21 December 2020

My First Moth’ing Season 2020

Moths 2020

On March 24th, 2020 with lockdown starting, I needed to have a project or something to do for 6 weeks or so, Lepidopteria has something that’s always interested me with my Butterflies for the last few years so what better attracting the Lepidoptera to me! So after some research and looking over images on the web I built a moth trap. I built a Skinner and Robinson style traps, for very little money, I’m a bit of a bodger so scavenging all the bits was no problem. 

First the Robinson:
An old flower pot, few bits of wood, a table lamp, Perspex from my garden shed windows, a funnel and had to order light bulb from eBay £8 

MK2


Mk3 
Tape just to cover wires, not waterproofing!


Next the Skinner:
A plastic crate, more wood, another table lamp, my shed now has no windows and another £8 bulb. 

Mk1                                                           Mk2


Mk3


Over the months, I've made a few changes and the catches have increased. I’ve added an extra bulb to both traps and bought 2 Actinic bulbs.

My location is on the edge of Bath with an overgrown garden and miles of the countryside just across the road.

I record every moth caught with dates, and numbers on a spreadsheet then record onto the Butterfly conservation Moth recording website.


Now for the moths (not every moth but my highlights), as of which I’ve been amazed I’ve had so many, and that my bodged traps actually worked! 

Photography has been a challenge, also I use a Canon 7dmk2, 100m 2.8 lens, camera body flash, and a homemade diffuser flash gun.

Also, any mistakes on my Id'ing, happy to be corrected. Moths are so variable this makes ID very difficult for a beginner but some great help from 
@MothIDUK , WhatsApp groups, and a few experts 
Paul Chapman 👍 and the website UKMOTHS

The first-ever moth caught in a trap was 09/04/2020

Common Plume -Emmelina monodactyla


1-25


09/04/2020 - 28/04/2020

Common PlumeEmmelina monodactyla09/04/2020
Hebrew CharacterOrthosia gothica10/04/2020
Purple ThornSelenia tetralunaria10/04/2020
Light Brown AppleEpiphyas postvittana11/04/2020
Common QuakerOrthosia cerasi11/04/2020
Brindled BeautyLycia hirtaria11/04/2020
MuslinDiaphragm Mendica11/04/2020
Earl GreyXylocampa Areola12/04/2020
Clouded DrabOrthosia Incerta12/04/2020
Scorched CarpetLigdia adustata16/04/2020
Swallow ProminetPheosia tremula17/04/2020
Brimstone MothOpisthograptis luteolata17/04/2020
Common PugEupithecia vulgata18/04/2020
Lunar Marbled BrownDrymonia ruficornis19/04/2020
Ruby TigerPhragmatobia fuliginosa19/04/2020
Powered QuakerOrthosia gracilis21/04/2020
Red-Green CarpetChloroclysta siterata21/04/2020
Wood CarpetEpirrhoe rivata21/04/2020
Ruddy StreakTachystola acroxanthe22/04/2020
Shuttle-shaped DartAgrotis puta22/04/2020
Early Tooth-stripedTrichopteryx carpinata22/04/2020
Chestnut MothConistra vaccinii22/04/2020
Brindled PugEupithecia abbreviata24/04/2020
Cabbage MothMamestra brassicae27/04/2020
Heart & DartAgrotis exclamationis28/04/2020

