Welcome

Hello and welcome to my moth Blog. I now reside in a small village in East Cambridgeshire called Fordham. My Blog's aim is to promote and encourage others to participate in the wonderful hobby that is Moth-trapping.
Moth records are vital for building a picture of our ecosystem around us, as they really are the bottom of the food chain. They are an excellent early indicator of how healthy a habitat is. I openly encourage people to share their findings via social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
So why do we do it? well for some people it is to get an insight into the world of Moths, for others it is to build a list of species much like 'Twitching' in the Bird world. The reason I do it....you just never know what you might find when you open up that trap! I hope to show what different species inhabit Cambridgeshire and neighbouring counties.
On this Blog you will find up-to-date records and pictures.
I run a trap regularly in my garden and also enjoy doing field trips to various localities over several different counties.
Please also check out the links in the sidebar to the right for other people's Blogs and informative Websites.
Thanks for looking and happy Mothing!

KEY

NFY = New Species For The Year
NFG = New Species For The Garden
NEW! = New Species For My Records

Any Species highlighted in RED signifies a totally new species for my records.

If you have any questions or enquiries then please feel free to email me
Contact Email : bensale@rocketmail.com

My Latest Notables and Rarities

Monday 18 March 2024

Mr. Consistent

Yep, that goes to the Lead-coloured Drab, 3 years on a trot now it's turned up on the 17th of March, even more odd is that I usually only get one year!
 
A cracking dark specimen it was, with just a little bit of wear & tear.
 
This species is very similar to Common Quaker and it nearly got discounted as one (If it wasn't for the row of distinct black dots along the sub-terminal line, although these can appear brown and obscured so care must be taken)
The feathered antennae identity was also out, as it was a female and had very fine antennae.
 
Just 9 other moths made their way to the trap, very slow indeed but it did drop to 6 degrees this morning.
 
Moth garden list for 2024 stands at 39 species
 
17/03/24 - Back Garden - Fordham - East Cambridgeshire - Actinic Trap

Macro Moths
 
Lead-coloured Drab 1 [NFY]
Clouded Drab 1
Common Quaker 2
Early Grey 1
Hebrew Character 2
Small Quaker 1
 
Micro Moths
 
Emmelina monodactyla 1 
 
Lead-coloured Drab

 

Saturday 16 March 2024

WOW! A new moth for my records

Last night, I could not believe my eyes when I stepped out at around 9pm, a cracking Small Eggar was sitting on the white ground sheet around the trap, luckily I spotted it as I may have trodden on it! 

Even better, it's not only the first one i've ever seen, bur it's a rarely seen (in the wild) Female. Even Male's are rare to traps.
From the records available to me, the easiest way to still find these, is in the silken webs that the caterpillars spin within Hawthorn thickets.

Other moths of note this week were another lovely Oak Beauty, and a new for year Brindled Beauty. 
 
Hebrew Characters are my most commonest species currently, with Common Quaker a close second. A garden record 18 Hebrew Characters were recorded on the 13th.

Pammene giganteana are busy today with several to the MOL lure, and i've had the EMP lure out for the Emperor Moth, warm in the sunshine but a shade early I feel.
 
Moth garden list for 2024 stands at 38 species
 
13/03/24 - Back Garden - Fordham - East Cambridgeshire - Actinic Trap

Macro Moths
 
Clouded Drab 4
Common Quaker 6
Early Grey 1
Hebrew Character 18
March Moth 1
Oak Beauty 1
 
Micro Moths
 
Agonopterix alstromeriana 2
Agonopterix heracliana 1 
Emmelina monodactyla 1


15/03/24 - Back Garden - Fordham - East Cambridgeshire - Actinic Trap

Macro Moths
 
Brindled Beauty 1 [NFY]
Small Eggar 1 [NEW!]
Common Quaker 7
Early Grey 1
Hebrew Character 6
March Moth 1
Small Quaker 1
 
Micro Moths
 
Agonopterix alstromeriana 5
Diurnea fagella 1
Emmelina monodactyla 1 
 
Oak Beauty

Brindled Beauty

Diurnea fagella

Small Eggar

 

Wednesday 13 March 2024

Some new welcome faces

I ran the trap once more during this incredibly mild spell that we are having.
Sadly, it's been very windy recently, and that has hampered my catches here, as my garden is really exposed on the edge of the fens.
Two Double-striped Pugs were nice to see, both slightly different and in good condition. There was also a really pale Twin-spotted Quaker on the back door, another year lister.
 
