Cast or kettle?

In the English tradition of collective nouns, a group of hawks (yes, applied to birds but I've extrapolated) can be a kettle or a cast. It is safe to say I have certainly had a cast of Hawk-moths in the garden this year, with many nights with multiples of several species in the trap.

Just Peachy

What's not to love about this moth - Peach Blossom - quite a few turning up at the garden trap this week.

Ruddy, L

Another two from the garden in recent days: Ruddy Carpet and L-album Wainscot. Both are annual visitors to the garden but always great to see...


Ruddy Carpet (Catarhoe rubidata)


L-album Wainscot (Mythimna l-album)

How did it get its name???

Whilst many of the vernacular names in the moth world can leave one bemused as to their origins, this one certainly fits into the 'no-brainer' category...such a beauty.  I had two in the garden trap on 15th July, nominate form and f. corylaria.

To adorn with decorations...

... or in other words, Festoon.



 The diminutive moth that goes by this name has been turning up on the garden over recent nights, always a treat...if it wasn't for the scientist in me, I might use the word cute here, but I'd better not...

In the Buff

No need to avert your gaze, simply a quartet from the garden trap over the last few days with one thing in common, although the interpretation of Buff on each one tends to vary.



Buff Footman



Buff Arches


Buff Ermine


Buff-tip