Norfolk moths: Rockland St. Peter garden, 8 March 2014

After a warm day, and despite cloudless skies, the night was slightly milder than the preceeding few: down to 4.5°C at 06h00. The light to moderate southerly breeze kept up all night and there was a half moon. It seemed the ideal night to put out the first trap of the year. By 19h00, Orthosia moths were buzzing around the trap. All the moths captured by morning were spring species and therefore new for the trap. All of them, except for the March Moth, are attracted to feed on Sallow blossoms, plenty of which are available on the rather large tree at the bottom of the garden. 

♂ March Moth Alsophila aescularia     

♂ Dotted Border Agriopis marginaria

Common Quaker Orthosia cerasi

Common Quaker Orthosia cerasi & Small Quaker O. cruda     

Clouded Drab Orthosia incerta

Hebrew Character Orthosia gothica    

Early Grey Xylocampa areola

Macro-moths (23 moths of 7 spp.):-

Alsophila aescularia	March Moth	2
Agriopis marginaria	Dotted Border	1
Orthosia cruda	Small Quaker	1
Orthosia cerasi	Common Quaker	11
Orthosia incerta	Clouded Drab	4
Orthosia gothica	Hebrew Character	3
Xylocampa areola	Early Grey	1

Micro-moths (2 moths of 2 spp.):-

Amblyptilia acanthadactyla	Beautiful Plume	1
Emmelina monodactyla	Common Plume	1