No longer lacking Lackey

It is often tempting to spend more time looking at the gaps in the list of species rather than at the list itself and starting at the top I was aware that everyone else I knew with a moth trap in the county had a Lackey and I had not. As a result I was pleased to finally get one on 25th as a new for the garden. Significantly rarer in the county and missing from everyone else's garden list is August Thorn, so it was rather a surprise to get another one of these as a second garden record to follow on from the previous individual trapped on July 5th 2011.

August Thorn - 25th July. Note the distinctive kink (and almost creating a small blotch) in the crossbar at the front of the forewing which was also a feature on the previous individual caught last year, The inner crossbar also consists of a big parabolic curve.

Lackey - garden first 25th July

Clouded Border - scarce here, only four caught in three summers so far, all in July

Swallow-tailed Moth - up to three flit around the trap on some nights but majority do not end up inside

Snout - not particularly common at Wychwood moths, this is only the fourth trapped

August Thorn

I attracted this thorn sp. to the trap on late evening of the 5th July and initially identified it as an August Thorn but I was not sure as have no previous experience of this or the confusion species yet. It is a rare moth now in VC30 and also a little early so provoked some discussion and sharing of images before the ID was confirmed. What I have learnt is that the distinctive features are the wing shape (though that varies between male and female), the kink in the outer cross line at the front of the forewing, the shape of the dark marking on the hindwing, the significant curve in the inner cross-line and the dark colouration at this time of year also helps as apparently the earlier emerging September Thorns are generally pale. Thanks to Andy & Melissa for getting ID confirmed and helping to ensure this superb addition to my garden list !

I hope this selection of images may be helpful...