Warnham LNR - Moth Trap

Pine Carpet

The moth trap last night was some what a soggy affair as for once the predicted weather actually reached us! Overnight there was a couple of thunderstorms and some heavy rain which probably slowed the moth traffic a bit. This didn't stop me from catching a great selection of moths including the Pine Carpet above which is a scarce moth at Warnham.

Calamotropha paludella

In total there were 250 moths in the trap of 72 species which is a respectable total at any site. Above is the Nationally Scarce B micro moth Calamotropha paludella. We are lucky at Warnham that it feeds on Bulrush which we are surrounded by. Last night alone we caught five of this species.

Least Carpet

Next up was a single Least Carpet, this is a locally distributed moth which inhabits the south-east corner of England only. It seldom turns up at the trap in more than singles so it is always pleasing to catch. At 2cm it is one of the smaller macro-moths.

Rosy Footman

The Rosy Footman is a common moth in southern Britain and we seem to catch good numbers of this species. They are a stunning moth with an incredible fiery orange base colour carefully marked with thin black lines. Rosy Footman has an interesting life-cycle as the larvae feed on Lichen instead of the usual plant matter.

The next two species are both new for the year at the reserve and hopefully with autumn approaching we will start to pick up a few migrant species. especially if we keep getting warm southerly airflow's like we have been experiencing in recent weeks. Fingers crossed!!!

Donacaula forficella

Epinotia brunnichana