29/9/17 - an average haul - 65 moths, 12 species.  FFY were Beaded Chestnut (3) and an Angle Shades making a surprisingly late appearance, as they are usually qute regular visitors here.  Most of the total was made up of Lunar Underwings (41), and Black Rustics (8).

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 13.1 degrees

64 moths of 16 species including FFY a Delicate.

Ran the trap for the first time in quite a while at home.  14 moths of 9 species, most notably a garden first in Barred Sallow, and 2 Large Ranunculus, which I get most years but not every year.

This lovely fresh Acleris kochiella was the only FFY from last night.

142 moths of 32 species, 17 of which were species not trapped three days ago.  Micro's included 3 Olindia schumacherana - presumably a second generation. Also : Rusty-dot Pearl (1) ; Garden Pebble (1) and what looks very much like Oegoconia quadripuncta which will need confirmation from Paul Wilkins.  Macro's : Canary-shouldered Thorn (2) ; Dusky Thorn (1) ; Snout (12) ; FFY Beaded Chestnut (1) ; FFG Brindled Green (1) ; Flounced Chestnut (2) ; Dark Swordgrass (1) ; Autumnal Rustic (1), not forgetting the 66 Lunar Underwings.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 13 degrees

96 moths of 21 species including FFY - Frosted Orange and Pink-barred Sallow.

A late report for Monday night - 64 moths of 18 species. FFG were Phyllonorycter trifasciella and Oak Nycteoline, the latter quite a surprise. FFY were Spruce Carpet, Canary-shouldered Thorn, Pearly Underwing (2nd record, the first in 2011) and Dark Spectacle (5th record).

Addendum to 25/9/17 - 7.50 pm.  just finished rounding up this morning's strays - 8 more moths, 1 more species (nothing exciting) totals now 97/26

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 11.1 degrees

60 moths of 19 species Including FFY - Beaded Chestnut and Barred Sallow..

After reading of a large capture of Delicates at Portland on Sunday night I put my trap out last night in anticipation. I wasn't disappointed and recorded my first here for 5 years.
Other firsts for the year were Sallow, Barred Sallow, Large Ranunculus and Feathered Thorn.
Prior to reading that Paul also had a Feathered Thorn last night I thought that mine was an unusually early record as it is at least a month earlier that any previous record. I also had a Ruby Tiger which was a month later than any previous year. I was also wondering if this is the first time that both Feathered Thorn and Ruby Tiger have ever been seen in the same trap.

Overcast night and 13.5c at first light. 169 moths 25 spp. The L-album wainscot was probably a re-capture of the one 3 days ago. Oak hook tip (after an 11yr absence), Broad bordered YU, Dusky thorn (15), Canary shouldered thorn(2), Pinion streaked snout, Barred sallow, Pale mottled willow and an early Mottled umber.

Much busier, and more interesting last night.  89 moths (the largest night's total here for over a month), of 25 species, including FFY Feathered Thorn, Frosted Orange, & Barred Sallow (3).  Also of interest, several second-generation species, including an Oak Hook-tip, and 2 Straw Dots.  Most numerous were Lunar Underwing (24), Black Rustic (13) and Dusky Thorn (7).

On Sunday night I recorded my second Pink-barred Sallow here at Pen Elm and also another Scarce Bordered Straw. Barred Sallow (2) was a FFY and along with a Centre-barred Sallow it was nice to have all three 'barred' Sallows on the same night.

Ref below: John I am a tad embarrassed to say that my Taunton Barred Chestnut record was a MapMate input error. Thanks to James McGill for bringing it to my attention and I have deleted it from my records.

Caught this Saturday night in Taunton. When potted I thought it was just another Sq.-spot Rustic but on examination it didn't look quite right but I couldn't think what else it could be. Having looked through my books and the internet I've found similar pictures of female Barred Chestnut but this is quite rare and local in Somerset but has been recorded once on the SMG website in Taunton. Anyone have any ideas?

Reasonable numbers of 25spp. Lunar Underwings at 57 by the far the commonest sp, another late influx of Straw Dot and Common Wainscot. FFYs Black Rustic Copper Underwing and a pristine Fruit-tree Tortrix. Migrants a single Four-spotted Footman and Silver Y.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Tmp 11.2 degrees

40 moths of 19 species including FFY - Black Rustic and Feathered Ranunculus.

Despite the breezy conditions a very reasonable total of 83 moths of 26 species. FFY were Flounced Chestnut (1) and Black Rustic (6). Most numerous was Lunar Underwing (30). Others of note : Ypsolopha sequella (1) ; Burnished Brass (1) ; Frosted Orange (1) ; Centre-barred Sallow (1) ; Hedge Rustic (2) ; Feathered Gothic (1).

A strange night's trapping, where Light Brown Apple Moth was the most numerous species (7) and there was no Large Yellow Underwing! Totals were 33 moths of 14 species. The star was an FFG Large Wainscot. FFY were Large Ranunculus and Barred Sallow. Earlier in the day a Hummingbird Hawk-Moth was in the garden.

