That's More Like It

So as not to be defeated by yesterdays dismal moth totals, I decided to have another go with the moth trap last night.

The numbers were still low but at least there were more species, with 22 moths of 9 species, with two new species for my Portland list.

#1 Muslin Moth Diaphora mendica x1

#2 Rusty Dot Pearl Udea ferrugalis x3

#3 Light Brown Apple Moth Epiphyas postvittana x3

#4 Common Quaker Orthosia cerasi x7

#5 Powdered Quaker Orthosia gracilis x2
#6 Bittersweet Moth Scrobipalpa costella x1

#7 Setaceous Hebrew Character Xestia c-nigrum x2

#8 Early Grey Xylocampa areola x2

#9 Small Mottled Willow Spodoptera exigua x1

#1 Muslin Moth Diaphora mendica

#2 Rusty Dot Pearl Udea ferrugalis

#3 Light Brown Apple Moth Epiphyas postvittana

#3 Another Light Brown Apple Moth Epiphyas postvittana

#4 Common Quaker Orthosia cerasi

#5 Powdered Quaker Orthosia gracilis

#5 Another Powdered Quaker Orthosia gracilis

#6 Bittersweet Moth Scrobipalpa costella*

#7 Setaceous Hebrew Character Xestia c-nigrum

#8 Early Grey Xylocampa areola

#9 Small Mottled Willow Spodoptera exigua**

Note:

* #6 Bittersweet Moth Scrobipalpa costella - The adult moths are mainly seen in late in the year, but do overwinter as this one appears to have done. The caterpillars of this moth, mine the leaves of the Bittersweet plant, of which there has been one growing in the back garden ever since I moved to Wakeham back in May 2017. It is also known as the Winter Groundling. More on this moth here.

Bittersweet (Solanum dulcamara) a nightshade species with toxic berries which will cause you serious illness if eaten. More on this plant here.

** #9 Small Mottled Willow Spodoptera exigua AKA Beet Armyworm

The Small Mottled Willow moth Spodoptera exigua is also known as the Beet Armyworm and is native to Asia. However it is now found almost anywhere in the world, including the UK. It's not known to breed in the British Isles, but I guess time will tell. The larva, known as Asparagus Fern caterpillars are well-known as agricultural pests. More on this moth here, here and here.

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With so many St Mark's Flies Bibio marci flying around the garden yesterday, I guess it wasn't too much of a surprise to see one in the moth trap this morning.

A St Mark's Flies Bibio marci

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Also in the trap was a Winter Cranefly Trichoceridae sp. and a Nonbiting Midge Chironomidae sp.

There are many cranefly species in the UK, with Trichocera regelationis being the commonest. It could be, but there again. See Nature Spot Here.

A Nonbiting Midge Chironomidae sp.