I have received more reports of Clouded Yellow, so have updated the map for this species, though there are still lots of blank areas. Please continue to report your sightings of this species so we can assess the full size of the influx. Also see new map for Silver Y, a migrant commonly encountered during the day, but especially at dusk at most types of blossom.
Barry Stewart <moonmoths@ntlworld.com>
Thu Aug 31 16:03:39 2006

Roath, Cardiff: 19 species, highlights - Scarce Bordered Straw (1), Old Lady (1), Dusky Thorn (1) & Small Dusty Wave (2).
DRWG
Thu Aug 31 10:02:14 2006

29th August, 40W Actinic Trap. 9x Large Yellow Underwing, 4 Lesser Yellow Underwing, 1x Broad Bordered Yellow Underwing, 4x Garden Dart, 1 Setaceous Hebrew Character, 1x Silver Y, 1x Garden Carpet, 1x Common Carpet, 1x Emmelina monodactyla.
Wayne Morris <waynemorris@tiscali.co.uk>
Penygraig, United Kingdom Wed Aug 30 22:37:27 2006

Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, Emmelina monodactyla & Setaceous Hebrew Character

Ran Moth Trap in garden in Newton Road, Mumbles on night of 26th August. Highlight Old Lady (Photographed). Clouded yellow at Nicholaston Burrows.
Owain Gabb <gabbo@entecuk.co.uk>
Newcastle upon Tyne, Wed Aug 30 16:32:14 2006

Old Lady

Just to add to Bill's notes the GMRG Newsletter (No. 63) with my identification guide to the Burying Beetles is now downloadable here, although Bill's photos are better!
Dave Slade
Wed Aug 30 15:01:59 2006

Nicrophorus investigator: The attached photograph shows the red antennal clubs of Nicrophorus investigator as opposed to the black antennal clubs of Nicrophorus vespilloides posted earlier. This is the species (N.investigator) that came to my MVL earlier in August. Hope this clarifies the species differences.
Bill Jones
Wed Aug 30 14:48:32 2006

Nicrophorus investigator

Re:- Nicrophorus posting Dave Slade has re-identified this species as Nicrophorus vespilloides rather than investigator. Stunning critter is'nt it...
Bill Jones.
Wed Aug 30 13:05:41 2006

Parc Cwm Darran SO12 02: Have recorded Coleoptera:-Nicrophorus investigator three times this summer in the Parc, on two occasions it has been parasitised with some type of mite. There are other very similar species of Nicrophorus, I trust my ID is okay. I also had one come to my MVL this month. Bill Jones
Tue Aug 29 19:27:34 2006

Nicrophorus vespilloides

Our first moth trapping for over a fortnight in our Bridgend garden, 2 Scarce Bordered Straw clearly the highlight, we trapped approx 20 in Norfolk on our recent holiday. Also of note were Burnished Brass, Rush Veneer, Spruce Carpet and Small Sq-Spot taking our garden Year list past 200.
Emma & Mike Cram
Tue Aug 29 13:03:24 2006

Scarce Bordered Straw

Porthcawl (Rest Bay) garden trap producing very little in the windy weather, but Orange Swift, Flounced Rustic, Vine's Rustic, Small Square-spot, Scalloped Oak, Turnip Moth, Cabbage Moth and Setaceous Hebrew Charcater comprise a typical late August catch for me.
SJM
Tue Aug 29 10:55:07 2006

Found a Peach Blossom on my window this morning.
Sharon John <sharon.john1@tesco.net>
Mon Aug 28 22:15:59 2006

Peach Blossom

Sun 27th Aug: Mumbles Head - Clouded Yellows all over the place, also numerous Silver Ys and Yellow Belles, plus a Bordered Straw. Other butts included Small Copper & Brown Argus, Graylings seemed to be completely over.
Tristan Bantock <263768@swan.ac.uk>
Mumbles, Mon Aug 28 11:08:35 2006

I saw a Monarch butterfly on the main path down to Kenfig Pool today. It flew about near the path for a short while before drifting off. Subsequent searching failed to refind it. This was a first for me and eventual reward for 10 years of walking the Kenfig butterfly transect.
David Carrington <dave@dbcarrington.plus.com>
Bridgend, Wales Sun Aug 27 20:14:35 2006

