This morning I found a mine on Ash in Adcombe Wood on the Blackdowns which I believe to be that of 15.002 Caloptilia cuculipennella, a species described as 'Rare and Very Local' in the county. The description & early-stage photograph on http://www.bladmineerders.nl certainly fits. Unfortunately I doubt the record will be accepted as the new micro-moth verification guidelines state that this species needs to be reared through and, as I left it in situ, that ain't gonna happen! That'll teach me. Anyway, I thought I'd put it out there as a sort of 'heads-up' - checking your local Ash trees may well pay dividends.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 12.3 degrees

143 moths of 32 species including FFY- August Thorn, Orange Swift and P.ceresana. We also had a second brood Peach Blossom.

A fair breeze but still a catch of 139 moths of 49 species. The most interesting / worrying catch were two Horse Chestnut Leaf Miners, a species I am very familiar with as they could be found in their thousands back in Richmond, Surrey, when I lived there. Others of note : FFG Yponomeuta plumbella(1) ; Scrobipalpa costella(2) ; FFY Acleris variegana(1) ; Rusty-dot Pearl(1) ; Rush Veneer(2) ; FFY Orange Swift(1) ; FFG Treble-bar(1) ; September Thorn(2) ; FFY Frosted Orange(1) ; FFY Barred Sallow(1) ; FFY Feathered Gothic(1) and FFY Common Wainscot(1). Just for a little variety, a nice Oak Bush Cricket to finish off.

Steve - nice to know they're still around, if not here.  I suppose all I need is a warm muggy night.  It does get tedious counting them though !!

Paul The Water veneer swarmed here on the night of the 24th. Not experienced it before and had trodden on many of them before I realised they were on the grass around the trap which is within a few metres of a medium sized garden pond. It had occurred by about 10.30pm and there were 100's of them.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 10.2 degrees

110 moths of 24 species including FFY - Scarce Bordered Straw, Centre-barred Sallow and Frosted Orange. We also had 36 Large Yellow Underwings the most so far for one night this year. One night this week last year we had 280 !

After a few nights off (visiting family taking precedence) I ran my two traps in hope last night, as the moon is almost gone, and no rain forecast.  In the event, it was quite chilly, so the end result was a mere 69 moths of only 18 species, including 3 Jersey Tigers (more than I have recorded previously on any one night) a fresh second generation Poplar Hawkmoth, and a FFY Vestal.  Water Veneers are still not swarming - only 4 appeared this time.  Maybe there won't be a swarm this year after all, it's getting a bit late in the season.

Also, among the assorted Caddis flies and baby Water Boatmen, a Common Wasp, an Ichneumon Wasp and a Hornet.  We have a Hornets' nest in one of our bird boxes this year, the same box which last year had a Tree Bumblebee nest, which in turn was predated by Bee Moth larvae.  We do get a good range of invertebrates here.  Good to see wildlilfe making full use of the habitats we provide, and doing its own recycling !!

I've had another Diplopseustis perieresalis (photo) in the garden at home in Frome. This is the second one this year, the first being on the 21st May. Other highlights from trapping were: Light Emerald (1), Blood-vein (1), NFY Green Carpet (2), Silver Y (2), Rusty Dot Pearl (1) and a Buff Ermine larva.

After finding escapees, my count for Saturday night increased to 74 moths of 36 species.  FFG was Scrobipalpa costella. I managed to lose it when checking the egg boxes but found it fluttering around in the evening. Amazingly I also found a Willow Beauty and Common Marble Carpet. How I missed the former I shall never know!

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min temp 15.1 degrees

250 moths of 39 species including FFY - Hedge Rustic and Ringed China-mark.  We also had two Jersey Tigers one of which was the yellow variety flavescens. I have only once seen this before, twenty years ago in Devon.

