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Wednesday 21 October 2015

Guess what I found in my moth trap? *smug grin*

Just wondering how much longer I can milk being deserving of finding exciting new species before people want to kill me :-) - I reckon until the end of year at least! But for the special moth you'll have to wait until the very end of this post, as I'm going back to 20th Sept for these first moths. 

I found some interesting moths that night but only a few species the next few times I put the trap out, as the night temps were dropping to about 6C. However there are actually quite a lot of moths that it is still possible to see at this time of year; it was surprising when I started looking into the world of moths to discover that there are a number of late autumn moths and even winter moths that fly during the cold months, though presumably only when conditions are right, i.e. not freezing or pouring with rain. So this is a hobby that can be done all year round.

These are the species I found on 20th Sept which I have managed to ID. Many of these were very flitty and I could only get pics in the specimen pots which I have not yet washed out, so there are many scales from other moths in them. I'll get round to doing it one of these days!

This next moth is one of my favourites which I've found three times now - you can't really appreciate its subtle but pretty markings until you get close up with your camera lens, as to the naked eye it is just a pale looking moth.  It's not suprising it bears the name of The Delicate.

From UK Moths site: "Wingspan 36-43 mm.

A migrant species, appearing most commonly on the south and south-west coasts of England, usually between August and October, but also sometimes earlier in the season.

The adults vary in colour from very pale yellow to almost orange.

It is considered that some of the earlier migrants during the year may breed in Britain, giving rise to autumn adults, but the larval stage is not well known due to its nocturnal and retiring nature."


The Delicate (Mythimna vitellina).

The Delicate (Mythimna vitellina).

This is the only Sallow species that I have come across so far, although I've seen a number of them.

Centre-barred Sallow (Atethmia centrago).

I have found the Wainscots a nightmare to ID as many are very similar, but this species stands out and is very attractive.

L-album Wainscot (Mythimna l-album).

A very tatty Beautiful Hook-tip (Laspeyria flexula).

At least this is one of those species with unmistakable markings which is easy enough to ID with the naked eye!

Autumnal Rustic (Eugnorisma glareosa).

Autumnal Rustic (Eugnorisma glareosa).

The following three I believe are the same species, only they come in a variety of different colours. Ragged Robin posted a group of them in many different colours on this 2014 post here so I am hoping she will help to confirm if these are in fact that species. They were trapped on 27th and 28th September.

Lunar Underwing (Omphaloscelis lunosa).

Lunar Underwing (Omphaloscelis lunosa).

Lunar Underwing (Omphaloscelis lunosa).

Moving on to 17th October and the only time I've put the moth trap out this month. Some interesting new species again.

UK Moths has this to say about this next species, the Flame Brocade:

"Formerly resident in Sussex, becoming extinct there in the late 19th Century, the species is now resident only in the Channel Islands and elsewhere it is only an immigrant.

Adults have appeared, usually at coastal light-traps along England's southern shores, mainly from Hampshire westwards.

The normal flight period is October and November, most immigrants turning up in the former month.

The caterpillar feeds on low plants such as buttercup (Ranunculus) in the early stages, later preferring such species as ash (Fraxinus) and privet (Ligustrum)."
 


I found seven of these in the trap!
Flame Brocade (Trigonophora flammea).

The next two I am not 100% sure of my ID.

Beaded Chestnut (Agrochola lychnidis).

Black Rustic (Aporophyla nigra).

And now we come to the Very Special Moth. I was halfway through going through the egg cartons in the moth trap before I did a double take noticing this rather large moth sitting on the wooden side of the box. I knew what it was immediately and was over the moon....

Can you guess what it is yet?

I think this might give you a clue..... :-)
Yes, it's a Clifden Nonpareil!!! (Catocala fraxini).

To some the Holy Grail of moths is this species; to others it's the Merveille du Jour (I'd love to see one of them too) and for others, perhaps the Death's-head Hawkmoth, which I'd really love to see. But the Clifden Nonpareil is a moth whose name I have been familiar with for many years, well before I got interested in moths or even really interested in butterflies, so that makes it all the more special to me. The larvae of this species feed on Poplars, of which there are plenty around. The wingspan is male 84-100 mm, female 98-112 mm! This article in the Independent newspaper sums up the sighting of this moth perfectly.

I even managed a selfie with my moth when it escaped!

More pics.

Close up of its face and proboscis.

Starting to show those beautiful blue underwings.

Back in the box with the egg cartons prior to release in the evening.

When I released the moths at dusk the CN flew into my Horse Chestnut tree and sat there for about five minutes - it then flew off into the darkening sky looking just like a tiny bat. What a fabulous experience and privilege it was to meet this most sought after moth!

21 comments:

  1. Love that picture into the mirror :)
    Are you likely to see a Clifden Nonpareil again or are they so rare this might be your 15 minutes of fame?

