Night of 25th August

Normal service resumed, with just 147 moths of 46 species. I had to dig deep into the micros to unearth something new - in the form of Stenolechia gemmella. If confirmed, this may be the second island record.

A member of family Gelechiidae, as far as I am aware the only previous record of Stenolechia gemmella was on 1st September 2007.

 

This is yet another species which exploits oaks as its larval food plant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is probably fair to say that the status of many micro moths in Jersey is not especially well-known. For example, I regularly trap specimens of this rather nondescript Gracillariid, which I believe is Caloptilia rufipennella - a species not previously recorded in the island.

 

Of course, there is always the strong possibility that my identification is wrong...

 

 

 

While giving some attention to micros, this perky little Gracillariid was just my second garden record of Gracillaria syringella, a species considered as common in Jersey.

 

The larvae of this 'leaf miner' no doubt feed on my lilac tree.

 

 

 

 

 

On the other hand, the rather splendid Celypha cespitana is a more or less constant feature in my catches.

 

 

 

 

Despite my opening comment, it's possible that I actually had a second new species during the night. I originally identified this Noctuid as a rather dark Nutmeg. However, I've just about managed to convince myself that it is, in fact, a Dusky Brocade - regarded as an uncommon resident in Jersey.











 

Fortunately, no great identification difficulties with these two moths. Shuttle-shaped Dart (left) is currently one of the most numerous moths - now in its second generation, after a brief mid-Summer absence. This is quite a distinctive specimen, rather darker than average, and with an unusual rufous cast to the outer forewing.

The exquisite Marbled Green (below) is considered common in Jersey, but I have trapped just a handful in the garden. The species rests on lichen-covered rocks and trees during the daytime, and the wing pattern provides effective camouflage on such surfaces.





 

Species	Count
Celypha cespitana	7
Agriphila tristella	3
Mother of Pearl	1
Black Arches	6
Riband Wave	2
Rosy Footman	3
Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing	29
Oak Hook-tip	1
Four-spotted Footman	3
Jersey Tiger	3
Vine's Rustic	21
Nutmeg	4
Dun-bar	4
Cabbage Moth	6
Shuttle-shaped Dart	6
Crescent Dart	3
Swallow Prominent	1
Flame Shoulder	11
Flame	1
Copper Underwing	1
Marbled Green	1
Dingy Footman	2
Common Rustic	1
Common Wainscot	1
Buff Ermine	1
Large Yellow Underwing	2
Silver Y	1
Willow Beauty	1
Heart and Club	1
Flounced Rustic	1
Bright-line Brown-eye	1
Cydia splendana	1
Setaceous Hebrew Character	1
Acrocercops brongniardella	1
Acleris forsskaleana	2
Burnished Brass	1
Knot Grass	1
Gypsy Moth	1
Chinese Character	1
White-shouldered House Moth	1
Blastobasis adustella	3
Stenolechia gemmella	1
Caloptilia rufipennella	1
Endothenia marginana	1
Gracillaria syringella	1
Dusky Brocade	1

 

Night of 23rd August

Humid, overcast conditions with light rain yielded a bumper crop, with around 378 moths - my highest ever count. Species diversity was a less impressive 64 species. Once again, Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, Vine's Rustic and Shuttle-shaped Dart headed the cast.

 



Vine's Rustic was one of the more numerous species in the trap during the Spring and early Summer; now back with a vengeance as second-brood individuals emerge.

 

The ruler-straight leading edge of the forewing is a useful character to separate it from some similar species.

Since recording my first Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing in mid-July, it has been a constant feature of every trapping session, and is currently the most numerous moth in the garden. That said, it is possible that at least some of my records refer to Langmaid's Yellow Underwing. Separating these two species requires examination of the hindwing - something underwings are very reluctant to allow. This one eventually gave itself up after a period of solitary confinement in the cooler.

Sorting through the masses of familiar moths, I managed to record three new species - one micro, Agriphila geniculea, and two macros, Straw Underwing and Fern.

Straw Underwing is described as common in Jersey. A reasonably distinctive Noctuid, this well-marked specimen provided a relatively straightforward identification challenge. A rather tatty second individual was a bit more of a head-scratcher.

The species flies in July and August.

The status of The Fern in Jersey is described as 'occasional records, not common'. The flight season is given as June and July, this one apparently having failed to consult the manual.

The larval food plant is the rather picturesquely-named Traveller's Joy.





