A Slow Spring for Moths

 

Early Thorn - 25 March 2024

Although this morning's moth trap was the best of the year to date, the overall haul of 17 moths of just seven species is in keeping with what has been a very slow start to the mothing year. This is nothing new: I never seem to get good numbers or much diversity between January and March. So far, the species count for 2024 is a thin 17.

There are a few possible reasons for this. I trap in a north-facing village garden, a couple of kilometres from the Dorset coast. We are very exposed to both cold winds from the north and the warmer and wetter south-westerlies. The latter are excellent for migrant moths - I have already had a Silver Y (9/2) and three Dark Sword-grass (25/1 and 16/2) this year - but the lack of shelter around the trap tends to keep overall numbers down. Another factor is the lack of woodland in the vicinity of the village. While the nearby lanes have generally retained their hedges, most are cut brutally on an annual basis. Larger hedgerow trees are particularly vulnerable to removal; we have watched with dismay a few more cut down in the last couple of months. As a result, common woodland moths are less regular here, although the light northerly winds will usually bring a few of those species to the trap.

Silver Y - 9 February 2024

Dark Sword-grass - 26 January 2024

Having had a bit of a moan, I should add that do very well for moths here - my garden list is up to 529 species - so I'm confident that things will pick up in due course. Anyway, let's have a quick look at what arrived last night. Oak Beauty (below) is perhaps my favourite of the Spring moths. Oddly, this isn't the first of the year, as one arrived unexpectedly in late January (my earliest ever). Despite its name, the larvae feed on a variety of woody species, including Hazel and sallows which are common down our local lanes. Early Thorn (photo at top of blog post) also shares a liking for shrubby habitats. Its distinctive resting position, with both wings pressed back like many butterflies, is a good identification feature.

Oak Beauty - 25 March 2024

Hebrew Character - 25 March 2024

Hebrew Character (above) has been easily the commonest moth here this Spring: there were 10 in and around the trap this morning. It's easy to overlook common species like this, but they are beautifully marked and quite variable in size. Early Grey (below) will likely overtake Hebrew Character in numbers as the season progresses: this morning saw the first two of the year arrive here.

Early Grey - 25 March 2024

The final macro-moth of the morning was this Dotted Border (below). Note that the conspicuous forewing dots also extend across the hind wings.

Dotted Border - 25 March 2024

It was nice to see a couple of micro-moths in the trap - the almost ubiquitous Light Brown Apple and my first Narrow-winged Grey Eudonia angustea of the year (below). This is an extremely common species that I have recorded here in all months of the year, its larvae feeding on various moss species. The narrow wing profile easily distinguishes it from a group of similar - and confusing - fellow members of the crambid family (Crambidae). 

Narrrow-winged Grey Eudonia angustea - 25 March 2024

As an aside, I am going to have to get used to the new micro-moth vernacular names contained in two recent - and excellent - publications (below) that are both highly recommended. But I can't quite let go of the scientific names for most micros just yet.

Also in the trap were three adult caddis. With assistance from the Moth Trap Intruders UK Facebook group - which is worth joining if you are interested in identifying the many non-moth arrivals - I can go as far as its genus - Stenophylax (below). I get a lot of adult caddis here, and have resolved to get a bit better at recording them, so have now ordered the recent FSC/AIDGAP identification guide. Watch this space!

Caddis Stenophylax sp. - 25 March 2024