Flimwell 23rd March 2010

Last post from Flimwell, at least for a while, as I have left the Weald, and the country for a spell (new Pacific Northwest moth blog at http://www.washington-moths.blogspot.com/). I did put the trap out, and recorded 16 species on one of the less chilly and more cloudy nights this month. Orthosia species are out in numbers and accounted for almost half of the catch (of 66 moths). Pale Pinion, Lithophane hepatica, has woken from its winter sleep, some pristine Oak beauties (Biston strataria) and Red chestnuts (Cerastis rubricosa) too. Early Grey (Xylocampa areola) not significantly later than last year' s record of 17th March. In fact, despite (or because of?) the hard winter and slow spring, today's list compares favourably with the 13 species we recorded on 31st march last year or the 12 species on 17th March. But no Blossom Underwing...

Small Quaker - Orthosia cruda

Red Chestnut - Cerastis rubricosa

Pale Pinion - Lithophane hepatica

Earl Grey - Xylocampa areola

With that, a year mothing at Flimwell has come full circle for me. Thanks to Steve Wheatley for the opportunity to do this and for use of a Mercury Vapour lamp & Robinson trap and to the High Weald AONB Unit for tolerance of unpredictable nocturnal behaviour and polite interest in small brown insects. Here is a summary list of the moth records from Flimwell so far - 155 species. The list is sorted by order of first observed appearance during the year (unfortunately I can't get blogger to support a table very easily). There are still likely to be many gaps and some well-timed surveys during the summer, particularly August which is currently a blank, might add significantly to Lodgefield Wood's recorded lepidopteran fauna.

