Suffolk Moths Blog » paulb http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog Topical information from the Suffolk Moth Group Thu, 30 Apr 2020 14:24:25 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=3.6.1 The ‘Unrivalled’ … http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2019/08/31/the-unrivalled/ http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2019/08/31/the-unrivalled/#comments Sat, 31 Aug 2019 15:26:18 +0000 paulb http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/?p=8012 Continue reading ]]> This year see’s the 20th anniversary of National Moth Night, a celebration of all the things we love and enjoy about this hobby of ours. One of the themes is Clifden Nonpareil (Catocola fraxini) - aka the ‘Blue Underwing’. Despite a much welcome resurgence of this species across the southern counties of the UK it is a species I have only been lucky enough to see on four previous occasions. My first two were courtesy of a moth twitch Matthew and I made to Stiffkey, Norfolk in Sept’ 2001. I then had to wait almost twelve years to the day before seeing one in Kent. My last was back in August 2017, from Hen Reed-beds. The thought of actual catching my own, and in the garden, seemed more fiction than fact but this morning was one of those rare moments when the moth gods finally decided to smile on my trap once again. As I type this post I’m not ashamed to admit that l’m still  buzzing from the excitement of turning over the egg tray and seeing this large pale grey/brown moth sat there, and then the panic that sets in when you think don’t fly before I can pot you up. It’s also interesting to note that the nearest poplar plantation I can think of is approx. 4km due south of me (near Rattlesden) !!

And don’t forget to check out: http://www.mothnight.info/home

C.fraxini (Woolpit) 30 Aug 2019

C.fraxini (Woolpit) 30 Aug 2019

 

 

 

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Lyonetia sp’ in Woolpit – http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2019/07/28/lyonetia-sp-in-woolpit/ http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2019/07/28/lyonetia-sp-in-woolpit/#comments Sun, 28 Jul 2019 17:49:31 +0000 paulb http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/?p=7989 Continue reading ]]> There are two Lyonetia species on the British list, with clerkella being the one most of us are familiar with. As it happens, even this is an uncommon visitor to my garden trap so I’m in the habit of potting the odd one up for no other reason than to remind myself that this is what it is. Going through the trap after a very warm Wednesday night (24 July) I noticed two Lyonetia which I assumed were both clerkella. Luckily, I potted one up for latter. With the following night also being on the busy side it wasn’t until Friday that I was able to take a proper look. By then, the moth had died but that did make it easier to see through a hand-lens! The most striking feature was actually missing, the orangey-brown spot near the costa, which soon had me wondering if I’d potted up by accident the much rarer prunifoliella. I eventually managed to post some (poor) back of camera images on the local Whats App group and the  feedback seems to be positive so, on that basis, below is a picture of what appears to be the second Suffolk record of Lyonetia prunifoliella.

prunifoliella (Woolpit 24 July 2019)

prunifoliella (Woolpit 24 July 2019) 

Matthew & Neil have made me aware that John Chainey took prunifoliella at Westleton last summer so I guess the moral of this story is – don’t assume all your Lyonetia are clerkella’s !!

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April news from Woolpit http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2019/05/04/april-news-from-woolpit/ http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2019/05/04/april-news-from-woolpit/#comments Sat, 04 May 2019 18:07:09 +0000 paulb http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/?p=7909 Continue reading ]]> April was a slow month for me with the trap only operated on seven nights. A cool start  gave way to a warm Easter, but with clear nights and a bright moon, before returning to more typical ‘April Showers’. Of the trap highlights, Streamer seems to be having a good year. I recorded two more on 21st with singles a few days either side of that. Hebrew Character and Common Quaker hung on until month end, and the first Shuttle-shaped Darts appeared on the 23rd. Singles of Brindled Beauty and Twin-spotted Quaker (both on the 8th), and one each of Iron, Lesser Swallow and Pebble Prominent on 29th were best of the rest. The bursting into leaf of the nearby Horse Chestnut also saw the first swarm of ohridella this year when 20+ where seen merrily dancing away late afternoon on 23rd.  Hard also to believe that it is May already and that the season is marching on … !!

