Atropos journals

 I am having a major clear-out. Would anyone like copies of Atropos dating back to 2010? Collect from Colwall. Phyl King

Unusual Wainscot

 L-album Wainscot in my Welland garden moth trap on 24th September - second record of this species in my garden (had one in 2019). A nice record for Worcestershire I think

Norchard Update

Great Brocade

Since returning from a holiday in Devon in late August, it has been interesting mothing at Norchard, Worcs, Noteable migrants have included a Great Brocade 29/8/22, Convolvulus Hawkmoth 3/9/22 Porter's Rustic and Loxostege sticticalis 4/9/22. The Porter's Rustic appears to be a new record for the West Midlands. More regular migrants have included Rush Veneer with nine on 27/8/22. Scarce Bordered Straw 28/8/22, Dark Sword-grass, and Pearly Underwing 29/8/22 and fairly regular Hummingbird Hawkmoths, Vestals, Rusty-dot Pearls and Silver Y's

Loxostege sticticalis

Porter's Rustic

Dotted Rustic on 11/9/22 was a new site record
 

A nice suprise this morning in the moth trap - a Dewick's Plusia in my garden in Welland

Ancylosis oblitella

 Ancylosis oblitella or Saltmarsh Knot-horn has been confirmed as a correct id. The first West Midlands record, it arrived with a range of other possible migrants on the 14th of August at Norchard, Worcs. They included Bordered Straw, Small Mottled Willow, White Point, Rush Veneer, Rusty-dot Pearl, 8 Diamond-backs, 3 Silver Ys, and a Beet moth.

beautiful Acleris literana variation

this smart tortrix came to light last Saturday night here in Warndon along with 9 Beet Moths which are part of a huge movement from the east or southeast of England

Recent Doward findings

 In the last few week moths have been a useful distraction from the global and national state of affairs providing at times some quantity as well as quality to my small patch of land.

Macros like Scarce Silver Lines, Bordered Beauty, Oak, Barred and Pebble Hooktips, Great Oak Beauty and 5 species of Thorn have been joined up here for the first time by Four-spotted Footman, Oak Eggar and Sharp-angled Carpet. On 25th July I had a moment of panic when this honorary macro appeared. I had no mental search image for the dark morph of Box-tree Moth with its purple iridescence.

Amongst the many micros were Acompsia schmidtiellus and A cinerella arriving on cue in the last week of July. Migrant Diamond-back Moth and Rush Veneer were around most nights the light trap was out.

Also (subject to confirmation by PH)  were Ancyclis achatana and Aethes francillana and several other new ones awaiting a frozen trip to Scotland.

 

 

On my land a Field Scabious plant had a Nemophora metallica sitting on the same flower for at least three days at the end of July! It was pleasing to re-confirm its presence on the Doward.

The last day of July also surprised me with a Six-belted Clearwing flying into my porch and offering itself for biological recording. Who needs pheromone lures!