Saturday, 10 June 2017

15th August 2016

The Skinner Moth Trap placed out in the garden close to the Pear Tree brought in 11 species of Moth, two of which will remain unidentified due to my lack of knowledge and I.D. skills.

First out of the trap was a moth I was really pleased to see and hopefully have the right identification, there appears to be two types  The Spectacle which I believe I have here, and  the Dark Spectacle.

The Spectacle Abrostola tripartita

This lovely looking Moth gets its name from the raised tufts of scales on the thorax that resembles a pair of spectacles when viewed from the front, as you can see from the first photo below.
A common species which is suppose to come to light traps regularly, flies between May and September,





Another new species for the garden , although not found in the moth trap, this was resting under some garden furniture.

Copper Underwing Amphipyra pyramidea


Described as fairly common over the southern part of the country, there are again two similar species the Copper Under wing and the Svenssons Copper under wing.
Identification between the two revolves around some subtle differences , which I am probably not equipped to use. but when viewed head on the Labial palps of copper under wing are pale throughout, the Svenssons Copper under wing has dark palps with pale tips, much to subtle for me.
Flying period from August to October, nice looking moth though.









So using the diagram opposite, the Labial palps on my Copper under wing appear uniformly pale, so definitely a Copper under wing.

The labial palps have a sensory function and in some nocturnal moths they are used as hearing organs.

Fortunately for me, I took a front view photograph.







Straw Underwing Thalpophila matura


Straw Under wing caught in the trap, still not seen the colour of the hind wing as yet.  Looks very similar to the Copper Underwing above , when seen side by side you can see the differences.





Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing Noctua fimbriata


Just one of these Broad bordered Yellow Under wings found in the trap, and not a very good example, very worn. Flies between July and September, said to prefer woodland habitat, but my garden is quite well stocked with trees and shrubs 
The males are reported as generally showing as shades of darker brown, the females more orangey buff. , not sure what that makes my specimen it does look quite brownish?



Bright-line Brown-eye Lacanobia oleracea


I had this next Moth marked down as unknown, but as I am now writing up my notes in retrospect I have now identified this moth as the above. described as a common species which flies between May and July,  my sighting just outside this bracket as mid August. the white line near the base of the forewing and  the orange brown stigma can be seen. admittedly not very good photograph to examine.




Square-spot Rustic Xestia xanthographa

Reported as a common visitor to the light trap and a common species, I hope to get a better photograph in days to come.  Flies August to September.



Scalloped Oak Crocallis elinguaria

A nice easy one to identify , with two of these caught in the trap. descibed as fairly common, flying between July and August. 





Jersey Tiger Euplagia quadripunctaria

Most colourful moth caught so far, even if not in pristine condition. this one was on the outside of the trap,  Used to be restricted to the channel islands but now being seen in southern counties, and here in Kent. London

Flies between July to September, even flying in daytime, attracted to light traps. lovely moth.


Common Carpet Epirrhoe alternata

These small 'carpet moths' are a bit tricky to correctly identify for me, so a tentative identification of Carpet Moth, this one made a dash for freedom before I could get good ID photograph.
Described as common and widespread flying between May and June and again in August to September.




A couple of unknown moths for later identification.





Additions to Garden list :-         Common Carpet
                                            Copper Underwing
                                            Spectacle
                                            Scalloped Oak
                                            Lesser Bordered Yellow Underwing
                                            Bright line, Brown Eye
                                            Jersey Tiger.
                                            two unknowns

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