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March News from Woolpit http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2019/03/31/march-news-from-woolpit/ http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2019/03/31/march-news-from-woolpit/#comments Sun, 31 Mar 2019 15:23:37 +0000 paulb http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/?p=7861 Continue reading ]]> The moth season is always slow to get going for me but, with reasonable conditions of late, the traps been out most nights this week. Both Small and Common Quaker have made up the bulk of the catch (there were 50 of each on 27th), with a supporting cast of Hebrew Character, Clouded Drab, Twin-spotted Quaker and Early Grey. A Pale Pinion (19th), Oak Beauty (27th), and Brindled Beauty (29th) were best. Last night (30th) delivered my first pugs of the year – one each of Brindled and Double-striped. Also noted last night was the second record this month of the aptly named March Moth. If there was a downside, I guess it would be that Dotted Chestnut still seems to elude me. Away from the garden, a day trip to Wolves Wood on Fri 29th was rewarded with about half-a-dozen Light Orange Underwings – a species I had not specifically looked for at this site for a few years now. From social media, I see that Neil faired much better than me when he saw at least 26 the next day (Sat 30th). With a cool, unsettled week to start April, I think the trap will be staying in the shed until things improve again.

[Pictured below: Pale Pinion, Early Grey, Clouded Drab & Brindled Beauty]

Modified by CombineZP Modified by CombineZP Modified by CombineZP Modified by CombineZP

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fovealis in Woolpit http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/09/11/fovealis-in-woolpit/ http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/09/11/fovealis-in-woolpit/#comments Tue, 11 Sep 2018 17:35:53 +0000 paulb http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/?p=7716 Continue reading ]]> With apologies for the poor photo below (I needed to get to work), this Duponchelia fovealis was a surprise find in the moth trap this morning. I vaguely recall seeing the first Suffolk record of this species when one was found indoors at Matthew’s family home in Rendham (Aug 2002), and then being present when one was taken during a moth group meet at Aldeburgh / Thorpness (Sept 2003), but have not seen one since. The website mentions two further Suffolk records – in Reydon (Sept 2003) and Eye (Sept 2004) – so it would be interesting to know if anyone else has encountered this species in the intervening years.

D.fovealis (Woolpit 10-Sept-18)

D.fovealis (Woolpit 10-Sept-18)

 

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Some Heath’s, a Hedge and a Hummer http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/08/24/some-heaths-a-hedge-and-a-hummer/ http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/08/24/some-heaths-a-hedge-and-a-hummer/#comments Fri, 24 Aug 2018 16:14:15 +0000 paulb http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/?p=7697 Continue reading ]]> The ‘long hot dry‘ is over and there’s a distinct autumnal feel to the air. These past few weeks I’ve also noticed a drop in the number of sp’ visiting the garden trap. Underwings are still largely absent, so much so that the five caught on Wed night (22 Aug) was my single highest count this year! The same night also produced my first Centre-barred Sallow of the year, and a fourth garden record of Small Ranunculus. I also keep seeing a lonesome Toadflax Brocade larvae in the front garden, but have taken no adults this year. Of the trap highlights, there have been Dark Sword-grass (11 Aug), Latticed Heath (1 on 7 Aug and 2 on 19 Aug), a Hedge Rustic (19 Aug)  … which I’ve only just worked out is new to the site  … and a delightful Hummingbird Hawk-moth which spent a short time nectaring on the Red Valerian early on Tue evening (21 Aug). Still time perhaps for one more garden tick before the year is out but we shall see.

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Which Dioryctria sp? http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/08/11/which-dioryctria-sp/ http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/08/11/which-dioryctria-sp/#comments Sat, 11 Aug 2018 21:03:24 +0000 paulb http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/?p=7690 Am struggling with this one. Think it might be Dioryctia abietella .. which would only be third garden record. Moth was taken on Mon 6 August and is still in the fridge just in case!

Q abietella (W) 6Aug18

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A Clearwing, a Clover, and a complete surprise – News from Woolpit http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/08/04/a-clearwing-a-clover-and-a-complete-surprise-news-from-woolpit/ http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/08/04/a-clearwing-a-clover-and-a-complete-surprise-news-from-woolpit/#comments Sat, 04 Aug 2018 15:36:04 +0000 paulb http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/?p=7668 Continue reading ]]> As others have noted, the prolonged spell of hot, dry weather has been a mixed blessing. My own sense is that the number and variety of moth sp’ visiting the garden trap has also been down on previous years, with some conspicuous by their absence – notably Dark Arches, Common / Smoky Wainscot and the Underwings (pronuba, janthe and fimbriata) … the totals for each of which I could probably count on one hand. I also think that, being in the west of the county, I’m perhaps less prone to the extreme fluctuations in numbers of some commoner immigrant species such as Turnip Moth than those trapping on the coast. Whatever you views, the end of June, the month of July and start of August have turned up some interesting garden records.

