Moffs, wasps and spiders!

Some good moths in the trap this morning including a few new ones for me. Highlights were a Herald and a Buff Arches, both 'firsts'.

Herald 1

Buff Arches 1

Brimstone 1

Swallow-tailed Moth 1

Shuttle-shaped Dart 2

Bright-line Brown-eye 1

Marbled Beauty 1

Marbled Green 1

Flame Shoulder 1

Common Rustic 1

Copper Underwing/Svensson's Copper Underwing 1

Knot Grass 1

Silver Y1

Gold Triangle 1

Small Dusty Wave 1

Tachystola acroxantha

Agriphila straminella

? Acrobasis sp.

There were inevitably some rather cold and dopey Common Wasps in the trap because of the nearby nest, but I was surprised to see a male False Widow Steatoda grossa just outside the window!

Wasp nest and three more moths!

I have a wasp nest in my dormer roof. Over the last couple of weeks I have seen lots of comings and goings from these stripy rascals. These nests have occurred on and off every few years and on these occasions I keep my windows closed. I usually have a few wasps in my moth trap too. Sadly one wasp was found drowned in my kitchen sink this morning - it is a Common Wasp judging by the black 'anchor' mark on its face.

Although my catches have been appalling of late, I have at least caught interesting moths - this time a brand new one, a Broad-barred White - very attractive. The larval foodplants include sow-thistles which are very common in Montpelier. Also in the trap was a Marbled Green - I only catch one or two per year - and an Uncertain/Rustic. 

              

  

       

 

 

 

Three Moths!

Yep, just 3 moths in the trap this morning - pathetic! There was a nice Buff Ermine, an Uncertain/Rustic and a Chrysoteucha culmella. It was cool and breezy with a bright moon, all probably affecting the catch. Must try harder!

Buff Ermine

This morning There was a Marmalade Hoverfly on a dandelion along Station Road.

Moffs!

A reduced haul of moths this morning after a cool and breezy night.

Shuttle-shaped Dart 1

Dark Arches 2

Heart and Dart 3

Uncertain/Rustic 2

Dark Sword-grass 1

Common Footman 2

Dark/Grey Dagger 1

Endotricha flammealis 1

Chrysoteuchia culmella 1

Prays fraxinella 1

Dark Sword-grass

Common Footman

Shuttle-shaped Dart

Yesterday I had a visitor in my flat in the shape of a Common Soldier Beetle - I let him go after a short photo-session.

Moffs!

Last night I put the moth trap out but by 12.30am it was raining hard so I brought it back in again. It was quite frustrating as I had some good moths in the couple of hours it was in operation and I might have caught lots more. Never mind. The best was another Vapourer - this time allowing me to get a reasonable photo.  The others were 

Heart and Dart 2

Common Emerald 1

Coronet 1

Grey/Dark Dagger 1

Chrysoteuchia culmella 1

A beetle which the Facebook experts think is a Dromius, was also attracted by the light. It lives under the bark of old trees.

Vapourer

Common Emerald

Coronet

Grey/Dark Dagger

Chrysoteuchia culmella

Dromius