early June quality

The numbers of moths are certainly down this year and the diversity of species is struggling to reach expectations but a few gems have been trapped. First for garden records are always welcome, particularly as this is now my seventh summer season of trapping. Pride of place of course to Lime Hawkmoth just because of its looks... but two other new species and a couple of other species not recorded since my first June in 2010 were good to get.

 Lime Hawkmoth - first for garden 12th June

Clouded-bordered Brindle - first for garden 3rd June

Pale Oak Beauty - first for garden 11th June

 Brown Silver-line - 26th May (previous record 6th June 2010 - five days into my list!)

Coxcomb Prominent - 3rd June (previous record 8th July 2010)

Argyresthia culvella - 10th June

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Diamond-backed Moth (Plutella xylostella) - between 10 and 20 most nights with others around the garden but a whopping 126 caught on 7th June was the maximum in the trap