19 June 2013

Moths at Ardchattan Primary School

Following the successful moth trap night at Barcaldine School, I set up the trap at Ardchattan School on the night of 18 June, and it attracted plenty of mothy visitors.  Star of the show was the Poplar Hawkmoth, but the biggest surprise was the very striking Peacock Moth, which I had not seen before.  It is found mostly in the southern half of England and Wales, but also occurs in Scotland north of the central belt, with a large gap between these two populations.

The trap was rather lively due to numerous Brown Silver-lines which fly by day as well as by night.  Many of these were eager to leave when the trap was opened and others woke up as we examined the egg-boxes.  I've recorded their number as "at least 50", but it may have been nearer 100.

The photos have the number caught of each species in brackets after the name.
 

Poplar Hawkmoth (3)

Brown Silver-line (>50)

Garden Pebble (1)

Brown Rustic, in fresh condition on the left, and a worn one, showing the distinctive antennae, on the right. (18)

Small Angle Shades (12)

Spectacle (1)

Foxglove Pug (1)

Grey Pug (1)

Map-winged Swift (1)

Buff Ermine (3)

Cream Wave (2)

Common Wave (1)

Broken-barred Carpet (1)

Flame Carpet (2)

Knot-grass (1)

Bright-line Brown-eye (1)

Peacock Moth (2)

Small Fan-foot (1)

Green Arches (2)

Grey Arches (1)

Dark Brocade (1)

Dusky Brocade (1)

Pale-shouldered Brocade (3)

Green Carpet (7)

Common Marbled Carpet (1)

Silver-ground Carpet (10)

Clouded-bordered Brindle, pale form (4)

Clouded-bordered Brindle, dark form (6)

Middle-barred Minor (1)

Flame Shoulder (very worn) (2)

Beautiful Golden Y (1)

Clouded Border (1)

Saving the worst photos till last...

Common Carpet (1)

Snout (1)

Water Carpet (2)

And one that flew off before I could get a photo: Garden Carpet (1)

Total: 148 moths of 35 species

Well done, Ardchattan!

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All photos and other content copyright © Carl Farmer except where stated