There were some minor predictions of migrants on the SSW winds last night but also the forecasted conditions looked worthwhile for general trapping, so out went the two traps, one MV and one mains actinic. I was slightly concerned, as the wind was rather blustery during the evening though it was predicted to ease later. In terms of numbers and diversity, the results were disappointing - but depleted numbers are often a feature of autumn traps; rather they serve to record those late year moths that otherwise would be missed.
Best of the bunch for me though was a vapourer, a species that I`ve not seen before except as a caterpillar once - the latter being on an alder buckthorn just outside my garden (it occurs on other plants too). The caterpillar, like the adult, is quite striking and unmistakable.
Some late season moths did indeed turn up including Merveille du jour, lunar underwing and beaded chestnut (shown in photo below), as well as a beautiful plume Amblyptilia acanthadactyla, which I used to fairly regularly catch at my previous Pwll garden, but not at my present home. A hornet also put in an appearance, as did a solitary Eudonia angustea. Other common species were recorded and a single migrant - a rusty dot pearl - also arrived.