The rest of the catch was made up of Quakers, Drabs and Hebrews, with only a smidgen of micros.

During the day today, my pheromone bucket traps attracted two Pammene giganteana, one each to the FUN & SKI lures.
 
Moth garden list for 2024 stands at 36 species
 
12/03/24 - Back Garden - Fordham - East Cambridgeshire - Actinic Trap

Macro Moths
 
Double-striped Pug 2 [NFY]
Twin-spotted Quaker 1 [NFY]
Clouded Drab 5
Common Quaker 6
Hebrew Character 3
Small Quaker 1
 
Micro Moths
 
Pammene giganteana 2 [NFY] - to FUN & SKI
Agonopterix alstromeriana 1
Agonopterix heracliana 1 

Double-striped Pug 1

Double-striped Pug 2

Pammene giganteana

Twin-spotted Quaker


 

Tuesday 12 March 2024

Slow and steady builds the year list

It's certainly been very steady here, but the year list is starting to build and now surpassing last years figure on the same date (Not by much though).
I seem to be averaging 1 new species per night recently, which certainly makes lighting up worthwhile.
 
It was the turn of the aptly named Red Chestnut last night, not a common moth here, and i'm lucky if I see a couple a year.
 
Temperatures have now risen and there is a little bit of activity around the trap tonight already, after a day of heavy rain.
 
Moth garden list for 2024 stands at 33 species
 
11/03/24 - Back Garden - Fordham - East Cambridgeshire - Actinic Trap

Macro Moths
 
Red Chestnut 1 [NFY] 
Clouded Drab 2
Common Quaker 4
Hebrew Character 2
 
Micro Moths

None Recorded!

 

Red Chestnut

 

Monday 11 March 2024

A few more treats

Still cooler than predicted by those folk on the weather channels. It's barely got above 8 degrees this weekend with a biting North/North-East wind, it's felt much colder.
Subsequently, there have been no moths to any of the lures in the garden bucket traps this year yet (But it's still very early).
I ran my trap on Saturday night as it was dry, but the temperature fell away again to 5c.
The main reward was a great Pale Pinion, a moth I get annually but usually just one per year.
 
I also got this cracking Carabus granulatus, spotted by my Son.
 
I will try again tonight, after having last night off.
 
The temperatures are set to rise here in the East, which will be very welcome.
 
Moth garden list for 2024 stands at 32 species
 
09/03/24 - Back Garden - Fordham - East Cambridgeshire - Actinic Trap

Macro Moths
 
Pale Pinion 1 [NFY] 
Angle Shades 1
Clouded Drab 3
Common Quaker 2
Early Grey 2
Hebrew Character 2
Small Quaker 5
 
Micro Moths
 
Agonopterix alstromeriana 2
Agonopterix heracliana 1
Alucita hexadactyla 1
Emmelina monodactyla 2

Carabus granulatus

Pale Pinion


Friday 8 March 2024

The March of the Orthosia!

The march has begun here of the genus Orthosia, with great numbers of several species recorded this week, and Wednesday night was certainly a peak with 34 moths of 11 species, a really good total for my garden in early March.

Tuesday night I added two Small Quaker's to the year list, and on Wednesday night a couple of Early Greys were very welcome and the 31st moth species of the year so far.

Still cold at nights and clear skies aren't great either, o and the wind has picked up once more. Tomorrow night could be warmer but still windy.