 A closer look at some of my highlights from 1-25 

Purple Thorn - Selenia tetralunaria


Muslin - Diaphora mendica


The first brood of the 
Ruby Tiger - Phragmatobia fuliginosa


Swallow prominent - Pheosia tremula


26/50


28/04/2020 - 25/05/2020

Oak-Tree PugEupithecia dodoneata28/04/2020
Vine's RusticHoplodrina ambigua03/05/2020
Common Marbled CarpetDysstroma truncata04/05/2020
Rustic Shoulder-knotApamea sordens04/05/2020
Treble LinesCharanyca trigrammica05/05/2020
Green CarpetColostygia pectinataria08/05/2020
Chinese CharacterCilix glaucata09/05/2020
Angle ShadesPhlogophora meticulosa09/05/2020
Bright-Lines Brown eyeLacanobia oleracea10/05/2020
Common SwiftKorscheltellus lupulina10/05/2020
Pale TussockCalliteara pudibunda10/05/2020
Tawny Marbled MinorOligia latruncula10/05/2020
White Shouldered House MothEndrosis sarcitrella - UKMoths18/05/2020
Coast ShadeCnephasia conspersana20/05/2020
Common wainscotMythimna pallens21/05/2020
Common MarbleCelypha lacunana21/05/2020
July HighflyerHydriomena furcata21/05/2020
Large Yellow UnderwingNoctua pronuba26/05/2020
Small MagpieAnania hortulata26/05/2020
Popular HawkLaothoe populi28/05/2020
Sharp-angled PeacockMacaria alternata28/05/2020
Beautiful Golden YAutographa pulchrina28/05/2020
Lobster MothStauropus fagi28/05/2020
CinnabarTyria jacobaeae29/05/2020
Peppered MothBiston betularia29/05/2020

 A closer look at some of my highlights from 26 -50 

Pale tussock - Calliteara pudibunda


Poplar Hawk Moth - Laothoe populi
(my first Hawk)


Lobster Moth - Stauropus fagi
Took these pictures and the moth flew before I could release it to safety and a hovering Magpie caught it mid-air!! 
I release all moths over the road from me now. 


51-75


29/05/2020 - 08/06/2020

Willow BeautyPeribatodes rhomboidaria29/05/2020
Buff-tipPhalera bucephala29/05/2020
Light EmeraldCampaea margaritaria29/05/2020
Setaceous Hebrew CharacterXestia c-nigrum29/05/2020
Ingrained ClayDiarsia mendica29/05/2020
The ShearsHada plebeja29/05/2020
Brown house mothHofmannophila pseudospretella29/05/2020
Turnip MothAgrotis segetum29/05/2020
Grey Pine CarpetThera obeliscata30/05/2020
Middle-barred minorOligia fasciuncula30/05/2020
Marbled minor aggOligia strigilis agg30/05/2020
The Coronet
Craniophora ligustri31/05/2020
Garden grass-veneerChrysoteuchia culmella31/05/2020
Thistle ErmineMyelois circumvoluta03/06/2020
Bird-cherry Ermine MothYponomeuta evonymella03/06/2020
Barred StrawGandaritis pyraliata04/06/2020
Barred MarbleCelypha striana04/06/2020
Shaded Broad-barScotopteryx chenopodiata04/06/2020
Heart & ClubAgrotis clavis05/06/2020
Mottled BeautyAlcis repandata05/06/2020
Foxglove PugEupithecia pulchellata08/06/2020
Mottled PugEupithecia exiguata08/06/2020
Small Square dotDiarsia rubi08/06/2020
Riband WaveIdaea aversata08/06/2020
Clouded BorderLomaspilis marginata08/06/2020

A closer look at some of my highlights from 51 -75

The Coronet - Craniophora ligustri


Buff-tip - Phalera bucephala
One of the most amazing moths, actually thought someone had thrown sticks into moth trap!


Riband Wave - Idaea aversata
A moth that's turned up on many occasions throughout the year, can be very variable, reversed shot, through glass.


76-100


10/06/2020 - 24/06/2020

The FlameAxylia putris10/06/2020
Brussels laceCleorodes lichenaria10/06/2020
The FernHorisme tersata12/06/2020
Light ArchesApamea lithoxylaea12/06/2020
Freyer's PugEupithecia intricata12/06/2020
Dark ArchesApamea monoglypha12/06/2020
Privet HawkSphinx ligustri13/06/2020
Elephant hawk MothDeilephila elpenor24/06/2020
Shoulder-striped WainscotLeucania comma14/06/2020
Common EmeraldHemithea aestivaria14/06/2020
The UncertainHoplodrina octogenaria14/06/2020
The SnoutHypena proboscidalis14/06/2020
Small Elephant Hawk-mothDeilephila porcellus14/06/2020
Dusky PearlUdea prunalis14/06/2020
Varied CoronetHadena compta16/06/2020
Clouded BrindleApamea epomidion17/06/2020
Mottled RusticCaradrina morpheus20/06/2020
Scalloped OakCrocallis elinguaria21/06/2020
Pale ProminentPterostoma palpina21/06/2020
The MochaCyclophora annularia22/06/2020
Pale Mottled WillowCaradrina clavipalpis22/06/2020
Grey PugEupithecia subfuscata23/06/2020
Uncertain/Rustic agg.Hoplodrina octogenaria/blanda23/06/2020
Crescent PlumeMarasmarcha lunaedactyla24/06/2020
Triangle-marked RollerAncylis achatana24/06/2020
 
