a couple more

See what you've started Barry? I've added in a couple more gardens, namely George (Llandaff North), Veronica (Cwm Ivy), Mark (Cwmbach) and Roger & Vicky Smith (Penylan Rothamsted Trap). The wacky jump in the Rothamsted trap was in 1989 & 1990 when they sent their micros to Ted Hancock, adding 200 species in just two years! Anyway, I should do some work now!

Lists over time...

Following Barry's post I did some quick stats on my own garden. I don't have 16 years of data but thought it would be interesting to see how the curve compared, and it is quite remarkable how closely they two correlate. I then thought I'd throw in a garden with a considerably longer series - Jakes.

Jake's list takes a few years to get going as it included the odd butterfly record a few years before he started regularly trapping. The diversity may be lower in the urban garden, but the trend looks pretty much the same to me. I'm more impressed that my garden is pretty much keeping pace with Barry's though, in spite of his proximity to Gower and the fact that I simply don't get migrants!

Holly Blue...on Ivy

Now is a good time to look for eggs and larvae of Holly Blue on Ivy flowers. I found two larvae (plus egg shells) and two unhatched eggs on Ivy growing on the back of our garden fence this evening.

The larvae are still small - the white eggs stand out better, and you can see feeding damage where the larvae have bored into flower buds. They seem to prefer flowers growing in semi-shaded positions.

They'll probably be more obvious in a couple of weeks when the larvae are bigger and the feeding damage more obvious.

Larva and egg case

Larva and egg case

Egg

Gorseinon

Phalonidia affinitana was new for the garden in an otherwise poor catch this morning. Our first Pearly Underwing of the year and 2 Udea ferrugalis were the only migrants.

16 years of trapping at Pencaecrwn

Since recording moths & butterflies at our home address in August 1996, 16 years on we have almost reached the 700 species mark. Our results show that the first 300 species were recorded in the first two years, with another 100 added in year three. As expected a gradual tailing off then took place, but what is perhaps a little surprising is that even after 16 years we still continue to add new species, with an average of 9 new species in each of the last five years. Only a few of these are recent colonists, the majority being established residents, presumably wanderers following favourable weather from nearby habitats. If the predicted trend is right we should hopefully reach the 700 milestone this time next year...

Coed Pant Llywdd, Ruthin

23/08: 35 species in the wood & 6 spp. at St. Mary's GC lights - a night out on the anniversary of Mons! Highlights were Black Arches (10) New SS97, Brown China-mark, Bordered Beauty, Rosy Footman, White-spotted Pug, Triple-spotted Clay, Yellow-barred Brindle & Centre-barred Sallow. MCP & DRWG

Abercregan last night.

                            Agriphila latistria

                          Neglected rustic.
                          Also Autumnal rustic, The chestnut, Copper underwing
                          and Muslin footman amongst the 22 species total.