Among the more interesting old-timers was this rather nice Burnished Brass, my first since mid-July. The excitingly-knobbly Plusiinae are among my favourite moths, and it's difficult to capture the iridescent forewing in a photograph.

Burnished Brass is described as common in Jersey, but I have only trapped a handful so far this year.

  

 

Little Emerald is not a common moth locally, and this was just my third record for the garden.

 

It is distinguished from other small emeralds by a combination of wing shape, the shape of the white band on the hindwing, and the rather washed-out appearance.

 

The larval food plants include oak, of which there is no shortage in the garden.

 

 

Setaceous Hebrew Character is a familiar moth, being one of the more common Spring and early-Summer species, but the ones I caught tonight were the first for a month. These presumably represent second generation moths.

 

This one was a particularly dark individual.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Species	Count
Celypha cespitana	9
Cydia splendana	5
Eupoecilia angustana	3
Mother of Pearl	6
Brimstone	2
Shuttle-shaped Dart	33
Black Arches	3
Maiden's Blush	1
Agriphila tristella	8
Dun-bar	9
Angle Shades	2
Four-spotted Footman	1
Buff Ermine	8
Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing	70
Nutmeg	10
Silver Y	2
Lychnis	1
Riband Wave	2
Vine's Rustic	55
Flame	2
Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing	1
Crescent Dart	7
Cabbage	9
Red Twin-spot Carpet	2
Ruby Tiger	1
Copper Underwing	3
Dark Sword-grass	1
Setaceous Hebrew Character	9
Common Rustic	9
Flame Shoulder	36
Square-spot Rustic	1
Knot Grass	1
Large Yellow Underwing	10
Heart and Dart	1
Burnished Brass	1
Grey Dagger	1
Light-brown Apple Moth	4
Crambus perlella	1
Least Yellow Underwing	1
White-point	7
Bright-line Brown-eye	1
Buff Arches	1
Drinker	1
Peppered Moth	1
Cloaked Minor	1
Tree Lichen Beauty	1
Early Thorn	1
Pandemis corylana	2
Bud Moth	1
White-line Dart	2
Hoary Footman	1
Rosy Footman	5
Straw Underwing	2
European Corn-borer	1
Flounced Rustic	1
Coloptilia alchimiella	1
Fern	1
Endothenia marginana	1
Agriphila geniculea	1
Eudemis profundana	1
Portland Ribbon Wave	1
Acleris forsskaleana	1
Blastobasis adustella	10
Little Emerald	1

Night of 21st August

A decent catch in terms of overall numbers, but still quite low in terms of diversity, with around 280 moths of 56 species. Not too bad for a full moon.

Shuttle-shaped Dart, Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing and Vine's Rustic were the most numerous species, the latter having re-appeared in strength after a mid-summer absence.

Inevitably, new species are a bit harder to come by these days, so I was pleased to get two attractive new macros - Orange Swift and Dark Spinach. The latter is considered scarce in Jersey; the former common.

 

 

Dark Spinach - the larval food plants are orache and goosefoot - whatever they are!

Orange Swift - described as inhabiting waste-ground, moorland and other wild places: I don't know what this says about my gardening skills.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Among the more notable species for the night were 3 Gypsy Moths, which have suddenly arrived and set-up camp in my garden, an Iron Prominent, Pine-tree Lappet, 4 Tree-lichen Beauties, my second Lesser-spotted Pinion, and a well-marked Blair's Mocha. 

 

 

Gypsy Moth remains a rare vagrant in the UK, but can be extremely common in Jersey in some years. I am told that more than 9,000 were trapped in a single year using pheromone lures.

 

The species is a serious pest, defoliating deciduous trees, and subject to control measures locally.

Blair's Mocha - always nice to see, especially such a well-marked individual.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Species	Count
Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing	1
Gypsy Moth	3
Oak Hook-tip	11
Jersey Tiger	10
Drinker	1
Four-spotted Footman	2
Carcina quercana	1
Shuttle-shaped Dart	28
Dun-bar	12
Rosy Footman	15
Black Arches	5
Eudonia mercurella	7
Silver Y	3
Mother of Pearl	4
Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing	30
Vine's Rustic	28
Cabbage Moth	3
Copper Underwing	2
Square-spotted Dart	1
Cloaked Minor	5
Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix	4
Agriphila tristella	11
Agriphila straminella	1
Tree-lichen Beauty	4
Celypha cespitana	8
Eupoecilia angustana	5
Diamond-backed Moth	3
Knot Grass	3
Heart and Dart	2
Heart and Club	1
White-point	1
Acleris forsskaleana	12
Flame Shoulder	16
White-line Dart	1
Common Rustic	5
Small Angle Shades	1
Nutmeg	1
Blair's Mocha	1
Iron Prominent	1
Bright-line Brown-eye	1
Red Twin-spot Carpet	5
Svensson's Copper Underwing	1
Pine-tree Lappet	1
Cydia splendana	3
Orange Swift	1
Light-brown Apple Moth	1
Small Rivulet	1
Brimstone	5
Least Yellow Underwing	1
Riband Wave	1
Portland Ribbon Wave	1
Jersey Mocha	1
Dingy Footman	1
Dark Spinach	1
Common Wainscot	1
Lesser-spotted Pinion	1