 
Moth garden list for 2024 stands at 31 species
 
05/03/24 - Back Garden - Fordham - East Cambridgeshire - Actinic Trap

Macro Moths
 
Small Quaker 2 [NFY]
Clouded Drab 3
Common Quaker 4
 
Micro Moths
 
Diurnea fagella 1
Emmelina monodactyla 1 


06/03/24 - Back Garden - Fordham - East Cambridgeshire - Actinic Trap

Macro Moths
 
Early Grey 2 [NFY]
Clouded Drab 7
Common Quaker 8
Hebrew Character 8
March Moth 1
Small Quaker 3
 
Micro Moths
 
Agonopterix alstromeriana 1
Agonopterix heracliana 1
Diurnea fagella 1
Emmelina monodactyla 1 
Eudonia angustea 1
 
Clouded Drab

Small Quaker

Small Quaker

Early Grey

Hebrew Character

Early Grey


Thursday 7 March 2024

Latest from the garden moth trap - Dotty!

Into March we go, and things have slightly improved despite the heavy rains of late, and cooler temperatures at night due to a biting easterly.
But, things are flying, and under some cloudy evenings i've actually managed a list for once.
 
Below are the results from Mondays catch, Tuesday was fairly similar, but last night was a vast increase.

Best moths from Monday night were a year first Dotted Chestnut (Always a pleasure to see these as they are quite a sort after pretty species) and Diurnea fagella (An uncommon moth away from woodland).

Still a bit cool at night for my liking, but it is still only early March.
 
Moth garden list for 2024 stands at 29 species
 
04/03/24 - Back Garden - Fordham - East Cambridgeshire - Actinic Trap

Macro Moths
 
Dotted Chestnut 1 [NFY]
Clouded Drab 4
Common Quaker 6
Grey Shoulder-knot 1
Hebrew Character 1
March Moth 1
 
Micro Moths
 
Diurnea fagella 1 [NFY]
Agonopterix alstromeriana 1
Agonopterix heracliana 4
Epiphyas postvittana 1
 
Diurnea fagella

Dotted Chestnut

 

Friday 1 March 2024

Weekly moth round-up

Very quiet in the garden this week, only two nights I ran the trap all night, but night time temperatures have struggled. 
The warmest night was Wednesday with lows of 11 degrees, the temperature during the day was also the same!
Just the the 1 new moth this week, a smart Grey Shoulder-knot, and very fresh out of hibernation.

Things are looking iffy next week with cool temperatures at night, but maybe the daytime will be warm enough to tempt some to the trap? Failing that, some lures will be deployed in the garden for a couple of early flying species.
 
Moth garden list for 2024 stands at 27 species
 
27/02/24 - Back Garden - Fordham - East Cambridgeshire - Actinic Trap

Macro Moths
 
Common Quaker 3
Hebrew Character 2
 
Micro Moths
 
Emmelina monodactyla 1
Epiphyas postvittana 1


28/02/24 - Back Garden - Fordham - East Cambridgeshire - Actinic Trap

Macro Moths
 
Grey Shoulder-knot 1 [NFY]
Clouded Drab 1
Common Quaker 3
Hebrew Character 3
March Moth 1
Oak Beauty 1
 
Micro Moths
 
Emmelina monodactyla 2

Epiphyas postvittana

Grey Shoulder-knot


Friday 23 February 2024

Weekly moth round-up

Another mixed week of fortunes, some nights were quite cool windy and wet, and others were nigh on perfect and very unseasonably warm, with nights not dropping below 12 degrees, what a crazy February 2024 we've had.
Because I don't get time to take photos at the moment during the week (because the light is awful before 7am after 4pm) hopefully that'll change in a few weeks and I can keep up.
Fortunately moths are safe to keep in a fridge for a few days, sometimes longer if needed, regularly open the lid to allow fresh air in, and use the biggest container possible. 
 
This week has yielded 3 new for year species including a new moth for the garden, a smart Acleris literana and the second new garden Acleris species this year!

The Pine Beauty is always a great moth to get, one that I dipped on last year.
 
A bit nippy notes over the weekend so the trap stays in shelter.
 
