Westcott, Bucks

After Small Quaker and Red Sword-grass were added to this year's garden list back on the 14th I've now had Mompha subbistrigella & Shoulder Stripe (15th), Oak Nycteoline (16th), Caloptilia stigmatella, Amblyptilia acanthadactyla, Twin-spotted Quaker, Early Grey & Chestnut (all 17th), Diurnea fagella & Red Chestnut (18th), Ypsolopha mucronella (19th), Double-striped Pug (20th) and Early Thorn & Tawny Pinion (both 23rd), all to the actinic light, so new arrivals have been turning up very much as expected thanks to the fairly benign conditions - albeit rather windy of late.  The nightly counts have been averaging about 50 individuals, Monday 20th proving to be the best of this period with 68 moths.  Needless to say the most numerous have been Orthosia species, mainly Common Quaker, Clouded Drab and Hebrew Character.

Ypsolopha mucronella in typical resting pose,
Westcott 19th March

Double-striped Pug, Westcott 20th March

Early Thorn, Westcott 23rd March

Tawny Pinion, Westcott 23rd March

Another larval record was added to the list on the 20th when this final instar caterpillar of Large Yellow Underwing was found on the lawn close to the light.

Large Yellow Underwing caterpillar, Westcott 20th March

This year's garden list currently stands at 53 species.  46 of those have been adult moths, meaning that if no more are added before the end of the month this will rank as the garden's fifth best count achieved during the first three months of the year.  The total to beat is 57 adult moth species (achieved in 2021).

Dave Wilton Westcott, Bucks