Autumn Moths

Although we have now passed the equinox and nights are much colder, there are still a few species of moths emerging in some numbers. Somehow the set of moths that appear in autumn have a fairly modest feel to them. Few are really gaudy but they are subtly attractive.

Beaded Chestnut (Agrochola lychnidis)

Unlike the next species this has a brown hind wing, which is useful as they can look similar in some of the colour phases.

Lunar Underwing (Omphaloscelis lunosa)

A variable moth with a pale hind wing with "lunar" markings. At this time of year it can be very common.

Shuttle-shaped Dart (Agrotis puta)

The Shuttle-shaped Dart is not confined to autumn, but thew generation emerging now always seem to be particularly well marked.

Brindled Green (Dryobotodes eremita)

This was the first I'd caught since 2006 when I caught four, the only previous records here.

Feathered Ranunculus (Polymixis lichenea)

Mainly distributed in coastal areas. The feathered antennae of the male are just visible in this picture.

Red-green Carpet (Chloroclysta siterata)

This isn't a good moth for me, my level of colour-blindness normally means that anything that might be green, such as this and the Brindled Green above have to be checked with Pam for colour. Normally moths have distinctive patterns that are identifiable.

Black Rustic (Aporophyla nigra)

I have great difficulty in getting decent pictures of this moth. The camera does not want to record the deep-black that the eye sees, instead giving it a very washed out appearance. I underexposed this by 2 stops to get the black looking about right.