Lower numbers last night but there were some migrants. FFG was Scoparia ambigualis. FFY were Yponomeuta plumbella, The Vestal, Double-striped Pug (2), Six-striped Rustic and Mouse Moth. As well as the Vestal (almost annual) there were 4 Rusty Dot Pearls (my highest count and only the second time there's been more than one). Jersey Tiger has been good this year, with another two individuals, bringing this year's total to 14, my best annual count.

Lower numbers but much of interest. Oblique carpet, Grey chi and Catoptria falsella (FFG). Vestal, Frosted orange, Cream bordered green pea, Purple thorn amongst the masses of LYU's, Brimstones and Flame shoulders.

The second trapping from Mum's garden in Frome produced a fair amount of Large Yellow Underwings (22) and Square-spot Rustics (20) both of which have been sparse up to now. Highlights were Copper Underwing (1), Silver Y (1), NFY Centre-barred Sallow (1), Vine's Rustic (1), NFY Garden Pebble (2), Currant Pug (1), Rusty Dot Pearl (2), Diamond-back (1), Lathronympha strigana (1).

I trapped a couple of times this week in Mum's garden in Frome. Tuesday night's highlights were Dusky Thorn (4), Copper Underwing (1), Cypress Pug (1), Orange Swift (dark form) (1), Pyrausta aurata (9), Agriphila geniculea (10), Argyresthia pruniella (1) and Acrobasis advenella (1). This is the first time I've noticed Water Veneer (19) in Mum's garden. I'm not aware of any waterways near to her house, so they must have travelled a fair way to end up dead in the bottom of the trap!

After seeing Chris's report of Grey Chi and several others on social media I decided to have a go for this species at Draycott Sleights. I ran a single MV for 2 hours recording 25 species including a fresh Grey Chi.

Grey Chi

Once past the 134 Large Yellow Underwings it proved to be a good night for my garden, 410 macros 57 species. New for here were Cypress pug, Maiden's blush, Yellow barred brindle (4) and a Hedge rustic. Amongst the micros were all 4 china marks including 6 Beautifuls, also Rusty dot pearl(6) Rush veneer(4).

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min temp 11 degrees

62 moths of 26 species including FFY - Feathered Gothic (3). We have had quite a few second broods recently including Common Wainscot, Yellow barred Brindle and Purple Bar.

One I completely missed found hiding in the egg cartons..a FFG male Gem. A lesson there...!

The best night of the year so far here, though well over 90% of the biomass must have been made up by the Large Yellow Underwings, which all seem to have emerged at once here (78 in all - a garden record).  Also good numbers of Brimstones and Dusky Thorns, and a few uncommon in the garden - Mouse Moth, Maiden's Blush, Canary-shouldered Thorn and Grey Chi (the last of which is certainly new here).

Belated report form Tuesday night - 105 moths of 41 species, much better results than of late. FFG were Caloptilia robustella (probably this species on date) and Agriphila geniculea. FFY were Spindle Ermine, Acleris schalleriana, Square-spot Rustic (8), Flounced Rustic, Gold Spot (3rd record) and Straw Dot. I had good numbers of Brimstone (14, my 3rd highest count) and Dusky Thorn (13, highest count, previous max was 4!). Three Jersey Tigers were near the trap.

Single MV ran at Sand Point last night until the rain started just before 1am. 73 species trapped in total including Dark Spinach, Mompha raschkiella and Agonopterix purpurea. Migrants a little thin on the ground with just 10 Silver Y, 7 Rush Veneer, 2 Diamond-back Moth and 3 Rusty Dot Pearl.

Agonopterix purpurea

Mompha raschkiella

I ran my actinic trap at the churchyard last night, and caught 86 moths of 26 species.  Nothing particularly unusual, but all were firsts for the site apart from Large Yellow Underwings (it's only the second time of trapping there !!) One moth which was a first for me was a Toadflax Pug, in very fresh condition - a beautiful little moth, and for a Pug, not difficult to identify.