A closer look at some of my highlights from 76 -100 

Small Elephant Hawk Moth - Deilephila porcellus


Plus the similar but slightly bigger 
Elephant Hawk Moth - Deilephila elpenor


Another large Moth 
The Scalloped Oak - Crocallis elinguaria


And this one of my favorite moths of the year 
The Mocha - Cyclophora annularia
Named after The stone, not the Chocolate coffee drink!


101-125


24/06/2020 - 08/07/2020

Black ArchesLymantria monacha24/06/2020
Green PugPasiphila rectangulata25/06/2020
Marbled MinorOligia strigilis25/06/2020
The SpectacleAbrostola tripartita25/06/2020
The ClayMythimna ferrago25/06/2020
V-PugChloroclystis v-ata25/06/2020
Little GreyEudonia lacusstrata26/06/2020
PhoenixEulithis prunata29/06/2020
Common FootmanManulea lurideola29/06/2020
Double-striped PugGymnoscelis rufifasciata29/06/2020
Box tree mothCydalima perspectalis30/06/2020
Elderberry pearlAnania coronata30/06/2020
The RusticHoplodrina blanda30/06/2020
Bee MothAphomia sociella01/07/2020
Common WaveCabera exanthemata01/07/2020
Garden CarpetXanthorhoe fluctuata01/07/2020
Silver Ground CarpetXanthorhoe montanata01/07/2020
Swallow-tailed MothOurapteryx sambucaria07/07/2020
Common RusticMesapamea secalis07/07/2020
Nut-Tree TussockColocasia coryli07/07/2020
Buff ErmineSpilosoma lutea07/07/2020
Buff ArchesHabrosyne pyritoides07/07/2020
Yellow ShellCamptogramma bilineata08/07/2020
Broad-bordered Yellow UnderwingNoctua fimbriata08/07/2020
Smoky WainscotMythimna impura09/07/2020

A closer look at some of my highlights from 101 -125

Black Arches -  Lymantria monacha
Beautiful moth


Swallow-tailed Moth -Ourapteryx sambucaria
Was out watching traps and had 2 of these stunners buzzing around.


Unfortunately, the following night one met a Tube web spider, the circle of life I suppose. 


Garden Carpet - Xanthorhoe fluctuata
Bit of an Abberation, but as I said earlier moths are very varible.


Common Wave - Cabera exanthemata


Anania coronata - Elder Pearl
Latin names dominate the moth world but to make it easier to pronounce most have vernacular names.


A final moth from this section and rising from the flames, 
The Phoenix - Eulithis prunata


126-150


09/07/2020 - 15/07/2020

Lime Hawk MothMimas tiliae09/07/2020
Grey DaggerAcronicta psi09/07/2020
Mother of pearlPleuroptya ruralis09/07/2020
Common Yellow ConchAgapeta hamana09/07/2020
Silver -YAutographa gamma09/07/2020
Rose-flounced tabbyEndotricha flammealis09/07/2020
Plain WaveIdaea straminata09/07/2020
The Fan-footHerminia grisealis09/07/2020
Ringed China-markParapoynx stratiotata09/07/2020
Cloaked MinorMesoligia furuncula09/07/2020
Single-dot waveIdaea dimidiata11/07/2020
Early ThornSelenia dentaria11/07/2020
Triple-barred ArgentArgyresthia trifasciata11/07/2020
Double Square-spotXestia triangulum13/07/2020
Gold TriangleHypsopygia costalis13/07/2020
Beautiful Hook-tipLaspeyria flexula14/07/2020
Common GreyScoparia ambigualis14/07/2020
Small Fan-foot waveHerminia grisealis14/07/2020
Dark UmberPhilereme transversata15/07/2020
Small GreyEudonia mercurella15/07/2020
Orchard ErmineYponomeuta padella15/07/2020
Twenty Plume mothAlucita hexadactyla15/07/2020
Ash-bark Knot-hornEuzophera pinguis15/07/2020
Small Waved UmberHorisme vitalbata15/07/2020
Apple ErmineYponomeuta malinellus15/07/2020

