Dark Marbled Tabby, Duponchelia fovealis and Italian Tubic, Metalampra italica

 The warmer weather has certainly increased the number of moths in the garden traps.  

Last night I had a couple of unusual micros.

The first was the adventive Dark Marbled Tabby, Duponchelia fovealis.  I have recorded this here five times before, but all the previous records have been indoors, presumed to have come from recently purchased house-plants, my last record was in 2007.  I've no idea where this might have come from.  I've not bought any plants recently, but I presume it will have come from a plant in one of the houses locally.  Unless anyone is aware of it being established locally?  

Dark Marbled Tabby, Duponchelia fovealis (Note: this species is not in Sterling, Parsons & Lewington)

A couple of days ago I had a small orangey micro in the garden trap, this turned out to be the Italian Tubic, Metalampra italica.  I had another last night.  It is the first time I've recorded it here in over 20 years of trapping.  

Italian Tubic, Metalampra italica

Good mothing

Neil Fletcher
Walter's Ash, VC24