Mottled Umber - female

This Mottled Umber - Erannis defoliaria - was found as a small larva 6th May 2017.  Fed and nurtured as only a good mother could (if you believe that!). She has spent the winter as a pupa in the garden, kept safe in an old yoghurt pot and emerged a few days ago.
Ina and Tony

Oak Beauty

We found this unseasonably early Oak Beauty in our garden trap this morning.  We note our earliest record last year was 04/03/17.

Carolyn & Evan

January Moths

The first trap from a rather wet (but could have been worse) Ynys-hir last night.  Only four species but due to the weather conditions the traps were perhaps not in an ideal location.
Tony & Ina

Tortricodes alternella

Winter Moth - Operophtera brumata

Pale Brindled Beauty - Phigalia pilosaria

Mottled Umber - Erannis defoliaria

Spring Usher

Spring is around the corner!  We had our first Spring Ushers this morning - one from the garden and ten from our nearby oak woodland together with Winter Moth, Mottled Umber and Chestnut.  We note our first Spring Ushers last year were over a week later (29/01/2017).

Carolyn & Evan

Early Hebrew Character

There are a few "brave" moths out there at the moment. Earlier in the week we had a Dark Chestnut and a Chestnut.

Last night saw our first Hebrew Character of the year -Tony says 11 days earlier than the previous earliest record.

Very early Mottled Grey

Matthew Cock recorded this Mottled Grey which was attracted to his house lights in Llanon last night. Their normal flight period is March and April but they appear to be emerging earlier each year. There are a good number of county records in February and a few in January. Ina recorded one on 4th January last year which was the earliest county record at the time, but Matthew has seen them in December last year as well as the one this year.
Tony

National Moth Night

http://www.mothnight.info/

National Moth Night 2018 dates and theme have been released: 
14 - 16 June 2018.
The theme is "Pyralids" and it will be both a day-and-night event.

The link above will take you to the website for further information.

Anyone with records from this year - 12 - 14 October, you have until the end of the year to submit them if you wish to, details also on the above website.

Ina and Tony