No 8...

Pinion Streaked Snout.

At first glance this little non-descript chap looks like a micro moth, but I soon remembered those small triangle shaped things at the back of the Lewington Guide. The 3 records in 2010 in Northumberland were from my garden...

No 7...

Small Elephant Hawkmoth

Hawkmoths are in short supply this far north. Only Poplar Hawk and Elephant Hawk are common enough to be an expected annual addition to the garden list, so this single porcellus was welcome alongside its larger cousins. 

Only two were taken in Northumberland this year. As it is a species of the dune grassland, it was a lucky catch. I wonder if it will repeat in 2011...  

No 6 ...

Flounced Chestnut

These are common autumn moths in my garden, with 44 being trapped this year with a maximum one night count of 10 individuals on 15th September. To put this in some sort of context though, there have only ever been 118 individuals recorded in Northumberland with previous year totals throughout the county as follows - 

2010- 47 see above.

2009- 5 all also in my garden.

2008- 2

2007- 1

2006- 1

2005- 2

It seems incredible that one site can catch so many of what seems to be an unusual species in the county.... I will be interested to see if this happens in 2011.

No 5 ...

Grass Emerald

This one threw me when I first saw it. I am quite familiar with Large and Light Emerald but this one was different, and we don't get Common Emerald here. After some hunting I found it in a different genus in the field guide.

They are a scarce moth here, I'm not sure about elsewhere, but the two in my garden were the only ones in the county this year. In the last decade the maximum number caught in a year has been only 7, so its a nice one to get.... 

No 4...

Marbled Coronet.

Three of these chequered beauties graced my garden this year. They look like a monochrome Mervielle du Jour. Although there were 10 caught in Northumberland in 2010, only 1 in 09, 2 in 08 and none in 07 shows what a scarce species they are. In Northumberland they seem to be a coastal species...

No 3....

Red Chestnut.

Nice spring moths, these. I've done well for them in the garden, having trapped 33 of only 34 caught in Northumberland this year. This is probably due to people not going further afield trapping when these are on the wing in April.

I look forward to my next one...

No 2...

Lilac Beauty.

This was an unexpected species in my garden. Only one caught and, as it turns out, the only one in Northumberland this year.

There are have been 81 individuals caught since 1900 in the county, but in the last decade they have only been caught on 'even' years with no more than 2 per annum, and more usually only the one every two years. I have been very lucky to get one!

I dont hold out much hope of a repeat in 2011 of this cracking moth. It looks more suited to southern climes.... 

Faves of 2010...No1

As this year looks to be done and dusted as far as moths are concerned I think I'll stick a few posts in with my personal highlights from the garden and beyond...In no particular order...

No1. Clouded Silver.

Only a single specimen of this lovely moth was caught this year. In the early hours of 23rd May I was up to cover the trap and it was lucky I did, because this one was resting outside on the rain guard.

First recorded in Northumberland in VC68 at Fenwick Wood in 1970, it was closely followed by a second at Belford in 1971. Since then it has become a widespread species with 160 records of 241 individuals from 52 sites.

2010 has been the best year for them so far in the county with 45 records.

I was well impressed with this one, a little cracker.

A Mild spell...

I didn't put the trap out last night. I couldn't get motivated.

On my way to a friends Christmas 'do' though I counted no less that 5 Winter Moths in the car headlights not far from home.

With the big freeze entering a second phase later this week, I might just cut my losses and look forward to my first moth of 2011. I bet its a Chestnut...

A moth!

On my way home from work at 6.15pm tonight, the thermometer read zero degrees and snow was falling quite steadily. Under the trees near home a single Winter Moth fluttered and dodged between the flakes.

My only insect for a few weeks and I bet its a while before I see another. Unless the predicted mild spell on Friday tempts the Robinson back out...

Spar Shop

About two years ago Dean Stables mentioned on his blog that he often found moths at the lights around the Matalan store. This has encouraged me to check our local small shop on occasions. It is most productive very early and very late in the year for some reason.

The other day I had 3 December Moths and a nice Mottled Umber hiding in the painted pebble dashing...

 

More of the same...a lot more...

Now that my new bulbs have arrived, I put the trap out from 6.30pm until 11.30pm last night. I was pleased to find 17 moths in there when I did the inspection, just a pity there were only 2 species. But it is November after all...

1631 December Moth (Poecilocampa populi) 16, a suprising number...
2264 Yellow-line Quaker (Agrochola macilenta) 1
I had a single Winter Moth on the road when out with the dog too.

Howick Moths 2010 Report.

Since I've broken the bulb in my trap, now is a good time to finish my 2010 garden moth report. Please click here for a copy.