I’ve already posted about the Antispila sp’ found on 24 June but think I failed to mention that I also recorded my first garden clearwing sp’ that day when two Red-belted were enticed over from a neighbours apple tree. Sadly, attempts to lure in Yellow-legged and Currant Clearwing went unrewarded so I’ll just have to try again next year. A Platytes alpinella on 1 July was new, with Leopard Moth being another scare visitor. Another presumed breckland wanderer, Sitochroa verticalis, was new on 3 July amongst sixty species recorded. Other highlights that same night were Phoenix, Oak Nycteoline and my one and only Orange Moth of the year. A Prays ruficeps was new the following night, with a second individual noted on the 18th. The first few days of July also saw some quite high numbers (for me) of Common Footman. A Cream-bordered Green-Pea and Marbled Beauty were best of the bunch on 5th, as were Blackneck and Hedya salicella on 7th. It was then routine stuff until 14 July when Leopard and Coronet were noted. The 16th  delivered a superb Marbled Clover. As well as the second ruficeps, the 18th scored with Anarsia innoxiella (the ‘not’ Peach Twig-borer!), my second Fen Wainscot (the first was in 2006, and the third followed a few days later on 20th) and, with thanks to Neil, Epinotia signatana, which was new. In his post Raymond mentions ohridella being abundant just before the weather broke. While used to seeing them on the car in the morning – I park next to a large horse chestnut – they seldom seem to wander the 20 metres or so into the back garden so counts of 40 (20th), 75 (24th) and 30 (26th) were of note. A Phyllonorycter ulmifoliella was picked out amongst the ohridella on 20th and expertly identified by Neil. A Small Ranunculus on 21st was a third for the garden, with Small Phoenix on 23rd only my second garden second. A Dusky Thorn on 18th and Canary-shouldered Thorn on 24th were hints that the season is marching on and autumn isn’t too far away. Metalampra italica has now been seen annually since 2014 and one was found indoors late month.

With seemingly regular reports from everywhere else I was hoping I’d pick up my own Oak Processionary but that wasn’t the case. Of other potential additions to the garden list I’ve also been looking out for perspectalis (the Box-tree Moth) but, perhaps, should have been thinking of something a bit more jazzy … so it was somewhat of a surprise to see a superb Jersey Tiger sitting on the top most egg-tray in the trap on Friday morning. This species is still rare in Suffolk with just a few coastal records so, subject to confirmation, mine could be a first for VC26 West Suffolk. What a great way to start a new month!

In other travels, I finally managed to add Sallow Clearwing to my life list when Matthew and I visited Chobham Common on 7 July (after following up a Twitter lead) and, later in the month, I popped down to RSPB Rye Meads to re-acquaint myself with Raspberry Clearwing. A species I’d not seen since July 2009 at the same site.

Rye Meads (20 July)

Rye Meads (20 July)

Jersey Tiger (Woolpit) 2- Aug-18

Jersey Tiger (Woolpit) 2- Aug-18

 

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“Yellow-spot Lift” anyone? http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/06/26/yellow-spot-lift-anyone/ http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/06/26/yellow-spot-lift-anyone/#comments Tue, 26 Jun 2018 20:41:11 +0000 paulb http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/?p=7589 Continue reading ]]> Preferring the sofa by the lounge window has benefits. I get to watch the local House Sparrows go about their daily squabbles, there’s that fly-over bird of prey which will one day turn into a real Red Kite and, occasionally, I’m quick enough to dash out, pot in hand, to nab any micro that happens to alight on it. The latter occured on Sunday afternoon and, when it finally settled long enough to get a half decent view, I was intrigued. The photo below doesn’t quite do it justice but after two + hrs of trying I don’t think I’m going to improve on it. But which species is it? Looking through available literature and various websites I’ve decided it is one of the Antispila sp’. Until recently, treitschkiella was the obvious fit but that now appears to be only a recent addition to the British list and, instead, petryi is the more likely contender. The former is associated with [Cornelian] cherry while the latter is dogwood. I do have a dogwood in the front garden – of the variegated type – but my neighbour also has a cherry tree of some sort so I’m a little hesitant. I’ll hang on to the moth anyway but am interested to know what others think.

