Elmbridge BC Moth Survey, The Ledges Wednesday 17 August 2005

A warm night, perhaps a bit too clear, with a big moon moving low behind the trees.  Two traps operating, JIM PORTER once again bringing his own trap and his expertise. About a dozen adults and several children attended the event.

As usual, the traps attracted a variety of other insects as well as moths; this time a good number of Shield bugs, but no Hornets! A larva of the Small angle shades was found on Bracken. Moths began to arrive after 9 pm in small numbers, starting with an Orange swift; thence a steady stream for a couple of hours, including several Dun bar, Large yellow underwing, Lesser broad-bordered yellow underwing, Brimstone and Black arches. Also two Lesser swallow prominent, single specimens of Maiden's blush, Iron prominent, Willow beauty, Oak hook tip, Setaceous Hebrew character, Grey pine carpet, Common white wave, Dingy shell, Common carpet, Buff footman, Square spot carpet, Six-striped rustic, Small fan-footed wave, Small phoenix, Double-striped pug, Common rustic, Riband wave, Tawny-barred angle, Straw dot, Flame shoulder, Sallow kitten and Yellow shell. There were plenty of micromoths, to be listed by Jim Porter.

Things grew quiet before midnight, and operations ceased.

DICK ALDER