A little better numbers in the last 2 nights with up to 277 macros. 3 Vestals and 3 Silver Ys were recorded this morning although one of the Vestals was dead in the trap. Other notable numbers have been 50 Brimstones and 9 Jersey Tigers.
My most numerous moth was a micro that I have identified as Apple Ermine. I estimate there were more than 200 of these in and around the trap.

I hadn't planned on trapping last night but after seeing a swarm of Silver-Y in the garden at about 9pm I put out the 15w actinic, hoping for some migrants. By 1030 all but a couple of the Silver-Y had gone and not a single one was in the trap come morning. There were singles of two migrants ; Rush Veneer and Dark Sword-grass. In total 72 moths of 28 species with FFY Water Veneer(6) ; Dusky Thorn(1) ; Copper Underwing(5) ; Svenssons Copper Underwing(1). The latter being identified thanks to John Bebbingtons post on the palps last year.

I too had a specimen of Cydia amplana last night plus a Small Mottled Willow and 3 Udea ferrugalis.

The migrant Cydia amplana (pics.) arrived in the trap early last night. There seems to be a few around this year according to Twitter. Having now worked through the rest of the catch (119 moths of 44 species), notables were: Yellow-barred Brindle (2) and Bryotropha affinis with Swammerdamia pyrella, Nephopterix angustella (2), Acleris laterana all NFY.

Sunday 14th August.  112 moths of 43 species. Four FFY : Garden Pebble(1) ; Scalloped Hook-tip(1) ; Rosy Rustic(1) and Six-striped Rustic(3). Also of note - 7 Brimstone Moths, 4 Silver-Y, 1 Shuttle-shaped Dart and 29 LBB Yellow Underwing. 
Thursday 18th August.  190 moths of 53 species. Ypsolopha dentella (5) ; Scrobipalpa costella(1) ; Acleris laterana (9) ; Acleris rhombana (1) ; Pammene fasciana (1) ; Rush Veneer (1) ; Blood Vein(2) ; Yellow-barred Brindle (1) ; Canary-shouldered Thorn (1) ; Jersey Tiger (1) ; Antler (1) Also, this evening, at least 50 Silver-Y nectaring on Buddleia.

Not a bad night here with 43 spp, FFYs Rosy Rustic, Copper Underwing and Red Underwing, also Sharp-angled Peacock and a nice Dusky Sallow. A few Rush Veneers, Rusty-dots and Silver Ys and 3 Jersey Tigers.

Yet another quiet night on the eastern front.  Just 54 moths of 25 species, and only one FFY - a Calamotropha paludella, only my third record here, the other two both in 2013.

A much calmer night last night but not an inspiring catch - few migrants (5 Udea ferrugalis, 1 Nomophila noctuella, 1 Silver Y - but 21 Jersey Tiger in and around the trap.

Our Nicotianas are now in full flower so any Convolvulus Hawk-moths are welcome to visit!

A Jersey Tiger found this afternoon resting in full view on the outside of the (white !) conservatory door.  Must be very confident of its ability to be distasteful to birds.

I suspect that it was a bit too windy for moths last night, so my paltry catch totalling 54 of 28 species is not too surprising.  Only 3 FFYs - Orange Swift, Acleris forsskaleana and Codling Moth.  This last is unexpectedly uncommon here, (I've only recorded it five times now in 11 years) given the numer of apple trees in the area, but I think it may be reduced in numbers by commercial fruit growers using insecticides in self-defence.

8.55 pm Just finished rounding up this morning's strays - a further 18 moths, and 6 species.  Another FFY - 2 second-generation Purple Bars.

Dave Nevitt, David Gibbs and myself trapped at Westhay Moor last night in good conditions. Between us we trapped 80+ species including some nice surprises. On the macro front Gem coincided with a national influx plus more expectedly Oblique Carpet and Devon Carpet. Micros once again provided the best in rarity value with the tiny Sundew Plume Buckleria paludum and Calybites phasianipennella the highlights. We also recorded Teleiopsis diffinis and Orthotelia sparganella.

