Centre-barred Sallow, Frosted Orange, Dingy Footman and Flounced Rustic were FFY from the 46 species in the trap last night and a rather unusual Agriphila geniculea.


Agriphila geniculea

3 larvae of Toadflax Brocade found on Purple Toadflax in Sand Bay this afternoon. They have been present in south Wales for some years now so it was nice to finally catch up with it locally.

Toadflax Brocade

The cool wind last night seems to have kept numbers down, so I recorded just 63 moths of19 species. The only FFY were Monopsis obviella and Acleris laterana.

On the 27th I trapped a moth that I had some trouble identifying. It turned out to be FFG Wax Moth, in this case a female. Last night I had a male in the trap! There are photos on the Somerset Butterflies and Moths Facebook page.

A little surprised to find an example of second brood White Colon Sideridis turbida in my trap in Weston this morning.

29/8/19 - more or less the same again, 42 moths, 10 species, no FFYs

On Tuesday night (27th), I had the rare pleasure of recording two new macro species - Lime-speck Pug and Straw Underwing. In total there were 112 moths of 36 species. FFY were Flame Carpet, Green Carpet 93), Tawny-speckled Pug, Dusky Thorn (2), Brussels Lace, Lesser Yellow Underwing, Flounced Rustic and The Snout. Also of interest was Double-striped Pug numbers. Last weekend I recorded my highest total, 10; on the 27th there were 13. They seem to be having a good year.

Freshly-emerged Pink-barred Sallow, reared from larva at Prayway Meads, Simonsbath - almost as high up and as far west as you can get in Somerset.

I've been sent a photo of an Oleander Hawk-moth, at Misterton on August 26, which appears to be just the third Somerset record.  A good time to be having the traps out?

Quite a few showers during the evening but that didn't seem to deter the moths.  312 of 61 species.  One FFG, and the only migrant ( bar Silver-Y (13) ) was Palpita vitrealis .  FFY : Grey Pine Carpet (1) ; Magpie (1) ; Frosted Orange (1) and Neglected Rustic (1).  Others of note : Beautiful Plume (1) ; Peach Blossom (1) ; Flame Carpet (1) ; Purple Bar (1) ; Scorched Carpet (3) ; Canary-shouldered Thorn (2) ; Lesser Swallow Prominent (1) ; White Ermine (1) ; Ruby Tiger (1) ; Jersey Tiger (1) ; Rosy Rustic (1) ; Hedge Rustic (2) ; Antler (1) ; Six-striped Rustic (1). Several second generations there.  High totals were Flame Shoulder (23) ; S H Character (28) ; Square-spot Rustic (44) and LYU (54).  An addition to 21/08 was Caryocolum tricolorella. Thanks go to Paul Wilkins for the ID by dissection.

Typical August fare here in the last few days with plenty of nothing in the traps.However as the Portland Observatory site recently said there can be quality in quantity. Best night was Saturday with 513 macros of 42 species. Large Yellow Underwings have been the most numerous with recent counts of 179, 129 and 73. Migrant interest has been limited to a maximum of 7 Silver Ys last night and a single Vestal.
Despite recording well over 1100 moths in total since the weekend there has only been one first for the year, Frosted Orange.

27/8/19 - all quiet on the eastern near-front.  Just 43 moths, 10 species, with one FFY, a Copper Underwing agg.  Large YU 26 this time.

25/8/19 - still not a lot here, with just the Actinic.  51 moths, 17 species, with one FFY, a Pale Mottled Willow.  19 Large YU again the biggest contributor.

76 species on a very mild night - nothing spectacular but 9 FFY: Vestal, Oak Hook-tip, Common Wave (2), Acleris laterana, Rosy Rustic, Yponomeuta plumbella, Argyresthia goedartella, Nephopterix angustella, Borkhausenia fuscescens plus several micros still unidentified including two *Caloptilia species. *Now confirmed as Caloptilia robustella and Caloptilia semifascia

Last night produced 165 moths of 38 species. The highlight was FFG Cydia amplana (2), seemingly a rare immigrant. FFY were Brown House-moth, Bryotropha domestica (2), Agriphila straminella, Garden Carpet (10, my highest count), Common Marbled Carpet, Sharp-angled Peacock, Pale Prominent, Common Wainscot and Rosy Rustic. I also recorded my highest Brimstone count (10). There were 57 Large Yellow Underwings.

