May Day

So, those Pammene spp. - all P. suspectana. I shall keep looking over the next couple of weeks, P. albuginana has to be out there.

You may recall that we had some work done in the garden last autumn. We've been planting and organising it a fair bit over the last month or so, and I am looking forward later in the year to watching pollinators on some of the flowering plants I've put in. I've also created a quick mini-pond that I hope will bring in aquatic wildlife, using a 100litre planter on legs as I have no intention of creating a place for frogs - just the inverts. It's not ready to share, I'll give it time to mature a bit first.

Here's a couple from last night's garden trap:

May Highflyer

Cochylichroa atricapitana. Yes, you're right, it did used to be Cochylis atricapitana before the taxonomists got involved. Again.

Here's some random Japanese metalcore what I found on the internet to cunningly match the blog title. I like it.

Daily Disco

I swear too much. Generally. The ongoing farce at No. 10 is just a minor catalyst. It may be Toryrettes.

After a few windy days, and then settling out to warmth and sunshine I should have been out somewhere, but for various reasons I've not had a chance. This afternoon I loitered in the garden with intent though.

I noticed a yesterday that occasional small bees, wasps and sawflies were sort of searching holes, albeit in competely the wrong place. We have concrete posts between the fence panels, and the concrete cast has left all sort of sized 'craters' which are not deep enough for anything to nest in, but the prospective nesters and parasites don't know until they check. Today I noticed a couple again, and once armed with camera I pointed it at one to see if there was any discernible details ....

Well, blow me it's one of the yellow-faced bees. Absolutely no idea which one from these shots, so I decided to try and pot the next one I saw. I did. It was a small wasp. Next one, a small bee with no yellow markings. Next one was bigger, and knowing what it probably was I got the camera on it before managing to secure it ....

Gasteruption jaculator sl

I'll keep my eye on this new-found source of interest this week.

Also in the garden today, briefly, were two gaudy beetles. The Wasp Beetle got away, this one sat on the fence for a few seconds ..

Swollen-thighed Beetle

I've also got a couple of sawflies and small hoverflies to look at, plus the garden was again a bit of a hot-spot for Merodon equestris, with at least four invovled (three males, one female - on mating noted).

Female left

Two similar males, note differences in wing-wear

The moth trap has been ticking along, though nothing stand-out.

Lychnis

Vine's Rustic

White-spotted Pug

Annoying the the right antennae was stuck under the forewing

Silver Y

Another annoying moth-photo result - wonky foreleg

Middle-barred Minor

May Highflyer

Peppered Moth

Finally, we've been getting one or two Hedgehogs in the garden, seen infrequently. This evening, well before it was even dusky, this one came trundling up the side of the shed and tried to hide behind a plant pot when it heard me coming ....

Whilst roasting our chicken this evening, I was listening to Sophie Ellis-Bextor on Radio 2 doing a kitchen disco for an hour. Nothing too cheesy, proper 70's club stuff in the main. I am not ashamed to say it was just what was needed - something bouncy and airy and free of the immense weight of bullshit I'd listened to in the preceding couple of hours.

Pug Parade

Been getting a lot of pugs to the garden traps lately, just about more than all other geometrids combined. Nothing unexpected though. Lots of moth recorders struggle with pugs, but once you've seen loads of each of the commoner species you can almost name them from size, jizz and time of year ... in the dark. I say almost, because there's always one oddly marked bugger that throws you. But just accept that once they're worn there's not much point dithering about them; ignore them unless you're going to get every worn pug gen detted.

Green Pug

Common Pug

Mottled Pug

Grey Pug

Freyer's Pug

And here's a couple of carpets whilst I'm at it .. 

May Highflyer

Spruce Carpet

Overdue Mothing Update

About time I updated this blog with some mothing results, from the garden and beyond over the last week.

