Wednesday 15 October 2014

Mursley moths

I turned on my moth trap last night for the first time in about 2 weeks and was pleased to find some moths this morning - mainly Beaded Chestnut with just a few Lunar Underwing and a couple of Blair's Shoulder-knot. however, I think this is a Yellow-line Quaker, which would be a new record for my garden. Am I correct?

And could this be a very late Common Quaker?
Many thanks.
Mick Jones

5 comments:

  1. Hello Mick, I suppose anything is possible in this strange year but Common Quaker now is about as far from being likely as you could get! Your moths are both Yellow-line Quaker and you seem to have one of each of the forms illustrated in the Field Guide. Just about the only species which could cause some initial confusion would be a Brick which is also flying now and you could easily get it in your garden.

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    1. The bottom one is a Yellow-line Quaker but the grey thing at the top can surely only be a Red-line Quaker ?

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  2. Hi Mick/Dave, The top image is fairly dark, but yes I agree both are Yellow-line Quaker.

    I have recorded Common Quaker three times in October in the past. The moths were taken on warm nights with migrant species, however as these nights are usually warmer, this may have tricked the moths into thinking it was Spring rather than the moths being migrants (it's not known to fly at this time of year in S. Europe).

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    1. Thanks Steve. I don't feel quite so mad now.

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