I trapped at Priors Park Wood until 01:00h this morning. 392 moths of 73 species (47 macro, 26 micro) including Dark Marbled Carpet, Phoenix, Small Phoenix, Devon Carpet, Spruce Carpet, Satin Beauty and Four-spotted Footman (male & female). Highlights: Neglected Rustic and Argyresthia semitestacella the latter a Beech feeder with few Somerset records.

Neglected Rustic

Argyresthia semitestacella

Caught 218 moths of 43 species last night. Highlights were; Straw Dot, Common Carpet (6), Spectacle (2), Yellow-barred Brindle, Holly Tortrix, Dusky Thorn (2), Gracillaria syringella, Beautiful Plume, Copper Underwing, Orange Swift (9), Pyrausta despicata, Common Marbled Carpet, Rusty-dot Pearl (3), Dark Fruit-tree Tortrix, Dark Sword-grass, Jersey Tiger, and Chequered Fruit-tree Tortrix.

23/8/19 - the waning moon seems to be having a positive effect on the small numbers of moths coming to visit.  45 last night, of 13 species, but again, no FFYs.  16 Large YU the main contributors.

They are still coming in good numbers here. 255 moths of53 species. FFY : Cochylimorpha straminea (1) ; White-spotted Pug (1) ; Canary-shouldered Thorn (1) Pale Mottled Willow (1) and Hedge Rustic (1). There will be a Mompha sp. to add after Paul Wilkins has wielded his scalpel. Others of note : Honeysuckle Moth (1) ; Beautiful Plume (2) ; Rusty-dot Pearl (3) ; Blood Vein (2) ; Maidens Blush (2) ; Dusky Thorn (1) ; a late Scarce Footman (1) ;Silver-y (6) ; Antler Moth (1) ; Dark Swordgrass (1). Top score goes to LYU (48).

Another clear night but still 94 moths of 34 species. FFY were White-shouldered House-moth, Chequered Fruit-tree Tortrix, Codling Moth, Eudonia delunella, Udea fulvalis, The Magpie, Canary-shouldered Thorn (3), Turnip Moth, Small Square Spot, Square-spot Rustic and Knot Grass.

21/8/19 - a slightly better night, with twice as many moths as on the 19th (i.e. 24 !!!) No new ones, but a fair variety with 14 species, including a very fresh, presumably second generation, Spectacle.

43 species last night but just two new for 2019 - Six-striped Rustic (3) and a Cydia splendana - only a few Rusty-dot Pearls and a Silver Y putting in an appearance for the migrants.

Last night looked promising but the clouds cleared. Nevertheless I recorded 71 moths of 22 species. FFG were Agriphila selasella, Small China-mark and Pyrausta despicata. FFY were Garden Rose Tortrix, Cydia splendana, Beautiful Plume, Blood-vein, Yellow Shell, Purple Bar, Double-striped Pug, Vine's Rustic (3) and The Spectacle. In most numbers were Large Yellow Underwing (16) and Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (10). I also had three Jersey Tigers, which spent much of the morning sharing Buddleia and Verbena bonariensis with Painted Ladies, Small Tortoiseshells and Large Whites.

Very little happening here with just a gentle drift towards more Autumnal moths. Lesser Broad Bordered, Setacious Hebrew Character, Flame Shoulder and Square Spot Rustic made up the majority of a moderate catch. They were joined by second generation Lesser Swallow Prominents and Common Wainscot.
The highlight of the last week though was a female Brown Hairstreak in the garden followed a short while later by my first Clouded Yellow of the year. I am unaware of any records of Brown Hairstreak breeding within 10 miles of here but they won't lack for Blackthorn in my neighbour's garden.

19/8/19 - just 12 moths last night, probably a bit too chilly for much activity.  Ho hum.

17/8/19 - continuing with the Actinic alone, just 18 moths last night, with only one FFY, a worn Shaded Broad-bar (Faded Broad-bar?) (looked like it had been around the block a few times, but not visited my trap!)

15/8/19 - what a difference not having the use of the MV trap !!  The Actinic alone produced a mere 13 moths last night, which is poor even allowing for the full moon.  The only one of interest was a FFY (second-generation) Purple Bar.  I suspect that the MV's bright light normally brings in moths which then choose the blue light instead.  Who knows?

271 moths of 56 species of which 105 were Agriphila tristella. A handful of migrants - Rusty-dot Pearl (2) ; Rush Veneer (2) ; Vestal (1) and Small Mottled Willow (1).  Others of note : Pyrausta despicata (1) ; Catoptria pinella (6) ; Barred Hook-tip (1) ; Blood Vein (2) ; Purple Bar (1) ; Lime-speck Pug (3) ; Tawney-speckled Pug (1) Common Wave (2) ; Jersey Tiger (1) and Six-striped Rustic (4).

