Westcott, Bucks

With catches of more than 150 species on 18th and 20th July, the garden trap here at Westcott, Bucks is working overtime at the moment (and so am I in trying to identify each night's collection of moths before the next lot come along).  New species for the year list on the 18th comprised Tinea trinotella, Phyllonorycter harrisella, Bucculatrix nigricomella, Borkhausenia fuscescens, Acleris aspersana, Argyrotaenia ljungiana, Pyrausta nigrata (an unexpected garden first-timer), Leopard Moth & Magpie, those on the 19th included Roeslerstammia erxlebella, Coleophora hemerobiella, Recurvaria leucatella, Cochylis roseana, Acleris laterana, Lobesia abscisana, Grapholita funebrana, Peacock Moth, Mouse Moth & Small Wainscot, while those on the 20th included Emmetia marginea, Morophaga choragella (another garden first-timer), Argyresthia bonnetella, Eudemis profundana, Clavigesta purdeyi, Pyralis farinalis, Lesser Cream Wave & Knot Grass.

The largest numbers are currently being provided by Riband Wave (43 last night), the Footmen (more than 100 Dingy/Scarce/Common/Buff last night), Smoky Wainscot, Dark Arches and the Hoplodrina pair.  Numbers of Common/Lesser Common Rustic are still increasing while Heart and Dart is on the wane but Large Yellow Underwing and Lesser Yellow Underwing haven't really got going yet.  Lots of second-brood species are now appearing.  There have also been a significant number of really small (but perfectly formed!) individuals of many species over the past month or so - one that I particularly remember standing out from the crowd was a Garden Carpet half the normal size.

Dave Wilton 

Pyrausta nigrata, Westcott 18th July

Pyralis farinalis, Westcott 20th July