National Moth Night

At least the weather for National Moth Night (or three nights really) this year was a little better (!). During the course of these three nights, I ran or was involved with trapping in my own garden, a local chalk grassland nature reserve, and in a local mixed woodland (where I often trap).

The "theme" of National Moth Night this year was Tiger Moths, although the only "Tiger" species caught was Ruby Tiger - one in the garden, and about 10 at the nature reserve (it was difficult to keep count of everything through the session).

The total from the 3 nights was 422 moths of 126 species, which, compared to July, is well down, but as there were some lifers and new-for-year moths, I'm happy :)

Highlights, i.e. first for the site year list were:

Garden (162 moths 57 species) -

Orange Swift
Rosy Minor

Orange Swift

Woodland (75 moths 35 species) -

White-shouldered House Moth
Blastobasis adustella
Apotomis betuleana
Agriphila straminella
Common Carpet
Wormwood Pug
Pebble Prominent
Six-striped Rustic (NFY)
Copper Underwing (probably Svensson's but not 100%)
Ear Moth agg.

Six-striped Rustic

Chalk Grassland (185 moths 92 species)


Agonopterix arenella (NFY)
Teleiodes vulgella (lifer)
Cochylis dubitana (lifer)
Dark Spinach (NFY)
Small Waved Umber (lifer)
Dark Umber (NFY)
Tree-lichen Beauty (lifer)
Straw Underwing (lifer)
Scarce Silver-lines (lifer)