Some Moths during September

 The weather during September was rather changeable and marginal when it came to deciding whether to put the moth-trap out. The catches were dominated by Yellow Underwings and Boxworm Moths, the latter of which is starting to turn up regularly and in multiple numbers at my light trap.

Although not uncommon, the Orange Swift (Hepialus sylvina) and Barred Hook-tip (Watsonalla cultraria) made their first ever appearance in my wealden garden.

The Lace Border (Scopula ornata) is a nationally scarce moth of chalk grassland and Bob found a couple of colonies on the East Sussex downs a year or two ago. He kindly took me on a tour of one of these sites and managed to find a few second brood individuals for me to see.

Orange Swift (Hepialus sylvina) (female)

Barred Hook-tip (Watsonalla cultraria) (female)

Oak Hook-tip (Watsonalla binaria) (male)

Autumnal Rustic (Eugnorisma glareosa)

Feathered Gothic (Tholera decimalis) (female)

Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea)

Delicate (Mythimna vitellina)

Pale Mottled Willow (Paradrina clavipalpis)

Lace Border (Scopula ornata)

Autumn on Pevensey Levels

 Whilst the arrival of Autumn is signalled by a change in the weather and day length, I always feel that the season has changed on Pevensey Levels when the farmers have mown the meadows, cut back the trackside hedges & verges and the maize crop is being harvested.

The commonest dragonfly on the wing at the moment is the Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta). I have seen numerous mating pairs in recent weeks and as I walk along the water ditch margins, the sound of dragonfly wings clattering on the reeds as females lay their eggs, is a familiar one.

Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) (female ovipositing on reed)

Migrant Hawker (A.mixta) (mating)

Wall (Lasiommata megera)

This species is having a substantial third brood on Pevensey Levels.

Female.

Male.

Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) (male)

This is a typical late season male with much reduced pale markings.

Roesel's Bush-cricket (Metrioptera roeselii) (female)

Dark Bush-cricket (Pholidoptera griseoaptera) (male)

Helophilus hybridus (male)

This widespread species of Hoverfly is very much at home along the edges of water ditches.