Westcott, Bucks

This month has seen a significant reduction in nightly catches.  Things started off well on the 1st with over 1,000 individual moths between the two garden traps (572 of 110 species to the MV and 449 of 71 species to the actinic) even though there was nothing new for the year list.  However, the subsequent decline has been quite rapid and on the night of the 6th the catch amounted to a mere 185 moths of 56 species shared between the two lights.  Last night's collection was slightly better at 70 species altogether, although none was new for the year.  The numbers of grass moths and Common/Lesser Common Rustics now seem to be on the wane and the next invasion to look forward to will doubtless be that of Square-spot Rustic (I had my first of the year at Olney in north Bucks on the 4th).  The garden year list currently stands at 538 species and the only new additions over the past week have comprised:

(3rd)  Amblyptilia acanthadactyla, Oak Processionary, Jersey Tiger, Crescent
(4th)  Gypsy Moth
(5th)  Galleria mellonella, Rosy Rustic, Red Underwing
(6th)  Orange Swift

Galleria mellonella, Westcott 5th August

Rosy Rustic, Westcott 5th August

Red Underwing, Westcott 5th August

The Wax Moth (Galleria mellonella) was a diminutive specimen with a wing length of only 12mm.  Red Underwing is a regular visitor to the garden trap (one appeared last night too) but it was a shame that it couldn't have been one of its crimson cousins which have been reported a number of times elsewhere!  Tree-lichen Beauty continues to appear regularly, although there was just the one last night, down from a high of 18 on the 1st.  A second Twin-spotted Wainscot visited on the 6th after the first ever garden record on 29th July. 

Dave Wilton
Westcott, Bucks