I found a couple of Phyllonorycter lantanella mines on Wayfaring Tree at Thurlbear today; also a handful of Silver Y and Rush Veneer.

Similar numbers to recent catches - 88 in total , but only 10 species.  The bulk made up of 49 Lunar Underwings, 13 Black Rustics and 11 Setaceous Hebrew Characters.  Only one FFY, an early Red-line Quaker.

A mild night, but a fine misty drizzle up here in the clouds produced 91 moths of 24 species, with one micro still to ID. Migrants included Diamond-back Moth (1) ; Rusty-dot Pearl (2) ; Silver-Y (2) and Dark Sword-grass (1).  FFY were Flounced Chestnut (3) and Black Rustic (5). Others of note : Copper Underwing (3) ; Second generation Small Angle Shades (1) ; Barred Sallow (1).

It was 17.6°C at 4.30am when I retrieved the trap. Nothing exceptional but a good haul of 28 species from 108 moths. Three FFY: Large Ranunculus (didn't see one last year), Barred Sallow and a Merveille du Jour. Other moths of interest were a Shoulder-striped Wainscot (very late or a migrant?), Wax Moth (3 this year), Acleris sparsana (2) and a Rusty-dot Pearl.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 13.7 degrees

Sixty four moths of 18 species including FFY - a Brick. Only 21 Lunar Under-wings.

A small increase in numbers compared with last time - 79 moths, but only 16 species.  37 Lunar Underwings and 10 Black Rustics were the most numerous, and a second Mallow (after 3 years' absence before this year).  I have a UFO awaiting determination - watch this space.

The mystery turns out to be a Brindled Green (FFY), very fresh, very dark green, but not very clear markings.  Thanks to Robin Clatworthy for the confirmation.  This is only the fourth record here.

118 moths of 21 species last night with 2 FFY: Blair's Shoulder-knot and a Black Rustic. 37 Lunar Underwing and 34 LYU made up the bulk with 4 Silver Y being the only migrant.

There's obviously been a large emergence of Nettle-tap on Somerton Moor. I counted 550 in 45 minutes before deciding I'd had enough! There must have been 1000+

whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 8.3 degrees

86 moths of nine species including FFY - Black Rustic (2). We also had 48 Lunar Under-wings

Quite a lot of rain in the earlyish hours, but by then hopefully the moths were safely tucked up in their egg-boxes.  50 moths in all, but only 10 species, the majority made up of 26 Lunar Underwings and 10 Black Rustics.  FFY were Barred Sallow and Pink-barred Sallow.  Only 2 Black Beetles this time.

No trap last night but I left the light on in the office and was rewarded with just two moths but both FFY - a Brindled Green and Acleris sparsana.

The highlights of a small catch in the garden were Turnip Moth and Large Ranunculus.

Amongst a fairly small catch to a single actinic, 3 Orange Sallow and 2 relatively fresh Green Carpets.

Quite a change from a week ago, 41-Lunar Underwings by far the most numerous, but only 14 spp, other FFY Black Rustics and a large Ranunculus topped the bill. Only migrants were 2 Silver Ys. A very Fresh Small Blood-vein in the garden yesterday afternoon.

It must have been a bit less cold last night than I had thought it was going to be.  Twice as many moths as the previous night - 72 of 20 species, roughly evenly divided between the two traps, and of these there were 26 Lunar Underwings. Only one FFY - a Mallow, the first here for three years. Also 46 small black beetles, all but 3 in the actinic trap (they must prefer ultra violet light) plus an Ichneumon wasp (none of the stripy kind) several Caddises and a few Craneflies - quite a mixed bag all told.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 7.3 degrees

64 moths of 13 species. Most interesting that we had 28 Lunar Under-wings and only 15 LYUs.

I thought I was going to miss out on Convolvulus Hawkmoth this year, but yesterday I found one on a wall next to a street light in the middle of Wellington!

A Sallow and two lovely (second brood?) Carcina quercana the only moths of note - both FFY.

Since I can't trap over the next couple of nights I gave it a go last night. It was hardly worth the effort, with just 35 moths of 6 species (18 of them Lunar Underwings). It seems like October already!

Jane - it's possibly a bit cold for many moths at the moment - numbers seem to be quite low generally.  What we need is a nice warm muggy night to bring them out in force !!  Most wasps are quite docile if you don't make them cross by flapping around or squashing them. I find I can pick them up gently in bare hands, and release them without any problem.  My regular Hornet visitors are even more dopey and are almost tame.  However I won't disturb their nest - I believe the old adage to be very true !

ps wasps don't appear to have attacked the moths this time..just lack of moths in there. Why am I getting so few?  Are they put off by the presence of wasps?  I haven't been stung this year so far but am extremely cautious on picking up egg boxes!

