Bulrush Wainscot, Earith

11th August 2007 (c) David Griffiths

Purple Bar, Earith

11th August 2007 (c) David Griffiths,

Red-belted Clearwing, Elton

Without the aid of a pheromone lure or a safety net my sharp eyed spouse, Karen, spotted this rarely seen moth feeding at the flowers of our Hebe 'Great Orme' at about 12:30 today.

Red-belted Clearwing Synanthedon myopaeformis

© Brian Stone Canon Powershot A640

Calamotropha paludella, Earith

Orthotaelia sparganella, Earith

10th August 2007 (c) David Griffiths

Red-tipped Clearwing, The Boardwalks, Peterborough

Up to three attracted to the 'for' pheromone lure at The Boardwalks NR from 13:30-13:40 today.

Red-tipped Clearwing Synanthedon formicaeformis


© Brian Stone Canon Powershot A640

Some commoner Farcet Fen moths

Another rather poor catch last night (only 75 individuals of 25 macro species). But amongst them where some rather nice commoner moths including these three.

Dog's Tooth, 8 August 2007, Farcet Fen
This is one of my favourite moths. I just love what I call the 'Warrior Mask' markings - dig those fangs!

Green Carpet, 8 August 2007, Farcet Fen.
A common species, I caught five last night, but this is a real cracker - the best-marked one I have seen this year.

Wormwood Pug, 8 August 2007, Farcet Fen.
One of the easier pugs! This one was huge, even larger than the Bordered Pug on the same carton (which unfortunately winged its way to feedon before I could pot it for a photo!).

Firethorn Leaf Miner, Elton

Firethorn Leaf Miner Phyllonorycter leucographella

© Brian Stone

Ruby Tiger and Herald, Elton

A couple of pretty ones.

Ruby Tiger Phragmatobia fuliginosa


The Herald Scoliopteryx libatrix


© Brian Stone Canon Powershot A640

Twin-spotted Wainscot, Farcet Fen

Caught at light, 6 August 2007.

This is only my second record of this local species, the first was on 9 August last year - only three days out! Also caught the same date as David's individual below!

White-line Dart, Farcet Fen

Caught at light, 4 Aug 2007

This was the first of two White-line Darts caught on 2 & 4 Aug. A new species for VC29sw.

Twin-spotted Wainscot, Earith

6th August 2007 (c) David Griffiths

Coleophora hemerobiella, Earith

6th August 2007 (c) David Griffiths

Rosy Footman, Farcet Fen

Rosy Footman, Farcet Fen, 21 July 2007

This is one of thos species I've longed to pull out of my moth trap but given its habitat preference for wooded areas I thought it very unlikely out here on the open fen (despite the line of elsm by the house). But, as I was sifting through the less than spectacular overnight catch for the 21/22 July, my Sunday morning was significantly brightened up by this belter which was not only a tick for me but also a first for my 5km square (TL29sw). According to Barry Dickerson's most recent Hunts list (7 June 07), this is the 49th record for Hunts/VC31 (depending if any others have been caught sine 07/06/07!) which surprised me. I know they are a localised species, but I thought they were commoner than our VC31 records suggest.

Small Ranunculus, Cambridge, 22 & 24 July 2007

Another individual in just a few days.
This species must be doing well locally.



Just 13 moths of 11 species in last night's garden trap, but one of these was a Small Ranunculus.
The second record of this species here, the first having arrived in late August 2006.
Apologies for the hasty, low-quality image

pete
cambridge, vc29
22W actinic
Nikon cp4500

Hatley moths, July 2007

Poplar Grey

The Drinker - male

The Drinker - female

Black Arches

Scarce Silver-lines

Peach Blossom

Elton moths

Trapped recently at 125 MV in garden. The first two were new to the garden.

Catoptria pinella


Twin-spot Carpet Perizoma didymata


Brown-tail Euproctis chrysorrhoea



Dot Moth Melanchra persicariae


Acleris forsskaleana


© Brian Stone

Southern Wainscot, Farcet Fen

A new species for me and my 5km square (TL29sw) which is a wainscot species-rich area with this being the 12th species.

Thanks to David G for his early photos and post to Cammoths highlighting the forehead band on this species. When I noticed an unusual wainscot in the trap this morning I immediately looked at its forehead and found what I was hoping for!

I'm always fascinated by what moths remind me of, and doesn't this species' face look just like a buffalo!

The Nutmeg, Earith

Bordered Sallow, Earith

9th July 2007 (c) David Griffiths

Sitochroa palealis, Serpentine BP

I came across this moth today flying around the western end of the ridge and furrow at Serpentine BP (Hampton NR). Sitochroa palealis is an occasional immigrant species with only 26 previous records for Hunts (VC31). It is apparently established in some parts of the south and south-east, prefering coastal or calcareous areas. In view of the lack of migrants around at the moment it's tempting to suggest this one may be result of successful breeding locally following last year's bumper migrant moth year. The brick pits have some maritime characteristics and there's plenty of Wild Carrot (the larval food plant) about.

Sitochroa palealis


© Brian Stone

The Sycamore, Cambridge, 9 July 2007

Tentative identification: 755 Stenolechia gemmella, but suggestions welcome!

pete
cambridge, vc29
22W actinic
Nikon cp4500

Common Moths, Elton

Some common moths from Elton

Swallow-tailed Moth Ourapteryx sambucaria


White Plume Moth Pterophorus pentadactyla


Common Footman Eilema lurideola


Phtheochroa rugosana


© Brian Stone Canon A640

Least Carpet, Cambridge, 8 July 2007

The second of this species for 2007, found on the back gate, where it remained all day.


pete
cambridge, vc29
22W actinic
Nikon cp4500

Golden Plusia, Earith

5th July 2007 (c) David Griffiths