Westcott, Bucks

This was a week of varying fortunes depending on the overnight weather conditions but another handful of species has been added to the garden year-list. Gypsy Moth and Jersey Tiger have continued to put in appearances here but as yet there's still been no sign of Oak Processionary (maybe that's a good thing!).  Other recorders have had quite a bit of luck with migrant species over the past few nights but all I've had is Rush Veneer Nomophila noctuella (two on the 18th, one on the 19th).   

     (15th)  197 moths of 55 species; Tawny Speckled Pug the only species new for the garden year-list.  

     (16th)  116 moths of 46 species; Six-striped Rustic new for the year.

     (17th)  253 moths of 68 species; Webb's Wainscot new for the year.

     (18th)  267 moths of 86 species; Small Waved Umber, Hoary Footman, Pinion-streaked Snout, Gold Spot & Square-spot Rustic all new for the year.

     (19th)  155 moths of 66 species; Roeslerstammia erxlebella new for the year.

     (20th)  261 moths of 83 species; Elachista adscitella (retained for checking), Pyrausta despicata, Nymphula nitidulata/Beautiful China-mark, Cypress Pug & Feathered Gothic all new for the year.

     (21st)  The traps were given a well-earned night off.

Roeslerstammia erxlebella, Westcott 19th August

Pinion-streaked Snout, Westcott 18th August

Gold Spot, Westcott 18th August

The larvae of Roeslerstammia erxlebella feed on Lime, of which we have one mature tree in the garden and several more around the adjacent churchyard, so it is surprising that it doesn't appear here in some numbers.  However, the highest ever annual count is nine (2018) and there were none at all last year.  Pinion-streaked Snout is an "honorary micro" because of its tiny size (about the same wing-length as Eudonia mercurella) and thus is very easily overlooked.  It is really a wetland species but has been recorded in the garden three or four times in the past, this being the first visitor since 2017.  The Gold Spot image is included just because it is such a smart moth!  It is a regular here from its second generation but I don't often get to see those of the first generation which flies in June and July.

Dave Wilton Westcott, Bucks