Roath: Cypress Pug this am, 3rd site record. GMRG meeting at Coed Craig Ruperra on Friday (25th) produced 12 new species for ST28, the highlight being the record of 8 Maiden's Blush, highest vc41 count. Of interest over 10 Hornets were attracted to MVL there too.
DRWG
Sun Aug 27 12:55:39 2006

Hummingbird hawk-moth yesterday (25th August)in our garden in Bridgend (SS 9179).
Andrea Rowe
Bridgend, Sat Aug 26 21:49:06 2006

I amongst the piles of yellow underwings this morning; one Pink-barred Sallow. Autumn has arrived! Andrew Lucas <andrewbeth@onetel.net>
Clydach, Swansea Sat Aug 26 9:32:20 2006

Tesco Pengam Green, Tremorfa (ST27), Small Ranunculus on window. (This is the 4th adult record in Cardiff this year).
DRWG
Fri Aug 25 13:38:54 2006

Kenfig Pool western margins: Migrant Hawker(4, including a pair in tandem), Painted Lady (2), Rush Veneer (3).
SJM
Thu Aug 24 16:56:28 2006

Out of county: Just back from a short sojourn in the West Country, at Taunton this morning before the deluge, I saw a Jersey Tiger, I don't believe we have recorded this species in VC41 or indeed Wales as yet. (Somerset Recorder informed).
Bill Jones
Wed Aug 23 20:50:34 2006

Rest Bay, Porthcawl: Orange Swift, Rusty-Dot Pearl, Yellow-barred Brindle, Vine's Rustic, Cabbage Moth and Turnip Moth were the highlights this morning. An increase in Large Yellow Blunderwings and Flounced Rustics.
SJM
Wed Aug 23 13:04:29 2006

August Thorn, Canary-shouldered Thorn, Cypress Pug, Swallow Prominent & Sallow Kitten over the last week (all in the garden)
Tristan Bantock <263768@swan.ac.uk>
Mumbles, Tue Aug 22 14:34:11 2006

Gold-spot, Canary-shouldered Thorn, Swallow Prominent & Sallow Kitten

The first time I've run the trap for a while, and it was particularly exciting. Lots of Vines Rustics, 2 Rush Veneers and a Silver Y. Prettiest thing in the trap though was a hoverfly - Xanthogramma pedissequum.
Dave Slade
Llanishen, Cardiff, Tue Aug 22 9:53:07 2006

Vines Rustic & Xanthogramma pedissequum

Rest Bay, Porthcawl: very pleasing was a pristine Red Underwing on the garden shed near the Actinic Trap, which held Dingy Shears, Rosy Rustic, and Pale Mottled Willow (25 species caught). SJM <moonsj@bridgend.gov.uk>
Mon Aug 21 16:42:54 2006

Rest Bay, Porthcawl: garden trap dominated by Vine's Rustic (27), Willow Beauty (19) and Agriphila tristella (16), but 27 species in all.
SJM <moonsj@bridgend.gov.uk>
Sat Aug 19 14:00:00 2006

Roath: Overnight trapping produced a Scarce Bordered Straw (New ST17 & Cardiff UA), Red Underwing & Burnished Brass (3rd site rec.).
DRWG
Fri Aug 18 11:59:58 2006

Scarce Bordered Straw

Caught the second Small Ranunculus of the year in the garden last night (third for the site). Quite a late record for an adult too.
Jake (via DJS)
Roath, Cardiff, Thu Aug 17 14:47:57 2006

Small Ranunculus

Rest Bay, Porthcawl: garden trap produced 30 species including Broad-barred White, Vine's Rustic (11), Purple Bar.
SJM <moonsj@bridgend.gov.uk>
Thu Aug 17 9:34:46 2006

In our home trap last night: Ni Moth (first ever), Small Mottled Willow, Beautiful Hook-tip, Sallow Kitten, Dark Sword-grass, Pine Ccarpet, Yellow-barred brindle(2)
Rob Nottage <rob@nottages.freeserve.co.uk>
Bonvilston, Wed Aug 16 18:12:43 2006

