March 2017

After a long cold winter, I was desperate to get the Moth Trap out and see what Moths were around the garden.

Only managed three sessions for the month of March, 10th, 16th and the 31st.

First session on the 10th March was quite poor with just two recognizable moths, fortunately for me they were two Hebrew Characters and a new species for the garden list, also giving me the chance to get my head around the differences between the very similar looking Setaceous Hebrew Character seen last September.

Hebrew Character Orthosia gothica

The Hebrew Character flies in a single generation during March to April, so this sighting fits nicely.

The actual black mark in the centre of the wing more closely resembles the actual Hebrew character 'Nun' after which this moth is named. The ground-colour of the forewing is comprised of various shades of grey and reddish-brown patches. 

Described as a common species which can be found in gardens regularly coming to light.

Second session on the evening of 16th March brought in another two Hebrew Characters.
 Two Common Quakers and a single micro Diurnea fagella also known as the 'March Dagger' or the 'March Turpic.' both are new additions for the garden list.

Common Quaker Orthosia cerasi

Two of these Common Quakers described as common and widespread, flying between March and April, once again my sighting fits nicely within this flight period.

Confusingly these moths have variable ground colours, on each wing there is an rounded oval and kidney shapes outlined in a paler colour. A distinct smooth outer cross line quite clearly visible.

 March Dagger Moth Diurnea fagella

This little nondescript micro moth was tricky to identify, eventually pinned it down to the latin named  Diurnea Fagella sometimes referred to as the March Dagger or March Tubic.

It has a wing span of 19-29mm flying between March to May, fits nicely with my sighting on 16th March.

This must be a male as the females have very short wings and rarely fly, wings are held 'tentiform' when at rest,  there is also a noticeable whitish spot on the lower forewing as you can see on the photograph above

diagram by eakringbirds.com

Third session at the end of the month 31st brought in six Hebrew characters, two Common Quakers and another new moth for me, The Streamer.

The Streamer Anticlea derivata

Occupying woodland edges, hedgerows and similar bushy places, and my garden is very bushy ! this species can be found quite early in the season, flying in April and May. this fits with late March sighting just. It is fairly common over much of Britain, though commoner in the south.

Garden list beginning August 28th 2016

1.- Brimstone

2.-Yellow Shell

3.-Silver-Y

4.-Straw Underwing

5 - Small Square-Spot

6.- Square Spot Rustic

7.- Lesser Yellow underwing

8.- Uncertain !

9.- Common Wainscot

10.-Light Brown Apple Moth

11.- Lime-Speck Pug

12.- Double-Striped Pug

13.-Brown House moth

14.-Common Plume

Additions to Garden list :-   15/8/16

15. Common Carpet
16. Copper Underwing
17. Spectacle
18. Scalloped Oak
19.Lesser Bordered Yellow Underwing
20.  Bright line, Brown Eye
21. Jersey Tiger.

Additions -  September 2016

22. The Snout *

23. Setaceous Hebrew Character *

24. The Clay *

25. Lunar Underwing (3) *

additions to garden list, March 2017

26. - Hebrew Character

27. - Common Quaker

28. - March Dagger Moth

29. - The Streamer