Thank you Paul.  I'll try the fruit idea!

Rally chilly last noght - only 32 moths, 13 species, including FFY a Beaded Chestnut.

Jane - there must be a nest fairly near to you to get such large numbers. I imagine that they're quite dozy after a cold night out, so there's not too much chance of you being stung, but it's still not a very nice situation.  You could suspend operations for a few weeks, but that would spoil your fun !!  Have they been attacking the moths ?  Possibly try a plate of nice juicy ripe (chopped-up) plums or peaches beside the trap to distract them from going into the interior - just an idea !!

Help!  Only 3 species last night +?100 wasps.  Is it best to leave trapping entirely till cold weather kills them?  The number of wasps has been slowly increasing but this was the worst ever. No nest apparent.

Two traps set in my Mum's garden.

Again, very little in the Heath actinic trap. Just 8 moths of 5 species, the highlight being Brown-spot Pinion.

The Skinner MV performed better with 60 moths of 15 species. Lunar Underwing was the most numerous (16) with highlights being: Barred Sallow (2), Black Rustic (1), Large Ranunculus (1) and a beautifully fresh Merveille du Jour, a first for me.

Just the one trap used in my small garden. A small tally of 14 moths of 9 species. The only one of note being Large Ranunculus (1) and a late but very fresh looking Carcina quercana.

A flurry trapping over the last few days, so this is the first of three posts.

Two traps set at the Mill House.

The Heath actinic I thought was hardly worth the electricity (just 4 species of moths) until I spied a Vestal under the last egg box making the total up to 5. A new moth for me.

The Skinner MV produced more moths, a lovely male Pale Eggar (1), Copper Underwing (1), Rosy Rustic (1) and Eudonia angustea (3) being the highlights.

FFY Large Ranunculus on wall of house today. I've never had one in the trap!

Whilst searching for leaf mines at Netherclay this afternoon I came across an example of 159 Antispila treitschkiella on Dogwood. The larva cuts out an oval hole which, in this case, measures 5mm along its longest axis. The hole made by A. metalella larvae measures 5.5-7mm and the female of that species makes 'practice' slits in the leaf before the egg is laid; the oval is too small and there are none of those slits here so that species can be ruled out.

I ran a 125w MV Skinner at Netherclay until 01:30h this morning. 104 moths of 26 species incl. second brood Light Emerald, Riband Wave and Small Fan-footed Wave. The only addition to the site list was an example of 227 Monopis laevigella (Skin Moth).

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 10.8 degrees

127 moths of 24 species including FFY - a Barred Sallow and a Pink-barred Sallow.

Another Convolvulus Hawk-moth nectaring on our Nicotianas this evening - I managed a couple of photos, using flash and a red torch mounted on the camera lens, but I could really only guess the focus! 2 successes and numerous failures.

65 moths of 21 species, the highlight being a Cypress Carpet (FFG). Others of note : Olindia schumacherana (2) ; Eudonia angustea (3) ; Silver-Y (7) ; Frosted Orange (2) ; FFY Lunar Underwing (16).

FFG Gypsonoma dealbana; Sterling et al state that this is a single-brooded species late May – Aug but that it has also been seen in late-Sept and mid-Oct. Black Rustic was FFY.

Similar numbers to the last few nights - 84 moths, but only 17 species.  The Lunar Underwings are off to a good start this year (18 last night), and there were more Black Rustics than usual (9) The only other moth of interest was a late second-generation Oak Hook-tip, only the second record here this year.  Only 5 Black Beetles, one Hornet, and a solitary Cranefly came in (I'm expecting lots !!).

Thanks to Paul Wilkins confirming Plutella porrectella in my catch on the 20th another new micro for this garden.

I've been away so I hope I haven't missed the Convolvulus invasion. I've had many of the scarcer migrant species but that and the Hummingbird Hawkmoth have, so far, stayed away. Monday night yielded 62 moths of 25 species with the highlight being four Vestal. Other FFY were Centre-barred Sallow, Beaded Chestnut (1) and Lunar Underwing (5).

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min temp 13 degrees

91 moths of 16 species including FFY - a Beaded Chestnut.

An example of Choreutis pariana (Apple Leaf Skeletoniser) that I found in Bishop's Hull today:

170 moths 29 species. Mostly Setaceous HC and LYUs. Like Paul I also had a Beautiful hooktip. 1 Barred sallow amongst the Centre barreds. Grey pine carpet , Rosy rustic, Pale mottled willow, Vestal. Ash bud moth was new for here.