Antispila sp' (W) 2018-06-24 (P.Bryant)

Antispila sp’ (W) 2018-06-24 (P.Bryant)

 

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amethystinella reaches Woolpit http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/05/29/amethystinella-reaches-woolpit/ http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/05/29/amethystinella-reaches-woolpit/#comments Tue, 29 May 2018 17:53:44 +0000 paulb http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/?p=7511 Continue reading ]]> In his posting from May 2017 Neil drew attention to a sp’ that was on the move. He also suggested we keep an eye for … “any large metallic green Coleophora in our traps”.

Sunday just gone (27 May) was a relatively quiet night in the garden trap (haven’t they all been!) but at least I beat the Blackbirds this time and, in the half-light, potted up a moth that was just about to take its leave. Looking at it through a hand-lens later on I was surprised to see what appeared to be a patch of orange scales under the eye. A check of the books and exchange of text messages with Neil confirmed my suspicion that I had the latest addition to the garden list … Coleophora amethystinella. 

C. amethystinella (Woolpit 27 May 18)

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<![CDATA[ This year see&#8217;s the 20th anniversary of National Moth Night, a celebration of all the things we love and enjoy about this hobby of ours. One of the themes is Clifden Nonpareil (Catocola fraxini) - aka the &#8216;Blue Underwing&#8217;. Despite a &#8230; <a href="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2019/08/31/the-unrivalled/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a> ]]>
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<![CDATA[ <p>This year see&#8217;s the 20th anniversary of National Moth Night, a celebration of all the things we love and enjoy about this hobby of ours. One of the themes is Clifden Nonpareil (Catocola fraxini) - aka the &#8216;Blue Underwing&#8217;. Despite a much welcome resurgence of this species across the southern counties of the UK it is a species I have only been lucky enough to see on four previous occasions. My first two were courtesy of a moth twitch Matthew and I made to Stiffkey, Norfolk in Sept&#8217; 2001. I then had to wait almost twelve years to the day before seeing one in Kent. My last was back in August 2017, from Hen Reed-beds. The thought of actual catching my own, and in the garden, seemed more fiction than fact but this morning was one of those rare moments when the moth gods finally decided to smile on my trap once again. As I type this post I&#8217;m not ashamed to admit that l&#8217;m still  buzzing from the excitement of turning over the egg tray and seeing this large pale grey/brown moth sat there, and then the panic that sets in when you think don&#8217;t fly before I can pot you up. It&#8217;s also interesting to note that the nearest poplar plantation I can think of is approx. 4km due south of me (near Rattlesden) !!</p> <p>And don&#8217;t forget to check out: <a href="http://www.mothnight.info/home">http://www.mothnight.info/home</a></p> <div id="attachment_8013" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/fraxini-web.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-8013" alt="C.fraxini (Woolpit) 30 Aug 2019" src="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/fraxini-web-300x200.jpg" width="300" height="200" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">C.fraxini (Woolpit) 30 Aug 2019</p></div> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> ]]>
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<title>Lyonetia sp’ in Woolpit –</title>
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<![CDATA[ Sightings ]]>
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<![CDATA[ Things to search for ]]>
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<![CDATA[ There are two Lyonetia species on the British list, with clerkella being the one most of us are familiar with. As it happens, even this is an uncommon visitor to my garden trap so I&#8217;m in the habit of potting &#8230; <a href="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2019/07/28/lyonetia-sp-in-woolpit/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a> ]]>
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<![CDATA[ <p>There are two Lyonetia species on the British list, with <em>clerkella</em> being the one most of us are familiar with. As it happens, even this is an uncommon visitor to my garden trap so I&#8217;m in the habit of potting the odd one up for no other reason than to remind myself that this is what it is. Going through the trap after a very warm Wednesday night (24 July) I noticed two Lyonetia which I assumed were both <em>clerkella. </em>Luckily, I potted one up for latter. With the following night also being on the busy side it wasn&#8217;t until Friday that I was able to take a proper look. By then, the moth had died but that did make it easier to see through a hand-lens! The most striking feature was actually missing, the orangey-brown spot near the costa, which soon had me wondering if I&#8217;d potted up by accident the much rarer <em>prunifoliella. </em>I eventually managed to post some (poor) back of camera images on the local Whats App group and the  feedback seems to be positive so, on that basis, below is a picture of what appears to be the second Suffolk record of <em>Lyonetia prunifoliella.</em></p> <div id="attachment_7990" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/prunifoliella-W-19-07-24.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-7990" alt="prunifoliella (Woolpit 24 July 2019)" src="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/prunifoliella-W-19-07-24-300x225.jpg" width="300" height="225" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">prunifoliella (Woolpit 24 July 2019)<span style="font-size: 16px"> </span></p></div> <p>Matthew &amp; Neil have made me aware that John Chainey took <em>prunifoliella </em>at Westleton last summer so I guess the moral of this story is &#8211; don&#8217;t assume all your Lyonetia are <em>clerkella&#8217;s !!</em></p> ]]>
