Fletcher's Pug - Darley Dale

A decade ago Brian Statham identified the first example of Fletcher's Pug in Derbyshire. In June 2004 Simon Roddis and I caught several more at High Tor above Matlock Bath where the species is still present, I recorded it in the same area last year. 
Last night I caught one for the first time at home in Darley Dale. A rather worn specimen, as most seem to be, but it shows the remnants of the 'tram-lines' which are characteristic of the species and highlighted on the image below. The larva feed on lime, in particular the small-leaved lime which occurs on the cliffs above Matlock Bath. Lime trees are abundant in Darley Dale bordering the A6 through the village and it's possible that the moth is established locally rather than a wandering example from Matlock Bath.

Fletcher's Pug

Garden catch-up

Since the weekend I've added a few more moths to the year list from the garden trap; Pale-shouldered Brocade, Heart & Dart, Foxglove Pug, Lime Hawkmoth, Flame Shoulder, Spectacle, Pale Mottled Willow, Turnip Moth, Pale Prominent & Shoulder-striped Wainscot. Nothing unexpected but a reasonable variety.

Lime Hawkmoth

Bonsall Moor - Falseuncaria ruficiliana

Another local trip out with Brian Statham, breezier and cooler than we had hoped but Treble Lines 2, Dark Brocade 6, Rivulet 8, Common Swift 6, Grass Rivulet 2 and the micro moths Pyrausta despicata, Ancylis badiana and what I think is Falseuncaria ruficiliana 2 were all new for the year, the latter is probably quite scarce.

Falseuncaria ruficiliana

Pyrausta despicata - Bonsall Moor

Pyrausta despicata

Treble Lines - Bonsall Moor

Treble Lines

Dark Brocade - Bonsall Moor

Dark Brocade

Chinese Character

Taken at Clough Wood on Friday, I haven't put Chinese Character on the blog before, one of a number of species which mimics a bird dropping for camouflage.

Chinese Character

Ochreous Pug

Just catching up from last Friday and the trap run at home, 25th May.
Added Ochreous Pug, Grey Birch, Brown Silver-lines, Peppered Moth, Small Square-spot and Seraphim.

Ochreous Pug

Seraphim

Seraphim

Fire - Beeley Triangle

There was a fire overnight on Beeley Triangle. It looks like about half the area enclosed by the road has been affected, at least one Stonechat nest has been destroyed I'm afraid.

Beeley Fire

Devon Carpet - Clough Wood

Having taken the second Derbyshire record of Devon Carpet in Clough Wood last August Brian Statham and I were keen to see if it was a pure vagrant record or if the moth was established in the wood. Last night we caught two more confirming that we have a breeding colony in the area. Brian swept the first individual at about 21:15 and we caught the second at light about half an hour later. We also caught two of the similar but larger Water Carpet but much later in the evening.
Added quite a few moths to the year list; Map-winged Swift, Chinese Character, White-pinion Spotted, Red Twin-spot Carpet, Brimstone, Chinese Character, Broken-barred Carpet, Common White Wave, Clouded Silver, Silver-ground Carpet, Common Marbled Carpet, Coxcomb Prominent. Plus the Marbled White Spot noted below.. not a bad evening! 

Devon Carpet

Marbled White Spot - Clough Wood

I was lucky enough to catch the first Derbyshire record of Marbled White Spot in Darley Dale in 2004 but haven't seen it since, until last night when Brian Statham and I caught this individual in Clough Wood. There have been half a dozen records in Derbyshire since 2004, this is another species which is gradually moving north.

Marbled White Spot

A stroke of luck - Scarce Tissue

Just putting the cover back on the barbeque when I noticed a moth behind it - Scarce Tissue, a moth I used to catch annually, but only singles, but which I haven't caught for about 4 years and a moth I have never taken anywhere else in Derbyshire.It feeds on Barberry and cultivated Berberis so should be commoner and is perhaps overlooked.

Scarce Tissue

Peach Blossom

Another reasonable catch adding; Small Phoenix, Scalloped Hazel, Pebble Prominent, Clouded Silver, Flame Carpet 2 and one of my favourites the Peach Blossom. also V-Pug, Waved Umber and 4 Common Pug.

Peach Blossom

Pebble Prominent

Pebble Prominent