[1930] Oak Beauty (Biston strataria)

Recent moth bits and a welcome returning species

 

On Tuesday at work I was just checking the bug zapper in the kitchen (as I do frequently to see if there's any interesting deceased moths amongst the frazzle of flies, I found 2 Emmelina monodactyla, 1 Agonopterix heracliana and an Epiphyas postvittana, pretty much expected species in the middle of a town but as I just moved the zapper I saw a large dark micro just sitting there...and I said to myself 'Well I wasn't expecting to see a Diurnea fagella' it being new for the year for me...rescued from the perils of electricity I took him home for a better photo.

That same night and after another mild day hitting 16 degrees the trap went out at 6pm ready to see what might turn up come the morning, the sky did clear and it was a little cool this morning with a heavy dew but I was still pleased with 12 moths of 8 species which I know seems little in comparison to other trappers lists at the moment.

It was certainly quality over quantity as well with even a mint condition Epiphyas postvittana grabbing my attention for a photo.

The best moth for me was a very pale Lead-coloured Drab, only my second record for the garden (I had forgot that I first took this species in 2014).

It is a moth that I use to trap commonly when I lived with my parents, sometimes 5 or 6 per trap would you believe!

Also my second Oak Beauty of the year was nice and a really striking Clouded Drab had to have it's shoot with the Lead-coloured Drab.

 

All in all a pleasing result.

 

Catch Report - 14/03/17 - Back Garden - Stevenage - 1x 125w MV Robinson Trap

 

Macro Moths

 

1x Lead-coloured Drab [NFY]

2x Clouded Drab

3x Common Quaker

1x Early Grey

1x Hebrew Character

2x March Moth

1x Oak Beauty

 

Micro Moths

 

1x Epiphyas postvittana

Done