Westcott, Bucks

The garden year-list has continued to move onwards and upwards every time the trap is run but at a relatively slow pace.  Additions over the past few nights have comprised:

(7th) Paraswammerdamia albicapitella, Rhopobota naevana, Scarce Footman, Miller.
(8th) Mompha ochraceella, Lozotaeniodes formosana, Udea ferrugalis, Rhodophaea (Pempelia) formosa,
         Phycita roborella, Small Rivulet, Scarlet Tiger.
(9th) Gelechia senticetella, Blastobasis adustella, Pandemis heparana, Small Blood-vein, Large Twin-spot
         Carpet, Dingy Footman.
(10th) Lozotaenia forsterana, Spilonota ocellana, Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing.
(11th) Monochroa lucidella, Teleiodes vulgella, Limnaecia phragmitella, Pleuroptya ruralis, Least Carpet,
         Yellow-tail, Buff Footman.

Monochroa lucidella, Westcott 11th July

Although probably dull and boring to many, the gelechid Monochroa lucidella was a very welcome visitor here, having only appeared in the garden twice before.  It is a moth of damp places, its larvae feeding on Common Spike-rush, and is probably more common than the ten or so previous records for Bucks might suggest. 

All of the regular footman moths have now put in at least one appearance in the garden here but, so far at least, their numbers have been well down on expectations although no doubt their time will come.  As might be expected, largest counts at the moment are being provided by Heart and Dart, Large Yellow Underwing, Smoky Wainscot, Dark Arches and the Hoplodrina pair (Uncertain & Rustic), although only the combined total of the latter has so far managed to break the 50 barrier on any one night.

Dave Wilton
Westcott, Bucks