Dunraven Walled Garden: While photographing Hummingbird Hawkmoths last Sunday I also photographed a hover fly - Volucella zonaria - only the second VC41 record if the Hoverfly Recording Scheme for vice counties is correct.
Bill Jones
Tue Aug 15 20:03:23 2006

Rest Bay, Porthcawl: Yellow-barred Brindle (2, pristine) were the highlight. Also Gothic, Rosy Minor, Vine's Rustic (4) and double figure counts of Willow Beauty and Flounced Rustic. Apologies for the earlier posting of a Confused, it was a blackish specimen of Flounced Rustic and it sure confused me!
SJM <moonsj@bridgend.gov.uk>
Tue Aug 15 9:31:54 2006

A reasonable catch of 20 species last night, with three new ones for the garden list (but this is my first season of trapping at my current address): Yellow Shell, Old Lady and Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet. George Tordoff <tordoffgm@cf.ac.uk>
Pontcanna, Cardiff Mon Aug 14 12:19:50 2006

Ran the trap last night but very little as expected. Dark Sword-grass the only moth of any note
Tristan Bantock <263768@swan.ac.uk>
Mumbles, Mon Aug 14 11:08:35 2006

Dunraven Walled Garden: Around 10 Hummingbird Hawkmoths on the Buddleia this afternoon, I've managed one really good photograph out of the several thousand taken !!!...only kidding...boy can these moths move. Support cast of 12 Painted Lady,7 Red Admiral, Comma and 4 Speckled Wood. Bill Jones
Sun Aug 13 20:57:06 2006

Rest Bay, Porthcawl garden trap held a Confused (photo'd), 2 Vine's Rustic, and Cabbage Moth, at at Kenfig Pool a Rusty Dot Pearl.
SJM <moonsj@bridgend.gov.uk>
Sun Aug 13 15:41:01 2006

Humming-bird Hawk-moth nectaring on red valerian outside my front window midday [13th migrant sp. for garden]. Very little in the trap overnight: Rusty-dot Pearl the only migrant & Vine's Rustic the highlight.
DRWG
Sat Aug 12 13:30:31 2006

Didn't run the trap last night, but there was a Ni moth in the kitchen this morning.
Dave Slade
Llanishen, Sat Aug 12 8:47:13 2006

Ni Moth

Bargoed: Disturbed during local field trip, plume moth Platyptilia gonodactyla.
Bill Jones
Fri Aug 11 21:57:44 2006

Platyptilia gonodactyla

A helice form Clouded Yellow at Llanilid this evening.
Paul Roberts
Fri Aug 11 20:39:24 2006

Mainden's Blush in the trap last night in Llanishen.
Stefan (via DJS)
Fri Aug 11 15:39:23 2006

Maiden's Blush

Kenfig Pool: a fresh male Southern Hawker at the south end of Kenfig Pool.
SJM <moonsj@bridgend.gov.uk>
Fri Aug 11 11:04:19 2006

Correction to our last posting. We in fact had 2 August Thorn, not Dusky as previously stated, proving how tricky this group can be! Thanks to David Slade for assistance with the confirming the id, we live and learn!
Mike Cram
Thu Aug 10 20:16:16 2006

August Thorn

Parc Penallta: Counted approximately 25 Clouded Yellow (on Monday) including 2 'helice', also Wall and Small Copper among several other species of butterfly. Among the moths most often disturbed from cover were Small China Mark and Latticed Heath.
Bill Jones
Wed Aug 9 22:04:18 2006

Clouded Yellow, Wall, Latticed Heath & Small China Mark

last nights trap highlights 2 dusky thorn, 2 chinese charcter, both new for site. others ; magpie, rusty dot pearl, rush veneer, wormwood pug, blood vein, flounced rustic. just reached 200 for the year, for the garden.
emma and mike cram
bridgend, Wed Aug 9 19:56:41 2006

Rest Bay, Porthcawl: Nutmeg, Yellow-barred Brindle, Udea ferrugalis and Rush Veneer. Bedford Park: Agonopterix liturosa, Rosy Footman, July Highflyer, Dingy Footman, Treble-bar, Sharp-angled Peacock (2).
Steve Moon <moonsj@bridgend.gov.uk>
Wed Aug 9 11:08:44 2006