24/05/2012
Total catch 63 of 25sp.
(125W MV 34 of 17sp., 22W/18W Synergetic/CFL combo 29 of 18sp.)
0017  Common Swift (Hepialus lupulinus)  3
0125  Emmetia marginea  1 (NFY)
0247  Tinea trinotella  4
0409a  Argyresthia trifasciata  12
0544  Coleophora albicosta  1 (NFY)
0602  Elachista apicipunctella  1
0647  Brown House Moth (Hofmannophila pseudospretella)  2
0648  White-shouldered House Moth (Endrosis sarcitrella)  2
0822  Scrobipalpa acuminatella  1 (NFY)
0891  Mompha sturnipennella  1 (NFY)
0892  Mompha subbistrigella  1
0986  Syndemis musculana  2 (NFY)
0998  Light Brown Apple Moth (Epiphyas postvittana)  3
1288  Twenty-plume Moth (Alucita hexadactyla)  1
1428  Bee Moth (Aphomia sociella)  1 (NFY)
1497  Amblyptilia acanthadactyla  1
1724  Red Twin-spot Carpet (Xanthorhoe spadicearia)  1 (NFY)
1776  Green Carpet (Colostygia pectinataria)  9
1819  Mottled Pug (Eupithecia exiguata)  3
1834  Common Pug (Eupithecia vulgata)  2
1853  Oak-tree Pug (Eupithecia dodoneata)  1 (NFY)
1862  Double-striped Pug (Gymnoscelis rufifasciata)  1
1906  Brimstone Moth (Opisthograptis luteolata)  3
1920  Scalloped Hazel (Odontopera bidentata)  4
2092  Shuttle-shaped Dart (Agrotis puta)  2

26/05/2012
Total catch 51 of 22sp.
(125W MV 27 of 15sp., 22W/18W Synergetic/CFL combo 24 of 13sp.)
0017  Common Swift (Hepialus lupulinus)  1
0125  Emmetia marginea  1
0247  Tinea trinotella  3
0366a  Cameraria ohridella  1 (NFY)
0409a  Argyresthia trifasciata  8
0648  White-shouldered House Moth (Endrosis sarcitrella)  2
0891  Mompha sturnipennella  1
0892  Mompha subbistrigella  1
0998  Light Brown Apple Moth (Epiphyas postvittana)  2
1082  Plum Tortrix (Hedya pruniana)  1 (NFY)
1174  Epiblema cynosbatella  1 (NFY)
1651  Chinese Character (Cilix glaucata)  1
1728  Garden Carpet (Xanthorhoe fluctuata)  2 (NFY)
1747  Streamer (Anticlea derivata)  1 (NFY)
1764  Common Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta truncata)  1 (NFY)
1776  Green Carpet (Colostygia pectinataria)  7
1819  Mottled Pug (Eupithecia exiguata)  4
1834  Common Pug (Eupithecia vulgata)  8
1883  Yellow-barred Brindle (Acasis viretata)  1
1906  Brimstone Moth (Opisthograptis luteolata)  2
1920  Scalloped Hazel (Odontopera bidentata)  1
2092  Shuttle-shaped Dart (Agrotis puta)  1

27/05/2012
Total catch 46 of 19sp.
(125W MV 26 of 13sp., 22W/18W Synergetic/CFL combo 20 of 11sp.)
0125  Emmetia marginea  1
0158  Antispila metallella  1 (NFY)
0409a  Argyresthia trifasciata  8
0647  Brown House Moth (Hofmannophila pseudospretella)  2
0648  White-shouldered House Moth (Endrosis sarcitrella)  3
0697  Agonopterix arenella  1
0892  Mompha subbistrigella  1
0986  Syndemis musculana  1
0998  Light Brown Apple Moth (Epiphyas postvittana)  6
1428  Bee Moth (Aphomia sociella)  1
1776  Green Carpet (Colostygia pectinataria)  8
1817  Foxglove Pug (Eupithecia pulchellata)  1
1819  Mottled Pug (Eupithecia exiguata)  3
1834  Common Pug (Eupithecia vulgata)  4
1906  Brimstone Moth (Opisthograptis luteolata)  1
1981  Poplar Hawk-moth (Laothoe populi)  1 (NFY)
2154  Cabbage Moth (Mamestra brassicae)  1 (NFY)
2160  Bright-line Brown-eye (Lacanobia oleracea)  1 (NFY)
2384  Vine's Rustic (Hoplodrina ambigua)  1 (NFY)

Antispila metallella. As far as I know, only the second for VC55

- the first being in April 2002 in my garden!

