June round-up

Not much happened during the month until the last week, with the year list steadily progressing with the usual suspects but not much of real note. Thankfully numbers and variety picked up in the last few days of the month. Unfortunately, other than one Dark Sword-grass, a few Diamond-backed Moths and a procession of Silver Y, I did not record any of the migrants that are currently winging their way around the country.  Only one new macro for me, a Tawny Shears.

 Tawny Shears - new for garden on 17th June

Dark Sword-grass - my sixth in five years, 16th June

 All black Peppered Moth impersonating a SR71 Blackbird

 White Ermine - second garden record, first in June 2010

 Toadflax Brocade - well established (four in May and five in June)

Ingrailed Clay - every one seems to be different

Broom Moth - a couple every year

Shark

Shoulder-striped Wainscot - common here but seemingly not for other county trappers

Some mid-June comparisons

For much of mid-June, I have been getting and increasing number of the common brown noctuids and in comparison a lower number of the other families. With this comes the challenge of identifying some individuals that just do not fit the pattern of the book pictures, Included here are a few pairs and comparisons

 Two Broom moths, one showing all the features, the other just the creamy blob

Reddish Light Arches and Light Arches - both equally common in Luton on the chalk soils at this time of year

Presumed Dusky Brocade with some tawny colouration which had me thinking of Small Clouded Brindle

 Greyish looking presumed Large Nutmeg (based on shape), most of mine are fawn/beige

 A Dusky Brocade that (unusually) actually looks like one of the pics in the book

 Clouded Brindle (all the features and well marked)

Presumed Clouded Brindle. Had thoughts of Clouded-bordered Brindle which it closely resembles but I think the visibility of the fine black cross-line in the middle of the rear of the wing gives it away

And how about this Ingrailed Clay which  the same species as the individual in the previous post with the black triangle and square markings. It's the tiny arrowheads on the end of the wings that matters, none of the rest of the colouration is relevant !? Good job moths work on smells not sight in choosing a partner

Broom - not the Gravel Pit

Some moths are on the radar as gaps in the garden list, specifically those that your pals are getting locally right now or at least appear on their lists regularly. There are others that are somewhat forgotten, so when this one appeared in my trap I initially had no idea at all what it was. Obviously not common around these parts.

Broom Moth - NFG 5th July, nice gold and reddish tones along with the distinctive cream line.

A couple of other of the highlights from the same night:

 Blue-bordered Carpet, did not appear here in 2012, I do like this small species

Green Silver-lines, common enough here but I do like a bit of colour !

Freyer's Pug, average two of these each year

Buff Arches, again regular here but always fascinated with the "waxy" finish and intricate markings