Buckleria paludum

Calybites phasianipennella

A good collection with 46 spp, FFYs Flounced Rustic, Canary-shouldered Thorn, Cypress Pug, Calamotropha paludella and several new micros including Bactra furfurana and Argyresthia semifusca (thanks to Paul for confirmation).

Many thanks Chris - I'll pass the word.

I have just moved office, and the welcome pack in the new building informs me that there are ...manual roller blinds...provide comfort shading and prevent night time light pollution to the local environmental nocturnal species... I can only applaud the sentiments but wonder at the reluctance to call a moth a moth!

Paul - the collections that come to mind are the ones in the Bristol City Museum and the County Museum at Taunton.  I believe you have to make arrangements in advance to view the collections.

A promisingly mild and cloudy night but yielded only 101 moths of 36 species (last year on this day I had over double the quantity and 56 species). Best were: Gem (a female this time), Small Rivulet, Six-striped Rustic (NFY), Parsnip Moth (NFY) and an Ash Bud Moth, a new species for me.

Prays fraxinella (Ash Bud Moth)

I've just had a female Oak Eggar trying to enter the living room window (in vain, I hasten to add) - I had to pick my way very carefully through the flower bed underneath the window to identify it.  Very fresh, and very beautiful.

In the event we ended up trapping in the 'Winter Field' opposite Canada Farm - in a spot selected by Robin Clatworthy as being the best for Brown-veined Wainscot and Twin-spotted Wainscot, and happily the timing was right - 4 Brown-veined and 3 Twin-spotted. I'll post the rest of the results later. A bright moon and chilly clear skies didn't produce high numbers!

In case anyone didn't see my posting of 12th., I have had a request from a new member to find out if there are any good moth collections within the area which can be readily accessed.  If you know of one, please let me know.

A Beautiful China-mark at Brimley Hill Mire today. If the map is up-to-date then this is the first record from the Blackdown Hills.

A very poor night for moths - presumably too cold for the little dears.  Only 24 moths, 16 species. The only one of slight interest was a late and very worn Large Nutmeg, which had clearly been round the block a few times.

Robin Clatworthy has got permission for us to trap at Shapwick. The plan is to meet up at the entrance to Canada Farm ( ST4300 4040) at 8pm.

I'm glad I didn't check the forecast too carefully last night - if I'd known it was forecast to go down to 9C I probably wouldn't have trapped and would have missed my 1st ever garden Bordered Beauty! also FFYs; Lesser Swallow Prominent, Rosy Rustic(2), Canary-shouldered Thorn, Herald, Square-spot Rustic(3), Setacious Hebrew Character(3), Agriphila tristella(2), 1087 Orthotaenia undulana and Iron Prominent.  Most common were Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing with 29 seen.  10 fresh looking Rush Veneers and 10 Brimstones were the second most numerous. In all 36 macros and 13 micro species.

Even more disappointing haul last night than Rob's (just).  Only 33 moths, and just 20 species, including the third Jersey Tiger this year, and just 3 Water Veneers - still no swarm !  Only one FFY - a Six-striped Rustic. 

Also a Sexton Beetle with orange patches on the elytra, a first here. Possibly Nicrophorus vespilloides ?  Are there any coleopterists out there who could help confirm the species ?  I often get N. humator here, but this one is a first.

Another disappointing night here, with just 34 moths of 23 species. There was consolation in the form of an FFG Carcina quercana.

Modest night. Still getting massive numbers of Lesser BBYU, 56 last night and only 8 Large YU. Male Four-spotted footman was FFG. Others -Gold spot, Sallow kitten, Peach blossom, Iron prominent and only my 3rd Copper underwing. Totals : 150 Macros 30 spp. 30+ micros 11 spp. Rusty dot pearl

103 moths to 2 actinic traps, and a good variety of species, most notably Clouded Magpie, Maple Pug, Least Yellow Underwing, Mocha, Flame Carpet and several Dark-marbled Carpets.

