Author Archives: paulb

Second italica (?) in Woolpit

I had a bit of a surprise this evening  after potting up and provisionally identified a small moth which suddenly appeared in the lounge this evening as my second site record of Metalampra italica. Will try and get a decent … Continue reading

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“zoegana the third”

Blimey. Two posts within a week! Sadly, not a great deal to report from the garden last night apart from an Agapeta zoegana which, despite being a widespread and not uncommon moth in Suffolk, represents only my third garden record – … Continue reading

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News from Woolpit

It occurred to me that it has been a while since I posted a message here so time for a quick update on what’s been happening in Woolpit. Trapping on eleven nights throughout July returned on average 56 species per … Continue reading

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Catoptria verellus – the Marbled Grass-veneer

This story starts just under a week ago when favourable conditions delivered some of the rarer pyrals to our southern shores, including an example of the falsella look-alike Catoptria verellus.  Now, roll forward to yesterday morning when I receive a text message … Continue reading

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Peltigera at last

Just a quick note to share the news that I’ve finally joined the Bordered Straw club after taking one last night in the garden. Am not quite sure what happened but the seemingly unpromising cool, clear conditions also delivered one … Continue reading

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Red-necked Foot-men’ .. and ladies

Last night was my best night of the year so far, with c.70sp recorded to my 11w actinic. The undoubted highlight was my first and second garden records of Red-necked Footman, a species I have been hoping to add to … Continue reading

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A conching we will go …

Some micro’s are just better than others and Commophila aeneana (the Orange Conch) ranks highly on my list of personal favourites. This one was swept from its foodplant, ragwort, a couple of days ago at a local SWT Nature Reserve.   … Continue reading

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Rattlesden Hummer

While waiting for the Aviva Women’s Tour to zip through Rattlesden this morning I chanced upon this Humming-bird Hawk-moth nectaring at a patch of Red Valerian in a roadside garden. The cyclists didn’t hang around either!

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“These are not the Hawkmoths you are looking for. Move along, move along …”

It is always a pleasant surprise when I turn over an egg tray and see a Privet Hawkmoth but, when the rest of the country are catching Striped Hawk’s left, right and centre, I must confess that I was a … Continue reading

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Venosata

It would seem that last Thursday was a bit of a false start as moths have become largely absent from the garden trap once again. Last night was no exception, but the appearance of a Netted Pug (venosata comes from … Continue reading

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