Syndemis musculana

29/05/2012
Total catch 67 of 27sp.
(125W MV 39 of 20sp., 22W/18W Synergetic/CFL combo 28 of 17sp.)
0017  Common Swift (Hepialus lupulinus)  6

0216  Cork Moth (Nemapogon cloacella)  1 (NFY)

0288  Caloptilia stigmatella  1
0409a  Argyresthia trifasciata  4

0449  Ash Bud Moth (Prays fraxinella)  1 (NFY)

0647  Brown House Moth (Hofmannophila pseudospretella)  2
0648  White-shouldered House Moth (Endrosis sarcitrella)  1
0892  Mompha subbistrigella  2

0936  Cochylimorpha straminea  1 (NFY)

0998  Light Brown Apple Moth (Epiphyas postvittana)  6
1174  Epiblema cynosbatella  3
1428  Bee Moth (Aphomia sociella)  4
1651  Chinese Character (Cilix glaucata)  1
1728  Garden Carpet (Xanthorhoe fluctuata)  1
1776  Green Carpet (Colostygia pectinataria)  5

1778  May Highflyer (Hydriomena impluviata)  1 (NFY)

1808  Sandy Carpet (Perizoma flavofasciata)  1 (NFY)

1819  Mottled Pug (Eupithecia exiguata)  3
1834  Common Pug (Eupithecia vulgata)  9
1883  Yellow-barred Brindle (Acasis viretata)  1
1906  Brimstone Moth (Opisthograptis luteolata)  5
1920  Scalloped Hazel (Odontopera bidentata)  1

1937  Willow Beauty (Peribatodes rhomboidaria)  1 (NFY)

2078  Least Black Arches (Nola confusalis)  1
2092  Shuttle-shaped Dart (Agrotis puta)  3
2160  Bright-line Brown-eye (Lacanobia oleracea)  1

2492  Small Fan-foot (Herminia grisealis)  1 (NFY)

May Highflyer

Cochylimorpha straminea

31/05/2012
Total catch 33 of 18sp.
(125W MV 16 of 10sp., 22W/18W Synergetic/CFL combo 17 of 14sp.)
0017  Common Swift (Hepialus lupulinus)  3
0647  Brown House Moth (Hofmannophila pseudospretella)  2

0874  Blastobasis lacticolella  1 (NFY)

1082  Plum Tortrix (Hedya pruniana)  1
1174  Epiblema cynosbatella  3
1428  Bee Moth (Aphomia sociella)  1
1724  Red Twin-spot Carpet (Xanthorhoe spadicearia)  1
1728  Garden Carpet (Xanthorhoe fluctuata)  2
1776  Green Carpet (Colostygia pectinataria)  5
1808  Sandy Carpet (Perizoma flavofasciata)  1
1819  Mottled Pug (Eupithecia exiguata)  3

1827  Freyer's Pug (Eupithecia intricata arceuthata)  1 (NFY)

1834  Common Pug (Eupithecia vulgata)  3
1906  Brimstone Moth (Opisthograptis luteolata)  2
1920  Scalloped Hazel (Odontopera bidentata)  1

2069  Cinnabar (Tyria jacobaeae)  1 (NFY)

2334  Rustic Shoulder-knot (Apamea sordens)  1 (NFY)

2384  Vine's Rustic (Hoplodrina ambigua)  1

Sandy Carpet

Scalloped Hazel

And from the trip to West Sussex last weekend. The only disappointment was missing a macro tick at Parham Park when other recorders picked up two Rosy Marbled but neither was retained before I had a chance to see them. I did pick up a new micro though, and one other moth tick with a dayflyer at Heyshott Down.

