Mothing in urban Milton Keynes

Last night I made another visit to Howe Park Wood in the middle of Milton Keynes, one of three sites I'm surveying regularly this year for the Parks Trust.  It was quite a good session with somewhere around 150 species recorded although there were few unexpected moths. 

Best of the micros was my first sighting of Monochroa palustrellus, which from here on in shall be known as "Tim's Moth" (see here).  Amongst the Cnephasias were several examples of the bluebell-feeding Eana incanana (one retained to confirm but fresh specimens can be done on sight with care).  Box Moth Cydalima perspectalis turned up to remind me just how large is this "micro" (at least twice the size of a Mother of Pearl).  Other nice sightings included Ypsolopha sequella, Gelechia sororculella, Anarsia innoxiella & Epinotia signatana.

Monochroa palustrellus, Howe Park Wood 16th July

Amongst the macros it was interesting to get three examples of Webb's Wainscot.  There are good wetland sites all round Milton Keynes but it came as a bit of a surprise to get my first 2020 examples of this bulrush-feeder in the middle of oak woodland!  It is certainly becoming far more widespread now.  A melanic Peppered Moth was good to see, certainly a declining form now of this species.  Maple Prominent appeared at two of the three lights, while Black Arches and Coronet appeared at all three and the latter was the most abundant noctuid of the night with more than 20 seen. 

Peppered Moth f. carbonaria, Howe Park Wood 16th July

Maple Prominent, Howe Park Wood 16th July

Black Arches, Howe Park Wood 16th July

Dave Wilton
Westcott, Bucks