Suffolk Moths Blog

Decided to put 2 traps on last night as it seemed warmer. No sooner had I finished setting up and started heading for home it started to rain again! Didn’t last too long so I was hopeful of getting something. Did rain more overnight so soggy egg trays again in the traps, and fewer than expected moths. 13sp only, 19moths in 2 traps!! Moths new for year included Coleophora albicosta, Shears, Swallow prominent, Pale tussock, Maidens blush, Shuttle-shaped dart and Muslin moth.
Trap out in the garden tonight, perhaps it may be better, can only hope.

Neil

Took a walk back along the Brett River Trail to the office at lunchtime today and managed to find a small patch of buttercups complete with attendant Micropterix calthella.

Also, as a follow up to a recent visit to Wyevale’s in Bury St Eds, this morning I had an example of Prays oleae emerge from a mined olive leaf that I had picked off one of the tree’s for sale. While it still awaits final confirmation, this would appear to be the first Suffolk record of this adventive (pest) species. I’ll upload some pictures to the Members Area of the website soon.

I had a feeling there was a possibility of picking up a Gem or something last night as there was good cloud cover, and a slight breeze from the ENE direction so I put out one trap. Result was two moths, the first of which I knew I had not seen before was CHAMOMILE SHARK the other was a Hebrew Character. A very low count but well worthwhile putting out the trap!

I was coming to the end of a regular walk of mine today at Ashby when attaching the lead to my Jack Russells collar I spotted an Adela reaumurella stuck in her long scruffy fur. There are ways and means of getting records in this poor weather you know! According to the species maps this common moth has not been recorded up this way for some time!

Trap in the garden caught nothing, first time I not caught anything on a May night in 18 years of trapping. Must have been the 28mm rain the other night here that has killed everything off.

Neil

Had 2 traps running last night in the Oak woodland around the worksheds at IGC. Surely there must be some moths around up there, so I thought when I put them out. Did get some moths but still disappointing really for the time of year with a lot of empty egg trays. 10sp, 33 moths. One Plutella xylostella the highlight if you can call it that! Also 7 Great prom, 3 Frosted green and 2 Lunar marbled brown. Only 6 Eriocrania subpurpurella, normally get over 100 of these at this time of year. Think this shows how the rain has killed everything off. Things can only get better surely!

Neil

A good catch-up for the first of May. Though only 31 moths there were 18 species and 9 of which were additions to my site list. Nothing really special rather just catching up on a dismal April. Two micro’s still to identify though. One a Gelechid the other small at 5mm.

Maiden’s Blush & Lunar Marbled Brown were new for the year amongst last night’s small catch. Hopefully this bodes well for a better week than last week, with warmer weather and a few more moths on the wing!

Brian

Felt hopeful when I put the trap out last night and it turned up a Swallow Prominent and a Great Prominent so lifted my feelings on recent trapping. Few specimens but also got Hebrew Character, Lead-coloured Drab, Clouded Drab, Shuttle-shaped Dart, Flame Shoulder, Early Grey, Red Chestnut and Agonopterix alstromeriana. Also of interest was an Elachista rufocinerea on 24th. Also found a Platyedra subcinerea trapped in a closed window.