Incinerator Moths

Although eventually cut short by deteriorating weather, I had a wander close to the new incinerator plant at Greatmoor, Bucks this afternoon, searching (successfully as it happens) for Dingy & Grizzled Skipper butterflies.  Moth species seen included Cauchas rufimitrella, Syndemis musculana, Celypha lacunana, Dichrorampha acuminatana, Cydia ulicetana, Grapholita jungiella, Crambus lathoniellus, Red Twin-spot Carpet, Common Carpet, Mother Shipton and Burnet Companion.  Numerous examples of Glyphipterix simpliciella were recorded as well, but the star of the show was a single example of their larger brother, Glyphipterix forsterella.  I've seen it a handful of times previously in the local area but this was the first for a few years.  It is still quite a small moth and trying to get a half-decent photograph of it in such dull conditions back at home this evening was a bit of a struggle for my camera! 

Glyphipterix forsterella, Greatmoor 18th May

In the sunshine that we had for a few hours this morning an example of the long-horn Nemophora degeerella put in a brief appearance in the garden at Westcott, the first sighting here for 10 years.  Needless to say, last night's collection of moths to the actinic trap didn't break any records in all that heavy rain but I still managed 15 hardy moths of 11 species of which Aspilapterix tringipennella, a yet-to-be-identified Coleophorid and Spruce Carpet were new for the garden year list.  Quite a contrast to the previous night when 42 species turned up, including Argyresthia trifasciata, Scrobipalpa costella, Pseudargyrotoza conwagana, Celypha lacunana, Broken-barred Carpet, Grey Pine Carpet, Pale Oak Beauty, Clouded Silver, a rather battered female Puss Moth, Iron Prominent and Marbled Minor sp which were all additions to the year list.

Pseudargyrotoza conwagana, Westcott 16th May

Celypha lacunana, Westcott 16th May

Dave Wilton
Westcott, Bucks