Melanistic Square Spot

A warm night produced well over 100 moths of 41 macro species from our usual two traps, the most numerous of which were White Ermine, Pale Tussock and Treble Lines.  The high spot for us was this unusual melanistic Square Spot.

Carolyn & Evan

Square Spot (melanistic)

Treble Lines

Alder Moth

Lobster Moth

Oak Hook-tip

Grass Rivulet at Bontgoch

There were 36 species of macros in my 15w actinic this morning. Most pleasing was my first Grass Rivulet, 6 or 7 years after I scattered some seeds of the foodplant, Yellow Rattle in my small south facing field at Bontgoch. The seed came from from a field belonging to John Williams at Werndeg between Bontgoch and Talybont so hopefully this scarce species is established there as well.
Shears, Common Lutestring and an Oligia sp were amongst the catch.
Also, I need to draw attention to a mistake in my last post on 10th May..... what I thought was a Small Seraphim I now realise was a Foxglove Pug! 

A new carpet

A run of chilly days and chillier nights discouraged me from any trapping, but last night was forecast to be a little less cold. The result was a modest 29 moths of 12 species, of which two were new for me: a Sandy Carpet and what I believed to be an Ingrailed Clay (but which Tony has kindly identified as a Small Square-spot).

Sandy Carpet

Small Square-spot

Broom Moth, Llawrcwrt

Viewers may enjoy this shiny fresh Broom Moth that was in the trap this morning. It was very keen to be off, and despite a trip to the fridge wouldn't stay still for a sharper photograph.

Blossom Underwing Larvae

We spotted this larval web on a sessile oak tree on our walk near Bont Goch today.  With the help of the excellent new Field Guide to the Caterpillars of Great Britain and Ireland illustrated by Richard Lewington we decided that these were Blossom Underwing larvae.  It states that they are gregarious in a web when small.

Carolyn & Evan

Troedrhiw Seiri, Bontgoch ...last night

Twenty- eight macros in my garden trap last night. Prominents and carpets were prominent. 2 Fox moths, Nut-tree tussock and 2 Small seraphims also present. Humminbird-hawk in the garden yesterday.

Light Knot Grass in Aberystwyth

Still small numbers in my garden trap: Treble Lines (10), which seem to be more common than usual, beating Heart and Dart (8). Good to see Elephant Hawkmoth back, as well as Broom and Puss Moths. Best of the bunch a Light Knot Grass, a long way from home and new for me.

Especially for Ina, here are some smaller ones from the last few days: Grapholita internana and Argyresthia trifasciata.