Insects
20/07/26
The moth trap was out again overnight on 19/07/26 and checked this morning . Overnight temperatures were just in double figures and the catch was 27 moth's of 13 species.
Highlights were a male Gypsy Moth Lymantria dispar and the micro moth Gelechia senticetella not the most spectacular moth.
With 2 new moth species added ,the total for 2026 is 212 species.Following inspection and recording/photographing anything caught was released.
18/07/26
With lower overnight temperatures predicted soon, the moth trap was out again overnight on 17/07/26 and checked this morning . The catch was 49 moth's of 24 species.
Highlights were the micro moth Ethmia quadrillella a recent arrival in our area that has been increasing in numbers. The first record in Berkshire was in July 2022,
The Spectacle Abrostola tripartita and the micro moth Small Fan-Footed Wave Idaea biselata
With 5 new moth species added ,the total for 2026 is 210 species.Following inspection and recording/photographing anything caught was released.
16/07/26
The moth trap was out again overnight on 15/07/26 and checked this morning . The catch was 25 moth's of 16 species.
Highlights were Ruby Tiger Furcula bicuspis , Pebble Hook-tip Bryophila domestica and the micro moth
Crassa lacticollella
With 3 new moth species added ,the total for 2026 is 205 species.Following inspection and recording/photographing anything caught was released.
15/07/26
The wind got up and affected the numbers caught overnight on 14/07/26 . The catch was down to 23 moth's of 13 species.
Highlights were the Toadflax Brocade Calophasia lunula the micro moth Clover Case-bearer Coleophora alcyonipennella
and The Rustic Hoplodrina blanda .
With 2 new moth species added ,the total for 2026 is 202 species.Following inspection and recording/photographing anything caught was released.
12/07/26
The moth trap was out again overnight on 11/07/26 and checked this morning . The catch was 72 moth's of 33 species.
Highlights were the Alder Kitten Furcula bicuspis , Marbled Beauty Bryophila domestica , Single-dotted Wave Idaea dimidiata
and Flame Shoulder Ochropleura plecta .
Resembles no other British species. The English name refers to a bright straw coloured band running along the leading edge of the forewing, which is further emphasised by the black streak behind it.
With 9 new moth species added ,the total for 2026 is 200 species.Following inspection and recording/photographing anything caught was released.
11/07/26
With only the patio light overnight on 10/07/26 the wall behind was checked this morning . The catch was just 22 moth's of 8 species. It was however quality over quantity.
Highlights were the Light Crimson Underwing Catocala promissa , Tree-lichen Beauty Cryphia algae and the micro moth Pearl Grass Moth Catoptria pinella .
With 4 new moth species added ,the total for 2026 is 191 species.Following inspection and recording/photographing anything caught was released.
09/07/26
With no end in sight to the heatwave,the moth trap was out overnight on 08/07/26 and checked this morning . The catch was 104 moth's of 23 species.
Highlights were the Peppered Moth Biston betularia , Sharp-angled Peacock Macaria alternata and Canary-shouldered Thorn Ennomos alniaria .
With 7 new moth species added ,the total for 2026 is 187 species.Following inspection and recording/photographing anything caught was released.
In Area 10 a Brown Argus Macaria alternata butterfly was in the Lavells Lake Car park field.Seen and photographed by Philip Giles.
08/07/26
A Holly Blue Parascotia fuliginaria Butterfly visited my garden in the afternoon.
07/07/26
Another good night for moths in my Area 4 garden . The moth trap was out overnight on 06/07/26 and checked this morning . The catch was 82 moth's of 25 species.
Highlights were the Waved Black Parascotia fuliginaria , Scalloped Oak Crocallis elinguaria and Oak Hook-tip Watsonalla binaria .
With 7 new moth species added ,the total for 2026 is 180 species.Following inspection and recording/photographing anything caught was released.
05/07/26
It looked like a good night for moths , so the moth trap was out in my Area 4 garden overnight on 04/07/26 and checked this morning . The catch was 48 moth's of 23 species.
Highlights were the Jersey Tiger Euplagia quadripunctaria , Elephant Hawk-moth Deilephila elpenor and the very attractive moth, Rosy Footman Miltochrista miniata .
With 7 new moth species added ,the total for 2026 is 172 species.Following inspection and recording/photographing anything caught was released.
04/07/26
In the car park field in Area 10 on a Ragwort Hadena bicruris were the caterpillars of the Cinnabar Tyria jacobaeae moth.
The caterpillar’s bright colours warn predators not to eat them, giving a strong signal that they are poisonous! At Dragonfly Bridge in Area 5 on the banks of the Emm Brook a Common red soldier beetle Rhagonycha fulva
When I was a child (many years ago) we always called these the 'bloodsuckers' for its striking red appearance, but it is harmless.
03/07/26
The moth trap was out in my Area 4 garden overnight on 02/07/26 and checked this morning . The temperature was only just in double figures. The catch was 32 moth's of 19 species.
Highlights were the The Lychis Hadena bicruris and the migrant moth Common Lutestring Ochropacha duplaris .
With 2 new moth species added ,the total for 2026 is 165 species.Following inspection and recording/photographing anything caught was released.
01/07/26
The moth trap was out in my Area 4 garden overnight on 30/06/26 and checked this morning . Due to a malfunction of the trap the catch was down with only 24 moth's of 11 species.
Highlight was the The Clay Mythimna ferrago.
With 1 new moth species added ,the total for 2026 is 163 species.Following inspection and recording/photographing anything caught was released.
