Sunday 8 November 2015

Sprawler at Dingestow

On 5th November I commented that the Abergavenny Sprawler was an excellent record, as I had only seen one in 20 years of trapping at Dingestow.  The next morning I walked out of the front door and found a Sprawler awaiting me under the porch light!


I ran the MV on the next two nights, but despite mild conditions and a southerly airflow had pretty limited returns.  A Grey Shoulder-knot on 6th and a December Moth on 7th were probably the highlights, among a rag-tag of somewhat worn autumn species such as Brick, Yellow- and Red-line Quakers and Beaded Chestnut.


Friday 6 November 2015

Chepstow
5th November- New update

Had a little walk around the garden this morning and disturbed a micro from one of the garden plants.
I followed it as it flew off and luckily it stayed within the garden boundary eventually settling upon the edge of the summerhouse roof. Typically I was unprepared, but conveniently it stayed there long enough to allow me to capture it to have a closer look.
It was rather fidgety and difficult to picture especially in the poor light hence the picture is slightly out of focus.
Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure its a Leek Moth- Acrolepiopsis assectella.

New update
Sam Bosanquet informs me that the micro pictured below is
Acrolepia autumnitella (Bittersweet Smudge), and not Acrolepiopsis assectella (Leek Moth) as previous thought by myself.
He went on to say that having both Glyphipterigidae species recorded on site is a little unusual given they depend on completely different food plants.
It could well be that both food plants reside nearby possibly in neighbouring gardens and both were attracted in on site.
The Leek Moth that was recorded here at Chepstow in August feeds on Leek, Onion and Garlic, whilst the Bittersweet Smudge feeds on Bittersweet, Deadly Nightshade or Tomato. Both are Nationally 'localised' moths and both hibernate as adults.


Wednesday 4 November 2015

Abergavenny 31st October 2015

Ran the MV for macros on 31st October and trapped only 4 moths, of which 2 were new to us. Very pleased to see the lovely Merveille du Jour and also a nice specimen of Sprawler which is apparently not very common in Gwent.

Blair's Shoulder-knot x 1; Merveille du Jour x 1; November Moth agg. x 1; Sprawler x 1

Mike & Val
Merveille du Jour


Sprawler