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<title>April news from Woolpit</title>
<link>http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2019/05/04/april-news-from-woolpit/</link>
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<pubDate>Sat, 04 May 2019 18:07:09 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>paulb</dc:creator>
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<![CDATA[ Sightings ]]>
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<![CDATA[ April was a slow month for me with the trap only operated on seven nights. A cool start  gave way to a warm Easter, but with clear nights and a bright moon, before returning to more typical ‘April Showers’. Of &#8230; <a href="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2019/05/04/april-news-from-woolpit/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a> ]]>
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<![CDATA[ <p>April was a slow month for me with the trap only operated on seven nights. A cool start  gave way to a warm Easter, but with clear nights and a bright moon, before returning to more typical ‘April Showers’. Of the trap highlights, Streamer seems to be having a good year. I recorded two more on 21<sup>st</sup> with singles a few days either side of that. Hebrew Character and Common Quaker hung on until month end, and the first Shuttle-shaped Darts appeared on the 23<sup>rd</sup>. Singles of Brindled Beauty and Twin-spotted Quaker (both on the 8<sup>th</sup>), and one each of Iron, Lesser Swallow and Pebble Prominent on 29<sup>th</sup> were best of the rest. The bursting into leaf of the nearby Horse Chestnut also saw the first swarm of <i>ohridella</i> this year when 20+ where seen merrily dancing away late afternoon on 23rd.  Hard also to believe that it is May already and that the season is marching on &#8230; !!</p> ]]>
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<title>March News from Woolpit</title>
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<pubDate>Sun, 31 Mar 2019 15:23:37 +0000</pubDate>
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<![CDATA[ Sightings ]]>
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<guid isPermaLink="false">http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/?p=7861</guid>
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<![CDATA[ The moth season is always slow to get going for me but, with reasonable conditions of late, the traps been out most nights this week. Both Small and Common Quaker have made up the bulk of the catch (there were &#8230; <a href="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2019/03/31/march-news-from-woolpit/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a> ]]>
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<![CDATA[ <p>The moth season is always slow to get going for me but, with reasonable conditions of late, the traps been out most nights this week. Both Small and Common Quaker have made up the bulk of the catch (there were 50 of each on 27th), with a supporting cast of Hebrew Character, Clouded Drab, Twin-spotted Quaker and Early Grey. A Pale Pinion (19th), Oak Beauty (27th), and Brindled Beauty (29th) were best. Last night (30th) delivered my first pugs of the year &#8211; one each of Brindled and Double-striped. Also noted last night was the second record this month of the aptly named March Moth. If there was a downside, I guess it would be that Dotted Chestnut still seems to elude me. Away from the garden, a day trip to Wolves Wood on Fri 29th was rewarded with about half-a-dozen Light Orange Underwings &#8211; a species I had not specifically looked for at this site for a few years now. From social media, I see that Neil faired much better than me when he saw at least 26 the next day (Sat 30th). With a cool, unsettled week to start April, I think the trap will be staying in the shed until things improve again.</p> <p>[<em>Pictured below: Pale Pinion, Early Grey, Clouded Drab &amp; Brindled Beauty</em>]</p> <p><a href="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Pale-Pinion-W-190319.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-7860" alt="Modified by CombineZP" src="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Pale-Pinion-W-190319-150x150.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a> <a href="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Early-Grey-W-190326.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-7859" alt="Modified by CombineZP" src="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Early-Grey-W-190326-150x150.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a> <a href="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Clouded-Drab-W-190327.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-7858" alt="Modified by CombineZP" src="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Clouded-Drab-W-190327-150x150.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a> <a href="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Brindled-Bty-W-190329.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-7857" alt="Modified by CombineZP" src="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Brindled-Bty-W-190329-150x150.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a></p> ]]>
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<title>fovealis in Woolpit</title>