A belated report from Wednesday's 'haul' of 127 moths of 48 species. The best were the migrants, Gem and Rush Veneer. Firsts for 2016 were: Small Blood Vein, Black Arches (2), Copper Underwing (2), Rosy Rustic and the micro, Yponomeuta plumbella (2).

A Small Mottled Willow on Wednesday night was the only migrant I recorded. Numbers were up slightly with over 40 Flame shoulders and Common Rustics. I also had 4 Jersey Tigers in or around the trap which is the highest number I've ever recorded here.

I have had a request from a new member for information on any good moth collections in the area which can be readily accessed.  Has anyone any ideas please ?

An additional 14 moths and 6 species to add to this morning's tally.  Totals now 140 and 50.  A very pleasant surprise was a Mocha, the first since 2012.

Ran a 125w MV Skinner at Netherclay until 01:00h this morning. 297 moths of 61 species (35 macro, 26 micro) including a Jersey Tiger f. lutescens.

A disappointing night's trapping - just 64 moths of 25 species. FFY were Cydia splendana (6) and Dusky Thorn. The former is interesting that I had trapped 7 in the previous 5 years - and now 6 in one go! Another 3 Jersey Tigers were noteworthy.

A modest night's catch - 126 moths so far, of 44 species. The most numerous were Brimstone Moth and Straw Dot, 12 each.  FFY were Herald, Gold Spot, Light Brown Apple Moth, and Dun-bar.  This last was pale yellow and very obscurely marked, and had me foxed for a bit. It is also only the second record here, the other one being in 2006, in spite of it being quite a common species.

Whitefield Wiveliscombe - Min temp 10.3 degrees

FFY - Six striped Rustic (3) and a lifetime first for me a Galium Carpet. We also had a Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing after its period of aestivation. We had the first on July 6th.

Delighted to catch this Convolvulus Hawk in the garden on an otherwise very quiet, clear night, only other migrant was a single Rusty Dot Pearl.

Nice warm day with thick cloud rolling in at dusk = 242 moths of 87 species. Micro's : Caloptilia betulicola (1 FFG) ; Aspilapteryx tringipennella (1FFG) ; Ypsolopha dentella(2 FFY) ; Ypsolopha ustella (2 FFY) ; Twin-spot Plume (1 FFG) ; Acleris laterana (1 FFY) ; Bactra lanceolana (1 FFG) ; Rhopobota naevana Holly Tortrix (1 FFG) ; Spilonota ocellana (1 FFG) ; Cydia ulicetana (1 FFY) ; Cydia splendana (2 FFY ; Agriphila tristella (12 FFY) ......Macro's : Pebble Hook-tip(1 FFY) ; Dwarf Cream Wave(1 FFY) ; Small Rivulet(1 FFG) ; September Thorn (3 FFY) ; Swallow Prominent (1 FFY) ; Pale Prominent (1 FFY) ; Black Arches (11 FFY) Flounced Rustic (1 FFY) ; Small Rufous (3 FFG)

This is a test blog while I have Sue on the end of the phone!  moth pic taken last month. And may bug as there were so many this year

Another quiet night - only 69 moths of 28 species. Two FFY - a Maiden's Blush (only my fourth record here) and no fewer than 8 Dusky Thorns.  There were also 9 Brimstone Moths, and again Water Veneers not swarming, only two.

A much windier night than expected but still a good haul, with 68 spp and still counting micros, Lots of Thorns, Dusky, August, Purple, Early and a FFY Lilac Beauty. Other FFYs Pebble Hook-tip, Orange Swift, Iron Prominent, Jersey Tiger, Oak Eggar, Red Twin-spot Carpet. Chinese Character, Swallow prominent and Lychnis back. A garden first Cochylimorpha straminea.

I also expected better last night and had only 51 moths of 35 species. FFG were Crassa unitella and Juniper Webber. FFY were Garden Rose Tortrix, Agriphila tristella, Shaded Broad-bar, Canary-shouldered Thorn, Lesser Swallow Prominent and Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing. Of note were 3 Jersey Tigers. Also FFY was a Magpie Moth that I disturbed in the garden.