Moth garden list for 2024 stands at 26 species
 
18/02/24 - Back Garden - Fordham - East Cambridgeshire - Actinic Trap

Macro Moths
 
Clouded Drab 1
Common Quaker 4
Hebrew Character 2
March Moth 1
 
Micro Moths
 
Acleris literana 1 [NFG]
Agonopterix alstromeriana 1
Agonopterix heracliana 1 


19/02/24 - Back Garden - Fordham - East Cambridgeshire - Actinic Trap

Macro Moths
 
Clouded Drab 1
Common Quaker 4
Hebrew Character 8
Oak Beauty 1
 
Micro Moths
 
Agonopterix heracliana 1 
Emmelina monodactyla 1 


20/02/24 - Back Garden - Fordham - East Cambridgeshire - Actinic Trap

Macro Moths
 
Black-spotted Chestnut 1 [NFY]
Pine Beauty 1 [NFY]
Angle Shades 2
Clouded Drab 1
Common Quaker 3
Dotted Border 1
Hebrew Character 4
 
Micro Moths
 
None Recorded!
 
Acleris literana

Black-spotted Chestnut

Pine Beauty

 

Sunday 18 February 2024

Rain, rain and more rain

It rained all evening, all night and till about 9am this morning, the patio was flooded and the grass was like a moss-covered waterbed. 

Just 5 moths of 5 species ventured out in the wind and rain. Despite the dismal conditions, the temperature remained above 12 degree all night.

Best moth was a much paler Chestnut than the year first example on the 13th.

Moth garden list for 2024 stands at 23 species
 
17/02/24 - Back Garden - Fordham - East Cambridgeshire - Actinic Trap

Macro Moths
 
Chestnut 1
Common Quaker 1
Dotted Border 1
Hebrew Character 1
 
Micro Moths
 
Agonopterix alstromeriana 1
 
Chestnut

 

Saturday 17 February 2024

Catch-up time with multiple catches

It's been a week of illnesses again, but i've managed to flick the switch on the wall next to the trap during this unseasonably mild spell we are still experiencing.

I ran the trap all night on the 13th and 14th, and ran the trap on the 15th and 16th from 5:30pm until roughly 9pm (As we've been using the pull out sofa so the light is too bright to leave on).

In total, 6 new for year species have graced the trap this week, boosting my yearly total to 23 species, a full 4 species ahead of this date last year.
 
Moth garden list for 2024 stands at 23 species
 
13/02/24 - Back Garden - Fordham - East Cambridgeshire - Actinic Trap

Macro Moths
 
Chestnut 1 [NFY]
Common Quaker 1
Pale Brindled Beauty 2
 
Micro Moths
 
Agonopterix alstromeriana 1
 
 
14/02/24 - Back Garden - Fordham - East Cambridgeshire - Actinic Trap

Macro Moths
 
Common Quaker 2
Dotted Border 2
Pale Brindled Beauty 2
 
Micro Moths
 
Epiphyas postvittana 1 [NFY]
Acleris kochiella 1
Agonopterix alstromeriana 1
Agonopterix heracliana 2
Emmelina monodactyla 4 


15/02/24 - Back Garden - Fordham - East Cambridgeshire - Actinic Trap

Macro Moths
 
March Moth 1 [NFY]
Oak Nycteoline 1 [NFY]
Common Quaker 2
Hebrew Character 1
Pale Brindled Beauty 2
 
Micro Moths
 
Alucita hexadactyla 1 [NFY]
Agonopterix alstromeriana 1
Agonopterix heracliana 4
Emmelina monodactyla 2 
 
 
16/02/24 - Back Garden - Fordham - East Cambridgeshire - Actinic Trap

Macro Moths
 
Common Quaker 5
 
Micro Moths
 
Eudonia angustea 1 [NFY]
Agonopterix alstromeriana 1

Chestnut

Dotted Border

Epiphyas postvittana

Alucita hexadactyla

March Moth

Oak Nycteoline

Eudonia angustea