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    1. Hi Carl - I posted that one on facebook the other day! I have no idea how comon or rare they may be around here on this side of the channel - I found an underwing two years ago in my garden and got very excited once I'd worked out what it was from. Well we will find out if I manage to trap any more of them. They are rare in the UK as they sometimes fly over the channel, and as most of my mothy friends are over there, they appreciate how special they are. I don't think moth trapping is a popular pasttime in France - couldn't find out anything much when I googled in French. xx

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    2. There's been an influx in Berks over the last fortnight and there are some whispers that it may now be breeding in Hants/ Berks/ Oxon areas again. None here yet but (as per my comment below) my nieces found one at school in Hants last week! x

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  2. What a beauty and the moth aint bad either.....;-) I love your posts about moths and how they have sparked my interest in what we have around. I love how you handle them and your photographs are special. Thanks.

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    1. Flattery will get you everywhere, Ian. :-) Are you thinking of getting a moth trap? Might be interesting for you - it's a fun hobby although the IDing takes a lot of time! I got the 'bug' from fellow bloggers who have traps. Thanks!

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  3. Wow Mandy! What a superb collection of moths and I am so excited for you re: the Clifden Nonpareil - you must be over the moon! Love the selfie photo :) I have had a look in my Large Moths of Warwickshire book and there have only been 2 sightings here between 1880 and 2002 so I think my chances of trapping one are nil!! So its rather nice to be able to look at your photos :)

    Thanks so much for the mention - the 3 photos all look like Lunar Underwing to me. I also agree with your id's on Black Rustic and Beaded Chestnut although I am not an expert!! Rarely trap Beaded Chestnut :( and haven't yet trapped a Black Rustic this year. You have made me want to put out my trap!!! Looks milder tonight and hopefully dry so will set it up I think :)

    Really like the Autumnal Rustic - one of my favourite moths.

    Good Luck with Merveille du Jour - the holy grail moth I haven't trapped :( I live in hope as there are oak trees nearby. One of the things I love about mothing is that it never ceases to surprise you and you never know what will turn up :)

    Well done again on the Clifden :)

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    1. Thanks so much, Caroline. I really wasn't expecting to see one this year - had hoped I'd find one eventually of course! No idea if they are common around here or not - time will tell. There are lots of other pretty underwings too. I'm glad there are so many moth species so there is always hope to find the pretty and unusual ones - just thought of another lovely one, the Kentish Glory. And of course the Emperors!

      Drizzly here today but I do want to get the trap out again too - hardly seeing any butterflies with mostly gloomy weather so it's nice to get a lepidoptera fix another way! :-) And thanks for confirmation of my IDs.

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  4. I don't know much about moths Mandy, but your post is very interesting and I love the close up shots. The Clifden Nonpareil looks huge! :-)

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    1. Thanks Deb - it is a huge moth! Glad you found it interesting. xx

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  5. Another impressive haul Mandy. That 'star' moth does look quite a size and a rare treat of course. I ran my trap two nights ago and got just two moths!

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    1. Thanks JJ. That's why I didn't put the trap out until lateish in the month because the two previous times there were so few moths I was very disappointed. So the CN this time made up for it! Might have another go tonight as it has stopped drizzling and isn't too chilly.

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  6. Gosh Mandy, you look very lovely in that selfie pic with the moth.
    Your hair looks darker, have you had a makeover?

    Philippa xx

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    1. More like a makeunder, Philippa! Just my natural hair colour as the blond grew out, which I'm going to change today as I am off to the hairdressers. :-) Thanks xx

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  7. Fantastic! My nieces found one sitting on a tree outside their school last week and sent me a photo :o) Those are definitely Lunar Underwings btw xx

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    1. How super - really pleased for them. Saw your comment above too and that is great news, here's hoping they do start breeding and make a come back in the UK! Cheers CT. xx

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  8. Well done Mandy, its always nice to find something different in nature that you haven't seen before.
    A very deserving case. I cant think why anyone would want to 'bump you off' for that though.{:))
    Moths, I cant really get excited about them myself, now if it was a butterfly I hadn't seen before, that would be different. Great selfie by the way.

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    1. Thanks Roy - I do understand that moths are not a lot of people's cup of tea, but I would have thought you would enjoy some of the colourful moths seen during the day like the Cinnabar and especially the Tiger moths. I have always loved seeing them as much as butterflies. :-) Don't you ever want to kill with envy? Now imagine if I come across as Spanish Festoon or a Monarch that blew off course from America - hahaha! ;-)

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    2. Perhaps a rethink about bumping you off.(:))

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  9. Hi Mandy I love the Clifden Nonpareil moth, isn't nature wonderful and glad you are still enjoying this hobby... Well done with the browner looking moth, I would have struggled with these. I did take quite a few photos of the moths I caught at the end of August (mainly Brown) but did not look at them till a month later and it was to hard to sort them out so decided not to bother and will look at them again next year. Have put the trap out a few times in October hoping to get some late moths but no joy just a few Apple moths, have packed the trap away but if we get a good evening , it doesn't take long to put together. Would love to record some winter moths. I know we should not wish our time a way but so looking forward to next years trapping,...
    Take care Amanda xx

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    1. Thanks Amanda! I keep wanting to put the trap out again but there is on and off showers or drizzle now so don't know when I'll get a chance. There are still quite a lot of interesting moths it's possible to see even in Nov and even some in the depths of winter! Be good when there are no other bugs around. I've a fair few unidentified moths so I might post them sometime in winter to see if any of you can help me with ID. Hants Moths is really useful and the more I spend time IDing the more I learn - just got to try to remember these moths, that's the hard bit, haha! :-) xx

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