More new species

A three hour session with a single MV trap in Finemere Wood, Bucks last night produced over 90 species, of which Tischeria ekebladella, Aethes cnicana, Hedya salicella, Apotomis betuletana, Epinotia signatana, Acentria ephemerella, Buff Arches, Large Emerald, Scallop Shell, Vapourer, Minor Shoulder-knot & Smoky Wainscot were new for the year.  Blotched Emerald (29) was the most abundant macro-moth and it seems to be doing very well at the moment.  I even had one in the garden trap here at Westcott, Bucks last night, the first since 2010.  Other garden visitors included Peach Blossom, Lilac Beauty, Swallow-tailed & Clay.

Scallop Shell, Finemere Wood 20th June

Epinotia signatana, Finemere Wood 20th June

I took the API pheromone lure on a quick outing this afternoon in search of Six-belted Clearwing and found it as expected at three sites around Calvert, Bucks (including the Jubilee Nature Reserve).  This is the easiest of the clearwings to find and I got a response within seconds at all three locations.  I've never had luck finding it in 'managed' wildflower meadow situations locally but it seems quite common at brownfield sites such as disused railway lines and the former land-fill areas that I looked at today.  Dave Wilton

Six-belted Clearwing, Calvert Green 21st June