Sunday, 8 September 2013

Garden Moths - Number of Species trapped is falling

Lack of time means I'm still only putting out the moth trap once a week. The number of species trapped is dropping and the trap is full of worn lbj's of the moth world like this one currently unidentified :



Flounced Rustics are dominating at the moment. I find they have quite a wide range of markings as shown in next two photos. In fact, I am still not 100% sure the second one is a Flounced Rustic



Willow Beauty




Summary of Moths trapped Saturday, 31st August

15w Actinic Skinner Trap

2353 Flounced Rustic (Luperina testacea) x 22

2107 Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) x 11

2109 Lesser Yellow Underwing (Noctua comes) x 6

2111 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (Noctua janthe) x 2

1937 Willow Beauty (Peribatodes rhomboidaria) x 1

0998 Light Brown Apple Moth (Epiphyas postvittana) x 1


As always if any of my identifications are incorrect please feel free to let me know :)

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6 comments:

  1. Jerry8 September 2013 at 21:01

    Hi RR

    I was thinking that the worn moth is perhaps a Square-spot Rustic. At the moment, I'm getting lots of them down here in Surrey. But as you are finding, I'm getting plenty of moths but of a relatively small number of species. Have a lovely week, Jerry.

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  2. Ragged Robin9 September 2013 at 09:55

    Jerry - Hi Jerry Yes, I think you could be right re Square-spot Rustic. When you first open the trap you think you haven't caught much until you turn over egg boxes and they are stuffed with LYU's and Flounced Rustics!!!!

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  3. Anonymous10 September 2013 at 08:50

    I was also going to suggest a faded square spot rustic for the top one. We're getting lots of them here at the mo. I've seen the third moth before but can't think now which one it is (very helpful of me, sorry!). It could have been on the hants whats flying tonight page for last week so might be worth a check? :-)

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  4. Ragged Robin10 September 2013 at 09:54

    Countryside Tales - Yes, I'm getting more Square-spot Rustics this year than usual. I wasn't 100% sure about the 3rd moth - markings not that clear. But will recheck Hants Flying tonight page. Could do with a few year ticks!!!

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  5. Anonymous11 September 2013 at 15:24

    I think I've found your mystery moth- a hedge rustic :-)

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  6. Ragged Robin11 September 2013 at 18:44

    Countryside Tales - is that the top photo?? I will be checking out after tea - from memory have never had one of those. Thanks so much :)

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