Westcott, Bucks

Over the last two nights the actinic trap here at Westcott, Bucks has done reasonably well, with between 40 and 50 species each session.  New for the garden year list have been Bucculatrix thoracella, Scrobipalpa costella, Blastobasis lacticolella, Spruce Carpet, Freyer's Pug, Grey Pug, Green Pug, Peppered Moth, Willow Beauty, Buff-tip, Large Yellow Underwing, Large Nutmeg, Mottled Rustic & Snout.  Unlike Martin W I'm nowhere near a complete set of Hawk-moths yet though, Poplar and Small Elephant being the only ones which have graced my trap to date.

Sandy Carpet is a lovely little moth which is supposed to be common but I don't see it all that often.  A singleton seems to appear in the garden here every second or third year, but this year I've had three already (two last night) and it has also come to light at other places which I'm trapping at regularly.  It must be another species having a good year. 

Dave Wilton

Sandy Carpet, Westcott 29th May