A closer look at some of my highlights from 126 -150 

Lime Hawk Moth -  Mimas tiliae
enough said!


A beautiful 
Grey Dagger - Acronicta psi


Another from the Thorn family 
Early Thorn - Selenia dentaria


Mother of Pearl - Patania ruralis


151-175


15/07/2020 - 25/07/2020

Dark Aspen BellEpinotia maculana15/07/2020
September ThornEnnomos erosaria16/07/2020
Spindle ErmineYponomeuta cagnagella16/07/2020
Rosy FootmanMiltochrista miniata16/07/2020
Straw DotRivula sericealis16/07/2020
Flame ShoulderOchropleura plecta17/07/2020
Small RanunculusHecatera dysodea17/07/2020
Maple PugEupithecia inturbata17/07/2020
Common Cloaked ShootGypsonoma dealbana17/07/2020
Haworth's PugEupithecia haworthiata17/07/2020
Common CarpetEpirrhoe alternata17/07/2020
Canary Shouldered ThornEnnomos alniaria18/07/2020
Mugwort PlumeHellinsia lienigianus18/07/2020
Leopard MothZeuzera pyrina19/07/2020
Garden Tiger MothArctia caja19/07/2020
Red Twin-spot CarpetXanthorhoe spadicearia19/07/2020
Pebble Hook-tipDrepana falcataria19/07/2020
Brown-spot Flat-bodyAgonopterix alstromeriana19/07/2020
Iron ProminentNotodonta dromedarius20/07/2020
Pebble ProminentNotodonta ziczac21/07/2020
Dun-barCosmia trapezina21/07/2020
Oak Hook tipDrepana binaria25/07/2020
NutmegHadula trifolii25/07/2020
Oecophorid speciesCarcina quercana/Oecophorid25/07/2020
London DowdBlastobasis lacticolella25/07/2020

A closer look at some of my highlights from 151 -175

Very colorful addition
Rosy Footman - Miltochrista miniata


Leopard Moth - Zeuzera pyrina


Quite a few of these good looking moths
Garden Tiger Moth - Arctia caja


Almost missed this one the first time it arrived, found it on the wall, hidden away, always check everywhere around traps!
Iron Prominent - Notodonta dromedarius


Simple moth but really liked this one
Dun-bar - Cosmia trapezina


What can I say about this one? well, July 25th a wet morning greeted me but on the floor below trap with this moth I thought it was Clouded buff so a quick picture and retreated inside, checked out the other moth I had, and then looked again at this one, realizing it was not a Clouded buff. Put it on Twitter and comments and hope you've kept it from many people! O dear rushed into the garden to find it had gone. The Id is still open but Ben Sale came closest I think to what is listed below, but African or Asian species.  I have recorded.

