Epinotia caprana from Seaton Common, May this year #VC66 thanks to @bendale0651.bsky.social for id. It's a first for the 10km square, first larval record and only the third county record since 1995, the others at Framwellgate Moor in 2014, and near Trimdon, in 2023 #teammoth @teesbirds.bsky.social
Got this beaut of an Epirrita sp. moth at the weekend. Though shows outward signs of Autumnal, due to it likely being a female even dissection wouldn't reveal the true species (not that I would), so just like all the dull specimens we got it'll go down as an aggregate. What a shame. #TeamMoth #VC66
Cloudless skies and low temperatures so touch and go whether to put the trap out at all last night, then checked at 9.45 to find this beauty inside. Could hardly believe it. Only 6 Co. Durham records before this year, just shows the unpredictability of mothing. #ClifdenNonpareil #TeamMoth #VC66
A very vocal Ring-necked Parakeet was a flyover garden tick this morning as I tended the moth trap early doors. #Whickham #VC66
Another new one for #VC66 i think with these records of Coleophora atriplicis on Grass-leaved Orache from some of the restored saltmarsh on Teesside. It seems to be doing pretty well with several cases found @teesbirds.bsky.social #teammoth
A couple of recent larval records from Teesside...spinnings on Annual Seablite and Grass-leaved Orache produced larvae of Scrobipalpa nitentella, a #VC66 first, and, in flowers of Sea Aster, larvae of Eucosma tripoliana, a second #VC66 record #teammoth
On common fleabane at #Saltholme today, couldn't find it in time for the moth morning, but Apodia martinii sat nicely for a picture. This was the third #VC66 record but it's worth scanning the foodplant wherever it is found as it is likely to be more widespread #teammoth @teesbirds.bsky.social
In the #Saltholme trap last night, Rush Veneer, the second site record, i think there's been a few around #VC66 already this year, though they peak in the first half of Sept usually. We'll have our next 'Moth Morning' on Sunday from half 9 @teesbirds.bsky.social @durhambirdclub.bsky.social #teammoth
Finally found galls on Rosebay Willowherb from Mompha sturnipennella in our work compound. An adult in spring 2023 at Saltholme was the 1st for #VC66 so nice to show breeding. I feel there may be more Mompha spp about than records suggest #teammoth @teesbirds.bsky.social @durhambirdclub.bsky.social
Best of the #Saltholme trap this morning was this Schoenobius gigantella, a moth of reedbeds. It is the second site (and #VC66) record and may still be the most northerly UK location for this species @teesbirds.bsky.social @durhambirdclub.bsky.social #teammoth
Not sure i can believe it, a great year for insect migration continues. Two definite highlights from this morning in Stockton #VC66, Golden Twin-spot and my third record of Kent Black Arches, all this year...there's so much time for more #teammoth @teesbirds.bsky.social @durhambirdclub.bsky.social
50 willow ermine emerged in the last few days from larval webs I found at Saltholme. Now seemingly well established in the south of #VC66 it's good to see fresh adults, they show a thin white strip along the costa, visible on both sides of the forewing #teammoth
#teamMoth
#VC66
Forgot my hashtags in previous post so here's some other moths from last night:
Barred yellow
Notocelia udmanniana
Evergestis forficalis
and
Acleris forsskaleana - what a beauty!
Kent Black Arches over night again, this time just 1 and managed a slightly better photo. Also Scarce footman, increasing in #VC66 and a 2nd generation Early Thorn. At work today, Stathmopoda pedella for the 3rd year running was the 10th county record, this time 4 individuals found #teammoth
Some very good mothing at the moment, over 100spp four nights ago (very good for here) including a few early records, but the absolute highlight was 3 Kent Black Arches this morning, the first record for #VC66 and possibly the most northern record in the UK to date #teammoth @teesbirds.bsky.social
Tried a Lunar Hornet Moth lure from the garden more in hope than expectation but Bingo! One turned up first go, and what a cracking moth he is too. #VC66 #Moths
Moth numbers have picked up somewhat since I've been away. A couple from the home trap two nights ago...Coptotriche marginea is only the 14th #VC66 record in 25 years, the others are Blastodacna hellerella, Ancylis achatana and Hedya salicella #teammoth
A smart one from yesterday, a male Dichrorampha alpinana found on the path near Phil Stead hide, a first site record for #Saltholme and only the 28th in #VC66. The larvae feed on ox-eye daisy, so worth keeping an eye out near to these @teesbirds.bsky.social
Rear view of VC66, SP87 and VC324 at Sligo station. 6th March 2010. @buseireann #vc66 #vc324 #sp87 #sligo
A year ago on my WeBS count I noticed a small patch of Black Horehound, today I found feeding signs and 10 larval cases of Coleophora lineolea, a moth that hasn't been seen since 1994 in #VC66, it looks to be only the 17th record in Durham. Another foodplant is Hedge Woundwort @teesbirds.bsky.social
A few Elachista argentella emerged recently at #Saltholme earlier than I've seen them previously. Also Willow Ermine larval webs found. First recorded in #VC66 in 2004, the sp has started to properly establish itself in the south of the county over last 3 yrs #teammoth @teesbirds.bsky.social
I found this smart Phyllonorycter rajella at #Saltholme whilst looking for orange-tip eggs a few days ago. It had only recently emerged. It is only the second site record, and the earliest #VC66 record for this species, by 2 days @teesbirds.bsky.social #teammoth
Finally some moths to light with 18 of 13. Two new to the garden, Least Black Arches and Syndemis musculana, and Small Phoenix is a bit of a favourite. Also green carpet, 4 spectacle, 2 angle shades and I currently have 2 Esperia sulphurella flying round the corner of the garden #VC66 #teammoth
Purple Thorn at the weekend was surprisingly, the first for fifteen years at #Saltholme also Golden-rod Pug, and from a spinning on hawthorn a possible/probable Hedya nubiferana, although I think it needs rearing to be sure #teammoth #VC66
Very nice. Dingy and Scarce Footman have both recently been increasing in #VC66. I've never seen Scarce Footman larvae but do regularly see Dingy Footman with over 100 sometimes seen on fenceposts alongside a particular footpath at work
A couple of basking brown Green Shieldbugs (Palomena prasina) from the garden today, shieldbug species number 2 for the year, didn't see any 'til mid-April last year. #VC66