Decent conditions last night for the time of year.154 moths 26 species. L-album wainscot was a FFG. Having not seen a Red underwing for 10 years I am now getting one every trapping this autumn. Others were Frosted orange, Black rustic and Angle shades (2).

23/9/17 - Somewhat of an improvement (well, it could hardly get worse than the last time) - 27 moths, of 12 species, including one FFY, a Green-brindled Crescent. Other Autumnal specials, 3 Black Rustics, 6 Lunar Underwings, and a Centre-barred Sallow.  One very fresh Silver Y, which I doubt was a migrant.

Even though I was late putting the trap out, last night produced some moths, in particular 1 Delicate M. vitellina

After a 20 year wait for my first Clifden Nonpareil I recorded my 2nd in 10 days last night. A much brighter individual this time. Very few other moths on a windy night but a Dark Spectacle was a good record.

Back to earth with a bump.  Just 4 Loony (sorry, Lunar) Underwings, and nowt else !!

I took advantage of the recent mild and dry nights for a last chance to attract two species that I haven’t seen here for a few years – Hedge Rustic and Feathered Gothic. Alas, none visited but I did have 125 moths of 30 species. Nothing spectacular but two FFY – my earliest Brindled Green and Lunar Underwing (16) also of note a second brood Plutella porrectella and September Thorn.

A very well marked Wainscot had me assuming it was an L-album Wainscot due to the time of year. Unfortunately however much I squint it remains looking like a Shoulder Striped Wainscot. I haven't found anywhere that suggests this species has a second brood. I know that global warming is changing the literature but does anybody else record this moth in the autumn?

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min temp 10.3 degrees

62 moths of 19 species including FFY - Sallow and Dusky Thorn. We also had our first second brood Common Wainscot, Lunar Underwings are having a good year here. We had 14 in the trap last night.

19/9/17 - something of an improvement on the last effort - 47 moths, but still a paucity of species, just 16, with nothing new.

First trapping session for a couple of weeks produced 63 moths of 18 species. The undoubted star, FFG for the garden, was a Red Underwing, found on the wall near the trap this morning. It's quite ironic that I was complaining only a week ago that I had yet to record this species!

FFY were Dark Marbled Carpet (2, my first multiple record), Centre-barred Sallow, Lunar Underwing (13) and Frosted Orange. Large Yellow Underwing is still the most numerous species here (23).

73 moths of 22 species.  FFG were Agriphila geniculae (1) and Autumnal Rustic (3).  FFY were : Lunar Underwing (8) and Centre-barred Sallow (1).  Others of note : Garden Rose Tortrix (1) ; Common Marbled Carpet (21) ; Burnished Brass (1) ; Rosy Rustic (2) and Turnip Moth (1).  A belated report for 4/9/17. Not sure how I missed this one.  217 moths of 63 species. Star of the show was a White-line Snout (Thanks to John Bebbington for confirming the ID). Other FFY were : Garden Rose Tortrix (1) ; Garden Pebble (1) ; Yellow Shell (1) ; Hedge Rustic (1) ; Feathered Gothic (3) ; Turnip Moth (3).

17/9/17 - A bit of a waste of electricity really - just 7 moths, (only 5 actually in the traps) of 5 species.  Nothing new, just same old same old.

11.30 am - Just disturbed two Agonopterix heracliana from the log srore - a bit early for hibernation I would have thought, although it was a bit chilly last night.

A quiet night with only 11 spp, FFYs Barred Sallow, Lunar Underwing, Beaded Chestnut and a nice Red Underwing.

14/9/17 - another quiet night, with just 25 moths, of 13 species, but at least there was some interest.  The first of the Autumn specialists appeared, Black Rustic, Centre-barred Sallow, and Lunar Underwing (3), plus a second-generation Pale Mottled WIllow. and a FFY Cypress Pug., the first here since 2010.

Last night was forecast to be cold and windy so I had no intention of putting out the trap but driving home from Wells at about 9pm I saw lots of moths in the headlights and I decided to put the trap out. Perhaps the fact I put it out late was the reason I did not record a single Setacious Hebrew Character for the first time ever on a September evening. In the end I only recorded 5 Species. These were about 20 Large yellow Underwings, 5 Square Spot Rustics, 2 Angle Shades and my first Lunar Underwing of the year. However amongst this routine catch was my first ever Clifden Nonpareil. This is the first I have ever seen and it is a magnificent moth. It is also the 399th different macro I have recorded in my garden. Is it asking too much for a Crimson Speckled for my 400th?

I took a walk along the River Frome the other day and had to take a detour due to the footpath being closed. On the detour I came across a couple of Lombardy Poplar trees (Populus x italica) and decided to see if I could find any leaf mines. I found both Phyllocnistis unipunctella and Stigmella trimaculella.