Just 8 more moths in this evening's round-up of the morning's strays, and three more species, including one interesting moth, a second-generation Beautiful Hook-tip.  Paul Waring's book makes no mention of a second generation, but UK Moths website states that a small partial one occasionally occurs.  I have only experienced this happening once before, in October 2006, after the hot summer. Whilst this year hasn't been especially hot, it has been very dry here, so maybe that's what is needed.

My results last night were almost the same as Paul's - in my case 64 moths of 16 species! I did manage one FFY, Common Wainscot. Large Yellow Underwings made up just over a half of the catch. I'm just getting a couple of Lunar Underwings a catch, when it would normally be in double figures (e.g. 17 on almost the same date last year).

Not a lot happening these days (or nights) just 64 moths, 17 species, and no FFY.  A single Vestal and 3 Silver Y were the only migrants.

Two more Convolvulus Hawk-moths nectaring on our Nicotiana plants so far this evening

Long time since I was last in the area, put the trap out at my parents house in Shipham and was pleasantly surprised to get 90 moths of 31 species. Nothing new for the garden but single Feathered and six Large Ranunculus were the best. Firethorn Leaf Miner, Cypress Carpet and Cypress Pug are all fairly regular at this location and recorded again but still noteworthy.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min temp 10.3 degrees

45 moths of 18 species including FFY - a Large Ranunculus.

A Red Underwing on the white painted wall of my house this lunch time.

Another Convolvulus Hawk-moth nectaring on our Nicotianas at around 20.15hrs, despite very cold conditions and strong winds. Its manoeuvrability was impressive!

I took my possible Feathered Ranunculus to Robin Clatworthy yesterday and when he finally stopped laughing he told me that it was a Flounced Rustic. He did try and sugar the pill by telling me that it wasn't a typical example from around here but was much more like ones he had trapped down on the coast at West Bexington. He showed me some proper Feathered Ranunculi from his collection and even with the fading of the years they all still had a hint of green and feathered antennae, none of which my flounced Rustic had.

Cold + breezy + full moon = low numbers, as all good mathematically-minded moth-ers will tell you.  Just 38 moths, of 15 species with only one FFY - two Lunar Underwings, one in each trap, and just one Vestal and a tatty Silver Y to represent the migrant community.  Also a single Hornet and 3 small black beetles adding a little variation.

Convolvulus Hawk-moth(s) again nectaring on our Nicotiana flowers on Wednesday evening (14th October) - four visits at around 15-minute intervals. May have been the same individual.

I thought I was going to miss all the Convolvulus Hawk Moths that appear to be around the country but I found one this morning on the fence next to the trap. The only other migrants were a wasp eaten Vestal and 7 Silver Ys. I also recorded what I have tentatively identified as Feathered Ranunculus. If it is confirmed it will be my first garden record and the first for my 10km square

Some nice migrants last night, a female Gem, Vestal, Dark Sword-grass as well as a couple of Silver Ys and Rusty-dots. Also a Bordered Beauty, Gold Spot and Eudonia pallida.

Only managed a couple of hours at Priors Park Wood last night before the generator gave up the ghost. So only 45 moths of 14 species including Pink-barred Sallow, Grey Pine Carpet, Red-green Carpet and Spruce Carpet. The evening wasn't a complete write off because two examples of Platyptilia gonodactyla (Triangle Plume) were also caught.

Numbers down last night, with 74 moths of 20 species. FFG was Ypsolopha mucronella. FFY were Lunar Underwing (2) and Rosy Rustic. There were some migrants - Rusty-dot pearl and no less than 4 Vestals. It's the first time I've recorded more than one.

This is my first post so I hope it is OK. I caught 24 species from 137 moths last night, but 79 of these were Large Yellow Underwing and Light Brown Apple Moth. One FFG - Dark Spectacle. Others included FFY - Brindled Green, Lunar Underwing and Light Emerald.

Again quite cold last night, so low numbers.  Only 46 moths of 20 species, and nothing of note but a second-generation Pale Mottled Willow.  One wasp, two black beetles and four caddis flies provided some variety.

Just a brief reminder that there is a field trip planned for this coming Sunday the 18th September at Shapwick Heath to be led by David Agassiz to search primarily for the larvae of micro moth species and in particular Ethmia quadrillella and Thiotricha subocellea.

