32 moths of16 species including 4 FFY : Light Brown Apple Moth (1) ; Scorched Carpet (1) ; Pale Prominent (1) and Least Black Arches (1).

Left a 15w Actinic and Led Trap out last night. Small numbers of 18 macros, surprisingly no micros at all. FFYs Mocha, Maiden's Blush, Engrailed, Spruce and Water Carpets, Small White Wave, Orange Footman, Pebble Prominent & Scalloped Hazel. Very different species in each, only Brindled Pug, Hebrew Character and Mocha in both.

Annie Liebert has advised that Tony's funeral will be at the Taunton Crematorium on Friday May 10th., at 1.30 pm., with refreshments afterwards at the Rumwell Farm Shop restaurant. Annie will be delighted if anyone from SMG can attend.  If desired, donations in Tony's memory can be made to St. Margaret's Hospice, Taunton.

I had the following from Mark Skevington this morning:

Whilst staying with my in laws in North Devon this week, I headed out onto the edge of Exmoor on 23/04/2019 to try out the Emperor Moth pheromone lure (EMP). I actually strayed into Somerset and think I must have just been within VC5. I parked at the entrance to the Pinkery Centre for Outdoor Learning and walked a short way along the path to cSS7240440585. It was a little breezy and overcast, but still warm at c15:45. The lure was out for around 5 minutes before the first male arrived, and over the next five or so minutes a total of 8 males arrived before I put the lure away.

So, if you have the EMP lure it's time to try it out!

I have just received a letter from Annie Liebert to advise that Tony has recently passed away after a long illness.  As a founder member of SMG, he will be greatly missed.  When the funeral arrangements are settled, Annie will advise me and I will spread the word, so that any members who are able can attend the funeral.

The lone unidentified moth from 22/04 was a female Ringed China Mark, so another FFY. It is the first female I've seen and had me beaten for a while.

I ran a 125w MV Skinner in a private garden in Kingston St. Mary until 01:00h this morning. 224 moths of 43 species. Pseudoswammerdamia combinella (1), Diamond-back Moth (1), Esperia sulphurella (1), Twenty-plume Moth (24), Beautiful Plume (1), LBAM (2), Chinese Character (2), Mocha (6), Red Twin-spot Carpet (13), Streamer (1), Small Phoenix (1), Green Carpet (1), Water Carpet (6), Small White Wave (2), Double-striped Pug (4), V-Pug (5), Brindled Pug (17), Oak-tree Pug (21), Dwarf Pug (1), Seraphim (1), Scorched Carpet (7), Brimstone Moth (22), Purple Thorn (2), Scalloped Hazel (1), Brindled Beauty (1), Waved Umber (9), Engrailed (1), Common White Wave (1), Lobster Moth (1), Lunar Marbled Brown (7), Pebble Prominent (1), Swallow Prominent (5), Spectacle (2), Nut-tree Tussock (4), Knot Grass (2), Early Grey (1), Clouded Drab (3), Common Quaker (15), Hebrew Character (14), Twin-spotted Quaker (3), Shuttle-shaped Dart (3), Red Chestnut (1) and Least Black Arches (7).

Dwarf Pug

23/4/19 - I can't compete with all these large numbers, so I'm probably going to have a sulk.  56 moths of 16 species last night, uncluding FFG White-spotted Pug and Lunar Marbled Brown, but no other FFY.  Most numerous, as usual, were Hebrew Characters (21) and Brimstone Moth (10).

A much better night with 26spp, but not doing as well as you chaps. Lots of FFYs including Pale Mottled Willow, V- and Common Pugs, Red Twin-spot Carpet, Nut-tree Tussock, Swallow Prominent, Chocolate-tip, Chinese Character, Waved Umber and Least Black Arches. Hebrew Character still the commonest, now followed by Muslin, Scorched Carpet and Brindled Pug. A FFG but common micro Tinea trinotella.

An excellent night for me too at long last. I set the MV and actinic traps and recorded 102 moths of 37 species including two NFG and 21 FFY. The NFG were: Frosted Green (two of them! - both attracted to the actinic) and an Eriocrania species awaiting confirmation. The twenty one FFY were: Waved Umber (2), Iron Prominent (2), Chinese Character (2), Scorched Carpet (8), Garden Carpet, Common Pug (2), Purple Thorn (2), Maiden's Blush, V Pug (3), Muslin (3), Red Chestnut (only my second record), Pebble Hook-tip, Water Carpet, Pale Prominent (2), Shuttle-shaped Dart, Spectacle, Lesser Swallow Prominent, Swallow Prominent, Flame Shoulder, Red Twin-spot Carpet (2) and Bee Moth. The most numerous was still the Common Quaker (15) closely followed by Brindled Pug (12) and Oak-tree Pug (11). Only five species of micro were recorded.