Formal Name-Common Name-Earliest Record-Latest Record
Tortricodes alternella -Tortricodes alternella-27/02/2009-23/03/2010
Acleris ferrugana -Acleris ferrugana-27/02/2009-27/02/2009
Alsophila aescularia -March Moth-27/02/2009-23/03/2010
Phigalia pilosaria -Pale Brindled Beauty-27/02/2009-03/03/2010
Biston strataria -Oak Beauty-27/02/2009-23/03/2010
Agriopis leucophaearia -Spring Usher-27/02/2009-03/03/2010
Agriopis marginaria -Dotted Border-27/02/2009-23/03/2010
Orthosia cruda -Small Quaker-27/02/2009-23/03/2010
Orthosia cerasi -Common Quaker-27/02/2009-19/03/2010
Orthosia gothica -Hebrew Character-27/02/2009-23/03/2010
Eupsilia transversa -Satellite-27/02/2009-23/03/2010
Conistra vaccinii -Chestnut-27/02/2009-23/03/2010
Apocheima hispidaria -Small Brindled Beauty-03/03/2010-03/03/2010
Achlya flavicornis -Yellow Horned-17/03/2009-23/03/2010
Gymnoscelis rufifasciata -Double-striped Pug-17/03/2009-15/04/2009
Orthosia incerta -Clouded Drab-17/03/2009-31/03/2009
Orthosia munda -Twin-spotted Quaker-17/03/2009-23/03/2010
Xylocampa areola -Early Grey-17/03/2009-23/03/2010
Trichopteryx carpinata -Early Tooth-striped-23/03/2010-23/03/2010
Cerastis rubricosa -Red Chestnut-23/03/2010-23/03/2010
Diurnea fagella -Diurnea fagella-31/03/2009-31/03/2009
Lycia hirtaria -Brindled Beauty-31/03/2009-15/04/2009
Ectropis bistortata -Engrailed-31/03/2009-23/03/2010
Panolis flammea -Pine Beauty-31/03/2009-15/04/2009
Lithophane hepatica -Pale Pinion-31/03/2009-23/03/2010
Lampropteryx suffumata -Water Carpet-15/04/2009-15/04/2009
Eupithecia abbreviata -Brindled Pug-15/04/2009-23/03/2010
Selenia dentaria -Early Thorn-15/04/2009-21/07/2009
Selenia tetralunaria -Purple Thorn-15/04/2009-15/04/2009
Drymonia ruficornis -Lunar Marbled Brown-15/04/2009-15/04/2009
Colocasia coryli -Nut-tree Tussock-15/04/2009-05/05/2009
Monopis weaverella -Monopis weaverella-05/05/2009-05/05/2009
Falcaria lacertinaria -Scalloped Hook-tip-05/05/2009-05/05/2009
Anticlea derivata -Streamer-05/05/2009-05/05/2009
Ecliptopera silaceata -Small Phoenix-05/05/2009-05/05/2009
Thera firmata -Pine Carpet-05/05/2009-23/10/2009
Thera britannica -Spruce Carpet-05/05/2009-23/10/2009
Petrophora chlorosata -Brown Silver-line-05/05/2009-01/06/2009
Odontopera bidentata -Scalloped Hazel-05/05/2009-22/05/2009
Pheosia gnoma -Lesser Swallow Prominent-05/05/2009-01/06/2009
Pheosia tremula -Swallow Prominent-05/05/2009-05/05/2009
Clostera curtula -Chocolate-tip-05/05/2009-22/05/2009
Stauropus fagi -Lobster Moth-05/05/2009-05/05/2009
Peridea anceps -Great Prominent-05/05/2009-22/05/2009
Eilema sororcula -Orange Footman-05/05/2009-22/05/2009
Ochropleura plecta -Flame Shoulder-05/05/2009-01/06/2009
Pseudopanthera macularia -Speckled Yellow-13/05/2009-22/05/2009
Paradarisa consonaria -Square Spot-13/05/2009-13/05/2009
Cabera exanthemata -Common Wave-13/05/2009-13/05/2009
Nemophora degeerella -Nemophora degeerella-22/05/2009-22/05/2009
Menophra abruptaria -Waved Umber-22/05/2009-22/05/2009
Smerinthus ocellata -Eyed Hawk-moth-22/05/2009-22/05/2009
Laothoe populi -Poplar Hawk-moth-22/05/2009-22/05/2009
Pterostoma palpina -Pale Prominent-22/05/2009-22/05/2009
Drymonia dodonaea -Marbled Brown-22/05/2009-01/06/2009
Calliteara pudibunda -Pale Tussock-22/05/2009-01/06/2009
Spilosoma lubricipeda -White Ermine-22/05/2009-01/06/2009
Tyria jacobaeae -Cinnabar-22/05/2009-14/07/2009
Euclidia glyphica -Burnet Companion-22/05/2009-16/06/2009
Hepialus lupulinus -Common Swift-01/06/2009-01/06/2009
Tortrix viridana -Green Oak Tortrix-01/06/2009-01/06/2009
Tetheella fluctuosa -Satin Lutestring-01/06/2009-01/06/2009
Xanthorhoe montanata -Silver-ground Carpet-01/06/2009-01/06/2009
Xanthorhoe fluctuata -Garden Carpet-01/06/2009-01/06/2009
Chloroclysta truncata -Common Marbled Carpet-01/06/2009-23/10/2009
Thera obeliscata -Grey Pine Carpet-01/06/2009-14/10/2009
Electrophaes corylata -Broken-barred Carpet-01/06/2009-01/06/2009
Colostygia pectinataria -Green Carpet-01/06/2009-04/09/2009
Eupithecia exiguata -Mottled Pug-01/06/2009-01/06/2009
Plagodis dolabraria -Scorched Wing-01/06/2009-01/06/2009
Hypomecis punctinalis -Pale Oak Beauty-01/06/2009-01/06/2009
Campaea margaritata -Light Emerald-01/06/2009-19/09/2009
Deilephila elpenor -Elephant Hawk-moth-01/06/2009-01/06/2009
Spilosoma luteum -Buff Ermine-01/06/2009-01/06/2009
Agrotis exclamationis -Heart & Dart-01/06/2009-07/07/2009
Diarsia mendica -Ingrailed Clay-01/06/2009-01/06/2009
Mythimna comma -Shoulder-striped Wainscot-01/06/2009-01/06/2009
Acronicta alni -Alder Moth-01/06/2009-01/06/2009
Euplexia lucipara -Small Angle Shades-01/06/2009-07/07/2009
Apamea crenata -Clouded-bordered Brindle-01/06/2009-01/06/2009
Rivula sericealis -Straw Dot-01/06/2009-01/06/2009
Celypha lacunana -Celypha lacunana-05/06/2009-05/06/2009
Chrysoteuchia culmella -Chrysoteuchia culmella-16/06/2009-16/06/2009
Protodeltote pygarga -Marbled White Spot-16/06/2009-07/07/2009
Idaea biselata -Small Fan-footed Wave-06/07/2009-06/07/2009
Pandemis cerasana -Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Archips podana -Large Fruit-tree Tortrix-07/07/2009-19/09/2009
Clepsis spectrana -Cyclamen Tortrix-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Hedya ochroleucana -Hedya ochroleucana-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Epinotia solandriana -Epinotia solandriana-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Epiblema uddmanniana -Bramble Shoot Moth-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Catoptria pinella -Catoptria pinella-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Perinephela lancealis -Perinephela lancealis-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Euthrix potatoria -Drinker-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Habrosyne pyritoides -Buff Arches-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Geometra papilionaria -Large Emerald-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Hemithea aestivaria -Common Emerald-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Idaea aversata -Riband Wave-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Hydriomena furcata -July Highflyer-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Chloroclystis v-ata -V-pug-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Lomaspilis marginata -Clouded Border-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Macaria notata -Peacock Moth-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Alcis repandata -Mottled Beauty-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Cabera pusaria -Common White Wave-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Lomographa temerata -Clouded Silver-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Phalera bucephala -Buff-tip-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Miltochrista miniata -Rosy Footman-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Eilema complana -Scarce Footman-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Eilema depressa - Buff Footman-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Eilema lurideola -Common Footman-07/07/2009-17/07/2009
Cosmia trapezina -Dun-bar-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Hoplodrina alsines -Uncertain-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Hoplodrina blanda -Rustic-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Idaea trigeminata -Treble Brown Spot-08/07/2009-08/07/2009
Zygaena filipendulae -Six-spot Burnet-14/07/2009-14/07/2009
Apamea monoglypha -Dark Arches-14/07/2009-21/07/2009
Crocallis elinguaria -Scalloped Oak-16/07/2009-16/07/2009
Amphipyra pyramidea -Copper Underwing-21/07/2009-17/09/2009
Endotricha flammealis -Endotricha flammealis-22/07/2009-22/07/2009
Colotois pennaria -Feathered Thorn-22/07/2009-27/11/2009
Amphipyra berbera subsp. Svenssoni-Svensson's Copper Underwing-22/07/2009-22/07/2009
Noctua pronuba -Large Yellow Underwing-13/08/2009-29/09/2009
Ypsolopha parenthesella -Ypsolopha parenthesella-04/09/2009-19/09/2009
Pandemis cinnamomeana -Pandemis cinnamomeana-04/09/2009-19/09/2009
Cymatophorima diluta-Oak Lutestring-04/09/2009-17/09/2009
Xestia xanthographa -Square-spot Rustic-04/09/2009-19/09/2009
Tholera decimalis -Feathered Gothic-04/09/2009-04/09/2009
Gortyna flavago -Frosted Orange-04/09/2009-19/09/2009
Hypena proboscidalis -Snout-04/09/2009-19/09/2009
Blastobasis adustella-Blastobasis adustella-17/09/2009-17/09/2009
Scrobipalpa costella -Scrobipalpa costella-17/09/2009-19/09/2009
Chloroclysta siterata -Red-green Carpet-17/09/2009-23/10/2009
Noctua janthe -Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing-17/09/2009-17/09/2009
Dryobotodes eremita -Brindled Green-17/09/2009-29/09/2009
Omphaloscelis lunosa -Lunar Underwing-17/09/2009-29/09/2009
Caloptilia stigmatella -Caloptilia stigmatella-19/09/2009-19/09/2009
Epiphyas postvittana -Light Brown Apple Moth-19/09/2009-19/09/2009
Acleris emargana -Acleris emargana-19/09/2009-19/09/2009
Dioryctria abietella -Dioryctria abietella-19/09/2009-19/09/2009
Watsonalla cultraria -Barred Hook-tip-19/09/2009-19/09/2009
Xanthia togata -Pink-barred Sallow-19/09/2009-14/10/2009
Nycteola revayana -Oak Nycteoline-19/09/2009-19/09/2009
Endrosis sarcitrella -White-shouldered House-moth-25/09/2009-25/09/2009
Xestia c-nigrum -Setaceous Hebrew Character-29/09/2009-29/09/2009
Agrochola circellaris -Brick-29/09/2009-29/09/2009
Xanthia icteritia -Sallow-29/09/2009-14/10/2009
Phlogophora meticulosa -Angle Shades-29/09/2009-29/09/2009
Agrochola lota -Red-line Quaker-14/10/2009-23/10/2009
Agrochola macilenta -Yellow-line Quaker-14/10/2009-23/10/2009
Epirrita dilutata -November Moth-23/10/2009-23/11/2009
Erannis defoliaria -Mottled Umber-23/10/2009-19/01/2010
Lithophane ornitopus -Grey Shoulder-knot-23/10/2009-03/12/2009
Allophyes oxyacanthae -Green-brindled Crescent-04/11/2009-04/11/2009
Operophtera brumata -Winter Moth-20/11/2009-18/01/2010
Poecilocampa populi -December Moth-01/12/2009-02/12/2009

