26th October 2017

There's still some of the more 'standard' autumn species missing from the garden list, and two of these turned up this time around - two Red-green Carpet and a single Red-line Quaker. In addition, a large tortrix appears to be Acleris sparsana which although underwhelming in appearance is completely new for me.

[388] Acleris sparsana
[389] Red-green Carpet
[390] Red-line Quaker

Red-line Quaker Agrochola lota

Acleris sparsana

There was also another excellent Feathered Thorn:

Feathered Thorn Colotois pennaria

Although the most surprising moth was a Dark Arches, the first time I've caught a second generation individual. My previous latest record was 4th September!

Dark Arches Apamea monoglypha

24th October 2017

A good October catch with some minor migrant action thrown in through a nice Vestal arriving at about 10 pm. 

[384] Vestal
[385] Feathered Thorn
[386] Blair's Shoulder-knot
[387] Brick

I've recorded Vestal just once before (October 2013) but there was always a good chance of one turning up this year as many have been trapped on the coast.

Vestal Rhodometra sacaria

Feathered Thorn is a superb moth and I record one every couple of years it seems:

Feathered Thorn Colotois pennaria

Blair's Shoulder-knot is a regular autumn species:

Blair's Shoulder-knot Lithophane leautieri

The Brick has been fairly scarce in Cottenham - this is just my fifth ever here, all in mid - late October:

Brick Agrochola circellaris

14th October 2017

Unseasonably mild weather forced my hand and the MV trap went out. amongst the decent haul of 24 species, I was rewarded with four new moths for the garden including the always superb Merville du Jour (two individuals) and an incredible five Large Wainscot (the number of which equals my total recorded in Cottenham from 2009 - 2015).

[380] Merveille du Jour
[381] Green-brindled Crescent
[382] Yellow-line Quaker
[383] Large Wainscot

Merveille du Jour Dichonia aprilina

Large Wainscot Rhizedra lutosa

Yellow-line Quaker Agrochola macilenta

Green-brindled Crescent Allophyes oxyacanthae

Beaded Chestnut Agrochola lychnidis

Beautiful Plume Amblyptilia acanthadactyla

30th September 2017

I've not been doing much mothing through the autumn, which is a shame as I didn't do too much last year either. I have however got a trap out a couple of times. A few nice autumn species turned up in late September including one new for the garden:

[379] Barred Sallow

Barred Sallow Xanthia aurago

Its always good to get a Frosted Orange:

Frosted Orange Gortyna flavago

The Sallow Xanthia icteritia

22nd August 2017

A rather battered Dark Sword-grass was the first record of this migrant here. I recorded it quite regularly at Corbett St between 2010 and 2013 (11 records) but I've not had one anywhere since. 

Was also pleased to catch another Latticed Heath which this time stuck around for a photo.

[378] Dark Sword-grass

Dark Sword-grass Agrotis ipsilon

Latticed Heath Chiasmia clathrata

Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix Pandemis cerasana

17 August 2017

Two new for the garden:

[376] Grapholita janthinana
[377] Currant Pug

Grapholita janthinana

Currant Pug Eupithecia assimilata

The tort is just my second record, with one identified at Corbett st in July 2014.