The Mottled Umber on Thursday night brought the garden macro list up to 296, whilst the micros are just behind on 293. So - will 2011 see the garden moth list top 600, and if so will this be 300+ macros, 300+ micros or maybe both? I find predicting the next most likely moth species to turn up is a complete lottery. Whilst some relatively common species resolutely avoid reaching the garden, something entirely unexpected pops up. In fact the Mottled Umber is one that is both common and to some extent unexpected - there is no decent woodland close by, and for the main part of its flight period the conditions are not favourable for a wanderer.
I've considered what's not currently on the list, and in no order of precedence here are 25 micro and 25 macro species that should/could/may turn up. Some of these (like Coronet) are currently undergoing a population and distribution shift in VC55 so whilst they would have been unthinkable 5 years ago, it is now perhaps just a matter of time.
Before listing the species though - it's fair to say that I would be completely unsurprised if the next garden tick is not actually included in these lists ....
Eucalybites auroguttella
Argyresthia bonnetella
Zelleria hepariella
Pseudoswammerdamia combinella
Ypsolopha ustella
Agonopterix ocellana
Mompha propinquella
Phtheochroa rugosana
Cochylis roseana
Cochylis dubitana
Archips crataegana
Variegated Golden Tortrix
Eulia ministrana
Tortricodes alternella
Epinotia ramella
Eucosma hohenwartiana
Cydia ulicetana
Dichrorampha petiverella
Dichrorampha alpinana
Scoparia subfusca
Beautiful China-mark
Small China-mark
Trachycera suavella
Amblyptilia punctidactyla
Platyptilia pallidactyla
Six-spot Burnet
Emperor Moth
Yellow Horned
Flame Carpet
Dark Marbled Carpet
Fern
Sloe Pug
September Thorn
Oak Beauty
Spring Usher
Convolvulus Hawk-moth
Privet Hawk-moth
Puss Moth
Orange Footman
Green Arches
Campion
Antler Moth
Southern Wainscot
Alder Moth
Coronet
Double Lobed
Brown-veined Wainscot
Small Rufous
Small Mottled Willow
Pinion-streaked Snout
3 comments:
Hi Mark
Interesting list there, and there's some that still elude me there! most i've seen on that list have not been garden records, Yellow Horned & September Thorns are prime examples of mature oak woodland species.
Very surprised you haven't had Privet Hawk-moth in the garden! these seem to like even small privet hedges in any size garden....it's only a matter of time!
Best wishes and happy mothing!
Interesting Mark. Its good to see differences from the midlands to the north east. In your list Flame Carpet, Dark Marbled Carpet and in particular Antler Moth have been common in my garden.
Tonight I had my first Spring Usher, a scarce species throughout Northumberland with under 40 records.
I have a good few years of trapping, and learning, to go to catch you up though. Good Luck, and I look forward to seeing your next garden tick!
Ben - yes I think Yellow Horned and September Thorn are relative long shots, but they have turned up in other VC55 gardens. Privet Hawk was relatively local in VC55 until recently - it's one that is spreading westwards and I do expect it will be here soon (thought it would be before Pine Hawk but that came last year).
Stewart - I can offer no explanation for the absence of Flame Carpet and Dark Marbled Carpet! Antler certainly is common in parts of VC55, but mainly north of me. I thought that Mottled Umber and Spring Usher would never turn up, but now the former has I am more hopeful about the latter! I doubt you'll have to wait 10+ years to top 300 macros though.
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