Westcott, Bucks

Brightening up an otherwise poor selection of moths to last night's garden trap was this smart Chocolate-tip.  The only other species caught were March Moth, Shoulder Stripe, Common Quaker, Powdered Quaker, Clouded Drab and Hebrew Character.

Chocolate-tip, Westcott 6th April

Other species new for the garden's year list since the beginning of this month have been Caloptilia stigmatella, Elachista canapennella, Early Tooth-striped & Dotted Chestnut (all 3rd) and Epinotia immundana (4th).   The Elachista was as usual a drab-looking male.  Out of 120+ specimens seen in the garden over the past ten years or so I've only ever had the much smarter-looking female six times.

Elachista canapennella, Westcott 3rd April

Epinotia immundana, Westcott 4th April

My first Emperor Moth of the year emerged today (7th April), which is about on schedule although I understand that they've been appearing elsewhere since the end of March.  It was one that had over-wintered twice as a pupa (so raised as a larva in 2015) and was unfortunately a male so my annual garden record will have to wait a little longer.  He will need to be retained for a day or two until a female emerges or else released well away from here.  An image of him inside the net cage appears below.

Dave Wilton
Westcott, Bucks