Early August Moths

In windy conditions last night, it didn't come as a surprise to see fewer moths in the trap this morning. It certainly made counting and Id'ing a lot quicker, with just 83 moths of 29 species recorded. And in amongst them were three firsts for the year and two lifers.

  *First for year
**Lifers

2026 Moth List Here.


Moths recorded:

#1      Black-headed Conch Cochylis atricapitana x3

#2     *Straw-barred Pearl Pyrausta despicata x1

#3      Light Brown Apple Moth Epiphyas postvittana x8

#4      Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis luteolata x4

#5      Bright-line Brown-eye Lacanobia oleracea x5

#6      Small Mottled Willow Spodoptera exigua x11

#7     *White Plume Moth Pterophorus pentadactyla x1

#8      White-shouldered House-moth Endrosis sarcitrella x3

#9      Setaceous Hebrew Character Xestia c-nigrum x4

#10    Dingy Footman Eilema griseola x1

#11    Rusty Dot Pearl Udea ferrugalis x2

#12    Double-striped Pug Gymnoscelis rufifasciata x2

#13    Vine's Rustic Hoplodrina ambigua x3

#14    Diamond-back Moth Plutella xylostella x5

#15    Heart & Dart Agrotis exclamationis x2

#16   *Flounced Rustic Luperina testacea x1

#17    Dark Sword-grass Agrotis ipsilon x2

#18    Shuttle-shaped Dart Agrotis puta x8

#19    Brown House-moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella x1

#20    Mullein Wave Scopula marginepunctata x3

#21    Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing Noctua janthe x3

#22    Square-spot Rustic Xestia xanthographa x1

#23    Heart & Dart Agrotis exclamationis x2

#24    Turnip Moth Agrotis segetum x1

#25    Rush Veneer Nomophila noctuella x1

#26    Jersey Tiger Euplagia quadripunctaria x1

#27 **Toadflax Pug Eupithecia linariata x1

#28    Single-dotted Wave Idaea dimidiata x1

#29 **Lesser Clouded Knot-horn Phycitodes saxicola x2

#1 Black-headed Conch Cochylis atricapitana

#1 Another Black-headed Conch Cochylis atricapitana

#2  *Straw-barred Pearl Pyrausta despicata

#3 Light Brown Apple Moth Epiphyas postvittana

#3 Another Light Brown Apple Moth Epiphyas postvittana

#4 Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis luteolata

#4 Another Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis luteolata

#5 Bright-line Brown-eye Lacanobia oleracea

#6 Small Mottled Willow Spodoptera exigua

#6 Another Small Mottled Willow Spodoptera exigua

#6 And another Small Mottled Willow Spodoptera exigua

#7 *White Plume Moth Pterophorus pentadactyla 

#8 White-shouldered House-moth Endrosis sarcitrella

#8 Another White-shouldered House-moth Endrosis sarcitrella

#9 Setaceous Hebrew Character Xestia c-nigrum

#10 Dingy Footman Eilema griseola

#11 Rusty Dot Pearl Udea ferrugalis

#12 Double-striped Pug Gymnoscelis rufifasciata

#13 Vine's Rustic Hoplodrina ambigua

#13 Another Vine's Rustic Hoplodrina ambigua

#14 Diamond-back Moth Plutella xylostella 

#15 Heart & Dart Agrotis exclamationis

#16 *Flounced Rustic Luperina testacea

#17 Dark Sword-grass Agrotis ipsilon 

#18 Shuttle-shaped Dart Agrotis puta

#18 Another Shuttle-shaped Dart Agrotis puta

#18 And another Shuttle-shaped Dart Agrotis puta

#18 And one more Shuttle-shaped Dart Agrotis puta

#19 Brown House-moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella

#20 Mullein Wave Scopula marginepunctata

#20 Another Mullein Wave Scopula marginepunctata

#20 And another Mullein Wave Scopula marginepunctata

#21 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing Noctua janthe

#22 Square-spot Rustic Xestia xanthographa

#23 Heart & Dart Agrotis exclamationis

#24 Turnip Moth Agrotis segetum

#25 Rush Veneer Nomophila noctuella

#26 Jersey Tiger Euplagia quadripunctaria

#27 **Toadflax Pug Eupithecia linariata

#28 Single-dotted Wave Idaea dimidiata

#29 **Lesser Clouded Knot-horn Phycitodes saxicola

More on:

#27  Toadflax Pug Eupithecia linariata UK Moths here and Dorset Moths here.

#29  Lesser Clouded Knot-horn Phycitodes saxicola UK Moths here and Dorset Moths here.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Also in the trap was a mosquito and a spider.