With the muggy night forecast last night, I put two traps out at the Mill House on the outskirts of Frome. I was expecting more in the way of species this morning. Nevertheless, macro highlights from the Heath actinic trap were as follows: Iron Prominent (1), Pale Prominent (1), Silver Y (1), Flame Carpet (1), Yellow-barred Brindle (1), July Highflyer (1) and Clay (1). Micros: Agapeta hamana (2).

Highlilghts from the Skinner MV were: Silver Y (2), Six-striped Rustic (1), Bordered Beauty (1), Brussels Lace (2), and Olive, a first for me (1) (photo). Micros highlights: Ypsolopha dentella (Honeysuckle moth), Agonopterix alstromeriana (1), and a very smart looking Hypsopygia glaucinalis.

I trapped out at Lullington village just north of Frome on Friday night. It was a good night for Thorn species with Early (1), Canary-shouldered (3), Dusky (1) and August (1). Other macro highlights were Pebble Hook-tip, Six-striped Rustic, Rosy Rustic, Pale Prominent, Iron Prominent, Pebble Prominent and Chinese Character. Micro highlights being Euzophera pinguis (3), Pammene aurita (3) and Udea lutealis (3).

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 18 degrees

158 moths of 48 species including FFY - Copper Underwing, Oak Hook Tip, and a Gold Spot.

A fair night in Cocklake 156 macros 49 species, 2 Jersey tigers here. Canary thorn, Oak eggar, Silver Y, Angle shades, Galium carpet (FFG) Gold spot, Iron prominent (first since 2006),Straw underwing (only one previously), Knot grass (first since 2007). I have also noticed the absence of LYU and Heart and dart but there has been a massive increase in Lesser BBYUs, 33 in my trap over the past month.

13 micro species with Hypsopygia glaucinalis FFG. Too many Agripila spp, Crambus spp and C. culmella to count.

Paul Wilkins has kindly confirmed Acleris umbrana from the 28th July Acleris umbrana 28th July 2016

Five Jersey Tigers in the garden trap this morning including one with reduced forewing markings.

Very disappointing numbers with less than 150 moths in ideal conditions when I would have expected to record over 400 moths. The highlight was my first ever female Four Spotted Footman.

Several Udea lutealis and a Hummingbird Hawk found during today's BC Somerset field trip to Ubley Warren.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 12.3 degrees

82 moths of 32 species including FFY - a Canary-shouldered Thorn.

A disappointing night, with only 47 moths, of 26 species.  Only one FFY - a Bordered Beauty.  Also, another singleton Water Veneer - where are the swarms ?

A good night at Westhay last week; 88 macro species and 14 micro species recorded between myself, Robin Clatworthy and Jenny Vickers.  The lack of the smaller micros (we had mainly China-marks and other larger pyralids) was possibly because it was a bit breezy for a while and maybe the vast amounts of midges etc. around the traps made them easier to miss.

Among the most numerous; Dingy Footman (100+), Yellow-tail(33), Sharp-angled Peacock(27), Ruby Tiger(29), Common Rustic agg. and Common Rustic(88), Ringed China-mark(46).  also;

Bordered Beauty -1
Buff-tip-9
Bulrush Wainscot - 2
Campion -1
Chevron - 12
Common Lutestring - 1
Dark Sword-grass - 2
Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet - 2
Ear Moth - 1
Engrailed - 2
Garden Tiger - 12
Large Emerald - 3
Round-winged Muslin - 10, photo
Sallow Kitten - 12
Scallop Shell - 6
Scalloped Hook-tip - 2
Silky Wainscot - 1
Small Seraphim - 3
Southern Wainscot - 15
Suspected - 5, photo
Valerian Pug - 1.