As this is my first full year moth trapping please feel free to correct me on any errors I've made. Hopefully there wont be too many becasue they should have been ironed out over the year.

Cheers Stewart...

Oops...

Well that puts paid the moth season. I've just knocked my trap over onto a stone floor and broke the bulb. I hope the choke box is alright...I'll get a couple of new MV's on order I think. Its never too soon to get ready for the next season....

Blank

Well, the final GMS night turned out to be a damp squib. No moths caught, making this my first blank night since 13th March...The rest of this week doesn't look good either, but if we get a mild one I'll have another try...

I haven't had Scarce Umber....

A touch of wind..

Last night the wind got up and was quite gusty by midnight, so for the first time this year I bottled out and took the trap in. It's only a glorified plastic bucket after all, so it could have been damaged by the weather. See Marks comment on yesterdays post, it must have been a poor night all round...

So the results? Trap on from 6.45pm - midnight, catch - 2 December Moths.

Trap is on now in calmer but cooler conditions for the final Garden Moth Survey of the season...

If any of you out there are considering getting into moth trapping, sign up to this survey, it provides great information about the current state of British Moths...

Prickly subject...

No trapping this week, but last night a Feathered Thorn was on our bathroom window. Nice. Although it is wet and breezy, it is mild so the trap is on tonight. Not that I expect much. All I have left to get is Mottled Umber and Winter Moth, unless there is a suprise in store...

Ghostly...

quiet....

Taxa
1631 December Moth (Poecilocampa populi) 5
1769 Spruce Carpet (Thera britannica) 1
2264 Yellow-line Quaker (Agrochola macilenta) 1
2441 Silver Y (Autographa gamma) 1

8 moths of 4 species...

It must be December....

December Moths in profusion...

Although it was a mild 10 degrees last night, each night sees the number of moths dwindling. I hope I can get to the end of the Garden Moth Survey on 5th November without any blanks. My last blank session was right at the beginning of March...

Taxa

1631 December Moth (Poecilocampa populi) 6, a good count.
1769 Spruce Carpet (Thera britannica) 1
2263 Red-line Quaker (Agrochola lota) 1
2306 Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa) 1
2441 Silver Y (Autographa gamma) 1

Only 10 moths of 5 species.

Angle Shades

A bit of a revival?

No probably not, but still a reasonable show.

Feathered Thorn

Taxa
1041 Acleris sparsana 1
1631 December Moth (Poecilocampa populi) 1
1760 Red-green Carpet (Chloroclysta siterata) 1
1769 Spruce Carpet (Thera britannica) 3
1795x November Moth agg. (Epirrita dilutata agg.) 5
1923 Feathered Thorn (Colotois pennaria) 1
2240 Blair's Shoulder-knot (Lithophane leautieri) 1
2259 Dark Chestnut (Conistra ligula) 1
2264 Yellow-line Quaker (Agrochola macilenta) 1
2361 Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea) 3
2441 Silver Y (Autographa gamma) 3

21 moths of 11 species.

Still no Light Brown Apple after 4 last year. Looks like the cold winter has done for them...

Furry Moth...

Delayed update from Thursday night due to working late yesterday...

December Moth. A favourite of mine, is there a moth more suited to its name, with its furry black coat to keep it warm... 

Thursday 21/10/10

Taxa
1631 December Moth (Poecilocampa populi) 1
1760 Red-green Carpet (Chloroclysta siterata) 2
1769 Spruce Carpet (Thera britannica) 1
1923 Feathered Thorn (Colotois pennaria) 3
2126 Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum) 1
2263 Red-line Quaker (Agrochola lota) 1
2264 Yellow-line Quaker (Agrochola macilenta) 3

12 moths of 7 species...

and last night GMS -

Taxa
1041 Acleris sparsana 1
1631 December Moth (Poecilocampa populi) 3
1760 Red-green Carpet (Chloroclysta siterata) 5
1769 Spruce Carpet (Thera britannica) 7
1795x November Moth agg. (Epirrita dilutata agg.) 2
2258 Chestnut (Conistra vaccinii) 1
2263 Red-line Quaker (Agrochola lota) 1
2264 Yellow-line Quaker (Agrochola macilenta) 2

22 moths of 8 species. 7 Spruce Carpets ( above) is my highest count ...

What a Gem!

Gem

A nice selection of late species last night included my first Gem and the first December Moths since January...time flies...

Gem is a rare migrant to the north east, so this was a much appreciated find this morning. It was smaller than thought. A tiny 'carpet'...

