And still they come…

A strange thing happened last night – I actually set my trap in the back garden. The first time since the 9th August. 18 species, 93 moths. 35 Large Yellow Underwing, 27 Lunar Underwing and a collection of the usual autumn fayre. Alas no Merveille du Jour or Black Rustic.

More importantly though, I just had another check of the Alton Hall Lane ivy and some of the Lower Street patches. 40 minutes along the lane produced 26 moths of 13 species. Dominant was Angle Shades with eight, but the highlight was a worn Lunar Yellow Underwing. Two more new ones for the ivy year-list were Red-green Carpet and a delightfully fresh Satellite taking us to 36 for the month.

In Lower Street, there were just three moths – a Large Yellow Underwing, Barred Sallow and another Orange Sallow, following one there on the 24th (I know it is not the same individual). We don’t tend to be overwhelmed with sallows here and any are a treat. I get the impression Neil that you do well for them?

In terms of timing, I had a check of the lane two nights ago around 11pm and found things much quieter than my usual 8.30 rounds. I would be interested to hear if anyone else found the same.

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One Response to And still they come…

  1. Neil says:

    Yes, I do see quite a few of the sallow species on my clump at IGC Mark. It’s not too far away as the moth flies from an area of Sallow carr, where both Pink-barred and the Sallow breed (I’ve found the larvae on fallen catkins here). Close by are both Lime and Sycamore trees, the foodplants of Orange and Barred sallow. Never had either of the pale-lemon sallows on Ivy at IGC but have had Dusky-lemon twice in my trap close to the Ivy so maybe it is only time. There is a small amount of Elm nearby where the Dusky-lemon probably breeds but I’ve not found larvae on it yet. Pale-lemon sallow Tony and myself saw on Ivy at Little Blakenham 2 years ago, close to a row of large Black poplars which is of course the foodplant.

    You are right on searching later and finding less moths, I’ve done that here and found the same. Probably because the moths feed up just after dusk for a while before dispersing to mate, lay eggs etc once they have the energy on aboard.

    Neil

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