Garden Moth Review 2009

The picture above shows the Omphaloscelis lunosa or Lunar Underwing Moth. This species appeared in my top 10 most abundant garden species this year (more about that below).

My garden moth list continues to grow with the help of 27 new species in 2009. I started recording seriously in 2005 and the grand total now stands at 152. Here is a year by year tally:

2005 = 51.
2006 = 81. New species = 30.
2007 = 104. New species = 23.
2008 = 125. New species = 21.
2009 = 152. New species = 27.

This has been my most successful year yet with 79 different species recorded and a total moth count of 229 individuals. Here is a yearly breakdown of number of species recorded and the number of individuals:

2005 Species = 51. Individuals = 99.
2006 Species = 50. Individuals = 142.
2007 Species = 53. Individuals = 161.
2008 Species = 68. Individuals = 178.
2009 Species = 79. Individuals = 229.

The list below shows my top 10 most abundant species. Surprisingly, the Light Brown Apple Moth has been replaced at the top by the Heart and Dart. Last years number 2 and 3 were Dark Arches and Brimstone Moth respectively, but this year they are no where to be seen! The surprises this year are the already mentioned Heart and Dart which increased by 20 and Setaceous Hebrew Character which increased by 11. The only migrant species recorded was the ubiquitous Silver Y with a total of 4, and disappointedly there were again no Humming-bird Hawk-moths seen.

1. Agrotis exclamationis Heart and Dart = 28
2. Epiphyas postvittana Light Brown Apple Moth = 23
3. Xestia c-nigrum Setaceous Hebrew Character = 14
4. Orthosia cruda Small Quaker = 8
5. Omphaloscelis lunosa Lunar Underwing = 8
6. Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet = 7
7. Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart = 7
8. Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing = 6
9. Agriphila geniculea = 5
10. Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty = 5

Leaving the garden for a moment, my life list now stands at 202. Considering a total of 789 species have been seen in Berkshire this year (up to 13/12/09), then I have a long way to go.
http://upperthames-butterflies.org.uk/moth_sightings.html