Northern House Mosquito Culex pipiens. aka Common House Mosquito

A Stout Sac Spider Clubiona sp.

It Rained....

.....well there were a few very small spots of rain this morning when I was checking out the moth trap. I think if it wasn't for the fact that I'm bald, I wouldn't have even realised. After the low cloud drifted away, it turned out to be another very warm day again. It's been quite sometime since we've had some "useful" rain.

Anyway, moving onto the moth trap, there was definitely a reduction in numbers. Whether that was due to the very hot and dry conditions, I'm not sure.

The final count of 120 moths of 43 species was a lot less than previous trappings, but it was amazing to note that I still managed 8 firsts for the year and 6 lifers.

  *First for year

**Lifers

2026 Moth List Here.

Moths recorded:

#1        Double-striped Pug Gymnoscelis rufifasciata x3

#2        Willow Beauty Peribatodes rhomboidaria x1

#3        Jersey Tiger Euplagia quadripunctaria x4

#4        Mullein Wave Scopula marginepunctata x1

#5       *Rush Veneer Nomophila noctuella x4

#6        Light Brown Apple Moth Epiphyas postvittana x11

#7        Bird-cherry Ermine Yponomeuta evonymella x2

#8        Ox-tongue Conch Neocochylis molliculana x9

#9     **Barred Rivulet Perizoma bifaciata x1

#10      Lime-speck Pug Eupithecia centaureata x1

#11      Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis luteolata x3

#12      Wakely's Dowd Blastobasis lacticolella x4

#13     *Yellow-barred Brindle Acasis viretata x1

#14    **Spindle Knot-horn Nephopterix angustella x1

#15      *Marbled Bell Eucosma campoliliana x5

#16       Dingy Footman Eilema griseola x2

#17       Small Mottled Willow Spodoptera exigua x17

#18    **Channel Islands Pug Eupithecia ultimaria x1

#19       Common Wainscot Mythimna pallens x1

#20       White-shouldered House-moth Endrosis sarcitrella x4

#21       Knot Grass Acronicta rumicis x1

#22    **Ruby Tiger Phragmatobia fuliginosa x2

#23       Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba x2

#24       Brown House-moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella x3

#25       Vine's Rustic Hoplodrina ambigua x3

#26       Setaceous Hebrew Character Xestia c-nigrum x3

#27       Square-spot Rustic Xestia xanthographa x1

#28       Rusty Dot Pearl Udea ferrugalis x2

#29      *Olive-tree Pearl Palpita vitrealis x1

#30       Marbled Green Nyctobrya muralis x2

#31      *Garden Rose Tortrix Acleris variegana x1

#32      *The Lychnis Hadena bicruris x1

#33       Common Rustic Mesapamea secalis x1

#34    **Dusky Thorn Ennomos fuscantaria x1

#35       The Clay Mythimna ferrago x2

#36       Black-headed Conch Cochylis atricapitana x3

#37    **Coast Knot-horn Phycitodes maritima x1

#38       Four-spotted Footman Lithosia quadra x1

#39       Shuttle-shaped Dart Agrotis puta x7

#40      *Pale-backed Detritus Moth Monopis crocicapitella x1

#41       The Lackey Malacosoma neustria x1

#42       Diamond-back Moth Plutella xylostella x3

#43      *Pellitory Beauty Cosmopterix pulchrimella x1

#1 Double-striped Pug Gymnoscelis rufifasciata

#1 Another Double-striped Pug Gymnoscelis rufifasciata

#1 And another Double-striped Pug Gymnoscelis rufifasciata

#2 Willow Beauty Peribatodes rhomboidaria

#3 Jersey Tiger Euplagia quadripunctaria. All four JT's were on the outside of the trap. This individual was the only one I managed to get a partial shot off, before that flew off as well.

#4 Mullein Wave Scopula marginepunctata

#5 *Rush Veneer Nomophila noctuella

#6 Light Brown Apple Moth Epiphyas postvittana

#6 Another Light Brown Apple Moth Epiphyas postvittana

#7 Bird-cherry Ermine Yponomeuta evonymella

#7 Bird-cherry Ermine Yponomeuta evonymella

#7 Another Bird-cherry Ermine Yponomeuta evonymella

#8 Ox-tongue Conch Neocochylis molliculana

#9 **Barred Rivulet Perizoma bifaciata 

#10 Lime-speck Pug Eupithecia centaureata

#11 Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis luteolata

#11 Another Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis luteolata

#11 And another Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis luteolata

#12 Wakely's Dowd Blastobasis lacticolella. aka London Dowd and Large Pale Masoner

