November Moths

The contents of the garden trap here at Westcott, Bucks have dwindled from 29 species on the 5th to 14 species last night and the numbers of individual moths have taken a tumble too.  Lunar Underwing has passed 1,500 individuals but I'm only getting a handful each night now with Red-line Quaker and Beaded Chestnut beating it for quantity.  Another Dark Sword-grass on the 6th has been the only sign of migrant activity, while new species for the garden year list include Green-brindled Crescent (5th), Feathered Thorn (8th) & November Moth (9th).

To head off likely requests, I should add that last night's two November Moth males here both had their private parts inspected.  November Moth, Pale November Moth and Autumnal Moth can't be separated safely on wing pattern.  The males can be done by dissection but this is usually unnecessary because there are differences between the projections on the eighth sternite of the abdomen underside.  These can be viewed under a hand lens or low-powered microsope if the scales are carefully brushed away (comparison pictures are available on the Dissection Group web-site here), although in my experience the moth rarely survives the experience even if temporarily anaesthetised.  So far as I'm aware - and this is contrary to the notes given in the field guide - females of the three species are not separable even by dissection.

November Moth, Westcott 9th October

Dave Wilton