A check on my Ivy patch here on Monday night again produced excellent results – this year seems to be shaping up to be my best for recording on Ivy ever! The blooms were covered in moths, mostly Chestnut and Yellow-line quakers, with a scattering of other species.
Thought it would be worth showing the whole list:
Yellow-line quaker – 85 (at least)
Chestnut – 170 (at least, both this species and Yellow-line quaker I lost count as there were so many)
Common marbled carpet – 2
Red-green carpet – 4
Large yellow underwing – 1
E.monodactyla – 4
Pink-barred sallow – 1
Brindled green – 3
Blair’s shoulder knot – 1, new for year on Ivy
Angle shades – 5
Dark chestnut – 5 (this is always much scarcer on Ivy and generally here with me)
Brick – 2
Red-line quaker – 5
Grey shoulder knot – 2
Merveille du jour – 1
Lesser yellow underwing – 1
Green-brindled crescent – 4
Blastobasis lacticolella – 1
L-Album wainscot – 2
Pine carpet – 1
Dark sword-grass – 1, new for year on Ivy
Agonopterix arenella – 1, again new for year for me on Ivy
and the best moth, Pale pinion, first time I’ve ever seen this species on Ivy anywhere.
The main crop of male flowers on the clump is now over, but the female flowers are obviously mature now as this seemed to be the main attraction.
As the numbers of moths were so good on the clump at home, thought I’d wander out onto the golf course and check 2 other patches that I had located last week with the male flowers in full bloom. Strangely, these were pretty devoid of moths in comparison to the patch at home, not really sure why. These clumps are more on the edge of woodland, whilst my patch at home stands out in the open away from trees. Is it because the scent of the flowers is wafted further away from the open clump, rather than the more enclosed patches?
Whilst checking the patch at home, I did see a few moths fly in to feed, these being various geometers, L-Album wainscot and Green-brindled crescent. All the other moths were already feeding. I don’t normally go out to check the patch until at least an hour after dusk (often its longer than this) to give time for the moths to fly in. Perhaps I should check at dusk to try and see things coming in and to see what those Chestnuts get up to!
With regard to light trapping, I’ve just not bothered, not had the enthusiasm when I know that I’m going to see many more moths on the Ivy than what I ever would at light on the cooler nights we have had recently.
Neil
I’m really enjoying reading about your ivy adventures – it’s ‘proper’ mothing (ie not just emptying traps!). I haven’t seen very much at my garden ivy over the past few days – but maybe I’m not looking late enough in the evening…! One query; do your moths visit both male and female flowers?
Yes, I find moths on both the male and female flowers, both seem equally attractive. Certainly as with running a trap the weather conditions do dictate how good it is going to be. Last night, with the bright moon and clear sky numbers were well down on what they have been up to, but still probably around 50+ Chestnut on there. I have been out at dusk as well on Wednesday night to see what was going on, and did find some Chestnut and Yellow-line quakers crawling out of the foliage towards the flowers, as well as a few moths already on them. Not large numbers however which does maybe suggest others fly in or get up later to crawl out! Another factor that may influence moths coming in was that at dusk there were 2 Bats hunting around the tree in tight circles, not seen this later on in the night when I’ve been out.
Only additional species I’ve seen this week on the Ivy since the high count on Monday night have been Dark sword-grass and Satellite (2).
Neil
Thanks for the thoughtful response, Neil. I’d be interested in your continuing observations! The question is, with flower sources in limited supply, do most autumn moths fly to them from hiding places elsewhere and have to run the gauntlet of predatory bats, or do they intentionally gather and remain in the ivy clumps, which are good both for nectar and shelter? As you suggest, weather may be a factor too; if they’ve thought ahead (!) and settled in an ivy bush then they don’t have to fly at all if subsequent nights are cold or bat-infested. All they have to do (early or late in the evening) is crawl a few inches if they feel peckish. And ivy has quite a long flowering season.
What you’ll have to do to resolve the issue is sit out all night for a few nights and do regular half-hour counts of flying and non-flying moths around the different zones of your rather wonderful ivy clumps. The rest of us could take turns to supply you with bacon sandwiches!
But seriously, I’ll be very interested in know how your observations progress over the next few days. Meanwhile, it looks like being a good MV night tonight…
Re the relative attraction of male and female ivy flowers, do you find the same thing is true in the spring with sallow?
Unfortunately it seems the Ivy flowers are now going over on the clump, not seen as many moths on it the rest of this week just gone. Below the main flowers are some ‘secondary’ smaller buds that are yet to open so there may be more chance to get some observations in once these come out. Numbers of moths are dropping off now though with the season moving on so might not get the amount I was seeing. Have to see if the wind has an effect too over the coming week as even though mild weather is forecast it is going to be blowy and quite wet.
With regard to Sallow, I have had a look in the past at this but not had much success here with it. I have seen small numbers of Chestnut moths and Water carpets feeding at the blooms (both male and female) but not much else. Maybe I’ll give it another go in the spring if its a better one than this years freezing cold one!