Suffolk Moths Blog

Nothing dramatic here with low counts compared to some but a gradual progression of the seasonal species. Agonopterix heracliana and scopariella from mid Feb and A. alstromeriana from 4th March. Oak Beauty from 4th March. Clouded Drab and Hebrew Character from 26th Feb and Twin-spotted Quaker from 5th March which night saw the highest catch numerically. Red Chestnut picked up on RSPB Hollesley Marshes on 7th March but not yet at home. Pine Beauty at home from 5th March. Pale Brindled Beauty, Dotted Border and March moth but no Early Moth this year, nor Spring Usher which is not common here. A few Satellites and Chestnuts and then a Herald on 7th March. Also had the Grey Shoulder-knot at home and RSPB but no Early Grey yet.

I operated two traps at Bawdsey Hall last night having had a break for a week due to cooler nights.

The species list was much the same with Agonopterix heracliana, March Moth, Dotted Border, Oak Beauty, Chestnut, Satellite, Early Grey, Common Quaker, Hebrew Character and Clouded Drab.

March Moth was by far the commonest species recorded and has taken over from Pale-brindled Beauty – none of which were obtained last night.

I have yet to see Diurnea fagella, Red Chestnut or any of the other quaker species.

This is usually the week (according to my notes over the past ten years) when the spring moths here in Suffolk’s agricultural heartland get going. Last night was the first mild (6C) night, with a light SW breeze. My garden MV produced 3 hebrew character, 4 March moth, 2 common quaker, 2 dotted border and a satellite. All very modest and predictable, but early spring moths, like old friends, are especially welcome.

Ran the traps (125MV & actinic) last evening for about 2 hours with over 80 moths counted of 11 species. The weather contributed, as cloud cover held till about 8.30 with virtually no wind. New ones for the year were A. alstromeriana, Dotted Border, Clouded Drab, but still no Small Quaker or Small Brindled Beauty. March Moth seems to be at its peak at the moment.
Yellow Horned again showing up in good numbers with another 4 last night and my records showing that already have recorded highest numbers since I began recording 6 years ago, probably due to the mild weather giving more opportunities to trap.

Brian

Ran the actinic for about 1 hour last night, it was chilly – about 6 deg. but calm and cloudy.
Just 6 species and still not seen a single orthosia but did get first two Yellow Horned of the year.

Brian

The recent mild weather has prompted to undertake some moth trapping in the past week at Bawdsey Hall - running a single 125W MV Robinson and more recently the tungsten light trap.

Species noted have included Agonopterix heracliana, Tortricodes alternella (new to Bawdsey Hall), March Moth, Early Moth (new to Bawdsey Hall), Dotted Border, Oak Beauty (my first ever February record), Pale-brindled Beauty, Chestnut, Satellite, Common Quaker, Hebrew Character and Clouded Drab.

I have not recorded Spring Usher nor Small Brindled Beauty this year – both species have always been scarce at Bawdsey.

Last year was the first that I’ve ever retained any moths for identification under the microscope and thanks to Jon Clifton for his expertise in this field.
Of the four moths some interesting results; Wicker Well Somerleyton 19 August
The Agonopterix I had been hoping was carduella proved to be the much more common subpropinquella. A Cnaphasia turned out to be genitalana quite a good record there!

The other two were from Herringfleet Hills,Herringfleet on July 23. I was pretty confident about Rufous Minor, this was a very red tinged moth. Confirmed a male Rufous Minor by JC.
The other moth a small micro along the lines of Emmetia marginea could not be determined however there was enough to go on to eliminate both E.marginea and Tischeria ekebladella which I believe points to something uncommon or much more scarce requiring further investigation, checking of leaf mines etc

2 traps out again at IGC last night, with a reasonable number of moths despite the wind. 10sp, very similar species recorded to the previous time I trapped, with the addition of Grey shoulder knot, Ypsolopha ustella and Satellite. Pale brindled beauty numbers were down, with only 1 seen. Spring usher still around too with another single trapped.

Neil