<link>http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/09/11/fovealis-in-woolpit/</link>
<comments>http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/09/11/fovealis-in-woolpit/#comments</comments>
<pubDate>Tue, 11 Sep 2018 17:35:53 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>paulb</dc:creator>
<category>
<![CDATA[ Sightings ]]>
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<guid isPermaLink="false">http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/?p=7716</guid>
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<![CDATA[ With apologies for the poor photo below (I needed to get to work), this Duponchelia fovealis was a surprise find in the moth trap this morning. I vaguely recall seeing the first Suffolk record of this species when one was &#8230; <a href="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/09/11/fovealis-in-woolpit/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a> ]]>
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<![CDATA[ <p>With apologies for the poor photo below (I needed to get to work), this <em>Duponchelia foveali</em>s was a surprise find in the moth trap this morning. I vaguely recall seeing the first Suffolk record of this species when one was found indoors at Matthew&#8217;s family home in Rendham (Aug 2002), and then being present when one was taken during a moth group meet at Aldeburgh / Thorpness (Sept 2003), but have not seen one since. The website mentions two further Suffolk records &#8211; in Reydon (Sept 2003) and Eye (Sept 2004) &#8211; so it would be interesting to know if anyone else has encountered this species in the intervening years.</p> <div id="attachment_7717" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 160px"><a href="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/fovealis-W-10Sep18.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-7717" alt="D.fovealis (Woolpit 10-Sept-18)" src="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/fovealis-W-10Sep18-150x150.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">D.fovealis (Woolpit 10-Sept-18)</p></div> <p>&nbsp;</p> ]]>
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<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
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<title>Some Heath’s, a Hedge and a Hummer</title>
<link>http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/08/24/some-heaths-a-hedge-and-a-hummer/</link>
<comments>http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/08/24/some-heaths-a-hedge-and-a-hummer/#comments</comments>
<pubDate>Fri, 24 Aug 2018 16:14:15 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>paulb</dc:creator>
<category>
<![CDATA[ Sightings ]]>
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<guid isPermaLink="false">http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/?p=7697</guid>
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<![CDATA[ The &#8216;long hot dry&#8216; is over and there&#8217;s a distinct autumnal feel to the air. These past few weeks I&#8217;ve also noticed a drop in the number of sp&#8217; visiting the garden trap. Underwings are still largely absent, so much so &#8230; <a href="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/08/24/some-heaths-a-hedge-and-a-hummer/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a> ]]>
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<![CDATA[ <p>The &#8216;<em>long hot dry</em>&#8216; is over and there&#8217;s a distinct autumnal feel to the air. These past few weeks I&#8217;ve also noticed a drop in the number of sp&#8217; visiting the garden trap. Underwings are still largely absent, so much so that the five caught on Wed night (22 Aug) was my single highest count this year! The same night also produced my first Centre-barred Sallow of the year, and a fourth garden record of Small Ranunculus. I also keep seeing a lonesome Toadflax Brocade larvae in the front garden, but have taken no adults this year. Of the trap highlights, there have been Dark Sword-grass (11 Aug), Latticed Heath (1 on 7 Aug and 2 on 19 Aug), a Hedge Rustic (19 Aug)  &#8230; which I&#8217;ve only just worked out is new to the site  &#8230; and a delightful Hummingbird Hawk-moth which spent a short time nectaring on the Red Valerian early on Tue evening (21 Aug). Still time perhaps for one more garden tick before the year is out but we shall see.</p> ]]>
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<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
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<title>Which Dioryctria sp?</title>
<link>http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/08/11/which-dioryctria-sp/</link>
<comments>http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/08/11/which-dioryctria-sp/#comments</comments>
<pubDate>Sat, 11 Aug 2018 21:03:24 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>paulb</dc:creator>
<category>
<![CDATA[ Sightings ]]>
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<guid isPermaLink="false">http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/?p=7690</guid>
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<![CDATA[ Am struggling with this one. Think it might be Dioryctia abietella .. which would only be third garden record. Moth was taken on Mon 6 August and is still in the fridge just in case! ]]>
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<![CDATA[ <p>Am struggling with this one. Think it might be <em>Dioryctia abietella </em>.. which would only be third garden record. Moth was taken on Mon 6 August and is still in the fridge just in case!</p> <p><a href="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Q-abietella-W-6Aug18.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-7691" alt="Q abietella (W) 6Aug18" src="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Q-abietella-W-6Aug18-150x150.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a></p> ]]>
