Brrr! With it being so chilly outside now my moth traps will be staying in the garage until it warms up again. So, I’ve got a bit of time to reflect on the last week. Trapped twice, on the 18th and the 21st, with the 18th by far the better night. 3 traps caught 20sp, with Dyseriocrania subpurpurella the commonest with 50 caught, followed by Common quaker (25). New for the year were Coleophora albicosta, Esperia sulphurella, Red chestnut (very worn) and Nut-tree tussock . On the 21st, not so much seen due to the cool east wind blowing but the 2 traps in sheltered spots caught 13sp, with first year records of Great prominent, Angle shades, Phyllonorycter quercifoliella and Brindled beauty.
Also, on the 19th, as it was a warm sunny afternoon I put out a virgin female Emperor moth in the garden that I bred from eggs laid by the female I trapped last year. Within 2 minutes, 2 males rushed in. One successfully mated with her and I now have another batch of eggs to breed through!
Neil