6 people turned up for this meeting at the very interesting Oulton marshes site that has produced good catches in the past. 9 traps deployed, with a mix of actinic and mv covering the wet meadows and woodland edge. Bit of a breeze blowing but it was still quite warm and we were able to take advantage of the shelter from the woods.
Not a bad night with 140sp on my list. As has been the norm this year moth numbers not great but at least there was diversity. Wainscots noticeably low, as were the underwings. Only one Garden tiger too, would have expected more. None of the 3 target moths for the night recorded – White mantled wainscot, Balsam carpet and Double kidney. Did get 3 Ancylis paludana though, a rare species feeding on Marsh pea. Had this at the site before on a previous visit. Other things of possible note: Chevron, Acleris shepherdana, Reed dagger, Gold spot, Epinotia cruciana, Brown-veined wainscot, Twin-spotted wainscot, Small rufous, Crescent (only a few, loads last time we came), Dark spinach, Orthotelia sparganella, Scallop shell, Olive, Webb’s wainscot. One of the finds of the night was actually discovered before the lights were switched on. Stewart Wright visiting from Norfolk spotted a Metalampra italica perched on bramble at dusk. Sadly it evaded capture so the rest of us did not see it but still a good record and expands its known range in Suffolk. Another moth of note was a very attractively marked Acleris laterana that caused a bit of discussion as to what species it could be initially.
Neil
Acleris laterana – never seen one like this before!