Sunday 29 September 2013

Moth burglar



The trap was busy enough last night but short on novelties or anything particularly interesting, apart from this gallant old Red Underwing which seems to summon up the tattered but lively character of the best sort of old age pensioner. He or she is being watched in the top photo by the beady eyes of a Beaded Chestnut, a common visitor for the past few weeks.


By way of compensation, moth enthusiasm among our neighbours continues strongly. Next door even had a moth burglar the other night, which fluttered round an alarm sensor in the small hours and set the bells ringing. Down the road, where we went for a lovely birthday party yesterday, the top room of a thatched cottage is full of hibernating Small Tortoiseshell butterflies. The young couple who live there fall asleep counting them, instead of sheep.

One of our neighbours' slumbering Small Tortoiseshells

And one of our own. Don't they make you feel drowsy already?
I am spending part of my weekend sorting out the IDs of the moth jumble below. Any help appreciated, as always. Otherwise have a pleasant rest from the labours of the week which for us retired folk are just a distant memory, ha ha.

Acleris sparsana?
Update: Common or Dark Marbled Carpet - many thanks to CT in Comments

Caddis fly?
Not a Caddis fly. Update: no, it's a Rush Veneer micro - many thanks to Richard in Comments
Here's that one again, in Micro-moth Bible ID-ing position

Are these two above the same? Update: yes. Richard in Comments to the rescue again, and I'm delighted that these are Deep-brown Darts, new to the trap (or at least I haven't recognised them before)
Shouldn't take too long to sort out after breakfast (shockingly late)
Garden Rose Tortrix, from memory
Isn't this handsome? I know what it is but can't just remember at the mo. Update: and Richard beats me to it, kindly and helpful as ever. It's another newcomer, a Pale Mottled Willow.  Very many thanks.
And a final tiddler, which shouldn't take too long to sort out once the Bible is examined. 

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Number 2- dark marbled or common marbled carpet? And could the two dark ones be black rustics? :-)

MartinWainwright said...

Hi there!

I think you're right about the Carpet and maybe the first of the two dark moths. It's been much too sunny to curl up with the Moth Bible but I may tonight.

All warm wishes. I like mattocks too. I've just broken the haft of ours but hope to get it back in action woon

all warmest

M

Anonymous said...

Hi Martin,

The micro is a Rush Veneer and the 2 dark moths are Deep-brown Darts. The last macro is a Pale Mottled Willow.

Cheers,
Richard

MartinWainwright said...

Thanks so much Rochard. I've been away up in York since yesterday and out of wifi, but I'd come to the same conclusion about the dark moths. I'm very pleased they're D-b Ds as this is a new one for me (although I suspect they've been in the trap before in the last month, but I'm a bit careless with the tricky dark/grey/brown moths)

Much appreciated as always

all warmest

M

Bennyboymothman said...

Still around and trying to not get an iller.
Yes to sparsana.
You will also be pleased to know that the micro under your two Deep-brown Darts, is an Acleris aspersana.
Lots of migration lately so keep the traps ON!
Cheers
Ben

MartinWainwright said...

Brilliant Ben. Hope illness is bing fended off. Unlike rain. All very best. M