Some Moths during August

 I find late summer and autumn to be the most interesting time of year for moth-trapping. It is migration time, when you can anticipate something special awaiting your attention.

Many formerly rare migrant and resident species of moth have been regularly appearing at moth-traps in recent years, as their numbers have been bolstered by migration from the continent and have become episodic breeders in Sussex and beyond.

Two such species made their first appearance at my garden trap this month. The Dark Crimson Underwing (Catocala sponsa) made two appearances, as did the formerly extinct Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar). Both species are now clearly breeding in the county.

Somewhat paradoxically, the Red Underwing (Catocala nupta), our commonest Catocala resident, only made its first appearance in 14 years at my garden light!

Red Underwing (Catocala nupta)

Dark Crimson Underwing (Catocala sponsa)

Gypsy Moth (Lymatria dispar) (male) 

Jersey Tiger (Euplagia quadripunctaria) (form lutescens)

Black Arches (Lymantria monacha) (female)

This is only the second female of this common species to ever appear at my moth-trap.

Bulrush Wainscot (Nonagria typhae) (male)

Straw Underwing (Thalpophila matura)

Cabbage Moth (Mamestra brassicae)

Shuttle-shaped Dart (Agrotis puta) (male)

Sallow Kitten (Furcula furcula)

Lesser Swallow Prominent (Pheosia gnoma)

Swallow Prominent (Pheosia tremula)

Pebble Prominent (Notodonta ziczac)

Pebble Hook-tip (Drepana falcataria falcataria)

Rosy Footman (Miltochrista miniata)

Common Carpet (Epirrhoe alternata alternata)

Maiden's Blush (Cyclophora punctaria)

Lime-speck Pug (Eupithecia centaureata)

Musotima nitidalis

Meal Moth (Pyralis farinalis)

Late Summer on Pevensey Levels

 Pevensey Levels is a wonderful place for seeking out dragonflies, damselflies and other interesting species. The landscape is predominantly agricultural, mainly livestock pasture with some crops but is criss-crossed with plenty of water ditches and channels which are havens for wildlife.

In the last couple of decades, new species have migrated across the English Channel from the European mainland, to take advantage of our warming climate in south-east England.

I first came across a colony of the Willow Emerald Damselfly (Chalcolestes viridis) in 2018 and it is now a well established resident across the levels.

In more recent years, the Green-eyed Hawker (Aeshna isosceles) and Southern Migrant Hawker (Aeshna affinis) have become more numerous on the levels.

Southern Migrant Hawker (Aeshna affinis) (males)

Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) (males)

Willow Emerald Damselfly (Chalcolestes viridis)

(mating)

(tandem pair)

(male)

Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) (female)

Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) (mating)

Fen Raft Spider (Dolomedes plantarius) (female devouring prey)

Wall (Lasiommata megera) (female)

Some Moths during July

 As the year progresses, moth numbers attracted to the light-trap have continued to be low.

Here are some images of species that appeared during July.

Privet Hawkmoth (Sphinx ligustri) 

This specimen lacked any pigment on what should be a pink and black abdomen.

Pine Hawkmoth (Hyloicus pinastri)

Buff Ermine (Spilosoma luteum)

Ruby Tiger (Phragmatobia fuliginosa fuliginosa)

Four-spotted Footman (Lithosia quadra) (female)

Black Arches (Lymantria monacha) (male)

Scalloped Oak (Crocallis elinguaria)

Small Phoenix (Ecliptopera silaceata)

Copper Underwing (Amphipyra pyramidea)

This species and the next, can only be confidently identified by close examination of the hind-wing underside markings.

Svensson's Copper Underwing (Amphipyra berbera svenssoni)

Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (Noctua janthe)

Dark Arches (Apamea monoglypha)

Coronet (Craniophora ligustri)

Sycamore (Acronicta aceris)

True Lover's Knot (Lycophotia porphyrea)

Tree-lichen Beauty (Cryphia algae)

Rosy Minor (Mesoligia literosa)

Spectacle (Abrostola triplasia)

Herald (Scoliopteryx libatrix)