Ewyas Harold Common June 29th

Robin Hemming and John Walshe ran some traps overnight here and then Robin organised a moth breakfast next morning. Despite the promised near perfect conditions, the wind picked up at dusk and it cooled down more than forecast, nevertheless, around 150 species were recorded including the 8th county record of Double Line and double digit numbers of Brussels Lace -  the 19th county record. Peter Hall

Ewyas Harold Common: Brussels Lace

Ewyas Harold Common: Double Line

Blackneck and Dioryctria sp,

Some local movement saw my second garden record of Blackneck the first being in 2003 here at Norchard, Worcs. A Dioryctria sp. was trapped as well. It is only 12mm long, making it a bit small for D abietella. Can it be identified from the photo?

Hereford city moths

I was wondering about this plume, might it be Brindled? Also, the first of hopefully many Small Ranunculus turned up last night. It will be interesting to see if it's still expanding in town.
John

Privet Hawkmoth-Evesham

After starting uni I have had limit opportunity to trap in my home garden in urban Evesham. However, on return the trap was out even if the weather may have been a bit too windy. 45 moths of 15 species were recorded however the highlight was actually outside the trap, a PRIVET HAWKMOTH!! This becomes the 6 species of hawkmoth for the garden after my first record of Lime earlier in the year. On seeing the moth, to say I was excited would have been an understatement especially as its the largest hawkmoth I've ever seen however, I did not realise the significance of the record and how rare they are (would love to know how many Worcs records there are?). Heart and dart was the commonest moth with 22 recorded as well as the second light arches for the garden.

L-album Wainscot

The first for VC36 arrived in my trap in Whitchurch last night. I had heard it was spreading in VC35 and might arrive this year. Not a lot else, though a Juniper Webber was nice to see.
John

Humming-bird Hawk-moths

Two sightings of Humming-bird Hawk-moths reported form Worcestershire yesterday. One was in a Bromsgrove garden, and the other was in my garden at Norchard. Both were feeding from Valerian.

What's Flying Tonight

Since I first tested this website out a couple of years ago for the CEH, it has developed quite nicely, so you will now find it on the right hand side under "Useful Links". Peter Hall

Haugh and Wigmore Rolls

The warm spell meant moth trapping. Friday night I went to Haugh Wood and although the breeze stayed with me all 3 hours I trapped, it was slow and steady. It's really nice to be getting some good micros arriving at long last. 52 species of Macro and around 30 species of micro. No unusual macro records and probably the best micro record was 8 Eidophasia messingiella, which Patrick will remember well from his previous visit. Ironically of more interest was a record for the Green Spider Micrommata virescens, when a rather large bright green female walked over my sheet. Very few Herefordshire records and none for Haugh Wood. Then last night I joined up with Rob Hemming and we trapped in Wigmore Rolls, a large Forestry Commission wood north of Leominster and more famous for its butterflies. At pack up time around 1am it was still 16 degrees and again, despite an annoying breeze, it was busy. I think between us we will top 130 species, but my two Robinsons recorded 77 Macro species and the Micros will be around 35 species once all identified. Besides the usual crew, I recorded Little Thorn (2), Beautiful Snout (2), Drab Looper (2 - yes they came to light!), Satin Lutestring (6) and the highlight for me Lunar Thorn (2). Most numerous was Capua vulgana with 245 individuals counted. Then as a surprise there were 3 more of the Green Spiders around the traps, this time males...who says they are rare? Peter Hall

Wigmore Rolls: Lunar Thorn

Wigmore Rolls: Barred Umber

Wigmore Rolls: Scalloped Hook-tip

Haugh Wood: Micrommata virescens - female

Wigmore Rolls: Micrommata virescens - male