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<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
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<title>A Clearwing, a Clover, and a complete surprise – News from Woolpit</title>
<link>http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/08/04/a-clearwing-a-clover-and-a-complete-surprise-news-from-woolpit/</link>
<comments>http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/08/04/a-clearwing-a-clover-and-a-complete-surprise-news-from-woolpit/#comments</comments>
<pubDate>Sat, 04 Aug 2018 15:36:04 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>paulb</dc:creator>
<category>
<![CDATA[ Sightings ]]>
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<guid isPermaLink="false">http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/?p=7668</guid>
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<![CDATA[ As others have noted, the prolonged spell of hot, dry weather has been a mixed blessing. My own sense is that the number and variety of moth sp&#8217; visiting the garden trap has also been down on previous years, with &#8230; <a href="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/08/04/a-clearwing-a-clover-and-a-complete-surprise-news-from-woolpit/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a> ]]>
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<![CDATA[ <p>As others have noted, the prolonged spell of hot, dry weather has been a mixed blessing. My own sense is that the number and variety of moth sp&#8217; visiting the garden trap has also been down on previous years, with some conspicuous by their absence – notably Dark Arches, Common / Smoky Wainscot and the Underwings (pronuba, janthe and fimbriata) &#8230; the totals for each of which I could probably count on one hand. I also think that, being in the west of the county, I&#8217;m perhaps less prone to the extreme fluctuations in numbers of some commoner immigrant species such as Turnip Moth than those trapping on the coast. Whatever you views, the end of June, the month of July and start of August have turned up some interesting garden records.</p> <p>I’ve already posted about the Antispila sp’ found on 24 June but think I failed to mention that I also recorded my first garden clearwing sp’ that day when two Red-belted were enticed over from a neighbours apple tree. Sadly, attempts to lure in Yellow-legged and Currant Clearwing went unrewarded so I’ll just have to try again next year. A Platytes alpinella on 1 July was new, with Leopard Moth being another scare visitor. Another presumed breckland wanderer, Sitochroa verticalis, was new on 3 July amongst sixty species recorded. Other highlights that same night were Phoenix, Oak Nycteoline and my one and only Orange Moth of the year. A Prays ruficeps was new the following night, with a second individual noted on the 18th. The first few days of July also saw some quite high numbers (for me) of Common Footman. A Cream-bordered Green-Pea and Marbled Beauty were best of the bunch on 5th, as were Blackneck and Hedya salicella on 7th. It was then routine stuff until 14 July when Leopard and Coronet were noted. The 16th  delivered a superb Marbled Clover. As well as the second ruficeps, the 18th scored with Anarsia innoxiella (the ‘not’ Peach Twig-borer!), my second Fen Wainscot (the first was in 2006, and the third followed a few days later on 20th) and, with thanks to Neil, Epinotia signatana, which was new. In his post Raymond mentions ohridella being abundant just before the weather broke. While used to seeing them on the car in the morning &#8211; I park next to a large horse chestnut &#8211; they seldom seem to wander the 20 metres or so into the back garden so counts of 40 (20th), 75 (24th) and 30 (26th) were of note. A Phyllonorycter ulmifoliella was picked out amongst the ohridella on 20th and expertly identified by Neil. A Small Ranunculus on 21st was a third for the garden, with Small Phoenix on 23rd only my second garden second. A Dusky Thorn on 18th and Canary-shouldered Thorn on 24th were hints that the season is marching on and autumn isn’t too far away. Metalampra italica has now been seen annually since 2014 and one was found indoors late month.</p> <p>With seemingly regular reports from everywhere else I was hoping I’d pick up my own Oak Processionary but that wasn’t the case. Of other potential additions to the garden list I’ve also been looking out for perspectalis (the Box-tree Moth) but, perhaps, should have been thinking of something a bit more jazzy … so it was somewhat of a surprise to see a superb Jersey Tiger sitting on the top most egg-tray in the trap on Friday morning. This species is still rare in Suffolk with just a few coastal records so, subject to confirmation, mine could be a first for VC26 West Suffolk. What a great way to start a new month!</p> <p>In other travels, I finally managed to add Sallow Clearwing to my life list when Matthew and I visited Chobham Common on 7 July (after following up a Twitter lead) and, later in the month, I popped down to RSPB Rye Meads to re-acquaint myself with Raspberry Clearwing. A species I’d not seen since July 2009 at the same site.</p> <div id="attachment_7670" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 160px"><a href="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Rye-Meads-20-July.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-7670" alt="Rye Meads (20 July)" src="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Rye-Meads-20-July-150x150.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Rye Meads (20 July)</p></div> <div id="attachment_7671" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 160px"><a href="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Jersey-Tiger-W-02Aug18.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-7671" alt="Jersey Tiger (Woolpit) 2- Aug-18" src="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Jersey-Tiger-W-02Aug18-150x150.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Jersey Tiger (Woolpit) 2- Aug-18</p></div> <p>&nbsp;</p> ]]>
