Friday, 23 August 2013

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








 

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