Garden Moth Review 2012

This rather beautiful Moth was found in my garden moth trap on 28/05/12. This new species for the garden is Maiden's Blush Cyclophora punctaria and is quite localised in it's distribution. The larval foodplants are the Oaks and hence the habitat is Oak woodland, from open scrubby growth to densely standing mature oaks. Flight season consists of two generations, early May-early July and mid July-late September.
In total, I recorded 18 new species for the garden, giving me a garden life list of 202.The year by year breakdown starting in 2005 is as follows:
2005 Life list = 51
2006 Life list = 81   New species = 30
2007 Life list = 104 New species = 23
2008 Life list = 125 New species = 21
2009 Life list = 152 New species = 27
2010 Life list = 164 New species = 12
2011 Life list = 184 New species = 20
2012 Life list = 202 New species = 18

The total number of species seen in 2012 was 79 and the number of individuals was 233. The year by year breakdown is as follows:
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
2010 Species = 75  Individuals = 322
2011 Species = 78  Individuals = 288
2012 Species = 79  Individuals = 233

Since 2010, I have been trapping using a purpose built 125W Robinson moth trap. Previous to this I used a home made 125W Skinner trap. I usually try to trap at least once a month, but in 2012 I only managed 11 sessions due to the appalling weather. Year by year since having the Robinson type trap is as follows:
2010 Trapping sessions = 16
2011 Trapping sessions = 13
2012 Trapping sessions = 11

The most abundant moth seen in the garden is the Light Brown Apple Moth Epiphyas postvittana. This moth was probably accidentally introduced to Cornwall in the 1930's and is a native to Australia. The Top 10 Species is as follows:
1.  Light Brown Apple Moth = 142
2.  Heart and Dart = 113
3.  Small Quaker  = 88
4.  Large Yellow Underwing = 78
5.  Common Quaker = 76
6.  Shuttle-shaped Dart = 68
7.  Dark Arches = 62
8.  Lunar Underwing = 51
9.  Lesser Yellow Underwing =35
9.  Setaceous Hebrew Character = 35

One Moth not in the above list is Treble Lines.This was the 2nd most abundant species in 2012 with 17 individuals.

Leaving the garden for a moment, my life list now stands at 286.