Agonopterix liturosa & Rosy Footman

A Wall was a new species for our garden this morning.
Barry Stewart
Wed Aug 9 9:43:44 2006

Wall Brown

Another Small mottled Willow in the garden trap last, and once again it eluded the camera.
Dave Slade
Wed Aug 9 7:24:11 2006

Recent nights in our Bridgend garden Least Yellow Underwing and Carnation Tortrix were new for site. We've had 12 species of Butterfly in the last week, mainly on various Buddleia and Potentilla: L.White, S.White, Gatekeeper, M.Brown, Red Admiral, Peacock, Comma, S.Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood, C.Blue, Holly Blue and Painted Lady. A Pine Weevil was also of interest.
Mike & Emma Cram
Tue Aug 8 22:50:53 2006

2 Clouded Yellow today around the oxbow in the R Ely near ST1777. Also Painted Lady, Large White, Common Blue and Red Admiral.
Laura Palmer <lpalmer@yahoo.co.uk>
Cardiff, Tue Aug 8 13:39:19 2006

2 Clouded Yellow today around the oxbow in the R Ely near ST1777. Also Painted Lady, Large White, Common Blue and Red Admiral.
Laura Palmer <lpalmer@yahoo.co.uk>
Cardiff, Tue Aug 8 13:39:12 2006

A Red Underwing was reported by Adam at his house in Bridgend this morning.
Adam Rowe (via DJS)
Bridgend, Tue Aug 8 12:30:10 2006

Red Underwing

Three new species for my garden last night: Small Mottled Willow, Agriphila latistria and A. selasella.
George Tordoff <tordoffgm@cf.ac.uk>
Pontcanna, Cardiff Tue Aug 8 10:36:13 2006

Agriphila latistria, Agriphila selasella & Small Mottled Willow

Hummingbird Hawk Moth and Clouded Yellow reported from Worms Head on 6/8
Tristan Bantock <263768@swan.ac.uk>
Tue Aug 8 9:53:02 2006

Humming-bird hawk moth on buddleiah and honeysuckle at Clydach,Swansea this evening.Last weekend produced Painted Lady,Small Tortoiseshell,Red Admiral,Peacock,Large White,Gatekeeper and Speckled Wood all on buddleiah and comfrey
Dewi Ensyl <dewi.lewis1@btinternet.com>
Abertawe, Cymru Mon Aug 7 23:28:58 2006

Mon Aug 7 14:15:47 2006 A Ni Moth in my garden trap in Newton this am (trap on 6/8) also an Oak Hook-tip on 2/08. 2 Clouded Yellows in Mumbles recently (4/08 and 6/08)
Tristan Bantock <263768@swan.ac.uk>
Mumbles, Mon Aug 7 13:23:33 2006

Ni Moth, Oak Hook-tip & Clouded Yellow

Rest Bay garden actinic: Nutmeg, Small Rivulet, Spectacle, Dagger sp., Crescent Dart, Turnip Moth. Steve Moon <moonsj@bridgend.gov.uk>
Mon Aug 7 12:16:35 2006

Crescent Dart & Nutmeg

Clouded yellows everywhere! Including dozens at Llanilid today
Paul Seligman <general@seligman.plus.com>
Sun Aug 6 21:57:09 2006

Cardiff Bay wetlands: Black-tailed Skimmer, Emperor, Common Darters and Common Blue Damselflies present today.
Steve Moon <moonsj@bridgend.gov.uk>
Sun Aug 6 19:43:23 2006

Rest Bay (Porthcawl)garden actinic trap produced 26 species including Marbled Green, Crescent Dart, Flounced Rustic (5), Rosy Minor, Lychnis (2), Rush Veneer and Diamond-back Moth.
Steve Moon <moonsj@bridgend.gov.uk>
Sun Aug 6 19:40:10 2006

