Tuesday, 17 October 2017

Ophelia moths

I managed to find a relatively sheltered spot on our patio to run the actinic trap again last night but with regular wind gusts in excess of 40mph (which brought down a massive branch from our ancient willow) I wasn't really expecting much to be flying and did wonder if the trap was still going to be present this morning!  However, it was still there undamaged and contained 23 brave moths of 10 species.  They included my second Hoary Footman of the year but there were still no obvious migrants.  Amongst numerous examples of even more brave diptera and trichoptera, the by-catch included the first Speckled Bush-cricket I've had in the garden trap for a couple of years.

Hoary Footman, Westcott 16th October
Dave Wilton
Westcott, Bucks
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3 comments:

  1. Andrew Kershaw17 October 2017 at 15:15

    I left the trap on until just before midnight but the only moth of note was a riband wave.

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  2. Richard Ellis17 October 2017 at 16:08

    And a Hoary Footman here in Chorleywood, also a late Buff Footman - I've had this species here before during October, in 2006, 2009 and 2014. Total catch was 38 moths of 14 species, including a White-point, a Dark Sword-grass and a rather late Vine's Rustic.

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    Replies
    1. Dave Wilton17 October 2017 at 16:17

      My only October Buff Footman was at Appleton, Oxon with Marc Botham on 23rd October 2014. We had six Rosy Footman that night too.

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