A record 19 Jersey Tiger in the garden trap this morning.

Previous double-figure counts: 11 on 21.7.2018 and 10 on 26.7.2018.

A decent haul with some nice common moths including Oak Eggar, Straw Underwing, Bordered Beauty, Pebble Hook-tip, Jersey Tiger, Dusky Thorn, commonest Orange Swift. A few Diamond- Backs, first for site 15.014 Gracillaria syringella

My ancient home-made MV trap has finally become virtually unusable (basically, it's falling apart!!) Does anyone have, or know of, a good second-hand one that I can buy please?  I am reluctant to pay large sums for a new one, but if I must, I will !!  My contact details are on the website.

10/8/19 - only a small catch again, 57 moths of 23 species, including one FFY, a Small China-mark.

On Thursday, at our local allotment site, I was pleased to find at least eight Cinnabar Moth caterpillar moths feeding on groundsel plants. In over ten years, I have never encountered adults at the site.

Calming down a little, 'only' 232 moths of 64 species.  One FFG - Maidens Blush (1).  FFY : Garden Rose Tortrix (1) ; August Thorn (1) ; Dusky Thorn (2) ; Sallow Kitten (1) ; Copper Underwing (1) ; Ear Moth agg.(1) ; Flounced Rustic (2) ; Square-spot Rustic (1) and Dotted Clay (1). Others of note : Purple Thorn (1) ; Pale Prominent (1) ; Four-spotted Footman (1) and Lychnis (1).

This was a good night for moths at this small woodland reserve south of Shepton Mallet - a steeply-sided combe where the canopy is dominated by ash with an understorey of wych elm and hazel.  There are plenty of similar, often larger, woods in the Mendips which might produce good results.

Langmaid's Yellow Underwing, 3rd Somerset record.  I found the moth dead at the base of the trap, and had it been alive I would probably have passed it over as Lesser Broad-bordered.  Are others occurring in the county undetected?

Lesser-spotted Pinion, new 10km square, likely to be breeding on the wych elm in the wood.  I deliberately targeted this species, placing the traps under stands of its foodplant, but only caught a single individual.  Perhaps it is reluctant to come to actinic light.

Agriphila selasella.  The trap was awash in grass moths.  There were 12 of these amongst its more common cousins.  I have only ever caught this species as single moths before.

Evergestis pallidata, 4 of these pyralids which like damp, open woodland.

Garden trapping has been fairly quiet recently and has begun to feel distinctly autumnal with the first Flounced Rustics and Canary-Shouldered Thorns of the year. Highlight has been two Vestals and one Udea ferrugalis last night giving a tantalising hint of migrant activity.

Away from home, now is a good time to look for leaf mines. Neale has kindly confirmed that this is the mine of Trifurcula cryptella, found after a bit of searching on Greater Bird's Foot Trefoil at Langford Heathfield. It appears to be the second county record (and first for VC5) of this nationally scarce A moth, with the other record coming from Shapwick, but it's probably worth looking for in other damp woodland locations.

48 - Trifurcula cryptella mine

At Dead Woman's Ditch this week, I also found several mines of Stigmella myrtillella, a Bilberry feeding specialist that is also probably quite under-recorded. Most of the mines I found were on lush plants growing under the shade of the oaks rather than on the open heathland. Also here were Twin Spot Carpet, Holly Tortrix, Argyresthia goedartella and conjugella, Epagoge grotiana, Cydia ulicetana, Monochroa cytisella and a Silver Y, as well as the mines of Lyonetia clerkalla and Phyllonorycter sorbi on Rowan.

72 - Stigmella myrtillella mine

Yesterday I headed down to Hurlstone Point and Porlock Marsh for a wander, and was pleased to find lots of the spiral mines of Enteucha acetosae on the point, already recorded here by James McGill a few years ago.

118 - Enteucha acetosae mine

Down on the marsh Bucculatrix maritima mines were abundant on the Sea Aster, along with several Eucosma tripoliana and a brief view of a male Red-Veined Darter. The highlight came in Bossington village though, with mines and adults of the lovely little Cosmopterix pulchrimella abundant around Pellitory of the Wall, which appears to be the second record for Somerset. This is another species that is on the march and worth looking out for, seemingly preferring coastal sites in other parts of its English range.

896b - Cosmopterix pulchrimella

6/8/19 - yet another quiet night, just 82 moths, 34 species, including FFG Sallow Kitten and Ypsolopha scabrella and FFY Knot Grass.  More escapees to round up later.

