100 up on Macro moths for the year.

Friday 26th July 2024.

This Chinese Character moth, which is arguably one of our most strangest looking moths, was perched some distance from the Moth Box. Looking like 'bird poo', it is a useful disguise to prevent being eaten during the daytime.

Though the garden was rather damp this morning, there was a clear blue sky overhead at 6am and at first, I was a little disappointed that there was little evidence of any moths on the white sheet behind the Moth Box. However, on closer inspection, the majority of moths on there were Micro moths, but at the end of checking the moths, there were a total of 49 moths of 21 species recorded. Three more Macro moths were added to my year list that included a Satin Wave, Chinese Character and Grey Dagger, which brought me up to 100 species of Macro moth for the year so far! Two more Micro moths were also added to my year list: Straw Grass-moth (Agriphila straminella) and the very small Garden Stilt (Gracillarua syringella).

Above, a probable Grey Dagger (Dark Dagger cannot be totally ruled out but requires dissection to get a 100% ID) and below, a Satin Wave moth.

Above, the Micro moth Straw Grass-moth.

The moths present this morning included the following:

MACRO MOTHs:

• Lackey 2
• Satin Wave (New for Year)
• Silver Y
• Chinese Character (NFY)
• Brimstone Moth 2
• Grey Dagger (NFY)
• Single-dotted Wave
• Least Carpet 3
• Riband Wave 3
• Dusky Sallow
• Common Rustic 

MICRO MOTHS:

• Common Plume 13
• Apple Leaf Miner
• Rusty-dot Pearl
• Straw Grass-moth (NFY)
• Beautiful Plume 2
• Light Brown Apple Moth 8
• Tree-mallow Tortrix
• Barred Marble
• Black-banded Masoner 3
• White-shouldered House Moth
• Garden Stilt (NFY)