Oecophorid species - Carcina quercana/Oecophorid


176- 200


25/07/2020 -07/08/2020

Marbled PiercerCydia splendana25/07/2020
Black-headed ConchCochylis atricapitana26/07/2020
Lime-Speckled pugEupithecia centaureata27/07/2020
Jersey TigerEuplagia quadripunctaria27/07/2020
The SharkCucullia umbratica27/07/2020
Water VeneerAcentria ephemerella27/07/2020
Yellow LarchPtycholomoides aeriferana28/07/2020
Maple ButtonAcleris forsskaleana28/07/2020
Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow UnderwingNoctua janthe28/07/2020
Four-spotted ObscureOegoconia quadripuncta28/07/2020
Dusky SallowEremobia ochroleuca28/07/2020
Scarce FootmanEilema complana29/07/2020
Yellow-barred BrindleAcasis viretata06/08/2020
Maiden's BlushCyclophora punctaria07/08/2020
Copper UnderwingAmphipyra pyramidea07/08/2020
Marbled GreenNyctobrya muralis07/08/2020
Common Grass-veneerAgriphila tristella07/08/2020
Dusky ThornEnnomos fuscantaria07/08/2020
Orange SwiftTriodia sylvina07/08/2020
Pale-streak Grass-veneerAgriphila selasella07/08/2020
Buff footmanEilema depressa07/08/2020
Lesser-spotted pinionCosmia affinis07/08/2020
Wax MothGalleria mellonella07/08/2020
Twin-spot PlumeStenoptilia bipunctidactyla07/08/2020
Straw Grass-veneerAgriphila straminella07/08/2020

A closer look at some of my highlights from 176 -200 

Some of these pugs eh!
Lime-Speckled pug - Eupithecia centaureata


Thought this one was called Maidens Bush...soon corrected, lol
Maiden's Blush - Cyclophora punctaria


Lots of these over the season
Copper Underwing - Amphipyra pyramidea


Marbled Green - Nyctobrya muralis


Had 74 of these over the season
Dusky Thorn - Ennomos fuscantaria


This the female form
Orange Swift - Triodia sylvina


201-225


07/08/2020 -16/08/2020

Golden-brown TubicCrassa unitella07/08/2020
Square-spot RusticXestia xanthographa08/08/2020
Poplar GreySubacronicta megacephala08/08/2020
Four-dotted FootmanCybosia mesomella08/08/2020
Currant PugEupithecia assimilata09/08/2020
Common Purple-and-goldPyrausta purpuralis09/08/2020
Mint mothPyrausta aurata09/08/2020
Alder mothAcronicta alni09/08/2020
White-faced TortrixPandemis cinnamomeana09/08/2020
Dark Fruit-tree TortrixPandemis heparana10/08/2020
The LychnisHadena bicruris10/08/2020
Grey Knot-hornAcrobasis advenella10/08/2020
Rush veneerNomophila noctuella10/08/2020
Chequered Fruit-tree TortrixPandemis corylana10/08/2020
Garden PebbleEvergestis forficalis11/08/2020
Sallow KittenFurcula furcula11/08/2020
Gold spotPlusia festucae13/08/2020
Straw UnderwingThalpophila matura14/08/2020
Codling MothCydia pomonella14/08/2020
Dingy FootmanEilema griseola14/08/2020
Mouse MothAmphipyra tragopoginis14/08/2020
Straw-barred PearlPyrausta despicata14/08/2020
Marsh GreyEudonia pallida14/08/2020
Flounced RusticLuperina testacea16/08/2020
Rosy RusticHydraecia micacea16/08/2020