43 species in the trap this morning, highlights:

Dusky Thorn, Buff-tip, Vine's Rustic, Iron Prominent, Southern Wainscot, Knot Grass.

Fenella Williams sent Rob Grimmond a photo of a mature Death's Head larva found in a potato patch at Easton, near Wells, yesterday. Time to check your potatoes AND any large patches of Woody Nightshade near you!


Death's Head Hawk-moth 5th instar larva ©Fenella Williams 2019

PS I walkd a long stretch of the Bridgwater and Taunton canal - where I found 3 lrvae in 2010 - no joy. The Woody Nightshade was all pristine.

4/8/19 - another mediocre total last night - just 87 moths, of 34 species.  FFYs were Oak Eggar, Orange Swift (2) and 2 early Flounced Rustics.  17 Common Rustic agg.  the most numerous, but only one Common Footman !!  Another male Four-spotted Footman, but still no females.

p.m. 5/8 - a further 17 moths and 9 species out from hiding in the porch from this morning, including 3 more FFYs - Peach Blossom, Garden Pebble and Garden Rose Tortrix.  No more Common Footmen.

In amongst the Common Blue and Brown Argus Butterflies this morning I found a Pyrausta despicata.

It’s been more than three months since I last trapped at Netherclay so I ran a 125w MV Skinner for 2½ hours last night. 267 moths of 63 species (44 macro, 19 micro). The following were all additions to the site list: Ypsolopha parenthesella, Caloptilia stigmatella, European Corn-borer, Drinker, Flame Carpet and Slender Brindle.

Another micro with a possible ID thanks to Neale. Found on top of the trap, quick snap and alas it was off while reaching for the pot! Ginnidomorpha agg. Probably alismana, close to pond with plenty of food plant Water Pantain.

75 species last night including a FFG: Acrobasis suavella, thanks (again) to James for confirmation. Nice to see Oak Eggar, Dog's Tooth, Least Yellow Underwing and Bryotropha affinis (2) after a lapse last year. Also Aethes smeathmanniana, Bucculatrix nigricomella, Eupoecilia angustana and Garden Rose Tortrix were all FFY. Jersey Tiger (4) including f. lutescens are always a treat.

Nice walk at Thurlbear Quarrylands this morning. My original intention had been to look for Dingy Skipper larvae, but soon got distracted by moths. The best was Stephensia brunnichella - a lovely little Nationally Scarce B Elachistid which mines Wild Basil. I was looking for the mines at the time and noticed the adult perched low on the foodplant (and never did find any mines). It looks to be the first for VC5, and the 3rd modern Somerset record - one to look out for on woodland edges on alkaline soils, doubtless under-recorded.

0592 - Stephensia brunnichella

Other moths were Shaded Broad-Bar, Silver Y, Common Carpet, Yellow Shell, Rush Veneer, Crescent Plume, Eucosma hohenwartiana, Eucosma campoliliana, Agriphila straminella, Epilema costipunctana, Lathronympha strigana, Cochylimorpha straminea and Gracillaria syringella. and other leaf mines Euspilapteryx auroguttella (on St John's Wort), Phyllonorycter coryli (Hazel), Phyllonorycter lantanella (Wayfaring Tree), Copotriche marginea (Bramble), Phyllonorycter nigrescentella (a rather scarce, making blisters on Bush Vetch, already known from the area), Ectoedemia septembrella (St John's Wort), Bohemannia pulverosella (Apple), and the ubiquitous Stigmella aurella on both bramble and agrimony. Leucoptera laburnella mines were also found on Dyer's Greenweed, with several adults swept from the plant - the Dyer's Greenweed feeding form (wallesella) is considered by some to be a separate species.

497 moths of 95 species.  FFG: Small Blood-vein (1). A further 13 FFY : Honeysuckle Moth (1) ; Parsnip Moth (1) ; Chequered Fruit-tree Tortrix (1) ; Cydia splendana (1) - Euzophera pinguis (3) ; Hypsopygia glaucinalis (2) Agriphila tristella (17) ; Shaded Broad-bar (2) ; Tawney-speckled Pug (1) ; Iron Prominent (1) ; Four-spotted Footman (2 - M+F) ; Rosy Rustic (1) and Scarce Silver-lines (1) Others of note : Chinese Character (3) ; Mocha (1) ; Cloaked Carpet (3) ; Barred Red (1) ; Herald (1) ; Rosy Footman (8).  Top scorer was Common Footman (48) - enough to staff Buckingham Palace.

