Some Moths during November

 Regarding suitable weather for moth trapping, November turned out to be a month of two halves. The first two weeks were mild and often sunny, with night-time temperatures holding up well. The second half of the month was much more changeable with wet and blustery conditions prevailing. 

Overall, a good selection of moths were attracted to the garden light.

Feathered Thorn (Colotois pennaria) (male)

Mottled Umber (Erannis defoliaria) (male)

The Epirrita species.

Separating the November Moth from the Pale November Moth can be tricky. However, I have been moth-trapping in my garden for nearly twenty-eight years and I have become familiar with the types of November Moths that I see. 

November Moth (Epirrita dilutata) (or Epirrita sp.) 

The majority of November Moths that I get are predominantly plain grey or grey-brown with very little barring on the wings.

Pale November Moth (Epirrita christyi) (or Epirrita sp.)

The lozenge shaped spot detached from the central cross bar on the forewing in this specimen, together with more defined wing barring, suggests to me that it may be christyi.

Turnip Moth (Agrotis segetum) (male)

Sprawler (Asteroscopus sphinx)

Grey Shoulder-knot (Lithophane ornitopus lactipennis)

Oak Rustic (Dryobota labecula)

This once rare migrant is now probably breeding in Sussex.

This is a first record for my garden.

Brick (Agrochola circellaris)

Udea ferrugalis (Rusty-dot Pearl)

A very common migrant.