Eriocrania species awaiting confirmation

Update from James: Having gone through this at home, cicatricella and chrysolepidella come out at a couplet in MOGBI as only separable by genitalia dissection. On that basis this specimen is best left unidentified. Nigel - many thanks again for pointing this out.


A pair of Frosted Green

An excellent night, producing 184 moths of 43 species. The first micro's since February with FFY Adela reaumurella (1) ; Epinotia immundana (1 - subject to confirmation) ; Epiblema scutulana (1).  Other FFY were : Barred Hook-tip (2) ; Frosted Green (3) ; V-Pug (2) ; Common Pug (1) ; Waved Umber (2) ; White-pinioned Spotted (1) ; Pebble Prominent (2) ; Lesser Swallow Prominent (2) ; Herald (1) ; Ruby Tiger (1) ; Knot Grass (6) ; Angle Shades (1) ; Shuttle-shaped Dart (2) and Oak Nycteoline (1).  Top score went to Brindled Pug with 43. There is still one mystery moth in the fridge.Watch this space.

Easily the best night of the year for variety and numbers with 94 macros of 31 different species. 14 firsts for the year included Alder Moth and an early Rivulet both of which I failed to record last year. Other firsts included Small Phoenix, Mocha and White Spotted Pug. Most numerous was Brimstone with 13.
These firsts took me to 54 species so far. This is one of the earliest dates I've reached that figure. The last time I reached it on 22nd April was 2007 which turned out to be the worst summer for moths since I started recording.

21/4/19 - not too bad here last night, with 49 moths of 14 species.  Two FFGs, Brindled Pug (surprisingly new to me here, as it's generally common) and Pseudoswammerdamia combinella (2), plus 5 more FFYs - Scorched Carpet (2), Green Carpet, Flame Shoulder, Pebble Prominent and Powdered Quaker.  A nice variety.  Oh, and a FFY wasp !

Cold night last night so not a big catch, but good to start trying to get more regular with my moth trapping, as the season begins! 22 moths from 8 species: Brimstone, Early Grey, Light Brown Apple Moth, Least Black Arches, Tachystola acroxantha, Hebrew Character, Double-striped Pug, Spectacle.

Caught 76 moths of 22 species last night. Highlights were Powered Quaker, 2 Streamers, 2 Lunar Marbled Browns, 2 Nut-tree Tussocks, Purple Thorn, Early Thorn, Pebble Prominent (FFG), Waved Umber, Garden Carpet, 2 Knot Grass, Chestnut, and 2 Oak-tree Pugs. 

T min 7.9°C. 29 moths of 15 species (12 macro, 3 micro),

Incurvaria masculella, LBAM, Streamer, Double-striped Pug, V-Pug, Brindled Pug, Oak-tree Pug, Scorched Carpet, Brimstone Moth, Lunar Marbled Brown, Pine Beauty, Common Quaker, Hebrew Character and Least Black Arches.

FFG: Cydia strobilella. A species with only a handful of Somerset records by the look of it although I note that Jenny Vickers’ 2016 record is not shown on the map. (My thanks to James for the ID confirmation).

Cydia strobilella

No wind, nice and mild, now if we can just do something about the moon..... Mustn't be ungrateful though, at least a little more variety last night.  66 moths of 18 species. 6 FFY : Spruce Carpet (2) ; Water Carpet (1) ; Small Phoenix (1) ; Brimstone Moth (1) ; Purple Thorn (2) and Lunar Marbled Brown (2). Others of note : Red Twin-spot Carpet (5) ; Shoulder Stripe (2) ; Streamer (6) ; Engrailed (2) and Nut-tree Tussock (1)

19/4/19 - At last, a varied catch.  29 moths, of 13 species, including FFG Oak-tree Pug (2), and 6 FFYs - Waved Umber, Red Twin-spot Carpet, Chinese Character, Least Black Arches, Common Carpet, and Eudonia angustea

Adults of the scarce coleophorid Coleophora (Metriotes) lutarea on the larval host plant, Greater Stitchwort, in Thurlbear Wood today.

Pam - the main foodplant for Emperors is heather, so you could try transferring the eggs to a patch of heather up on the Quantocks, or nearer if poss.  Have uou any in your garden?  They grow quite large, so you need a goodly supply of leaves !

20 moths of 12 species was the meagre count from last night after finding four escapees this evening. One NFG was Elachista rufocinerea (2) - many thanks to James McGill for confirmation. I also had seven FFY: Least Black Arches (2), Nut-tree Tussock, Brindled Beauty (2), Pale Mottled Willow, Oak-tree Pug (2), Twenty-plume Moth and my first Streamer for two years.

