Numbers Up

After a run of very cold nights since the 26th, with moth counts not getting beyond single figures, it was good to have a half-decent catch in the garden last night when more than 30 moths appeared thanks to the influence of some warmer (if very wet) southerly air.  There were no migrants, but it did tempt out several of the local species:  Phyllonorycter messaniella (1), Agonopterix arenella (1), Emmelina monodactyla (2), Red-green Carpet (1), November Moth sp (5), Feathered Thorn (3), Black Rustic (3), Sprawler (10), Green-brindled Crescent (1), Brick (2), Beaded Chestnut (4) & Barred Sallow (1).  I've had adults of Phyllonorycter messaniella into November here in past years.  Its food-plant requirements are less specific than some others of that family and here it will use either our apple tree or our hornbeam hedge.  The Sprawler count was the garden's first ever double-digit catch on one night, surprising really as eight of them arrived after 11pm when the rain started here in earnest.

Phyllonorycter messaniella, Westcott 31st October

Tonight and tomorrow look to be chilly once more but from Saturday onwards there seems to be the promise of some slightly warmer air again for a few nights.

Dave Wilton
Westcott, Bucks