Abernaint, Ffarmers - recent highlights

13th September - migrants included 17 Small Mottled Willows, 3 Vestals, 3 Palpita vitrealis, 1 Scarce Bordered Staw and my second Mugwort Pearl of the autumn. New micros for Abernaint trapped on this date were Dichrorampha acuminatana, Psoricoptera gibbosella and Caloptilia betulicola. 15th September - migrants included 15 Small Mottled Willows, 3 Palpita vitrealis, 2 Scarce Bordered Straws, 2 Vestals and 1 Turnip. I also trapped my second Clifden Nonpareil of the autumn.

Rewards in the rain at Graig

 Stephen Ruttle once more produced a bumper catch at Graig Farm near Llandovery on Saturday 12/9, with c.650 moths of of 66 spp. Stephen has n`t been able to trap regularly at Graig this year due to other commitments but his catch from two MV traps, aided by an actinic, was impressive, particularly as it took place in `pouring rain` with `rivers running past one of the traps on concrete`. Among the magnificent haul were several noteworthy migrants including 3 Clifden nonpareils (possibly resident), striped hawk-moth, delicate, bordered straw, scarce bordered straw, Palpita vitrealis and some more frequent migrants. It is quite possible that the Clifden nonpareils are resident in north Carmarthenshire, with Arfon Williams and Jane Hand achieving repeat catches. Well done again, Stephen. Left click on the photo below to enlarge.

A damp gathering...

 As Sam has frequently advised us, trapping in the rain can be profitable and, after learning of Stephen Ruttle`s large diverse catch at Graig farm (near Llandovery) and Jane Hand`s success at nearby Rhandirmwyn, I set up my actinic last night in my west Llanelli garden.

The first photo shows (clockwise from top left): large ranunculus, hummingbird hawk-moth (in the trap), and three Palpita vitrealis. The 2nd photos shows two box moths (two colour forms shown - it was the most numerous moth in my trap with 36 compared to the most frequent -large yellow underwings with 40) and finally (3rd photo) a close-up of the large ranunculus, an annual resident moth in my trap. Left-click on photos to enlarge on your screen.

I`ll post Stephen Ruttle`s photos and details of his impressive catch later tomorrow...

A trap full of caddis-flies…..

Two mornings ago I found my trap heaving with caddis-flies and LYUs, hundreds and hundreds of them. But amongst the catch was a first for me, a L-album Wainscot and also present was a beautifully coloured Vestal. The `icing on the cake` was a stunning Clifden Nonpariel, resting near my `trapping chair`.

Abernaint, Ffarmers

Highlight of this morning's trap (on the wall behind the trap) was a Mugwort Pearl (Loxostege sticticalis). Can't find any prevous records in the 2016 Carms Moth list, however Pyralid and Crambid Moths states its been recorded in Carms in 2019.

Another new county record from Rhandirmwyn!

 A moth that I`ve certainly been waiting for (it still is the case) is the tree-lichen beauty. Jane Hand at Rhandirmwyn had one in her trap last night (6/9) and it was new to Carmarthenshire. It`s a variable species but one we all should be on the look out for. Well done, Jane!

Lobesia littoralis

 Potted up and placed in the fridge this morning and determined only about 30 mins ago was this Lobesia littoralis, a moth new to me. This coastal species was possibly blown over from the north Gower saltmarshes or somewhere on the Carmarthenshire coast. Colin Jones also recorded this moth (as a then 2nd county record) at Machynys in late August 2020.   

Much busier night in the actinic in Pontyberem!

 I ran the 15 watt actinic on the lawn last night instead of the mv.

In spite of soggy egg boxes, and rain at inspection time, there were 43 species, total 159 moths including a very surprising 65 Large Yellow Underwings!

There were a few regular migrants, nothing unusual, but who can resist a Frosted Orange?!

Also a fresh Maiden's Blush, but only a record shot of that.

A poor catch with a bonus...

 My West Llanelli garden trap was not exactly full of variety last night (5/9) but at least two migrants provided interest though one - the larger individual - was not in the trap, but resting on an adjacent wall. The smaller moth was dapper and unworn whereas the same could not be said of the other which, nevertheless, cheered me up as it was the first time I`ve had this species at my present location (I had previously caught it on more than one occasion at my Pwll garden).

                                                 Above: vestal and convolvulus hawk-moth

A Beauty in Bynea

 Tim Reynolds recently posted a photo of a Clifden Nonpareil that he found at Pencoed-isaf, Bynea (E of Llanelli). I`d love to stumble across a pristine CNP like this (especially as it comes with a bonus £1!).

Yellow Belle

 I was pleased to flush this yellow belle at a brownfield site to the immediate NW of the North Dock, Llanelli; it is typically a species of coastal dune grassland in southern Britain. Indeed the former industrial premises were built on sand dune habitat. This particular area also held Essex skippers in July and, today, a clouded yellow flew quickly by - hopefully a good omen for my garden moth trap which will be lit up tonight.

Dun-bar

 Nothing special about this, just a test post as I had been having trouble entering stuff!

After poking around a bit it seems fine now.

Dun-bar 11 July 2026

Some recent moths

 Nothing particularly interesting over the last week, with the only migrant of slight interest being a vestal on 30/8; a treble-bar on the next night was presumably a local wanderer from local brownfield habitat where its food-plant Hypericum spp (St John`s Wort) grows.

                                                    Above: vestal and, below: treble-bar

L-album Wainscot in Pontyberem this morning. Usually a coastal species.

Possible Cosmopolitan in Burry Port

 I found this moth outside the trap thinking it was an odd wainscot.

When looking closely, I noticed it's size, shape and the dark shoulder marks. Most importantly I noticed the white spots on this very worn moth. Far from reminding me of a Wainscot it started to remind me of White Point. Obsidentify suggested there's an 84% chance that this is Cosmopolitan. But could it be a worn White Speck? The shape doesn't seem right for that. Any ideas? 

 I have looked at the hindwings and they appear pure white, which indicates Cosmopolitan. 

Acleris Sparsana in Burry Port

 A relatively large trap was boosted by over 30 Square Spot Rustics. Of interest were two Dichrorampha acuminatana, a Crocidosema plebejana and a Small Dusty Wave. A quite large, dark tortrix with noticeably straight, almost parallel sides turned out to be Acleris sparsana, Leaden Tortrix.

New for my Burry Port garden.
 

Abernaint, Ffarmers

Didn't think I'd caught anything particulalry interesting today. That was until I went to set my traps for this evening and found a Silky Wainscot tucked away in one of the egg cartons. As a reedbed species with a coastal distribution in Wales its not one I've been been looking out for.

Meal Moth in Burry Port

 Whilst inspecting my garden trap site this afternoon I noticed an unrecorded moth. 

Only my second Meal Moth. Like the last one it escaped while I was trying to get a better shot.

White Point in Burry Port

 I caught a funny looking Clay, thinking it was small and the proportions weren't right. Turns out it's my second White Point for the garden.

Rather battered, it's probably had a long journey to get here.

Nephoterix angustella in Burry Port

 I lost a pot (the plot?) yesterday and when I found it in a forgotten pocket, I discovered it contained a Nephopterix angustella or Spindle Knothorn.

New for me and my garden.

This morning produced a much reduced trap. However it contained my first autumn Waved Umber.

A handsome moth and a favourite of mine.

Finally, a Brown Chinamark, not rare, and I believe I trapped one years ago, but this is definitely the first one I have photographed.