Striped Hawkmoths and moth mig

It's been a busy working week after getting back from Bulgaria, couldn't get out in the field but I managed to keep up the moth trapping and have connected with a couple of nights of increased moth migration. The highlight was my first Striped Hawkmoths in the UK- two of them but there's also been other suspected migrants including Gem, Diamond-backs, Delicate, Four-spotted Footman, Rusty-dots and Dark Spectacle.

After a busy week overall with approx 80 species last night alone, the all time moth list is 492 and year list is 261. It took about 5 years to get to 500 species at the Old Vicarage and we are just short it of it here after one year. 

Also had the dissection results in from Mike Bailey this week. The highlight was the first Platyedra subcinerea and Coleophora alticolella for the Pagham area. Also confirmed the suspected presence of Marbled Minor, Tawny Marbled Minor and Rufous Minor and also had C.lassella, Bactra lancealana and Elachista canapennella and E.argentella. An earlier batch from early Spring confirmed Acleris ferrungana, Coleophora alcyronipennella, Grapoholita funebrana and Scrobipalpa acuminatella. 

Striped Hawkmoths- finally caught this species in the UK

Gem

Four-spotted Footman

Dusky Brocade- not a migrant but new for site

Not a migrant- just smart, Peach Blossom 

Brown Bagworm- also new for site and possibly a lifer (need to check)

As might be expected, this was confirmed as a Tawny Marbled Minor although the one that turned out to be a Rufous Minor also looked similar

The 'star' of the show Coleophora alticolella- new for the local area. It's bits and pieces below

Genitalia of Coleophora alticilella by Mike Bailey