Phyllocnistis unipunctella

Stigmella trimaculella

I also did some searching for mines on my local Rodden Nature Reserve and found Ectoedemia septembrella on Hypericum and what I'm pretty sure is Parectopa ononidis on Clover. The last has a status of Nationally Scarce B.

Ectoedemia septembrella

Parectopa ononidis

After a spell away from moth trapping, I had a pretty good night out at a friend's garden a week ago.

Highlights being: Oak Lutestring, Pale Eggar, Frosted Orange, Copper Underwing, Red Underwing, Centre-barred Sallow and Rusty-dot Pearl.

Oak Lutestring

Pale Eggar

Jeannie found a second Convolvulus Hawk-moth - this one nectaring on her Nicotianas - in Curry Rivel on Sunday evening (10th September).

9/9/17 - just 25 moths, 14 species.  Two FFY - a Pandemis cerasana and a Dark Sword-grass.  Not rerribly exciting.

On 30th August Hugo Brooke trapped a Dark Crimson Underwing near Stourhead and just in VC6 - this appears to be the only Somerset record. Apologies for the delay in posting but it was necessary to determine whether the site was in VC6.


Hugo also took a Clifden Nonpareil.

The rain held off locally and the moon was clouded out for at least part of the night. 97 macros/ 19 spp - finally attracted a Red underwing from a neighbours garden 200m away. First Centre barred sallow of the season was the only other of note. Spectacle doing very well this year. Just 4 micros/2spp.

5/9/17 - A bit too breezy at first, and a full moon didn't help.  Just 28 moths, 18 species.  The only one of interest was a Scarce Bordered Straw, the first here since 2006.  I've had very few mgrants this year, so this one was a nice surprise.

A Scarce Bordered Straw was the star of the show on a very warm night that promised more. Other FFY were Centre-barred Sallow (2), Carcina quercana and a Wax Moth. *James McGill has just confirmed a Coptotriche marginea NFG.

25 macro and 12 micro spp. usual suspects, Snouts and second brood Light Emerald abundant, some FFYs Pinion-streaked Snout, Yellow Shell, Small Blood-vein and a FFG- Small Phoenix, micros Eudonea angustea back, Catoptia falsella and Phycita roborella.

Female Convolvulus Hawk-moth found by Jeannie on her house wall in Curry Rivel, close to a large patch of Nicotiana on Monday morning 4th September.

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - Min Temp 9.5 degrees

Only 21 moths of 11 species including FFY - Frosted Orange and Feathered Gothic. We have had several second broods recently of Light Emeralds and Snout. The latter is quite different to the first brood.

A nice surprise on a damp morning was a Cydalima perspectalis, the Boxworm Moth.

Thanks Paul, it was just that I read in Hants Moths that 'occurrence should be reported to MAFF Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate'. James McGill thinks that they monitor moth websites - anyway, probably best not to release it.

Steve - if you're concerned about this beastie, perhaps check with the RHS, either at Kew or Wisley.  They should know what needs to be done (if anything)

Pretty much the first moth to the trap last night was this Duponchelia fovealis*. I had no idea what it was and couldn't get close with the ID books I have. Thanks to James McGill for identifying it for me. I see it is a pest species and wonder if it should be reported? I also had my first Coxcomb Prominent and Clay Triple-lines since 2014, amongst my 39 species. I also tried sugaring last night but disappointingly only two moths had a sweet tooth - a Copper Underwing and Light Emerald.


Duponchelia fovealis
*I'd forgotten Peter Austin had one indoors earlier in the year

My experience last night was more like Paul's, I'm afraid - 68 moths of 14 species. No firsts, mainly 37 Large Yellow Underwings. The only moths of interest were what appeared to be new generation Green and Common Marbled Carpets.

A very soggy night, but well worth the watts. A Clifden Nonpareil in the bottom of the trap and a FFY pristine Lilac Beauty. 31 spp also including a Pale Mottled Willow, Dusky, August and Early Thorns, Rosy, Vine's and Flounced Rustic, a Rush Veneer, Anania crocealis and Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix. LYUW, Square-spot Rustic and Setaceous Hebrew Character still topping the poll.

Yes, it wasn't originally forecast to rain until late morning, so I thought I would do some trapping.  Might as well not have bothered - just 38 moths, with very little variety, only 12 species with no new ones.

It ended with rain earlier than forecast. 84 macros/ 20 species Pale mottled willow, Drinker, Dusky thorn(2) and Dark sword grass amongst the LYUs and SHCs. Micros 10/6 species Rush veneer.

Moth numbers dropping steadily now with 52 moths of 15 species in my 40W actinic Skinner trap last night. Copper Underwing, Flounced Rustic and Evergestis forficalis firsts for year and Dichrorampha acuminatana first for my garden.

1/9/17 A marginally better night, with 36 moths, 16 species.  FFY were Pale Eggar and a very tattered Mouse Moth. I wondered if the Farmer's Wife had been at work !!