| Ten common Nottinghamshire moths by month |
| May |
| May sees the number of species on
the wing rise yet again, but trap counts rarely reflect
this in terms of actual numbers and sometimes, trapping
sessions can be disappointing in terms of numbers for the
effort put in. It can seem strange that two hours trapping in March, can produce more moths than four hours trapping in May. Expect more species this month but fewer moths, as May marks a slightly quieter phase before picking up considerably next month. |
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| The first migrant
moths (Plutella xylostella and Silver Y) are
likely to occur this month and are just as likely to be
seen during the day as being trapped at night. Below are ten species most likely to be recorded at MV light in Nottinghamshire during the month, followed by a selection of other potential species regularly attracted to light and some day-flying moths. Remember that this is just a small selection of the most likely moths to be trapped in May. |
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49.028 .... B&F 0986 .... Syndemis musculana (Hübner, 1799)  |
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| Status .....Certainly a common moth around much of the county, but no doubt under-recorded. Frequent at sites such as Sherwood Forest, Eakring and the Idle Valley NR, but a moth that is probably common in many Nottinghamshire woodlands. Occurs in gardens. | ||
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| 69.001 .... B&F 1979 .... Lime Hawk-moth Mimas tiliae (Linnaeus,
1758) |
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| Status .....Common in Nottinghamshire, with most records occurring in a broad band running the length of the county, west of the River Trent. In suburban Nottingham, newly emerged moths can often be found on the trunks of roadside Lime trees. | ||
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| 70.054 .... B&F 1727 .... Silver-ground Carpet Xanthorhoe montanata ([Denis
& Schiffermüller], 1775) |
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| Status .....Often very common along woodland rides, hedgerows etc, where it can be seen flying from dusk onwards. Despite some good populations at many Nottinghamshire sites, this moth is not attracted to MV light in the numbers that may be expected. | ||
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| 70.061 .... B&F 1738 .... Common Carpet Epirrhoe alternata
(Müller, 1764) |
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| Status .....Widespread and very common throughout Nottinghamshire. | ||
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| 70.100 .... B&F 1776 .... Green Carpet Colostygia pectinataria (Knoch, 1781) |
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| Status .....A very common moth throughout Nottinghamshire. Regularly occurs in garden traps. | ||
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| 70.226 .... B&F 1906 .... Brimstone Opisthograptis luteolata (Linnaeus, 1758) |
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| Status .....Common and widespread throughout Nottinghamshire and recorded from all habitat types. | ||
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| 72.015 .... B&F 2028 .... Pale Tussock Calliteara pudibunda (Linnaeus,
1758) |
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| Status .....Common and widespread in Nottinghamshire woodlands. The attractive larva, is often found during the Autumn months when searching for a pupation site. | ||
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| 72.020 .... B&F 2060 .... White Ermine Spilosoma lubricipeda (Linnaeus,
1758) |
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| Status .....Common and widespread over most of Nottinghamshire. | ||
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| 73.113 .... B&F 2306 .... Angle Shades Phlogophora meticulosa (Linnaeus, 1758) |
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| Status .....Very common and a widespread moth in Nottinghamshire. | ||
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| 73.329 .... B&F 2102 .... Flame Shoulder Ochropleura plecta (Linnaeus, 1761) |
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| Status .....A common moth at many Nottinghamshire sites and frequently attracted to MV light traps operated in suburban areas. | ||
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| Can't find your moth? Some other moths often recorded at MV light during May |
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| The following moths are also likely to occur during the month, although some may be more habitat specific and less likely to be recorded from suburban gardens. |
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 63.064 Scoparia ambigualis |
 3.002 Common Swift |
 65.005 Pebble Hook-tip |
 65.008 Peach Blossom |
 69.003 Poplar Hawk-moth |
 69.016 Elephant Hawk-moth |
 70.029 Blood-vein |
 70.036 Maiden's Blush |
 70.132 Rivulet |
 70.141 Double-striped Pug |
 70.183 Common Pug |
 70.222 Brown Silver-line |
 70.240 Scalloped Hazel |
 70.257 Waved Umber |
 70.280 Clouded Silver |
 71.018 Lesser Swallow Prominent |
 71.025 Buff-tip |
 72.019 Buff Ermine |
 72.024 Ruby Tiger |
 72.049 Orange Footman |
 73.359 Setaceous Hebrew Character |
 74.004 Least Black Arches |
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| Common moths often recorded during the day |
| ..... |
| The following moths are often encountered during daylight hours during May, but some species such as Burnet Companion and Mother Shipton, fly only during the day and can be found in open, grassy sites. |
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 1.005 Micropterix calthella |
 7.006 Adela reaumurella |
 19.007 Glyphipterix simpliciella |
 28.019 Esperia sulphurella |
 38.038 Elachista rufocinerea |
 45.004 Platyptilia gonodactyla |
 48.001 Anthophila fabriciana |
 49.325 Cydia ulicetana |
 72.017 Vapourer |
 72.031 Cinnabar |
 72.083 Burnet Companion |
 72.084 Mother Shipton |
 73.015 Silver Y |
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