Steve Nash

Belated news from 25/4 in St Mellion. A 2nd Striped Hawk-moth (H. livornica) was netted during the evening, feeding on purple rhododendron. It was showing no interest in the lights. This was a different specimen to the previous night, which was marked & released 2 miles away.

A big surprise in the rap this morning, among 111 moths of 38 species. 1 Striped Hawk-moth (H. livornica) 7 Dark Sword-grass (A. ipsilon) 1 Small Mottled Willow (S. exigua) 7 Silver Y (A. gamma) 2 Angle Shades (P. meticulosa) St. Mellion, SE Cornwall (VC2) on 24/4.

A few migrants made it to St Mellion, SE Cornwall last night, among the year's highest total of 295 moths of 49 species. 12 Plutella xylostella (Diamond-back Moth), Small Mottled Willow (Spodoptera exigua) and Silver Y (Autographa gamma).

Another night ruined by the wind in St Mellion. 25 moths of 11 species recorded, including: P xylostella (Diamond-back), 2 N noctuella (Rush Veneer), 8 U ferrugalis (Rusty-dot), 3 Silver Y, Ypsolopha ustella & Merveille du Jour. Also, a migrant Pale Damsel Bug (Nabis capsiformis)

@trapsite @ChrisBish76 @neilshermanmoth Sorry Sean, I must check Twitter more often. I can certainly see what you mean, however I think the squashed posture, camera angle and pale/faded ground colour against the postmedian line, makes it appear more dentate than it actually is. Therefore I'd go along with nupta.

@ChrisBish76 @neilshermanmoth The sharpness and path of the postmedian line looks wrong for nupta to me. @SteveNash71 what do you think?

A slight increase in temp last night in Wattisfield led to a more interesting trap than the past few days, with 2 Clancy's Rustic, 1 Dewick's Plusia, Delicate, and a battered Red Underwing. Thanks to @neilshermanmoth for confirming my Jersey Mocha from the 16th, new for VC26:

35 species in St Mellion, SE Cornwall, on a cold and clear night. The temperature dropped to a chilly 8.1c at 1am, rising to 11.1c at 6am. This presumably aberrant Flounced Rustic (Luperina testacea) caused some initial excitement when I turned over the egg-box

I’m so happy to share the finished drawing - “The Dream Rock Pool”! 🦀🌊 This piece was a real challenge but I’m so pleased with how it came out, it would be incredible if you could share it far and wide! #rockpooling #rockpools #marinebiology #wildlifeart #oceanlover

Clear skies and a gusty wind ruined moth trapping the last two nights in St Mellion. Two scarce immigrant Crambids were recorded though - Diasemiopsis ramburialis (Migrant Sable) on 5/9 and Hellula undalis (Old World Webworm) on 6/9. Also, 11 minuscule Vestal last night.

59 species in St Mellion. Perfect early on, before the wind & rain arrived. Highlights: 2 Palpita vitrealis (Olive-tree Pearl), Convolvulus Hawk: 4th of the year, Rosy Underwing: 2nd garden record, Clifden Nonpariel, Old Lady, Cosmopolitan: 4th of the year & Scarce Bordered Straw

@trapsite @MigrantMothUK I see what you mean Sean, several similar species from N. Africa.

@SteveNash71 @MigrantMothUK Probably worth getting the asteris dissected Steve

87 species in St Mellion on 25/8 There was a large arrival of migrants around midnight: Euchromius ocellea & Epischnia asteris the best, the later being the 1st Cornish record since 2016 & first inland record. The American Painted Lady confirmed as 5th Cornish mainland record.

@trapsite @MigrantMothUK Thanks Sean, yes I should do. I'd ruled out Ancylodes pallens due to those dorsal spots but I guess there could be similar species in S. Europe.

@lynda_lambert @Alexanor56 There's been a few that would rank in the top 10 but couldn't say which was my favourite. From the top of my head: Latreille's Latin, Druid, Eastern Bollworm, Eastern Bordered Straw, Scar Bank Gem, Rosy Underwing, Oleander Hawk, Silver-striped Hawk, Levant Blackneck & Sword-grass

@SteveNash71 @Alexanor56 That's amazing then. What's the most interesting moth you've ever seen?

American Painted Lady (Vanessa virginiensis), on my garden Buddleja this morning. St. Mellion, SE Cornwall.😲

@lynda_lambert @Alexanor56 Thank you Lyn. By far the most interesting butterfly I have ever seen!

@SteveNash71 @Alexanor56 Wow, have hardly seen more than one European Painted Lady this year .Great sighting!

@Sibe4me @MigrantMothUK Cheers mate

@SteveNash71 @MigrantMothUK Superb....😁

@hubiegallagher After 4 hours I had to give up!

@SteveNash71 I’d say it took you hours to get through everything!

An astonishing night in St Mellion, SE Cornwall, with an influx of many hundreds of migrants, in a total of 133 species and well over 1000 moths. Highlights: 3 Antigastra catalaunalis (Toadflax Pearl), 2 Diasemiopsis ramburialis (Migrant Sable), Small Marbled (pale one) & Ni Moth

80 sp. in St Mellion on 10/8. Migrants were: P. vitrealis (Olive-tree Pearl), 41 U. ferrugalis (Rusty-dot), 46 N. noctuella (Rush Veneer), 2 Vestal, Dark Sword-grass, 10 Small Mottled Willow & 9 Silver Y Also, C. plebejana & 2 Angle Shades. Clouded Yellow new for garden on 10/8.

Similar migrants among 73 species in St Mellion on 6/8: Diamsemiopsis ramburialis (Migrant Sable) - 8th of the year, 51 U. ferrugalis (Rusty-dot), 68 N. noctuella (Rush Veneer), 2 Vestal, 3 Dark Sword-grass, 8 Small Mottled Willow, 24 Silver Y, also Angle Shades & Dark Spectacle.