Westcott, Bucks

After 2nd September there was a gradual decline in moth numbers at Westcott thanks to much colder nights, the trough being reached on the 5th when there were just 53 moths of 19 species shared between the MV and actinic traps. However, the last two warmish nights have seen an improvement (177 of 40 species on the 7th and 174 of 41 species on the 8th) even though Square-spot Rustic hasn't exploded into action here quite as much as I know it has done in other gardens already.  Another five adult moth species have been added to the garden year-list over the past seven nights:

(5th)  Deep-brown Dart
(7th)  Lunar Underwing, Black Rustic
(8th)  Caloptilia syringella, Orange Sallow 

Other species seen during the past week include Red-green Carpet (3rd, first of the autumn here), a late Early Thorn (7th) and another Hoary Footman (7th, hind-wings checked although this late in the season it is unlikely to be anything else).

Red-green Carpet, Westcott 3rd September

Hoary Footman, Westcott 7th September

  
I'm really starting to run out of  possible new moths for the year now.  Although dissections will eventually improve the situation, as things currently stand the garden list for 2020 is at 558 species.  Last year's final count was 699, but based on what is likely still to come this year I won't even achieve 600 just with adult moths so I'd better pull my finger out with some more leaf-mining!  By my calculations there are only 25 macros and one micro which are virtually guaranteed, plus maybe another half a dozen which may or may not turn up.  The latter include Tawny Pinion (intermittent here but seen more often in the autumn than the spring) as well as Dewick's Plusia and Oak Rustic which were first-timers in 2019.

Dave Wilton
Westcott, Bucks