Abernaint, Ffarmers

56 species in this morning's trap (plus in and around the trap last night). Highlights included 2 new 'residents' not recorded at Abernaint before - Grey Chi, which probably wandered down from the hill behind the house, and Lime Speck Pug, which was a bit more unexpected as it seems to be mainly coastal in Wales. Migrants included only (!) 61 Small Mottled Willows, 5 Rush Veneers, 2 Vestals, 2 Rusty Dot Pearls and singles of European Corn Borer, Dark Swordgrass and Beet Moth.

The Beauty is a Beast...

 Noting Adam`s first box moth (or box tree moth), I`d like to make some comments on this pest alien which is ravaging box bushes all over southern Britain. I have a tall box hedge (c 15ft long x 12 ft high) which forms an invaluable visual barrier between my garden and that of a neighbour; it was planted in c 1981. Being aware of the impact of the box moth, I have been only doing minor pruning of the hedge in mid-winter, thinking perhaps that the smell of cut box might attract the adult moths in the warmer months. Up to this year, I`ve only had very minor damage, so I was hoping that there were advantages in my approach. However, summer 2026 has seen extensive damage with large areas of eaten leaves with, upon closer inspection, also spinnings and frass (caterpillar droppings). The consequent dead leaves are pale straw. in colour. Last year I noticed an increase in the frequency and numbers of adult moths in my trap, likely a sign of things to come. More generally, the only `good` thing is that the damage is so distinctive - basically pale straw patches - that it is easy to spot for recording purposes. I noted one such example last weekend whilst driving - a probably new 10km square record for SN50 (E Llanelli). Others may wish to keep a look out wherever there are box bushes in the county - I suspect that it is established elsewhere.

As well as the normal mostly white adults, a significant minority of the adults in my garden are the brown-purple form - a photo of one is given below. I also include a photo of part of my hedge showing the dead, pale leaves (with a little darker green live foliage in the `left-background`). This paleness is not due to this year`s long drought - box is a tough plant of chalky hills and it can handle desiccation - it because of this Chinese invader.

On a happier note, I had another striped hawk-moth in my trap last night (25/8). Photo below:

More Burry Port moths

 My actinic attracted 140 moths of 42 species, excluding the sallow species that escaped while I tried to pot it. The total was boosted by at least 30 Agriphila tristella. I may have missed a few around the trap.

Notable was my first Cypress Pug of the year as well as two FFY Small Blood-vein. This is the better specimen.

Lastly a well marked, although small (!) Large Fruit-tree Tortrix, FFY.

 

Invasive pest reaches Burry Port

 Box-tree Moth, sometimes called Box-worm Moth.

Perhaps in revenge for yesterday's Maiden's Blush someone has sent this moth to my garden trap. I suspect the origin is western Llanelli. Although I have trapped it elsewhere in Britain it is new for my garden, so thank you Ian!

Maiden's Blush in Burry Port

 Whilst emptying my trap this morning I noticed an unfamiliar wave resting on the shed behind the trap. I quickly potted it and after a bit of research, and the usual resort to AI assistance, I decided it was my first Maiden's Blush.

The blotches confused me as well as the pale colour - but I'm sure the identification is correct.

I also found this handsome micro in the trap - it's Apodia martinii in the book and Apodia bifractella on the sheet, but I understand they are in fact the same species. Also new for the garden.
 

(just) over the border

 I'm not sure how exciting a record this is but it's a new species for me - a Cream-bordered Green Pea. 

In my garden trap having just moved to Garnswllt - I'm technically in Swansea County but the river at the bottom of my garden is the border with Carmarthenshire so it could have been pulled in from there (the trees are all on the Carms bank...). I'm afraid Swansea gets my trap records though.

EDIT: apparently here are 95 records from Wales on Aderyn, mainly in the South, but it looks like this is the first in 'my' 10km square

Tawny-barred Angle in Burry Port

 A moderate trap of 58 individuals was reasonably diverse with 28 species present. Best of the bunch was only my second Tawny-barred Angle.