Flaming June

With quite a lot of work on during the month, I've not had a chance to update on here throughout June, but have been able to keep up my own records - it's been a good month, with the total of individuals in the trap topping 200 on four occasions: the most prolific catch being on the 22nd, when 247 individuals of 70 species showed up.

Possibly the two most notable individuals of the month were both new to the garden: a Metalampra italica on the 21st, and a Toadflax Brocade on the 26th: both of them (the micro especially) quite recent additions to the British list, and expanding their range (and both recorded earlier than mine by Adam Hartley, who posts on this blog and is about a mile south of me). We've also had good catches of hawkmoths (Poplar by a long way the most common, but Elephant and Eyed also showing up quite often), and of course Heart and Dart, Uncertain and Celypha lacunana have been numerous. The pattern of species being rather earlier than in previous years (and in some cases, earlier than field guides would suggest) has continued, with for example our first Mother of Pearl (Pleuroptya ruralis) being found on the 27th, as opposed to 15th July last year.

Perhaps the most spectacular species of the month were our first Beautiful Golden Y on the 8th, and a Lilac Beauty on the 18th, though in some ways it's invidious to pick out a 'favourite'. Anyway - it's been pleasantly busy, and we hope for more from July: June leaves us with a total of 270 all told: 259 moths and eleven butterflies.

Metalampra italica, 21/6/14

Beautiful Golden Y, 8/6/14

Lilac Beauty, 18/6/14

Toadflax Brocade, 26/6/14