years for this species, with just 5 records now.

The garden year list is now 279 (11 more than last year but not as good as 2013). With colder nights forecast, I suspect it won't increase much more, if at all!

T Min 11.2°C. 24 moths of 11 species including FFG Scarce Bordered Straw and Brindled Green.

Very poor catch last night - only 9 moths of 7 species.  Two were FFY - Figure of Eight and Green-brindled Crescent, and there were NO Lunar U/w !

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 8.8 degrees

56 moths of 16 species including FFY - a Brick.

To the actinic trap at home in Holcombe tonight: Common Marbled Carpet (5), Large Yellow Underwing (2), Eudonia angustea, Black Rustic.  The latter, one of my favourite autumn moths, is one I tend to only trap about once a year here.

Several apple leaves with folded edges, caused by larvae of 310 Callisto denticulella, found at Netherclay LNR today.

Despite the fog and cold I had 51 moths of 17 species including the migrants, Delicate and Rush Veneer (3) along with a Spruce Carpet, Blair's Shoulder-knot (2), Barred Sallow (2) and the usual autumnal species.

Still not much happening - just 29 moths of 12 species, mostly Lunar U/w and Beaded Chestnuts. However, there were two Chestnuts, the first here since 2012.

New street lighting
Contractors installed a new lamp in our street light yesterday - an LED array replacing an orange sodium lamp. Much brighter, a single Common Marbled Carpet attracted to it last night. I fear that it may further degrade my garden trapping!

Ivy blossom
I though that it might be worth looking on Ivy blossom last night but only found 2 Emmelina monodactyla, 2 Lunar Underwing, an Angle Shades and a Beaded Chestnut (plus numerous earwigs, woodlice and midges!).

Garden Moth Scheme
I probably wouldn't have trapped last night but GMS made it necessary - pretty poor catch. Light Brown Apple Moth 1, Emmelina monodactyla 1, Large Yellow Underwing 3, Setaceous Hebrew Character 2, Angle Shades 1, Rosy Rustic 1, Lunar Underwing 2, Black Rustic 7, Beaded Chestnut 14, Snout 1, Large Ranunculus 1, Large Wainscot 1 (FFY), Satellite 1 (FFY) and best of all my first Brindled Green since I left North Wales in 1978!

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 6.7 degrees

32 moths of 17 species including FFY - a Green Brindled Crescent.

32 moths 17 species. I also had a Rhomboid tortrix which was new for here. Other interest was a surprise Ruby Tiger. Still trapping nice bright Feathered ranunculus and Green brindled crescent.

A dismal night of only 28 moths (8 macro, 3 micro). Bright spot was a beautiful Merveille de Jour and Rhomboid Tortrix(2), both NFY. A complete lack of Craneflies in the moth trap this year - must be too cold for them also as there are plenty about in the daytime.

Paul Wilkens very kindly confirmed a Summer Fruit-tree Tortrix (caught Oct 1st.) which appears at the moment to be the only one since Nigel Cottle's one from 2013.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 6.4 degrees

18 moths of 9 species including FFY - Yellow-lined Quaker and a November Moth.

Evelyn Cherry (10 yrs old) found 2 Death's Head larvae on her garden patio in Wiveliscombe - one on 23rd and the other on 30th September.

Wiveliscombe Death's Head larvae ©Evelyn Cherry 2015

Still not much happening here, I think there was a little bit too much wind last night, and a wee dram of rain later on didn't help.  Only 22 moths (again half of them Lunar U/w), 9 species in all.  Just the one FFY, a Blair's Shoulder-knot.  Also of slight interest, a late Canary-shouldered Thorn, understandably a bit bedraggled, as it was on the outside of the trap.

Another more interesting night, One each of Small mottled and Pale Mottled Willows, Turnip and a FFG micro Scrobipalpa costella, prettier than its name.

Hi All,

Can anyone help identify this moth please?  Found nectaring on field scabious by day, along a limestone grassland field edge near Wellow on 3 August.  Is it Dusky Sallow, one of the Bordered Straw species that have been about in numbers this year, or something else altogether?

At last a mild night and a respectable 81 moths of 19 species including three FFYs: Black Rustic (7), Blair's Shoulder-knot and a Brindled Green. No less than fourteen Barred Sallows braved the early rain and I was delighted to have my first two Sallows for this garden.

A warm wet night with 79 moths of 19spp, FFYs a Red Underwing, Large Wainscot and Barred Sallow, also Large Ranunculus, Rosy and Black Rustics.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 13.7 degrees

The day before yesterday with a min temp of 5.7 degrees we only had 18 moths of six species bur the warmer night produced 67 moths of 15 species including FFY - a Scarce Bordered Straw.

Simon has sent me some images of his Convolvulus Hawk-moth - see below. Here's one of them.

Convolvulus Hawk-moth Agrius convolvuli ©Simon Fairweather 2015

A Convolvulus Hawk was trapped by Simon Fairweather in Combwich last night.

https://twitter.com/fatboy_is_slim?lang=en-gb

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 7.8 degrees

25 moths of 13 species including FFY - Red Line Quaker and an Autumnal Moth.

Not a lot happening here (again) - just 15 moths of 6 species. Majority Lunar U/w (again). Nothing else of note (again).

Another chilly night, ( min temp 7.5c ) produced 19 moths of 13 species and no wasps! FFY were Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix,Pink-barred sallow and Beaded Chestnut. Others of note: Dusky thorn,Frosted Orange(3)and Black Rustic.

Gareth Gillingham has just sent me a photo of a Clifden Nonpareil Catocala fraxini which he found outside Taunton Jobcentre this afternoon. Will post the photo once I have his permission.

Today, at Forches Corner on the Blackdowns, I found feeding evidence of the larvae of 1221 Strophedra weirana. The larvae attach two Beech leaves together with silk and feed within. This species is described as Rare & Very Local on this website; it is probably worth checking Beech near you!

Not a lot to report - 21 moths (half of them Lunar Underwings), of 8 species, the only FFY a Frosted Orange.

Another bright chilly night with just 18 moths of 9 spp, but FFYs Mallow, Blair's Shoulder-knot, Frosted Orange and Beaded Chestnut.