A few quieter catches then it all went mad again last night!

I trapped on Wednesday, Friday & last night here in my small garden in Fordham.

I've yet to plant anything up here, as decorating the house is priority, but I look forward to getting the garden in good shape next year with a whole host of perennials, a few shrubs, a mini herb garden and some wildflower tubs. 

I am convinced that a lot of my moths currently are being drawn in by the neighbour's well established gardens, which are full of Buddleia, Sedum, a variety of Herbs, and Lavender. 

Number's here compared to my Stevenage garden, have tripled in abundance and species diversity has roughly doubled.

I think this is also partly due to less intense light pollution, and the presence of sodium streetlights as opposed to the new LED units that popped up all over Stevenage, including along my back garden in 2016.

I also had a very active Bat roost in a large Oak tree, whereas here there are no streetlights out the back and very few mature trees within 150 metres.

So, the moths... well autumn is in full swing now with Black Rustics, Lunar Underwings and even a pair of Mallow's turning up last night, absolutely stunning moths!

I have recorded very few Sallow moths as yet, with just Centre-barred so far (Although these are quite common peaking at 8 individuals last night).

Last night was a real red-letter session with at least 10 new species for the garden including some real crackers.

For starter's not one but Two Mallow's were found, one later by my son who was playing in the garden. These are a real favourite of mine and I never find them to be that common.

 

Dewick's Plusia was the next surprise, a really dark mint specimen and one I had hoped to see before the end of autumn.

 

Onto the micro moths and Calybites phasianipennella was a nice one to get, not one, but 5 Wax Moths were also a surprise and the first Bee in the trap (Surely a coincidence, as Wax Moth larvae live in Bee hives). 

The best last night, was a new Elachista species for me, at nearly 7mm long (so just under 14mm wingspan) size, time of year, the incomplete white inner fascia and dark head all point to alpinella, fantastic! I am also in the habitat area of Marshland.

I will try and get an out of pot shot tomorrow, but it is rather lively!

Below are the new species for the year.

Moth garden list stands at 177 species.

15/09/21 - Back Garden - Fordham - East Cambridgeshire - Actinic Trap

 

Macro Moths

 

Black Rustic 1 [NFG]

Lunar Underwing 3 [NFG]

 

17/09/21 - Back Garden - Fordham - East Cambridgeshire - Actinic Trap

 

Micro Moths

 

Acleris rhombana 1 [NFG]

 

18/09/21 - Back Garden - Fordham - East Cambridgeshire - Actinic Trap

 

Macro Moths

 

Brown-spot Pinion 1 [NFG]

Common Marbled Carpet 1 [NFG]

Dewick's Plusia 1 [NFG]

Mallow 2 [NFG]

 

Micro Moths

 

Acleris sparsana 1 [NFG]

Calybites phasianipennella 1 [NFG]

Cydalima perspectalis 4 [NFG]

Elachista alpinella 1 [NEW!]

Galleria mellonella 5 [NFG]

Nemapogon cloacella 1 [NFG]

 

Black Rustic

Lunar Underwing

Acleris rhombana

Acleris sparsana

Brown-spot Rustic

Calybites phasianipennella

Cydalima perspectalis

Dewick's Plusia

Elachista alpinella

Galleria mellonella

Mallow