Suffolk Moths Blog

photo by Brian Jones

Trapped the 1st time with Brian at this site which runs between Fritton, St. Olaves and Ashby. Was after Fenn’s Wainscot but it didn’t show. However we were still well rewarded with some very good moths coming to the usual five lights. The best of which were micros, top of the bill being; Dichomeris alacella, see photo, also, B. furfurana, H. rhomboidella. Best of the macros and one I was hoping to get after seeing the Angelica at the site earlier in the day was Triple spotted Pug with three captured. Also 9 Brown-veined Wainscot, other wetland Wainscots in ones or twos being; Webbs, Bulrush, Small, Southern, Twin-spotted. All of those together outnumbered by Fen Wainscot. Also Reed Dagger, an impressive 17 Crescent, Kent Black Arches also seen along with Flame Carpet, Pinion-streaked Snout, Olive and a late Swallow-tailed. The most common macro was Black Arches. Migrants; singles of Y. rorrella and Diamond-back. Temperature of 17c  when we left at 02.30. 132 species recorded. Hornets manageable and  in one trap. Also saw the most bats I’ve seen all year.

Very pleasing to have another good spell of moth trapping weather. Having the night off tonight to catch up before the next really good spell starts over the next few days – if the weather forecast is right!
In addition to the highlights already mentioned in previous blogs, the following interesting moths have also appeared. Black arches (good numbers, one of the commonest species), Gypsonoma minutana, Gypsonoma aceriana (on 2 nights), Flame carpet (2), Olive, White satin, Grass emerald, A.microdactyla, Square-spotted clay, Orange swift (both firsts for year), Kent black arches. I think the season is still running a bit later than recent years hence why it is still good even though we are in mid August when things are normally calming down.
Below is a photo of one the best moths so far this week, the Dotted footman (4th site record).

Neil

On the 13th, the garden produced 55 moths of 30 species. Singles of Tree-lichen Beauty and Webb’s Wainscot were the highlights. Last night I was back at one of my other Stutton sites which produced 38 species/117 moths. I had one of those “never seen one of those before” moments with a later-identified Coronet (thanks Tony). Otherwise – Olive (2), White Satin (6), Maiden’s Blush (2) and a Silky Wainscot were the highlights. tristellas are picking up, with 18. Forgive me for talking birds, but I had a Crossbill fly over whilst checking the trap. Becoming a regular occurrence.

Last night (13 August) was warm and muggy and, as expected, this resulted in a bumper catch of 64 macro species. After a lot of sorting the highlights were Bulrush Wainscot (a female), Crescent, Dark Spinach, Small Phoenix and Six-striped Rustic. First records of the year included Rosy Rustic, Mouse Moth and Copper Underwing.

Over the last two weeks or so I have been catching a small pug but all specimens have been so worn or melanistic that I have been unable to tie it down to species. Last night I potted a clean, fresh specimen that proved to be a Maple Pug – not unexpected as there is a splendid old Field Maple about 10 metres from the trap.

Thought it might be better than 12th since weather was near perfect but coincidentally have the same number of 134 species identified at present. In common with Neil I have a couple of Tree-Lichen Beauty and several Cydia amplana. The Cydia turned up last night too but the other was my first Cryphia along with a Marbled Beauty. Second Monopis monachella and Plain Wave for the site. My first Saltern Ear, Archer’s Dart, Dog’s Tooth and Sharp-angled Carpet. Quite a few new micros. A few still to ID but some done include, Phyllocnistis unipunctella, Cameraria ohridella, Calybites phasianipennella and Argyrotaenia ljungiana.Top of the table still Large Yellow Underwing followed by Blastobasis adustella but Agriphila tristella close behind. Of particular interest is a micro I first turned up on 27th July:- Gelechia scotinella. Considered a particularly uncommon species I have also turned up individuals on 12th and 13th August.

Ran a trap in the garden last night, again, only listing a few highlights due to lack of time. Best moths Garden tiger (first record since 2004), Tree-lichen beauty and a Cydia amplana. Really wanted to run more light traps as conditions were so good but just couldn’t find enough time to get out and set them all up!
Below are a few photos of the nice moths I caught.

Neil

I too, like others had a bumper catch last night. Time constraints permit me from commenting too much on the catch, will do later on in the week if I find time. Best moth a Dotted footman. Not as many species as the guys on the coast, 114sp from my 2 traps.

Neil

Not so much going on here as in the Bawdsey/Hollesley area but managed to id 72 species, ignoring some micros in the two mv’s. Of those identified the best were A. microdactyla, N. suavella, C. phragmitella along with at least one Y. rorrella, Twenty plume moth, Just two Diamond-back. Macros, Herald, Garden Tiger, Poplar Hawk, Lychnis, White-point, nothing great. Best macro the previous night a Bulrush Wainscot.

The wildflower meadow just north of Rabbetts Wood at Alton Water was awash with these last week. I assume that one is about to emerge (if I had another hour or two) from the cocoon in pic? Well that’s assuming I manage to upload a photo!

My catch usually mimics that which Matthew posts for Bawdsey so I haven’t been posting but determination has set in. So:-134 identified to date. A nice selection of new micros still to identify including lots of Coleophora to play with. Hawks moths still hanging in with Pine and Privet. My first Coxcomb Prominent along with Pale, Swallow, Iron and Pebble. Number one spot taken by Large Yellow Underwing with Blastobasis adustella a close second. Pleased to be picking up Chilo phramitella. Agriphila tristella on the increase and got a Platytes alpinella. Epiphyas postvittana common and the second brood of White Point, Green Carpet and Cochylis sp appearing. Fen, Southern and Common Wainscots and a second Reed Dagger. Yellow Belle also a new addition to my site list. Olive, Ear, Coronet, Kent Black Arches and Epiblema foenella add to the interest. And what I think was the prettiest moth of the catch, a couple of Pammene aurita.