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<title>“Yellow-spot Lift” anyone?</title>
<link>http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/06/26/yellow-spot-lift-anyone/</link>
<comments>http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/06/26/yellow-spot-lift-anyone/#comments</comments>
<pubDate>Tue, 26 Jun 2018 20:41:11 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>paulb</dc:creator>
<category>
<![CDATA[ Identification Requests ]]>
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<category>
<![CDATA[ Sightings ]]>
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<guid isPermaLink="false">http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/?p=7589</guid>
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<![CDATA[ Preferring the sofa by the lounge window has benefits. I get to watch the local House Sparrows go about their daily squabbles, there&#8217;s that fly-over bird of prey which will one day turn into a real Red Kite and, occasionally, &#8230; <a href="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/06/26/yellow-spot-lift-anyone/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a> ]]>
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<![CDATA[ <p>Preferring the sofa by the lounge window has benefits. I get to watch the local House Sparrows go about their daily squabbles, there&#8217;s that fly-over bird of prey which will one day turn into a real Red Kite and, occasionally, I&#8217;m quick enough to dash out, pot in hand, to nab any micro that happens to alight on it. The latter occured on Sunday afternoon and, when it finally settled long enough to get a half decent view, I was intrigued. The photo below doesn&#8217;t quite do it justice but after two + hrs of trying I don&#8217;t think I&#8217;m going to improve on it. But which species is it? Looking through available literature and various websites I&#8217;ve decided it is one of the <em>Antispila sp&#8217;. </em>Until recently, <em>treitschkiella</em> was the obvious fit but that now appears to be only a recent addition to the British list and, instead, <em>p</em>e<i>tryi </i>is the more likely contender. The former is associated with [Cornelian] cherry while the latter is dogwood. I do have a dogwood in the front garden &#8211; of the variegated type &#8211; but my neighbour also has a cherry tree of some sort so I&#8217;m a little hesitant. I&#8217;ll hang on to the moth anyway but am interested to know what others think.</p> <div id="attachment_7590" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 160px"><a href="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Antispila-sp-W-2018-06-24.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-7590" alt="Antispila sp' (W) 2018-06-24 (P.Bryant)" src="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Antispila-sp-W-2018-06-24-150x150.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Antispila sp&#8217; (W) 2018-06-24 (P.Bryant)</p></div> <h2><em> </em></h2> ]]>
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<title>amethystinella reaches Woolpit</title>
<link>http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/05/29/amethystinella-reaches-woolpit/</link>
<comments>http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/05/29/amethystinella-reaches-woolpit/#comments</comments>
<pubDate>Tue, 29 May 2018 17:53:44 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>paulb</dc:creator>
<category>
<![CDATA[ Sightings ]]>
</category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/?p=7511</guid>
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<![CDATA[ In his posting from May 2017 Neil drew attention to a sp&#8217; that was on the move. He also suggested we keep an eye for &#8230; &#8220;any large metallic green Coleophora in our traps&#8221;. Sunday just gone (27 May) was a &#8230; <a href="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2018/05/29/amethystinella-reaches-woolpit/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a> ]]>
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<![CDATA[ <p>In his posting from <a href="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/index.php/2017/05/29/coleophora-amethystinella/">May 2017</a> Neil drew attention to a sp&#8217; that was on the move. He also suggested we keep an eye for &#8230; &#8220;any large metallic green Coleophora in our traps&#8221;.</p> <p>Sunday just gone (27 May) was a relatively quiet night in the garden trap (haven&#8217;t they all been!) but at least I beat the Blackbirds this time and, in the half-light, potted up a moth that was just about to take its leave. Looking at it through a hand-lens later on I was surprised to see what appeared to be a patch of orange scales under the eye. A check of the books and exchange of text messages with Neil confirmed my suspicion that I had the latest addition to the garden list &#8230; <em>Coleophora amethystinella. </em></p> <p><a href="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/37.047-amethystinella-W-27May18.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-7512" alt="C. amethystinella (Woolpit 27 May 18)" src="http://suffolkmoths.org.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/37.047-amethystinella-W-27May18-150x150.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a></p> ]]>
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