Start time 12.00 noon and to meet at Ham Wall car park where Ashcott Road South from Mere becomes Station Road. (ST 449 397)

Anyone is welcome and suitable clothing and footwear is recommended. Unfortunately I am unable to join you on this occasion but I hope the current good weather continues and you have a very successful and enjoyable afternoon.

Best wishes

Paul

A poor haul, considering the mild, muggy night. 82 moths of 28 species with 1 FFG : Vestal (3) at last!  The only other FFY was Lesser Yellow Underwing (1) - again at last. Others of note were a second brood Olindia schumacherana , 8 Snout and a Burnished Brass.

A good night for migration - 2 Vestal, 4 Silver Y, and an L-Album Wainscot (a migrant here?), as well as Pinion-Streaked Snout, and Ypsolopha scabrella and parenthesella new for the garden among 32 other species.

The evening round-up produced a further 15 moths, but no more species - totals now 156/27.

Numbers better last night, with 98 moths of 28 species. FFG was Silky Wainscot (probably from the lake in the valley bellow). FFY were Nettle-tap, Common Plume, Pine Carpet, Centre-barred Sallow (3), Copper Underwing, Frosted Orange and Vine's Rustic. I didn't record the C-B Sallow or Frosted Orange in 2015, so that's a good outcome.

I was contacted by a friend in the village this morning. She gave an excellent description of a Convolvulus Hawk-Moth nectaring on Nicotiana yesterday evening! I'm very envious, having never recorded this species - I'm waiting to see whether it returns!

Andy Slade trapped a Clifden Nonpareil in Burnham-on-Sea last night:

https://twitter.com/Burnhambirder/status/775588857958064129

https://twitter.com/Burnhambirder/status/775765834920755200

Reasonably manageable numbers last night - 141 of 27 species.  Only one species FFY - a pair of Copper Underwings.  Singleton migrants Vestal, Rusty-dot Pearl and Rush Veneer plus 5 Silver Y - not very exciting.  The Silver Ys were all quite fresh, so I suppose technically not "migrants" - who knows ?  Nine Gold Triangles - presumably second generation starting up.

Found this final instar Green Silver-lines larva at Wimbleball today - couldn't really miss it!

Spoke too soon! We have just had three Convolvulus Hawk-moths nectaring on our Nicotianas at the same time!

Over 360 moths of 20 species on Friday night but of these 335 were Large Yellow Underwing, Square-spot Rustic and Setaceous Hebrew Character. 4 Silver Y but they were all very fresh and probably home-bred.

I have had 2 reports,, with photos, of Convolvulus Hawk-moths from last week - one from Dunster (Sarah Sully) and one from Winsford (Melanie Patch) both on photographed on 11th September.

I have over 30 plants of 3 kinds of Nicotiana in full flower and very strongly scented - I have avoided putting the trap out near them but so far no viisitors!!

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 7.8 degrees

The coldest night of the autumn so far and only 36 moths of 15 species including FFY - a Lunar Underwing. .

Much colder last night, so numbers down - just 44 moths, 14 species.  The first Black Rustic of the year heralds the onset of Autumn !

Last night a few of the usual migrants plus my second Convolvulus Hawkmoth of the year.

A further 18 moths tonight, including 7 more Snouts, and 2 more speces, both FFY - a Garden Pebble and a Yellow-barred Brindle.

My hornets are clearly much better behaved than yours, Tim - only one dismembered Flame at the bottom of the trap.  Maybe they feel well disposed to us, as we have generously provided an old bird box for them to nest in.  They're very docile, and don't mind me picking them up to release them (bare hands, I might add !!) Mind you, I ain't gonna disturb their nest !

Paul, I hope the Hornets were not as deadly as the four I had which left enough wings and body parts to build my own Frankinsteins mothster.  Counting the living, I had 300 moths of 65 species including 5 FFG : Apple Leaf Miner(1) ; Eupoecilia angustana (1) ; Acrobasis consociella (1) ; Pyrausta aurata(1) ; Eudonia pallida(1) ; Tawney Speckled Pug (1). Others of note : Parsnip Moth (1) ; Lesser wax Moth(1) ; Grey Pine Carpet (2) ; Spruce Carpet (7) ; Pine Carpet (1) ; Green Carpet (9) ; 44 Brimstone Moths ; August Thorn (1) ; Dusky Thorn (13) ; Pinion-streaked snout (1) ; Silver-Y (4) Centre-barred Sallow (1) and 39 LYU.  Also in the trap 7 Pantatoma rufipes ( Red legged or Forest Bug )