Taxa
1048 Garden Rose Tortrix (Acleris variegana) 1
1631 December Moth (Poecilocampa populi) 2
1720 Gem (Orthonama obstipata) 1 New
1760 Red-green Carpet (Chloroclysta siterata) 1
1769 Spruce Carpet (Thera britannica) 1
1795x November Moth agg. (Epirrita dilutata agg.) 5
1923 Feathered Thorn (Colotois pennaria) 3, a good count here.
2107 Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) 1
2263 Red-line Quaker (Agrochola lota) 2
2264 Yellow-line Quaker (Agrochola macilenta) 1
2306 Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa) 2
2361 Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea) 3

23 moths of 12 species



Chestnuts

A quick summary of catch

Taxa
2240 Blair's Shoulder-knot (Lithophane leautieri) 1
2258 Chestnut (Conistra vaccinii) 1
2259 Dark Chestnut (Conistra ligula) 3
2264 Yellow-line Quaker (Agrochola macilenta) 5
2361 Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea) 1
2441 Silver Y (Autographa gamma) 1

12 Moths of 6 species.

I have photographed all of the 'Chestnuts' to be sure...

Above two, Dark Chestnuts

Above two probably Dark Chestnuts

Chestnut

New Migrant

Rusty Dot Pearl

Such a nice name for a tiny non descript moth.

Rusty Dot Pearl is new for me, a smaller moth than I imagined? The Epirrita sp was a nice well patterned specimen, better than those big grey things I usually get...

Taxa
Epirrita species (Epirrita sp.) 1 possibly Autumnal Moth?
1395 Rusty-dot Pearl (Udea ferrugalis) 1 new
1795x November Moth agg. (Epirrita dilutata agg.) 1
2240 Blair's Shoulder-knot (Lithophane leautieri) 1
2258 Chestnut (Conistra vaccinii) 3
2259 Dark Chestnut (Conistra ligula) 1 very distinctive against the Chestnuts. I'll get a photo tomorrow.
2263 Red-line Quaker (Agrochola lota) 1
2264 Yellow-line Quaker (Agrochola macilenta) 2
2361 Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea) 1

12 moths of 9 species

The forecast for next week isn't looking good for mothing. Frosts and cold northerlies might put paid to that.

A good show at the work halogen light this morning - 1 November Moth agg, 2 Blair's shoulder Knot, 1 Angle Shades and a Barred Red. Seems late for this latter species...

Barred Red update, Previous latest in the county was 25th September. This one was on 14th October...

Unlucky for some...

This week Tom Tams and Tim Barker have been catching a few specimens of the Gem, a rare migrant moth. In less than ideal weather I had to try for one myself..

Red Green Carpet

 It was baltic here last night though-

Taxa
0464 Diamond-back Moth (Plutella xylostella) 1
1760 Red-green Carpet (Chloroclysta siterata) 1
2263 Red-line Quaker (Agrochola lota) 1
2264 Yellow-line Quaker (Agrochola macilenta) 1
2306 Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa) 1
2361 Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea) 1
2441 Silver Y (Autographa gamma) 1

Only 7 moths of 7 species. I think things are winding up...

But I still intend to trap in every month until the year end. That was my plan at the start of the year so I could get a grounding of whats to be had...

Work Moths.

I work in the old council offices at Bedlington. In the building there is a small external courtyard without any vegetation, but there is a massive halogen security lamp, that must measure 2 ft across. Over the summer one or two Large Yellow Underwings and White Ermines found their way into the offices but I didnt know this lamp was present.

Tonight I noticed it and a quick scan around the wall revealed 2 Figure of Eight and 2 Blair's Shoulder Knot. I'll be scrutinising it more closely in future...

Mystery Micro last night...

Left, Large Wainscot and right, Merveille du Jour

Figure of Eight

Mystery micro? Diamond Back Moth, I haven't seen this form before. 

0464 Diamond-back Moth (Plutella xylostella) 7
1041 Acleris sparsana 1
1048 Garden Rose Tortrix (Acleris variegana) 3
1795x November Moth agg. (Epirrita dilutata agg.) 3
2020 Figure of Eight (Diloba caeruleocephala) 2
2126 Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum) 5
2240 Blair's Shoulder-knot (Lithophane leautieri) 1
2247 Merveille du Jour (Dichonia aprilina) 1
2256 Satellite (Eupsilia transversa) 1
2258 Chestnut (Conistra vaccinii) 4
2259 Dark Chestnut (Conistra ligula) 2
2264 Yellow-line Quaker (Agrochola macilenta) 1
2306 Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa) 1
2361 Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea) 5
2375 Large Wainscot (Rhizedra lutosa) 3
2441 Silver Y (Autographa gamma) 1
2477 Snout (Hypena proboscidalis) 1

42 moths of 17 species, including no less than 3 Large Wainscots (thats 6 in the last few days, nearest reeds are at Low Newton, 6 miles away) and another 2 Figure of Eight...