Marbled Green

Thanks Mike et al for continuing to add your sightings. Hope to update and some more maps next week. x3 traps at Mewslade / Pilton last night produced follwing highlights: Ypsolopha vittella 1 (first in county since 1931), Eudonia lineola 9, Grass Eggar 3, Mullein Wave 1, Gem 1, Chalk Carpet 1, Black Arches 1, Hoary Footman 1, Four-spotted Footman 2, Square-spot Dart 1, Hedge Rustic 1, Southern Wainscot 1, Straw Underwing 1, Twin-spotted Wainscot 3 & Scarce Bordered Straw 4.
Barry & Sandra Stewart
Sun Aug 6 14:50:53 2006

Ypsolopha vitella, Square Spot Dart, Grass Eggars & Chalk Carpet

Coed Ruperra Farm (near the reserve) Clouded Yellow 3 Painted Lady 6 Red Admiral 3 I have several Hummingbird Hawkmoth sitings for this year I will submit later.
Mike Pointon <wryneck100@btinternet.com>
Sat Aug 5 21:05:17 2006

John Martin advised me this afternnon that he had found Small Red-eyed Damselflies at 3 coastal sites along the Severn Estuary this afternoon along with a Lesser Emperor. These are furthest west records I have heard of for SRED's, not long to wait until they 'hop' over the Bristol Channel/Severn Estuary to us.
Mike Powell
Sat Aug 5 18:58:29 2006

Clouded Yellow at Caspian Point, Cardiff Bay, Thursday... will add to my records
Paul Seligman <general@seligman.plus.com>
Cardiff, Wales Sat Aug 5 15:40:38 2006

Bedford Park/Cefn Cribwr: a Hedge Rustic was the star of a catch on 3rd August.
Steve Moon <moonsj@bridgend.gov.uk>
Fri Aug 4 18:03:44 2006

Clouded Yellow in Nantgarw (ST 123854) this afternoon.
Alan Rosney
Fri Aug 4 16:03:44 2006

6 Red Admirals (See new map) in our garden in Gorseinon is the most we have ever seen. Seem to show a strong preference for Buddleja 'Black Knight'. The white fowered form is next in line and the globosa x davidii does get a sniff!
Barry & Sandra Stewart
Fri Aug 4 14:10:30 2006

A male Gem was a nice surprise in my garden light trap this morning. George Tordoff <tordoffgm@cf.ac.uk>
Pontcanna, Cardiff Fri Aug 4 10:21:40 2006

The Gem

Click on the hyperlinks for the latest updated distribution maps showing the distribution of Clouded Yellows and Hummingbird Hawk-moths reported so far during 2006. To help us update maps of these and other species please continue to post your sightings here or send them to the relevant recorder. Many thanks.
Barry Stewart <moonmoths@ntlworld.com>
Fri Aug 4 8:58:32 2006

3 Hummingbird Hawkmoths on buddleia in the walled gardens at Dunraven this evening. Also a Clouded Yellow there and at 2 other locations earlier today, including my back garden.
Paul Roberts
Thu Aug 3 23:13:34 2006

Bargoed:I disturbed a plume moth from cotoneaster in the garden this morning - Amblyptilia acanthadactyla, lovely subtle camouflaged markings that merged so well into it's surroundings. The micro moths are starting to fascinate!!
Bill Jones
Wed Aug 2 21:09:03 2006

At Llanishen, Cardiff: A Ni Moth at MVL. The 12th vc41 record for this species and the first since Sept. 2003. On a personal note its the 6th time I have seen this species in Glamorgan. Thanks to Stefan G.
DRWG
Wed Aug 2 13:34:54 2006

Ni Moth

The value of taking a Heath trap on holiday was shown by some catches I made in Lincolnshire last week. Species at East Barkwith near Market Rasen included Dusky Sallow, Catoptria falsella, Beautiful Hook-tip, Pine Hawk-moth, Rivulet and Dark Spinach.
SJM <moonsj@bridgend.gov.uk>
Wed Aug 2 11:00:48 2006

Pine Hawk-moth & Dark Spinach

A small catch last night in my garden 22W Actinic, but it did contain a few good ones: Oak Hook-tip (possibly first recent record ST17), Yponomeuta plumbella (new for Cardiff?) and a Canary-shouldered Thorn.
George Tordoff <tordoffgm@cf.ac.uk>
Pontcanna, Cardiff Wed Aug 2 8:17:30 2006

Oak Hook-tip & Yponomeuta plumbella