A topsy-turvy catch last night.  I found 93 moths in the Actinic trap, and normally I would expect at least double that in the MV, but in the event there were only 74.  The former catch comprised 18 species, of which 38 LYU, 14 Square-spot Rustic and 13 Setaceous HC were the most numerous, plus 42 small black beetles trundling around at the bottom of the trap.  In the MV there were 22 species, including only 8 LYU, but 8 Brimstones and 15 Setaceous HC.  In addition there were 4 Hornets, the first (of what will assuredly be many) Crane-fly, and only 1 black beetle.  Second-generations are appearing, with Small Square-spot (10) Maiden's Blush, and Lilac Beauty FFY).  Also FFY Garden Rose Tortrix, with both the all-white basal area and "ring" basal area specimens.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min temp 14.3 degrees

32 species including FFY- Autumnal Green Carpet.The Brimstone Moths are having a good year here.  We had 24 last night and earlier in the week 42, Whet made last night special was that one fresh specimen of the usual pattern was entirely white.

5 Silver Ys and a Vestal were the only migrants last night

Udea ferrugalis and the gall of the Hemp-agrimony Plume, Adaina microdactyla, this evening.

I ran a 125w MV Skinner at Netherclay until 01:00h this morning. Clear and relatively cool compared to Monday night; the cloud obviously rolled in at some point after I had packed up. 227 moths of 40 (30 macro, 10 micro) species. The only addition to the site list was an example of 1093 Apotomis betuletana.

Buckland Wood 7/9/16

Recorded a total of 53 Silver Y on the Buckland Wood transect this afternoon.

Slightly surprisingly low numbers, considering the mildness of the weather - so far 100 moths, of 25 species, including FFG Birch Mocha, and FFY Centre-barred Sallow, Rosy Rustic(4) and Cypress Pug.

Another disappointing night, 30spp, just a couple of Silver Y migrants, 2 Pale Eggars, 2 Nephopterix angusteas and a FFG- Caloptilia alchimiella/robustella agg

Left two traps out, both trashed by badgers tops tipped off so very few moths left, so disappointing for a perfect night but a Svensson's Copper Underwing, def black palps with white tips and hindwing fitted the bill, and a Clay Triple-lines.

T min. 19.8°C and cloudy and more moths (180) than I have had for some time but still down on previous years. 48 species (18 of which were micros) was extremely pleasing with the pick being: Mouse Moth (NFY), Lilac Beauty, Large Fruit-tree Tortrix, Garden Rose Tortrix (2, NFY) and only my second Wax Moth here. Migrants were represented with Silver Y (8), Rush Veneer and Rusty-dot Pearl (2).

Large numbers here as well. A ridiculous 630 - 193 Setaceous hebrew characters, 142 LYU, 71 Brimstone and 43 Square spot rustics. A single night flying butterfly - a Green veined white. New for here were Bordered beauty, Spruce carpet, Double striped pug and a Svensson's copper underwing. I have examined the palps of 20+ underwings this season and finally have a good candidate. Others - Light emerald (6), Peach blossom, Angle shades(6), Beautiful hook tip, Gold spot, Beautiful china mark(4) and Rusty dot pearl(4)

Absolutely perfect conditions at last produced some quantity but with very little quality.  473 macros of 39 species was the most I've recorded this year. I was hoping for some of the Convolvulus Hawk Moths that are currently being trapped in Dorset but my only migrant was a single Silver Y.
131 Large Yellow Underwings, 69 Square Spot Rustics,68 Setaceous Hebrew Characters and a record 60 Brimstones made up the bulk of the catch.

The round-up of strays from the morning's catch produced a further 8 moths, and 2 more species, a FFY Pale Eggar and a Common Plume.

Having not trapped for several days, the temptation was too great last night! The reality was a let down, with 58 moths of 21 species. FFY were Orange Swift, Acleris laterana, a late Currant Pug and Setaceous Hebrew Character (2).  Almost half of the total was made up of Large Yellow Underwings (28)!

Same story, cold night, low numbers.  This time only 47 moths, 16 spp.  The only one of slight interest was a second generation Light Emerald.

Fairly low numbers of 37 spp, but some nice moths, FFY Pale Eggar, reappearance of Dark/grey Dagger, Light Emeralds,several each of Canary-shouldered and Dusky Thorns, a Copper Underwing and micros- 2 Nephopterix angustella, a Large Fruit-tree Tortrix and Cyclamen Tortrix.

A Convolvulus Hawkmoth in my garden trap last night, no doubt attracted by the Nicotiana plants strategically planted right next to the trap.

Another chilly night, and low numbers.  45 moths of 22 species, with nothing remarkable.  Only 2 FFY, a Rusty-dot Pearl and Agriphila geniculea.