Westcott, Bucks

The fourth seven-day period of July proved to be another good week for moths in the garden with a further three nightly catches of 100 or more species.  Unfortunately our "heat-wave" period seems to have ended so further such results might be harder to come by now.  Last night (28th), after an afternoon and evening of heavy thundery showers, a brisk overnight breeze along with clear skies and a bright moon conspired to produce a very poor catch indeed for the time of year. 

     (22nd)  544 moths of 123 species; Zelleria hepariella, Metalampra italica, Aproaerema larseniella (retained for checking), Oncocera semirubella & Latticed Heath all new for the garden year-list.

     (23rd)  388 moths of 91 species; Plutella porrectella, Epinotia brunnichana & Ear Moth (retained) all new for the year-list.  

     (24th)  452 moths of 108 species; Yponomeuta rorrella, Prays ruficeps, Canary-shouldered Thorn, Dusky Thorn & Mouse Moth all new for the year-list.   

     (25th)  542 moths of 95 species; Bulrush Wainscot was the only species new for the year-list.

     (26th)  647 moths of 132 species; Tinea pellionella (retained), Aspilapteryx tringipennella, Phyllocnistis saligna, Epinotia nisella, Eucosma conterminana, Flounced Rustic & Straw Underwing all new for the year-list.  

     (27th)  464 moths of 78 species; Agonopterix liturosa, Slender Brindle & Lesser-spotted Pinion all new for the year-list.  

     (28th)  118 moths of 40 species;  Coleophora hemerobiella & Balsam Carpet both new for the year- list.

Here we are, still in the height of summer, but the appearance of the Thorns, Flounced Rustic and Straw Underwing suggests that autumn is only just around the corner as far as moths are concerned.

Eucosma conterminana, Westcott 26th July

Oncocera semirubella, Westcott 22nd July

Latticed Heath, Westcott 22nd July

Canary-shouldered & Dusky Thorns, Westcott 24th July

Lesser-spotted Pinion, Westcott 27th July

However, the best moth of this period appeared last night when there was little else going on.  At dawn an odd-looking smallish Carpet with its wings almost closed together was noticed resting on one of the conservatory windows next to the actinic trap so was potted up for later examination.  It proved to be the first visit here from a Balsam Carpet (albeit rather a tired-looking individual).  The closest habitat is likely to be in the River Thame between Chearsley and Nether Winchendon, three or four miles to the south, where I know there is Orange Balsam.  It becomes the garden's 447th macro species.

Balsam Carpet, Westcott 28th July

In the past I'd always lumped Yponomeuta rorrella with cagnagella, malinellus and padella as species that couldn't be determined on sight, but after consultation with experts locally it seems that if one is very careful this species can be safely identified.  Prior to the 24th I'd not knowingly seen it anyway and that seems to fit with it being seldom encountered in the UK other than during periods of migration.  While both malinellus and padella can also have grey scales to a greater or lesser extent on the forewing, on rorrella there is a greyish suffusion in the centre of the wing which is very consistent in its shape and the terminal fringe is also grey, but a thin strip of white remains along the costa with a slight "bulge" just before the dorsum.    

Yponomeuta rorrella, Westcott 24th July

On the 27th I had my first attempt this season at using a wine-rope at the front of the house (away from the lights in the back garden) and it brought in Mouse Moth (1), Dark Arches (1), Cloaked Minor (1) & Herald (3).  No sign yet of any of the larger species, although both Old Lady and Red Underwing could appear any time now and this method is often the best at attracting them.

Dave Wilton Westcott, Bucks