1 new moth for the year ...!

Well, with a new routine up and running in the household it's been a struggle to get going for Autumn moths. But once again it's also down to the weather. And when we have put the trap out it's been a very small catch, with nothing new for the year until today !

These are photos of the Sallow. Quite common in the Autumn. Although this is our first one of the year this individual seems to be worn near the head, known as the thorax. They are a lovely lemon yellow colour with spatterings of pinky-orangey markings.

 

There are similar species in the sallow family. Hopefully we'll get some as the Autumn progresses and we can compare for you.

There are plenty of these little monkeys in the gardens at the moment - Garden Cross Spider. This is the underside so unfortunately we can't see the 'cross' pattern on it's back. This is a particularly large one living in our front garden.

   

And just one or two moths from last week on the one occasion we trapped .....2 migrant moths

Rush Veneer - micro moth

 

.....and the rather splendid Vestal - apologies for poor image.

autumn in the garden

Changes are happening in the garden - it's Autumn time here in the UK. I took a few photos around the garden early this morning to show you...

 Rowan tree leaves are also changing colour but have been full of bright red berries since July. The blackbirds have taken a liking to these. Each year is different - sometimes they strip the tree bare of the berries in July/August, other times they pick and peck throughout the summer months and Autumn.

 Birch tree leaves are changing colour and starting to fall

Our Sedum plant is starting to flower - usually if we get a warm September it attracts plenty of butterflies.

I spotted a  shieldbug, or 2 or 3 !?!

 

This is a Hawthorn shieldbug (above)

Below are a younger (nymph) sheildbug and adult Green sheildbug...

Moth trap was out overnight and on opening it I was greeted by this slightly strange green and brown fly. I have yet to identify it.

Moths overnight in the trap were less numerous as it was clear and colder. But we did have 2 Silver Y moths, 2 Angle Shades, some Large Yellow Underwings and 2 Copper Underwing.

I wanted to show you how variable the Large Yellow Underwings are....

I thought it would be nice to remind you what how stunning a brown moth of Angles Shades can be, especially this time of year  with Autumn colours and their camouflage....

And how brilliant Silver Y moths are, flying all the way from Europe. They were quite still this morning due to the cold so I placed them carefully on our flowers and once the sun warmed them up one started 'nectaring' using its proboscis to drink the nectar. Very fascinating to watch closely.

 Here are the 2 Copper Underwing. The name is quite self explanatory really and always difficult to see as these moths are very flighty when you are trying to get a good look at their underwing/hindwing. Quite common in the UK.

A Common Wainscot hasn't been seen for a few a while...

And on the outside of the trap was this beautifully delicate Green Lacewing...

There are still migrant birds and moths on the move around the UK. Keep your eyes peeled!