May 2018

5th May 2018

Second session of the year brought in  just five moths, but all new to the garden list

Waved Umber Menophra abruptaria

This was quite an easy moth to identify for a change, reasonably common in the south of the country. flies in a single generation from April to June, so my May sighting fits into this slot nicely.

Said to inhabit woodland, parks and gardens. The larvae feed on garden privet and lilac.

The end of my garden has two huge garden privet bushes, so should be expected.

Flame Shoulder Ochropleura plecta

Another moth described as common throughout Britain, although this is the first one thats made it into the moth trap.  Two generations, the first flying in May and June, again fits nicely, the second generation flying in August to September.

This moth has a wingspan of 25-30 mm, found in woodland fringes and gardens.

Knot Grass Acronicta rumicis

Another new moth for the garden list described as a variable species, but shows a curved white mark on the rear edge of the fore-wing which can just be made out in the first photograph. On the wing in May to July, fits nicely. Also a second brood in August to September in the south of the country.

Widely distributed and quite common, although not in my garden this being the first to make it into the trap.

Pale Mottled Willow Caradrina clavipalpis

Another moth described as fairly common over much of Britain, said to fly between July to September but can be found earlier or latter.

This species has several dark spots along the leading edge which can be seen in the photograph. The hind-wings are described as very white, did not see those.

Common Quaker Orthosia cerasi

9th May 2018

Just three species of moth in the trap from last night, two Brimstone Moths, one Bright-Line, Brown- eye, and one new species in the form of a Rustic Shoulder knot.

Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis luteolata

Bright-line Brown-eye Lacanobia oleracea

Rustic Shoulder-knot Apamea sordens

Described as a dull brownish grey moth, although I think quite an attractive looking moth, can be recognized by the black shoulder-knot, these are the black streaks at the base of the fore-wing.
Common throughout most of Britain, flies in May and June, frequents meadows fields and other gardens.

16th May 2018

Another poor showing in the moth trap which I have been running with one of the new UV LED lamps. not sure if its the cold nights or the bulb at the moment.
Catch included two Double striped Pugs, one Pale mottled Willow one unidentified moth. two Garden Carpets another first for the garden.

Garden Carpet Xanthorhoe fluctuata

Although a common moth found in the suburban habitat this is the first of two Garden Carpets finding there way into the moth trap so far.
Can be found at any time from April through to September

Pale Mottled Willow

Least Yellow Underwing Noctua interjecta

20th May 2018

Found this lovely Peppered Moth on the house wall under the porch light, second one found in the garden, with one finding its way into the moth trap last year.

Another six new species for the garden (2018)

69. - Waved Umber

70. - Flame Shoulder

71. - Pale Mottled Willow

72. - Knotgrass

73. - Rustic Shoulder-Knot

74. - Garden Carpet