Bulrush Wainscot at Ynys-hir

At last a decent night for moth trapping. Three actinic traps in the woodland at the RSPB reserve, gave us 17 macro species and 6 micros. Of the 110 moths Snout was the most numerous, followed by Common Marbled Carpet, Red-green Carpet, Brimstone and Pink-barred Sallow. Both Copper Underwing and Svensson's were identified but some slipped through the fingers. Others included: Purple Bar, September Thorn, Gold Spot, Spruce Carpet, Double-striped Pug, V-pug, Pinion-streaked Snout. Best of all was a Bulrush Wainscot, only the 6th record for the site, last one was in 2011.
Tony & Ina

Bulrush Wainscot

Gold Spot

Snout

Snout

Pink-barred Sallow

Broom Moth Larva

I spent much of yesterday with Butterfly Conservation help, checking for Marsh Fritillary larval webs on Rhos Llawrcwrt NNR. Paul Gadsby found and photographed this Broom Moth Larva.  I don't recall seeing one before though the moth turns up in my trap at home from time to time.

Frosted Orange

We had 4 Frosted Orange when trapping near Plwmp on Monday night. It is not uncommon in Ceredigion, with 340 records, but it was omitted from my document on the macro moths of Ceredigion.
Tony

Frosted Orange

Records for 50 years to 2015

Distribution map

Knot Grass

On a biological recording day at a site near Plwmp, we found a caterpillar which was later identified as a Knot Grass. A trap set close to where it was found managed to catch an adult Knot Grass. There are only a few county records for second generation adults, and this is the latest ever seen.
Tony & Ina

Scarce Bordered Straw, Aberporth

From the garden moth trap 3rd September (sorry for the late posting) - 101 moths (of 21 species) but 59 of these were Setaceous Hebrew Characters.  A Scarce Bordered Straw was a new moth for me and other migrants were a Silver Y and a Rusty-dot Pearl.  One of my favourite moths also turned up, a Canary-shouldered Thorn - I didn't record any last year.  I also had a Hummingbird Hawkmoth visiting the Nicotiana in the garden yesterday, bringing my records for this species to 14 this year.

Scarce Bordered Straw 

Canary-shouldered Thorn

Autumnal Rustic

Another sign that Autumn is near, this Autumnal Rustic in the trap at Ynys-hir this morning. It was a nice shade of pink on the leading edge of its wings. The first warm night for some time but the catch was a bit disappointing with only 92 moths of 34 species in two traps. Others included: Hedge Rustic, Purple Bar, Oblique Carpet, only 2 Large Yellow Underwing, Peach Blossom, Engrailed, and Spruce Carpet.
Tony & Ina

Live Moth Trapping event on Pen Dinas this Saturday from 8pm!

Dear all,
You are invited to a live Moth Trapping event on Pen Dinas this Saturday (the 9th) from 8pm.  Ina and Tony will be running their light at the base of Pen Dinas, in the area known as "Spencer's Sheds", which is on the very end of Felin-y-mor Road, where it becomes a turning circle. 
This is a chance to see what's flying in our local nature reserve, and to bring the family along to see just how colourful and fascinating our night-time visitors can be.
Please wrap up warmly and bring yourself a torch.  There is very limited parking in the turning circle area, so if you do drive, please consider parking further back along Felin-y-mor, as there is plenty of on-street parking available. 
If you are able to share these posters amongst your networks, I would be very grateful.
Hope to see you there,
Chloe Griffiths
The Nature of our Village project
Penparcau Community Forum