More Juniper Moths

Further to Andy King's post yesterday, I'm trapping regularly at Grangelands, Bucks again this year with the juniper feeders particularly in mind because there are plenty of the bushes on site.  Unfortunately I wasn't able to get there at all during May because of the abysmal weather so have probably missed Argyresthia praecocella if indeed it is present (the species is known from Bucks but seemingly without a record to back it up).  Much as expected, a visit last night found Argyresthia arceuthina present in some numbers (a double-digit count to light).  Argyresthia abdominalis should be out very soon (confirmed here last year, again in some numbers), while I hope to find the other two (A.dilectella and A.aurulentella) later in the summer.  My experience is that actinic lights tucked right into the junipers produce the best results because these small moths seem reluctant to travel very far!

Argyresthia arceuthina, Grangelands 2nd June

Not clear from Andy's image at Aston Rowant is that Argyresthia arceuthina has a very obvious white thorax which distinguishes it from the otherwise rather similar praecocella, although I imagine this feature can get worn.

Other species seen at Grangelands included Bucculatrix cristatella (amongst very few other micro species) along with Barred Hook-tip, Juniper Pug, Shaded Pug, Small Waved Umber, Treble-bar, Yellow-barred Brindle, Peppered Moth, Pale Oak Beauty, Small Elephant Hawk-moth, Marbled Brown, Shears, Alder Moth & Light Brocade which were all new to me for this year.

Bucculatrix cristatella, Grangelands 2nd June

Juniper Pug, Grangelands 2nd June

Shaded Pug, Grangelands 2nd June

We're well into pug season now and I should add that there were at least a couple more species that I couldn't identify on sight so they'll need closer examination.  Don't expect every pug ID request on the blog to be answered from now onwards!     

Dave Wilton Westcott, Bucks