A closer look at some of my highlights from 201 -225 

Some real beauties over August
Poplar Grey Subacronicta megacephala


The Lychnis-Hadena bicruris


Such a beautifully marked moth this one
Sallow Kitten - Furcula furcula


Some of the moths the names are obvious
Gold Spot - Plusia festucae


Rosy Rustic - Hydraecia micacea


226-250


16/08/2020 - 01/09/2020

Cypress PugEupithecia phoeniceata17/08/2020
Brown PlumeStenoptilia pterodactyla17/08/2020
August ThornEnnomos quercinaria17/08/2020
Double-striped TabbyHypsopygia glaucinalis17/08/2020
Diamond-back MothPlutella xylostella18/08/2020
Satin Grass VeneerCrambus perlella20/08/2020
Yellow-TailEuproctis similis09/07/2020
Common Rustic agg.Mesapamea secalis agg07/07/2020
Dark-barred TortrixSyndemis musculana10/08/2020
Grey TortrixCnephasia stephensiana20/05/2020
Knot GrassAcronicta rumicis28/07/2020
Marbled BeautyBryophila domestica20/07/2020
Olive PearlUdea olivalis18/08/2020
Pale-Bordered PiecerGrapholita janthinana19/07/2020
Straw ConchCochylimorpha straminea21/07/2020
Burnished BrassDiachrysia chrysitis27/08/2020
Frosted OrangeGortyna flavago28/08/2020
Blood veinTimandra comae28/08/2020
Elbow-stripe Grass-veneerAgriphila geniculea29/08/2020
Centre-barred SallowAtethmia centrago30/08/2020
Small EmeraldHemistola chrysoprasaria29/07/2020
Long-horned Flat-bodyCarcina quercana31/08/2020
Beautiful PlumeAmblyptilia acanthadactyla01/09/2020
Lesser Yellow UnderwingNoctua comes03/09/2020
Lunar UnderwingOmphaloscelis lunosa08/09/2020

A closer look at some of my highlights from 226 -250 

More beautiful moths
Burnished Brass - Diachrysia chrysitis


Frosted Orange - Gortyna flavago


Blood vein - Timandra comae


Such a complex pattern on these and very varible
Lunar Underwing - Omphaloscelis lunosa


251/ 271


03/09/2020 - 25/11/2020

Narrow-winged GreyEudonia angustea11/09/2020
Pied SmudgeYpsolopha sequella29/09/2020
Barred SallowTiliacea aurago01/10/2020
Red-line QuakerAgrochola lota01/10/2020
Beaded ChestnutAgrochola lychnidis07/10/2020
Green-brindled CrescentAllophyes oxyacanthae07/10/2020
Blair's Shoulder-knotLithophane leautieri15/10/2020
Brown-spot PinionAgrochola litura15/10/2020
Black RusticAporophyla nigra16/10/2020
Merveille du JourGriposia aprilina16/10/2020
The SallowCirrhia icteritia17/10/2020
Large WainscotRhizedra lutosa17/10/2020
Pine CarpetPennithera firmata18/10/2020
November MothEpirrita dilutata18/10/2020
Yellow-line QuakerAgrochola macilenta21/10/2020
Feathered ThornColotois pennaria23/10/2020
December MothPoecilocampa populi02/11/2020
Olive-tree PearlPalpita vitrealis07/11/2020
Dark ChesnutConistra ligula10/11/2020
Winter mothOperophtera brumata17/11/2020
Maple SlenderCaloptilia semifascia25/11/2020

A closer look at some of my highlights from 251-271

It's not just about the larger moths the micros although Id'ing is more challenging, still so good un's
Pied Smudge - Ypsolopha sequella


One of those easier named moths 
Green-brindled Crescent - Allophyes oxyacanthae


Blair's Shoulder-knot - Lithophane leautieri


Really liked this moth
Black Rustic - Aporophyla nigra


Got one of these rarer moths then for a week had at least 2 every day!
Merveille du Jour - Griposia aprilina



To end a migrant from southern Europe
Olive-tree Pearl/Jasmine  - Palpita vitrealis


So with 271 moths caught and most safely released, it's been a fantastic start to my new hobby, really looking forward to 2021.
 
I didn't just catch Moths, Beetles, Flies, Hornet, Spiders, Daddy Long Legs, 10 species of Caddisfly, and even one Butterfly, so my camera 7d mk2 with on-body flash later changed to homemade flash diffuser. 100mm 2.8 lens took 1000's of pictures.

Some highlights of things other than moths

Started seeing these wonders around the garden in the morning while checking my traps. I went on to build so bug houses which the Ruby Tailed Wasp seem to love, most days 2/3 sunbathing and buzzing around


Always amazing to see, if you look closely you can see mites which they carry around!
Sexton Beetle


Lots of varieties of Diptera every night and fascinating to see so many species
Green Bottle


Although not strictly caught in the traps, numbers of these little crackers increased around the traps and the walls were alive at night waiting for their lunch to arrive each night.
Pseudeuophrys Lanigera



The massive Tipula Maxima Cranefly  size is 100mm leg span, a monster 


So thats it, I hope 2021 moth'ing wise is as brilliant



Thanks For Looking! 
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