Although just 7 moths last night , I had 2 ffys . One Lunar Marbled Brown and my 3 rd ever female Emperor plus eggs which was a lovely surprise .2 more photos with ' my photos ' . What should I do with the eggs , please ? 

I ran two traps for four hours. 56 moths of 13 species (10 macro, three micro) is about par for the course at this time of year: Semioscopis steinkellneriana, Agonopterix alstromeriana, Parornix sp., Shoulder Stripe, Oak-tree Pug, Scorched Carpet, Brindled Beauty, Lunar Marbled Brown, Herald, Nut-tree Tussock, Common Quaker, Hebrew Character and Twin-spotted Quaker.

17.4.19 - a slight improvement, 18 moths of 7 species.  Again, Hebrew Characters (8) the commonest, and second appearances this year for Small Eggar, Muslin Moth and Brindled Beauty.  Just one FFY, Brimstone Moth (3)

19 of 9 species. 2 FFY : Engrailed (1) and the first of many Flame Shoulders.

11/4 and 16/4/19 - 17 out of 21 moths on 11/4, and 9 out of 10 last night were Hebrew Characters. How boring is that?  The only moth of interest was a FFY Brindled Beauty.  Hey ho, warmer nights are coming to a moth trap near you.

The three pupae found in mines of Coptotriche marginea have now all emerged!!

Not much last night but FFY Streamer and Scorched carpet, also Pseudoswammerdamia combinella

Colder than forecast but 31 moths of 12 species was not too bad. Three FFY : Early Tooth-striped (1) ; Muslin Moth (2 males) and Nut-tree Tussock (1). 15 Hebrew Character made up the majority of the rest along with Streamer (2) ; March Moth )1) ; Brindled Pug (1) ; Brindled Beauty (2) ; Early Grey (1) ; Clouded Drab (2) ; Common Quaker (1) and Red Chestnut (2). Looking forward to warmer nights next week.

I've been had. Sorry.

A friend sent me a picture of a 3cm long red/orange caterpillar yesterday. She found it in her West Buckland garden. Any ideas?

For my sins I am involved with assisting with some of the organising of exhibitors/stall-holders for this event.  It has been running for several years, and previously SMG have had a presence there.  Robin Clatworthy has kindly offered to do some trapping on at least two of the three nights preceding the days of the event, and will deliver the nights' catches for display.  We have a very good display board with many of John Bebbington's superb photographs, and information.  Tables, chairs and gazebos are provided by Barrington.

What is needed is some people to man the stall on the 3 days, from about 10.00am to about 4.00 pm, to show and maybe talk about the moths to the public , which always includes a lot of families (it's school half-term).  I will be there, but not on behalf of SMG.  If you can offer to help, even if it's for only half a day, please let me know as soon as possible, so that I can help with the planning.  I would be most grateful.

Telephone 01749 838624 or e-mail pingramnewman@gmail.com

Thank you

7/4/19 - In view of the more promising forecast (light winds only), I was hopeful of a better night than the last one.  Success!  65 moths, and 11 species.  Hebrew Characters (33) by far the most numerous, as is to be expected, and there were 3 FFYs: Streamer, Shoulder Stripe and an early Muslin Moth, plus a very surprising (for me) FFG, a PIne Beauty.  Pine trees aound here are almost unknown, so where this one has come from I know not.

6/04/19 Hebrew Character 27, Common Quaker 6, Clouded Drab 5, Early Grey 3, The Steamer 2, Oak Beauty 1, Brindled Pug 1, Dotted Border 1, Shoulder Stripe 1, The Mullein 1.

6/4/19 - A bit too breezy last night to get many moths, so not too disappointing - just 19 moths, of 6 species, and nothing new.  The only one of interest was a Twin-spotted Quaker with no twin-spots, but a very noticeable kidney-mark.

Unfortunately I won't be doing any trapping for a while after breaking my wrist a couple of weeks ago. However I did record my second earliest Water Carpet on the house wall last Friday (29th March).

30th March good catch again at Actinic Skinner trap. Gymnoscelis rufifasciata Double Striped Pug Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth Orthosia gothica Hebrew Character Orthosia cerasi Common Quaker Alucita hexadactyla Twenty Plume Moth Nycteola revayana Oak Nycteoline Anorthoa munda Twin-spotted Quaker Selenia dentaria Early Thorn Emmelina monodactyla Common Plume Orthosia incerta Clouded Drab Orthosia cruda Small Quaker Panolis flammea Pine Beauty Lycia hirtaria Brindled Beauty Orthosia gracilis Powdered Quaker Agonopterix heracliana