25/05/2012 : Parham Park, West Sussex
Daytime observations
0150  Adela reaumurella
0175  Narycia duplicella
0185  Luffia ferchaultella (larval)
0186  Psyche casta  (larval)
0315  Phyllonorycter harrisella
0697  Agonopterix arenella
1722  Flame Carpet (Xanthorhoe designata)
1935  Mottled Umber (Erannis defoliaria) (larval)
2069  Cinnabar (Tyria jacobaeae)
2227  Sprawler (Asteroscopus sphinx) (larval)
2247  Merveille du Jour (Dichonia aprilina) (larval)
2271  Orange Sallow (Xanthia citrago) (larval)

Mottled Umber

25/05/2012 : Parham Park
1 x 125W MV over sheet, 2 x 125W MV traps & 1 x 22W/18W Synergetic/CFL combo trap
Operated 21:30 - 23:30, c16C, dry, light breeze
Total catch 83 of 39sp.
0017  Common Swift (Hepialus lupulinus)  3
0125  Emmetia marginea  2
0134  Lampronia flavimitrella  1
0227  Skin Moth (Monopis laevigella)  2
0246  Tinea semifulvella  3
0647  Brown House Moth (Hofmannophila pseudospretella)  1
0986  Syndemis musculana  1
1120  Ancylis mitterbacheriana  2
1398  Rush Veneer (Nomophila noctuella)  1
1428  Bee Moth (Aphomia sociella)  1
1645  Scalloped Hook-tip (Falcaria lacertinaria)  1
1648  Pebble Hook-tip (Drepana falcataria)  2
1680  Maiden's Blush (Cyclophora punctaria)  2
1681  Clay Triple-lines (Cyclophora linearia)  2
1727  Silver-ground Carpet (Xanthorhoe montanata)  3
1738  Common Carpet (Epirrhoe alternata)  4
1764  Common Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta truncata)  4
1776  Green Carpet (Colostygia pectinataria)  6
1803  Small Rivulet (Perizoma alchemillata)  1
1808  Sandy Carpet (Perizoma flavofasciata)  1
1834  Common Pug (Eupithecia vulgata)  3
1853  Oak-tree Pug (Eupithecia dodoneata)  1
1893  Tawny-barred Angle (Macaria liturata)  1
1902  Brown Silver-line (Petrophora chlorosata)  8
1906  Brimstone Moth (Opisthograptis luteolata)  4
1961  Light Emerald (Campaea margaritata)  2
1979  Lime Hawk-moth (Mimas tiliae)  1
1981  Poplar Hawk-moth (Laothoe populi)  1
1999  Lobster Moth (Stauropus fagi)  1
2009  Maple Prominent (Ptilodon cucullina)  3
2011  Pale Prominent (Pterostoma palpina)  1
2014  Marbled Brown (Drymonia dodonaea)  1
2028  Pale Tussock (Calliteara pudibunda)  3
2043  Orange Footman (Eilema sororcula)  1
2060  White Ermine (Spilosoma lubricipeda)  1
2078  Least Black Arches (Nola confusalis)  1
2102  Flame Shoulder (Ochropleura plecta)  5
2410  Marbled White Spot (Protodeltote pygarga)  1
2450  Spectacle (Abrostola tripartita)  1

Lampronia flavimitrella - a nice tick and one that's pretty scarce (pRDB3)

Lobster Moth

26/05/2012 : Heyshott Down

Daytime observation

1366  Pyrausta nigrata

Finally, from a late evening foray to Narborough Bog during the week:

Narborough Bog : 29/05/2012
Observed late evening
0016  Gold Swift (Hepialus hecta)
0017  Common Swift (Hepialus lupulinus)
0216  Cork Moth (Nemapogon cloacella)
1076  Celypha lacunana
1640  Drinker (Euthrix potatoria)
1776  Green Carpet (Colostygia pectinataria)

Gold Swift

Cork Moth

From the garden trap, 21/05 & 22/05

A quick update on the garden moth trapping over the last two nights. Both were mainly clear so cooling a fair bit after warm sunny days. Very similar numbers of species and individuals, but a bit of variation over the two nights.

