March(ing) on

The trap has been on only 4 times in March, based generally on the supposed overnight temperature.

The month is progressing and the numbers of moths gradually increasing, but no new species for the site so far.

On Thursday 6th there were only 8 moths, of 7 species, but on Saturday 8th this increased to 23 moths of 8 species, one of them being an over-wintering Ypsolopha ustella. However, the disappointment of this catch spurred me on to try again on Sunday night (9th) and the catch was much improved.
There were 47 moths of 10 species, including a fairly early Shoulder Stripe - only my second one here - and all the usual suspects of the early part of the year, including a Clouded Drab, not a nice name for a quite variable moth - one that has not been featured here before, well, that I discover by chance is not true - but it does not appear on the label list.

So, on Friday night, with the promise of 8° overnight (which I think was actually only 6) the trap went on and there were 48 moths (8 species) this morning. 35 of these were Small Quaker and there was a Pale Pinion, Twin-spot Quaker and an Early Grey. Unlike Mike, I rarely get Mottled Grey here, due mainly to habitat difference.

So, no photos from me today, as everything in the trap has already featured here, but you can find a picture of a Clouded Drab by clicking on Pale Pinion on the list and seeing it on the same page!

One who lies, falls or crawls with limbs spread out

This is the dictionary definition of a Sprawler. And there is a moth which has this name - I guess that this is because its caterpillar bends itself backwards so its legs stick out in front.
So, yes, there was one in the trap this morning.

Sprawler

Also, new to the site was a Winter moth - hopefully not an omen. - and this is, of course a male. How do we know that? Well, the females do not have wings (poor things). They hatch out and stay on the tree trunks, waithing for the males to arrive - and you know the rest.

Winter Moth

A micro moth which I have so far failed to identify was in the trap too.  Any offers please?

Diurnea lipsiella

If you walk down the hill from the Rectory wood car park, there are just 2 ragwort plants on your left hand side, both still in flower. I have looked at these several times recently, but yesterday there was a small larva feeding on the floweer heads. This is the larva of a Golden-rod Pug.

                                                               Golden-rod Pug larva

How do you identify an unknown caterpillar? Google "Larval foodplants", choose the Natural History museum listing, click on the foodplant box (unfortunately you have to know that Ragwort is called Senecio jacobaea) and there is a list of the moths which eat it. From there you can search the excellent Ukleps.org site and there it is.

This post has been updated to add the name of the micromoth