Don't panic

When I lived in London I seemed to remember hysteria like this most years.....

I don't think we get them round here so we're safe!!


Oak processionary

Gogerddan - A Quiet Time

Two traps at IBERS last night - ONLY three moths and not a Noctuid in sight.
Those of you wondering where your moths have gone, you are not alone.
The warm weather last week gave them all a chance to get out there and do the business, my theory anyway!

Ina

Water Carpet

Shoulder Stripe

Square Spot

Swallow Prominent

As we did not record one Swallow Prominent in the garden last year I thought when I opened the trap this must be another Lesser SP...but I was wrong.  I thought it timely therefore to post a photo to remind everyone of the difference.  The moth, who was about to become a model, decided not to co-operate and did his best to keep his wings tightly shut whenever he saw the camera!
So, this is the best I could do and just to emphasise what you should be looking for I have ringed the area and included a better photo just in case you find a more co-operative beastie.
The tornal wedge shape on the fore wing is not considered totally reliable so the wavy line through the dark area on the hind wing is worth checking particularly as we get lots of individuals here that have the wedge half and half, it may be different in other areas.
Ina

To recap; wavy white line = SP.  no wavy white line LSP.

Aberystwyth

Highlights from last night's garden trap: ♂ Bee Moth (1), Acleris literana (1), Diamond-back Moth (1), and V-Pug (1). 13 species in all.
Joe Parker

Acleris literana

♂ Bee Moth

Nebo/ Cross Inn

Slightly disappointed with last night's catch (40) since it was a warm night with little wind (unusual for here)

However there were 10 species including the first Early Thorn, and Brindled Beauty of the year and Streamer which I don't believe I've seen before.

Photo is Early Thorn - other Early Thorn photos are available but none with such attractive antennae!

Talybont - not our garden!

This morning's offering took us a little longer than expected, I was beginning to think breakfast was turning into brunch!
However, 338 of 26 species of macro and only 9 of 2 micros...hardly fair is it?  Minimum count.
Both micros were new for the year NFY macro were V--pug, Red-green Carpet, Brown Silver-line, Shoulder Stripe, Lunar Marbled Brown.  We had one Early Moth, the latest recorded date one other had been recorded on 19th April but that was in 1978.

Ina and Tony.

Semioscopis steinkelleriana

Early Moth

Streamer

Red-green Carpet

Brown Silver-line

Grey Shoulder-knot

V-pug

Lunar Marbled Brown

Frosted Green

Streamer

Shoulder Striped

Aberystwyth Mullein

Our buddleia collapsed last autumn, so this may be the last spring that I record Mullein in the garden.

Also first-for-year Muslin, Small Phoenix, V-pug, and Pine Beauty last night.

Two Luffia ferchaultella larva racing up the house this morning.

Last Night / Sugaring Tips?

Gradually seeing an increase in moth abundance and diversity - last night yielded 13 species. Highlights for the garden included firsts for year Early Thorn (1), Clouded Drab (2), Water Carpet (1) and Brindled Pug (2), among others. Four micro species recorded, including several male Elachista canapennella.

After making a mess of the kitchen a few days back, I also experimented with sugaring last night, however, the moths didn't seem too impressed... Has any one got a recipe they find effective? I don't think my mixture was quite viscous or potent enough.

Water Carpet

Joe Parker

Early Thorn

Cors Fochno

At last a warm still night!  240 (min) moths of 27 species.

Our first Brindled Beauty, Grey Birch and Streamer of the year. Both pale and dark (pink) forms of Powdered Quaker.  Acleris cristana, Caloptilia stigmatella (no photo as Joe's was better) and an unusual thing, Adela reaumurella in the trap!
A few photos to follow all captioned as usual.
Ina and Tony

Acleris cristana

Adela reaumurella

Brindled Beauty

Brindled Pug

Engrailed

Streamer - and friend

Purple Thorn

Powdered Quaker - dark form

Grey Birch

Water Carpet

Dark Sword-grass

I recorded two on the coast last year at Llanrhystud but it's nice to see that one has made it up to 600' at Nebo/ Cross Inn this year.

Eager return from the Easter break

Having spent the Easter break away from my trap, it was fair to say I was desperate to get her out and running again now that spring has finally arrived! Happy to see a bit of diversity again - 3 micro and 6 macro species last night.

Joe Parker

Double-striped Pug

Pine Beauty 

Caloptilia stigmatella

Blossom Underwing and Great Prominent

A much better night in the garden last night.  We were beginning to think all moths - except Hebrew Character -  had deserted us.
Blossom Underwing has become a regular over recent years, attracted to the blossom of our ornamental Pear we think.
Great Prominent, this year, we expected to be later given the winter snow and cold spring.
Having mentioned Hebrew Character there does seem to be some very attractive ones this year.

Blossom Underwing

Clouded Drab

Common Quaker

Great Prominent

Hebrew Character

Red Chestnut

Small Quaker

Twin-spotted Quaker

Grey Birch & Lunar Marbled Brown

Last night was milder producing the usual visitors to the garden trap.  The woodland, on the other hand produced 16 macro species with abundant Double-striped & Brindled Pugs.  Others included our first Lunar Marbled Brown for this year and  this rather early Grey Birch.

Carolyn & Evan

Lunar Marbled Brown

Grey Birch

Tawny Pinion at Llanon

Matthew Cock was surprised to see this Tawny Pinion fall to the ground as he opened his shed door. This species seems to be increasing slightly in Ceredigion, with 4 of the 6 county records taken in the last 2 years. The adults overwinter and then mate in the spring and the larvae feed on Ash.
Tony

Herald of Spring?

Exactly 50 moths at Wallog last night. Just 1 micro and 15 macro species including our first Herald of the year, let us hope it does herald the arrival of Spring.
Tony & Ina

Herald

Engrailed

Grey_Shoulder-knot



Twin-spotted_Quaker

Water_Carpet