Westcott, Bucks

Further new garden species for the year so far this month have included the following (excluding leaf mines):

2nd September:   Hedya ochroleucana
3rd September:    Palpita vitrealis
4th September:    Depressaria radiella, Acleris emargana
5th September:    Caloptilia semifascia, Black Rustic
7th September:    Brown-spot Pinion
9th September:    Dark Sword-grass, Beaded Chestnut
12th September:  Deep-brown Dart, Lunar Underwing, Pink-barred Sallow
13th September:  Choreutis pariana

Dark Sword-grass, Westcott 9th September

Beaded Chestnut, Westcott 9th September

As was to be expected on such a warm night, last night's collection of moths to the actinic was quite good with 329 individuals of 40 species recorded.  There was nothing particularly unexpected and the only "migrants" were Udea ferrugalis (1), Dark Sword-grass (1) and Silver Y (3).  Highest totals were provided by Setaceous Hebrew Character (107), Large Yellow Underwing (65) & Square-spot Rustic (59), while there was also a surprisingly large number of second-brood Common Marbled Carpet (22).  Other appearances by second broods included Maiden's Blush (2) and Riband Wave (2).  Contrary to what I wrote last time, Dusky Thorn is still appearing in some numbers and I've seen 54 more here so far this month, taking the garden total past 200 for the year (already more than twice the previous record here of 82 in 2006) - not bad for a moth thought to be in some trouble. 

I was very pleased to get Choreutis pariana last night.  This micro is only an occasional addition to the garden year-list because it is a small day-flying species and I don't always notice it.  I've been looking specifically for it this year on our rudbeckia flowers, which both Anthophila fabriciana and Prochoreutis myllerana seem to like, but without any luck thus far, so it was useful getting it in the trap. 

Choreutis pariana, Westcott 13th September

I've had an initial search around the garden for leaf-mines and found a few of the usual suspects, but of most interest was the discovery of nine early mines of Phyllonorycter coryli on hazel.  Although a very common species, this is another completely new one for the garden list.  The hazel was only planted a couple of years ago so it is good to see it being used so quickly.  I wish the alder next to it would be as successful - in five years it has only produced sawfly mines!

Mines of Phyllonorycter coryli, Westcott 9th September

Dave Wilton
Westcott, Bucks