21/05/2010
Total catch 61 of 26sp (125W MV 37 of 20, 80W actinic 24 of 17)

0130 Incurvaria masculella 1 [first for year]
0247 Tinea trinotella 1
0409a Argyresthia trifasciata 5
0544 Coleophora albicosta 2 [first for year]
0647 Brown House Moth (Hofmannophila pseudospretella) 1
0648 White-shouldered House Moth (Endrosis sarcitrella) 2
0822 Scrobipalpa acuminatella 1
0998 Light Brown Apple Moth (Epiphyas postvittana) 2
1376 Small Magpie (Eurrhypara hortulata) 2
1428 Bee Moth (Aphomia sociella) 1 [first for year]
1724 Red Twin-spot Carpet (Xanthorhoe spadicearia) 2
1728 Garden Carpet (Xanthorhoe fluctuata) 2
1776 Green Carpet (Colostygia pectinataria) 8
1778 May Highflyer (Hydriomena impluviata) 3
1819 Mottled Pug (Eupithecia exiguata) 3
1834 Common Pug (Eupithecia vulgata) 10
1906 Brimstone Moth (Opisthograptis luteolata) 4
1920 Scalloped Hazel (Odontopera bidentata) 2
1958 Clouded Silver (Lomographa temerata) 1
1981 Poplar Hawk-moth (Laothoe populi) 1 [first for year]
2028 Pale Tussock (Calliteara pudibunda) 1
2078 Least Black Arches (Nola confusalis) 2
2089 Heart and Dart (Agrotis exclamationis) 1 [first for year]
2188 Clouded Drab (Orthosia incerta) 1
2243 Early Grey (Xylocampa areola) 1
2450 Spectacle (Abrostola tripartita) 1

Poplar Hawk-moth

Heart and Dart

22/05/2010
Total catch 56 of 25sp (125W MV 37 of 20, 80W actinic 19 of 11)

0409a Argyresthia trifasciata 5
0544 Coleophora albicosta 1
0648 White-shouldered House Moth (Endrosis sarcitrella) 2
0986 Syndemis musculana 1
0998 Light Brown Apple Moth (Epiphyas postvittana) 5
1342 Eudonia angustea 1 [first for year]
1776 Green Carpet (Colostygia pectinataria) 3
1778 May Highflyer (Hydriomena impluviata) 1
1819 Mottled Pug (Eupithecia exiguata) 6
1834 Common Pug (Eupithecia vulgata) 9
1883 Yellow-barred Brindle (Acasis viretata) 1
1906 Brimstone Moth (Opisthograptis luteolata) 4
1958 Clouded Silver (Lomographa temerata) 2
1979 Lime Hawk-moth (Mimas tiliae) 2
1981 Poplar Hawk-moth (Laothoe populi) 1
2028 Pale Tussock (Calliteara pudibunda) 2
2060 White Ermine (Spilosoma lubricipeda) 1 [first for year]
2063 Muslin Moth (Diaphora mendica) 2
2089 Heart and Dart (Agrotis exclamationis) 1
2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart (Agrotis puta) 1
2102 Flame Shoulder (Ochropleura plecta) 1
2188 Clouded Drab (Orthosia incerta) 1
2334 Rustic Shoulder-knot (Apamea sordens) 1
2337x Marbled Minor agg. (Oligia strigilis agg.) 1 [first for year]
2450 Spectacle (Abrostola tripartita) 1

Lime Hawk-moth

May Highflyer

Today I also found a very fresh Cabbage Moth on a wall at the front of the house - presumably just emerged. I've also fitted two new 40W tubes to the actinic so hopefully that will pick up a bit.

Tonight the garden traps seem to have started well, and it feels warmer and closer than previous nights. I would have liked to be out and about somewhere but I've settled for the easier option of leaving traps out. It will mean an early start but that's better than a late night on a Sunday!

From the garden trap, 04/05/2010

Yesterday was a relatively cool day, with temps only reaching the early teens at best, however by 20:00 it had fully clouded over and was feeling relatively mild for the evening. Even better, the wind had dropped but the forecast for the night was low temps and rain moving in. I thought I was being extremely optimistic, but I decided to get the traps on for the first time since last Wednesday and see what came in.

With low expectations, I went out to have a look at c23:00 and immediately noted a (presumed Pipestrelle) bat hawking over the garden in repetitive circular swoops. Checking the traps I found a nice Lime Hawk on the side of the MV, and a May Highflyer on the side of the actinic along with a flurry of pugs. Emptying the traps this morning in nice sunshine, with no sign of any rain, was therefore a much better experience than I imagined when I put the traps on.

