Some Moths during August

 Good weather conditions for moth-trapping continued throughout August. A good variety of species were attracted to the light, consisting of a mixture of residents, regular migrants and episodic breeders.

Blue Underwing (Catocala fraxini)

Formerly only a rare migrant, this species has appeared in my garden for most years since 2016 and is now an episodic breeder in Sussex and beyond. This magnificent moth impresses even before it opens its wings. With a wingspan of about 3.5 inches (90 mm), I am always surprised when I see this huge moth resting on the house wall next to the light.

Of the images that follow, the first three and the next three are of two different specimens.

Jersey Tiger (Euplagia quadripunctaria) (typical form)

Poplar Hawkmoth (Laothoe populi) (second brood)

Iron Prominent (Notodonta dromedarius) (second brood)

Pebble Prominent (Notodonta ziczac) (second brood)

Vapourer (Orgyia antiqua) (male)

Dark Sword-grass (Agrotis ipsilon) (regular migrant)

Copper Underwing (Amphipyra pyramidea)

Straw Underwing (Thalpophila matura)

Blood-vein (Timandra comae)

Small Dusty Wave (Idaea seriata)

Vestal (Rhodometra sacraria) (regular migrant)

Garden Carpet (Xanthorhoe fluctuata)

Yellow Shell (Camptogramma bilineata bilineata)

Treble-bar (Aplocera plagiata plagiata) (male)

This is the first record for this species in my garden.

Tawny-barred angle (Macaria liturata)

Latticed Heath (Chiasmia clathrata clathrata)

Another first record for my garden.

Canary-shouldered Thorn (Ennomos alniaria) (male)

Chinese Character (Cilix glaucata)

Palpita vitrealis (regular migrant)

Musotima nitidalis (accidental import)

Conobathra tumidana (scarce migrant)

This is a first record for my garden and tumidana may now be breeding in Sussex.