Ten common Nottinghamshire moths by month

Ten common Nottinghamshire moths by month

October

January	February	March	April	May	June
July	August	September	October	November	December


With the nights lengthening, the moth season continues to start to wind down from the heady evenings/nights of July and August. That said, it is still well worth running an MV light trap within the confines of any garden. October is a decent month for trapping migrant moths (depending on the weather) and there are still some species only just beginning their flight season. However, the number of both moths and species will continue to drop as the Autumn progresses.
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Below are the ten species most likely to be seen in Nottinghamshire during the month, followed by just some of the species which can also be expected.

49.039 .... B&F 0998 .... Light Brown Apple Moth Epiphyas postvittana (Walker, 1863)
Status .....Originally an Australian species, which was accidentally introduced into the UK in the 1930's. It is now an abundant moth, found throughout Nottinghamshire and especially from urban areas. The two-toned male is distinctive, but there is considerable variation in markings and size of individuals.
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63.069 .... B&F 1342 .... Eudonia angustea (Curtis, 1827)
Status .....Thought to be a largely coastal species and a known occasional migrant, Eudonia angustea has proved to be quite common in some urban or semi-rural areas of Nottinghamshire.
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70.095 .... B&F 1760 .... Red-green Carpet Chloroclysta siterata (Hufnagel, 1767)
Status .....Generally quite a common moth at many sites. Away from the Trent Valley, Red-green Carpet is much more numerous and readily attracted to MV light.
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70.097 .... B&F 1764 .... Common Marbled Carpet Dysstroma truncata (Hufnagel, 1767) ....... Formerly known as Chloroclysta truncata
Status .....An often very common moth, which often shows considerable variation in markings and colouration. Seems to be either totally absent or scarce, south-east of the River Trent.
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70.107 .... B&F 1795 .... November Moth Epirrita dilutata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
Status .....Very common and often abundant, being attracted to MV light in large numbers. Usually the commonest moth during October at many woodland sites. All the records we have, are all west of the River Trent.
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70.244 .... B&F 1923 .... Feathered Thorn Colotois pennaria (Linnaeus, 1761)
Status .....Common over the western side of Nottinghamshire, but there are few records from sites east of the River Trent, based on the information we have available to us.
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73.180 .... B&F 2272 .... Barred Sallow Tiliacea aurago ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) .... Formerly known as Xanthia aurago
Status .....Well recorded from several areas of north Nottinghamshire. Most of the Sallow moths (Xanthia, or formerly Xanthia species) are common in Nottinghamshire and with much the same range as each other. All seem to be commoner in woodlands north-east of Mansfield. Probably much more widespread in the county.
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73.189 .... B&F 2263 .... Red-line Quaker Agrochola lota (Clerck, 1759)
Status .....Presumably common across much of Nottinghamshire, where it seems to be largely confined to a thin line running south-west to north-east. Not a moth we have personally recorded with any regularity until the past couple of years, when it seems to have increased.
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73.206 .... B&F 2240 .... Blair's Shoulder-knot Lithophane leautieri (Boursin, 1957)
Status .....Common and widespread in Nottinghamshire (including urban areas) and a moth we had encountered very few times, until we started to run an MV light in our garden. There are currently just a handful of records for the Sherwood Forest area.
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73.359 .... B&F 2126 .... Setaceous Hebrew Character Xestia c-nigrum (Linnaeus, 1758)
Status .....Very common to MV light across most of Nottinghamshire.
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Can't find your moth? Some other moths often recorded at MV light during October

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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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15.010 Caloptilia stigmatella	17.010 Ypsolopha parenthesella	19.014 Acrolepia autumnitella	32.018 Agonopterix heracliana

41.002 Blastobasis adustella	49.070 Acleris rhombana	49.083 Acleris ferrugana	66.001 December Moth

70.049 Garden Carpet	70.081 Grey Pine Carpet	70.082 Juniper Carpet	72.003 Snout

73.065 Sprawler	73.068 Green-brindled Crescent	73.095 Pale Mottled Willow	73.113 Angle Shades

73.134 Large Wainscot	73.190 Yellow-line Quaker	73.193 Lunar Underwing	73.194 Chestnut

73.202 Grey Shoulder-knot	73.342 Large Yellow Underwing	73.345 Lesser Yellow Underwing	73.357 Square-spot Rustic