Total catch was 26 of 18sp (125W MV 12 of 11, 80W actinic 14 of 10)

0483 Epermenia chaerophyllella 1
0648 White-shouldered House Moth (Endrosis sarcitrella) 1 [first for year]
0822 Scrobipalpa acuminatella 1
1524 Emmelina monodactyla 1
1728 Garden Carpet (Xanthorhoe fluctuata) 1
1778 May Highflyer (Hydriomena impluviata) 1 [first for year]
1853 Oak-tree Pug (Eupithecia dodoneata) 3
1862 Double-striped Pug (Gymnoscelis rufifasciata) 1
1906 Brimstone Moth (Opisthograptis luteolata) 1 [first for year]
1920 Scalloped Hazel (Odontopera bidentata) 1 [first for year]
1936 Waved Umber (Menophra abruptaria) 1 [first for year]
1979 Lime Hawk-moth (Mimas tiliae) 1 [first for year]
2007 Swallow Prominent (Pheosia tremula) 1 [first for year]
2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart (Agrotis puta) 4 [first for year]
2186 Powdered Quaker (Orthosia gracilis) 1
2188 Clouded Drab (Orthosia incerta) 2
2190 Hebrew Character (Orthosia gothica) 1
2243 Early Grey (Xylocampa areola) 3

In addition to this, I potted a couple of male pugs that need their abdominal plates checking - possibly Golden-rod, and also a tiny speck of nothing Stigmella sp. - with only a 4mm wingspan and numerous similar species I have low expectations of sorting that one!

Here's a few shots taken in appalling indoor lighting after taking too long over a couple of post-work pints on the way home.

Waved Umber

Swallow Prominent

May Highflyer

Lime Hawk-moth

The conditions are similar tonight so they're out again, though I think the rain is more of a certainty.

This time tomorrow we may well know who is PM for the next five - probably one that is completely out of touch with public opinion and devoid of ideas. Nothing changes does it!?

From the garden trap - 06/06/2008

Total catch 111 of 42sp.
(125W MV 41 of 24sp., 80W actinic 70 of 34sp.)

First for year in garden:
Blastobasis lacticolella 1
Agapeta hamana 1
Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix (Pandemis cerasana) 1
Plum Tortrix (Hedya pruniana) 1
Epiblema trimaculana 1
Light Emerald (Campaea margaritata) 1
Eyed Hawk-moth (Smerinthus ocellata) 1
Pale Prominent (Pterostoma palpina) 1
Snout (Hypena proboscidalis) 1
Highest counts:
Common Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta truncata) 16
Garden Carpet (Xanthorhoe fluctuata) 8
Freyer's Pug (Eupithecia intricata arceuthata) 8
Green Carpet (Colostygia pectinataria) 7
Other highlights:
May Highflyer (Hydriomena impluviata) 3
Lime Hawk-moth (Mimas tiliae) 1


Lime Hawk-moth - this is a fat reddish female


May Highflyer - this individual is very well marked and of the typical form but is actually unusual for my garden


Grey Pug


Pale Prominent - or piece of wood

From the garden trap - 06/05/2008

Another good species list from the actinic, though overall numbers are still on the low side with almost everything appearing as singletons. The MV is doing crap - I know it's not the bulb.

Total catch 22 of 16sp.
(125W MV 6 of 4sp., 80W actinic 16 of 15sp.)

Tinea trinotella 1
Argyresthia trifasciata 1
White-shouldered House Moth (Endrosis sarcitrella) 1
Semioscopis steinkellneriana 1
Light Brown Apple Moth (Epiphyas postvittana) 2
Emmelina monodactyla 1
May Highflyer (Hydriomena impluviata) 1
Common Pug (Eupithecia vulgata) 1
White-spotted Pug (Eupithecia tripunctaria) 1
Brindled Pug (Eupithecia abbreviata) 2
Double-striped Pug (Gymnoscelis rufifasciata) 2
Muslin Moth (Diaphora mendica) 1
Least Black Arches (Nola confusalis) 2
Shuttle-shaped Dart (Agrotis puta) 1
Hebrew Character (Orthosia gothica) 3
Early Grey (Xylocampa areola) 1


May Highflyer - not the smartest but also not a usual garden moth in VC55, though annual in mine


Least Black Arches - not a micro