 

Night of 15th August

A somewhat better night, with around 140 moths of 67 species. These included 3 new macros for the garden - Coxomb Prominent, Rosy Rustic and Waved Umber - and 3 new micros, Acleris laterana, Pyrausta aurata and Eudemis profundana.

Coxcomb Prominent - no great etymological mystery here. The Prominents belong to the family Notodontidae, members of which are often characterised by the prominent wing projections. The species is considered to be fairly common in Jersey.

Pyrausta aurata is one of the more attractive micro moths, this rather horrible photo hardly doing it justice. It flies both in the daytime and at night, and is common in the island. Hopefully I have got the identification right - this species is rather similar to P. purpuralis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There seems to be an almost endless number of endlessly variable species in the family Tortricidae, and I can't say I'm too downhearted when I see them sneaking out of the trap before I can study them.

 

I think I'm on reasonably firm ground with this one, the silvery-white saddle indicating Eudemis profundana.

 

 

 

 

 

Back to proper-sized moths, you can't beat a good honest Noctuid like this Rosy Rustic. According to the Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland, this species is 'fairly unmistakeable', which seems a trifle oxymoronic.

 

Many of the moths I'm getting at the moment either have a single flight season covering the entire summer, or are second generation individuals. By contrast, Rosy Rustic has a late Summer flight season, and is just emerging now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Described as widespread and common in Jersey, Waved Umber normally flies in late Spring and early Summer. However, it apparently has a very occasional second generation in particularly hot summers...which would explain what this one was doing knocking around in my garden in mid August.

 

 

 

 

Among the more interesting repeat offenders were this exquisite Yellow Shell (top), seen here demonstrating its understandable indifference to Blastobasis adustella. A common species in Jersey, and always a pleasure to see.

 

It is several weeks since I trapped my last White-point (middle), an attractive moth requiring a care to separate it from the rather similar Clay. 

 

Pebble Hook-tip (bottom), on the other hand, is 'fairly unmistakeable'. This is just my second in the garden, where Oak Hook-tip is easily the more frequent species.

Species	Count
Ethmia quadrillella	1
Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing	4
Riband Wave	4
Dun-bar	7
Zeiraphera isertana	1
Maiden's Blush	2
Peppered Moth	2
Buff Footman	4
Mother of Pearl	2
Nutmeg	3
Agriphila tristella	3
Grey Dagger agg	1
Large Yellow Underwing	1
Common Wainscot	2
Jersey Mocha	1
Light-brown Apple Moth	3
Jersey Tiger	2
Orache	1
Shuttle-shaped Dart	9
Crescent Dart	3
Rosy Footman	5
Acleris forsskaleana	3
Flame Shoulder	6
Copper Underwing	1
Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix	2
Vine's Rustic	8
Common Rustic	4
Cloaked Minor	5
Dark Spectacle	1
Dark Arches	1
Crambus perlella	2
Pine Hawk-moth	1
White-point	1
Uncertain	1
Buff Ermine	2
Snout	1
Small Magpie	1
Magpie	1
V-Pug	1
Double-spotted Pug	1
Four-spotted Footman	1
Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet	1
Udea ferrugalis	2
White-spotted Pug	1
Tree-lichen Beauty	2
Pebble Hook-tip	1
Marbled Green	2
Swallow Prominent	3
Pebble Prominent	1
Waved Umber	1
Willow Beauty	2
Pyrausta aurata	1
Rosy Rustic	1
Coxcomb Prominent	1
Eudonia mercurella	1
Acleris laterana	1
Eudemis profundana	1
Turnip	1
Pammena aurita	1
Fan-foot	1
Square-spot Rustic	1
Yellow Shell	1
Phycita roborella	1
Oak Hook-tip	1
Carcina quercana	3
Pyrausta despicata	1
Blastobasis adustella	2