2/8/19 - still not too many moths here - just 133 of 40 species.  FFY were Single-dotted Wave (2), Pebble Prominent and Mallow.  Common Rustic agg. (17) taking over as the most numerous.

58 species in the trap this morning, highlights:

Rush Veneer, Swallow Prominent, Diamond-back, Canary-shouldered Thorn, Carcina quercana, Campion, Blood-vein, Lathronympha strigana.

A reasonably good night with about 85 species in the skinner MV. Nothing new for the garden, but some evidence of the migrant activity that others have been enjoying on the east coast with a Vestal, 2 Diamond-Backed Moths and 1 Udea ferrugalis. New for the year were Epinotia nisella, Oak Hook-Tip, Pebble Prominent, Scorched Carpet and Gold Spot. Other nights in the last week have been a bit cooler and less productive, but Slender Brindle was new for the garden on 01/08, as were Celpyha rivulana and Notocelia roborana on 25/7, and an H. resplendella leaf mine on a young birch on 02/08.

Another Jersey Tiger but the Mocha this morning was a real bonus!

Not a bad night, with 178 moths of 45 species. FFY were Honeysuckle Moth, Ypsolopha scabrella, Tachystola acroxantha, Blastobasis adustella (2), Agriphila tristella (15), Gold Triangle, Hypsopygia glaucinalis, Small Fan-footed Wave, Small White Wave (3rd record and first since 2015), Early Thorn, Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (2), Setaceous Hebrew Character, The Clay and Rosy Minor. The most numerous species was Common Rustic agg. wth 25.

A good night in the garden, 73 spp. FFY Four-spotted Footmen, 2 male and a nice female. Jersey Tiger. Two garden first micros, Indian Meal Moth and Helcystogramma rufescens

A brief walk on Ham Hill yesterday afternoon yielded one small Hummingbird Hawk-moth larva; several patches of stripped Lady's Bedstraw (larvae presumably pupated) and four mature Privet Hawk-moth larvae on Ash saplings. Also several Painted Lady on Buddleia - probably a new influx as the larvae from earlier arrivals in Langport are still only 3rd or 4th instar.

I now have 20 Hummingbird Hawkmoth pupae from the larvae on our planted pot of Lady's Bedstraw.

I trapped at Castle Neroche until 01:00h this morning. 295 moths of 71 species (50 macro, 21 micro):

Ypsolopha parenthesella, Plutella xylostella, Carcina quercana, Blastobasis adustella, Alucita hexadactyla, Agapeta hamana, Notocelia uddmanniana, Cydia splendana, Cydia fagiglandana, Phycita roborella, Euzophera pinguis, Hypsopygia glaucinalis, Pyrausta purpuralis, Anania crocealis, Udea ferrugalis, Pleuroptya ruralis, Eudonia lacustrata, Eudonia mercurella, Agriphila tristella, Agriphila straminella, Catoptria pinella, Oak Eggar, Drinker, Elephant Hawkmoth, Dwarf Cream Wave, Single-dotted Wave, Riband Wave, Blood-vein, Shaded Broad-bar, Common Carpet, July Highflyer, Small Rivulet, Clouded Border, Dusky Thorn, Early Thorn, Scalloped Oak, Willow Beauty, Grass Emerald, Iron Prominent, Pebble Prominent, Swallow Prominent, Lesser Swallow Prominent, Pale Prominent, Coxcomb Prominent, Black Arches, Ruby Tiger, Rosy Footman, Four-spotted Footman, Dingy Footman, Common Footman, Nut-tree Tussock, Knot Grass, Coronet, Copper Underwing, Uncertain, Rustic, Small Rufous, Dark Arches, Dun-bar, Bright-line Brown-eye, Common Wainscot, Smoky Wainscot, Heart and Dart, Shuttle-shaped Dart, Flame Shoulder, Large Yellow Underwing, Lesser Yellow Underwing, Least Yellow Underwing, Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, Common Rustic agg. & Marbled Minor agg.

On the morning of 26/7 I found an Elachista sp. in my garden trap. This turned out to be 38.048 (BF632) Elachista consortella - the first Somerset record. My thanks to Paul Wilkins for the gen. det.

31/7/19 - another quiet night last night - only 76 moths of 27 species, including FFY Pale Prominent and Canary-shouldered Thorn (2).  Lots of Common Footmen again (26 so far).  As usual, more to round up this evening.

p.m. 1/8 round-up produced just 3 more moths, and 1 more species - nothing new.