Flimwell 19th March 2010

Common Quaker on the end wall this evening. Small Quaker and Twin-spotted Quaker appeared around outside lights on the 17th and Tortricodes alternella on the 8th March. Plan to run Robinson trap one night next week. Maybe we'll pick up Blossom Underwing...

Flimwell 3rd March 2010

Small Brindled Beauty - Apocheima hispidaria

One among 5 species this morning at Robinson trap run over a clear night with light frost: Spring Usher (1), March Moth (3), Oak Beauty (1), Pale Brindled Beauty (1), Small Brindled Beauty (2). Seems Brindled Beauty is not flying yet.

Also on the building this evening were 2 male Oak Beauties and a Satellite.

Flimwell 1st March 2010

March Moth - Alsophila aescularia

impeccably punctual

Flimwell 15th February 2010

Dotted Border - Agriopis marginaria

A poor photo - 10 ft up on the wall with a zoom lens in the dark - of the first Dotted Border seen this year, Lodgefield Wood.

Flimwell 2nd February 2010

Pale Brindled Beauty - Phigalia pilosaria

Candlemas - and a mildish evening - brought a minor flurry of moth activity to exterior lights around the building. Four Satellites, a Chestnut, a Spring Usher and, settled on the end wall, seven male Pale Brindled Beauties were seen between about 5 and 6.30 pm. This evening (the 3rd) was damper and colder, and the walls mothless.

Flimwell 28th January 2010

Spring Usher - Agriopis leucophaearia