Late report due no internet connection ......again.  169 moths of 62 species.  Monopis weaverella(1) ; Yponomeuta malinellus - Apple Ermine(1) ; Bucculatrix demaryella(1) ; Argyresthia goedartella(1) ; Carcina quercana(2) ; Gold Triangle(1) ; Rush Veneer(1) ; Pine Carpet(1) ; Tawney-barred Angle(1) ; Iron Prominent(1) ; Common Footman(19) ; Nut-tree Tussock(1) ; Ear Moth agg.(1) ; LYU (2)- where have they all gone this year? ; Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing(2) and Square-spot Rustic(1).

Whitefield Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 13.8 degrees

Ninety moths of 37 species including FFY - Flounced Rustic and Square-spot Rustic.

A further 39 moths and 4 more species from the round-up of strays - totals now 221/62.  A nice surprise was a FFG Scallop Shell.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 15.5 degrees

218 moths of 56 species including FFY - Wood Carpet and Dusky Thorn.

Another sortie into the Blackdown Hills. I ran two traps at Staple Park Wood until 02:00h this morning. Not long after I had started five Hornets flew into the MV trap and it took a while to get them all safely potted! A Ringlet was an unexpected visitor. The forecast was for the weather to gradually clear but the opposite was the case and strong winds and the, occasionally thick, drizzle weren't ideal. 338 moths of 85 species (68 macro, 17 micro). For me the highlights were: Ypsolopha dentella (Honeysuckle Moth), Piniphila bifasciana, Gypsonoma dealbana, Anania crocealis, Devon Carpet, Beautiful Carpet and a beautifully fresh Scarce Silver-lines.

I was expectng a catch of low numbers last night, as it was quite windy, although to be fair it was mild and a bit muggy. In the event, there were 182 moths (so far), of 58 species. FFY were Pebble Prominent, Pebble Hook-tip, Acleris laterana (first since 2013), and Canary-shouldered Thorn (6).  I suspect that after this evening's round-up of strays, the total will exceed 200 - so much for low numbers !!

Ian, with all due respect to Robin, your Carpet looks to me more like a Red Twiin-spot, but I'm willing to be over-ruled !!

I caught this moth last night and am struggling to identify it. Any help would be appreciated. I am trying to make it into a Satin Wave but am struggling to convince myself.
Another moth I struggled to identify last week was my first Twin -spot Carpet. Robin Clatworthy has kindly confirmed the identification but it looks little like those illustrated in Skinner or Waring.

I found this, very worn, Scallop Shell fluttering around the trap a few nights ago (a NFG) and according to the SMG sightings it is not as frequently encountered in Somerset as I had thought. Two more NFG macros at the end of July were Plain Pug (2) and a Small Phoenix. I have also had some interesting micros but having a new, and very time consuming, job, I'm still trying to catch up. Report soon.

I have one plywood Skinner trap left - superbly built by Keith Gould - no electrics. £30 to first SMG member to contact me.

I mentioned last week that I thought numbers of individuals were down about 50% on what I was expecting. Now that July is over I have found that I trapped an average of 155 Macros every trapping this July compared to an average of 252 since 2003 at this site.
August has started even quieter with less than 50 moths in the trap last night.

Peter Austin found this specimen of Horse Chestnut at an outside light on 28th July
Horse Chestnut Pachycnemia hippocastanaria ©Peter Austin

Prior to the weekends trapping at Steart (see last months post) Dave Nevitt and I trapped at the Quantock Hills on 15th July recording some nice moths that we don't see in VC6. The highlight for us were good numbers Bilberry Pug and many in good condition considering the peak emergence time had already gone. Other new macros to us included Twin-spot Carpet and Welsh Wave. The micro front was well represented with Epagoge grotiana and Pseudatemelia josephinae both new to us plus Argyresthia retinella. In all 91 species were logged along with a nice little hymenoptera that parasitises micro moth larvae Oedemopsis scabricula

Epagoge grotiana

Pseudatemelia josephinae

A very quiet night by comparison with recently.  Just 60 moths of 30 species, with FFY Chilo phragmitellan & Syndemis musculana (both the first record since 2012), and Jersey Tiger.