Not run any traps recently at IGC with the cool clear nights. Been waiting for some cloud cover, got that this evening (5th Oct) so hopefully some moths will appear in the traps I’ve put out.
Since my last report on the third National Moth night, I’ve trapped another 5 times, and this has brought in the following highlights. Bordered beauty (15th), Depressaria badiella (also 15th, only a few records here), Lunar yellow underwing (appearing every night in multiples with high counts of 8 on both the 17th and 20th), Feathered gothic (regular), Autumnal rustic (another regular moth), Dusky thorn (seen on 3 nights, now appearing as a common moth here after only my first site record last year), Heath rustic (17th), Feathered thorn (17th, second earliest record here), Ypsolopha sylvella and alpella (both appearing on the 20th) and Brown-spot pinion (26th). Only migrant of note recorded during the period was a single Vestal flushed in the daytime whilst hay-cutting on the 18th. None have been seen here since.
Colourful autumnal species started appearing from the 15th too, with both first Orange sallow and Brindled green noted that night and regular after that. Lunar underwing first noted on the 17th, along with Black rustic. Sallow first noted on the 23rd (2) along with a Dusky-lemon sallow, only the 4th site record here. This was the last night I trapped as the cool conditions then set in.
Neil.
Some interesting notes Neil. Depressaria badiella appearing quite regular with me this year, similarly for the Dusky Thorn and Bordered Beauty seems to widely be turning up as a late brood. Wish I had your Ypsolophas. Mine are usually ustella.
It’s been quiet this end of the county. I had a very early Mottled Umber on 22nd September & a very late Plutella porrectella on 28th September. Frosted Orange has been turning up in higher numbers than usual but some of the regular autumn species don’t seem to have got going properly yet. No Autumnal Rustic, Green-brindled Crescent or Black Rustic seen so far.
Brian