#13 *Yellow-barred Brindle Acasis viretata

Photographed using a Canon Powershot SX70 HS

#13 *Yellow-barred Brindle Acasis viretata

Photographed using a Canon EOS R5 Mark II and Canon RF 100mm F2.8 Macro IS USM Lens

#14 **Spindle Knot-horn Nephopterix angustella

#15 *Marbled Bell Eucosma campoliliana. aka Pied Tortrix

#16 Dingy Footman Eilema griseola

#16 Another Dingy Footman Eilema griseola

#17 Small Mottled Willow Spodoptera exigua aka Beet Armyworm

#18 **Channel Islands Pug Eupithecia ultimaria 

#19 Common Wainscot Mythimna pallens

#20 White-shouldered House-moth Endrosis sarcitrella

#21 A worn Knot Grass Acronicta rumicis

#22 **Ruby Tiger Phragmatobia fuliginosa

Photographed using a Canon Powershot SX70 HS

#22 Another Ruby Tiger Phragmatobia fuliginosa

Photographed using a Canon EOS R5 Mark II and Canon RF 100mm F2.8 Macro IS USM Lens

#22 And another Ruby Tiger Phragmatobia fuliginosa

Photographed using a Canon Powershot SX70 HS

#22 Ruby Tiger Phragmatobia fuliginosa

Photographed using a Canon EOS R5 Mark II and Canon RF 100mm F2.8 Macro IS USM Lens

#23 Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba

#24 Brown House-moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella

#25 Not the worse photo I've taken, but not far off. A Vine's Rustic Hoplodrina ambigua 

#26 Setaceous Hebrew Character Xestia c-nigrum

#26 Setaceous Hebrew Character Xestia c-nigrum

#27 Square-spot Rustic Xestia xanthographa

#28 Rusty Dot Pearl Udea ferrugalis

#28 Another Rusty Dot Pearl Udea ferrugalis

#29 *Olive-tree Pearl Palpita vitrealis aka Jasmine moth

#30 Marbled Green Nyctobrya muralis

#31 *Garden Rose Tortrix Acleris variegana

#32 *The Lychnis Hadena bicruris

#33 Common Rustic Mesapamea secalis

Photographed using a Canon Powershot SX70 HS

#33 Common Rustic Mesapamea secalis

Photographed using a Canon EOS R5 Mark II and Canon RF 100mm F2.8 Macro IS USM Lens

#34 **Dusky Thorn Ennomos fuscantaria

#34 Dusky Thorn Ennomos fuscantaria

#35 The Clay Mythimna ferrago

#36 Black-headed Conch Cochylis atricapitana 

#37 **Coast Knot-horn Phycitodes maritima

#38 Four-spotted Footman Lithosia quadra - This is a male. Only the females have spots.

Photographed using a Canon Powershot SX70 HS

#38 Four-spotted Footman Lithosia quadra

Photographed using a Canon EOS R5 Mark II and Canon RF 100mm F2.8 Macro IS USM Lens

#39 Shuttle-shaped Dart Agrotis puta

#40 *Pale-backed Detritus Moth Monopis crocicapitella

#41 The Lackey Malacosoma neustria

Photographed using a Canon Powershot SX70 HS

#41 The Lackey Malacosoma neustria

Photographed using a Canon EOS R5 Mark II and Canon RF 100mm F2.8 Macro IS USM Lens

#42 Diamond-back Moth Plutella xylostella

Photographed using a Canon EOS R5 Mark II and Canon RF 100mm F2.8 Macro IS USM Lens

#43 *Pellitory Beauty Cosmopterix pulchrimella

More on:

#9     Barred Rivulet Perizoma bifaciata UK Moths here and Dorset Moths here.

#14   Spindle Knot-horn Nephopterix angustella UK Moths here and Dorset Moths here.

#18   Channel Islands Pug Eupithecia ultimaria UK Moths here and Dorset Moths here.

#22   Ruby Tiger Phragmatobia fuliginosa UK Moths here and Dorset Moths here.

#34   Dusky Thorn Ennomos fuscantaria UK Moths here and Dorset Moths here.

#37   Coast Knot-horn Phycitodes maritima UK Moths here and Dorset Moths here.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Also in the trap were 1 lacewing, 1 ichneumon wasp, 2 caddis fly, a fly and 6 ladybirds.

A Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis - form succinea

Two more Harlequin Ladybirds Harmonia axyridis - form succinea

And another Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis - form succinea

Common Caddisfly Limnephilus flavicornis

Photographed using a Canon Powershot SX70 HS

Common Caddisfly Limnephilus flavicornis

Photographed using a Canon EOS R5 Mark II and Canon RF 100mm F2.8 Macro IS USM Lens

A Parasitoid wasp

Note:

Unless stated all the images above were taken with a Canon Powershot SX70 HS