About the Kent Moths Gallery

This blog is intended as a gallery of photos for all moths found in the county of Kent. Please send through your quality images (and links to your websites) of moth species caught yesterday or yesteryear in order that this can become a complete archive of Kent's moth fauna.

Many thanks,
Tony Morris (Admin) & Ross Newham (Admin) kentmothsgallery@gmail.com

Saturday 11 July 2015

Latin (Callopistria juventina)

This Latin was caught at Orlestone Forest by Ross Newham and John Clements on 10 July 2015. It was located just outside the trap, early in the evening and represents the second Kent record (first in 1962).

Further details via Ross Blog.

The Latin, 10/7/15, Orlestone Forest, Kent (c) Ross Newham
The Latin, 10/7/15, Orlestone Forest, Kent (c) Ross Newham
The Latin, 10/7/15, Orlestone Forest, Kent (c) Ross Newham

Friday 29 May 2015

Raspberry Clearwing (Pennisetia hylaeiformis)

A potentially under-recorded moth in Kent that could be the subject of further findings now that the pheromone lure is readily available.


Raspberry Clearwing, female reared ex-larva on wild Raspberry, Aylesham, East Kent, David Shenton
Rasberry Clearwing, larval root gall, wild Raspberry, Aylesham, East Kent, David Shenton



For more information on David Shenton's excellent Raspberry Clearwing images, see his East Kent Garden Moths blog.

Orange-tailed Clearwing (Synanthedon andrenaeformis)

Orange-tailed Clearwing has two main centres of distribution in Kent - one in the south-east area near Dover and one in the northdowns area either side of the Medway gap. Known distribution may well be widened with greater use of commercially-available pheromone lures.


Orange-tailed Clearwing, to VES lure, Aylesham, East Kent, David Shenton




Lead-coloured Pug (Eupithecia plumbeolata)

Lead-coloured Pug has a stronghold in Kent to the north-east of Canterbury in coppiced woodland containing Common Cow-wheat. Other scattered records mirror distribution of foodplant.


Lead-coloured Pug, 27/5/15, Blean Woods, Kent, Ross Newham
Lead-coloured Pug, 27/5/15, Blean Woods, Kent, Ross Newham
Lead-coloured Pug, 27/5/15, Blean Woods, Kent, Ross Newham
Lead-coloured Pug, 27/5/15, Blean Woods, Kent, Ross Newham

Monday 22 September 2014

White-line Snout (Schrankia taenialis)

This White-line Snout was caught in Orlestone Forest by the Bald Birder - one of several recent records.
White-line Snout, 19/9/14, Orlestone Forest, Kent, The Bald Birder
White-line Snout, 19/9/14, Orlestone Forest, Kent, The Bald Birder
White-line Snout, 19/9/14, Orlestone Forest, Kent, The Bald Birder

Monday 8 September 2014

Pale Eggar (Trichiura crataegi)

This fine female Pale Eggar was caught by the Bald Birder in Orlestone Forest - this being the last(?) stronghold for the species in Kent.


Pale Eggar, 4/9/14, Orlestone Forest, The Bald Birder

Thursday 31 July 2014

Dusky Hook-tip (Drepana curvatula)

I caught this scarce immigrant at St Margaret's at Cliffe, using a modified Skinner type trap using an 80W MV lamp on 30/7/2014.

Dusky Hook-tip (Drepana curvatula)

Wednesday 23 July 2014

Dark Crimson Underwing

This Dark Crimson Underwing (Catocala sponsa) was caught in a 80W MV trap on 20/7/2014 at St Margaret's at Cliffe. In  the UK it only occurs as a breeding species in the New Forest and is a rare migrant to Kent.

Dark Crimson Underwing

Dark Crimson Underwing, just showing the underwing.

 Teasing the wing open allows the characteristic "W" on the underwing to show.

 When it was released it perched awhile giving an unusual view of the underside.

Tuesday 1 July 2014

Aedia funesta - a first for Britain

 Aedia funesta (photo Nigel Jarman)

A surprise for Nigel Jarman on Sunday 13/6/2014 in his garden trap at Kingsdown. Nigel recognised that it was similar to The Alchymist (Catephia alchymista) and The Sorcerer (Aedia leucomelas) and by a careful search on the WEB discovered its identity. What a great find, a first for Britain!

Pigmy Footman (Eilema pygmaeola)

 The 'Pallifrons' form of Pigmy Footman - usually considered a Dungeness speciality.

'Pallifrons' Pigmy Footman 29/6/14, Hythe, Kent, Ian Roberts

Another Pigmy Footman, caught at St Margaret's at Cliffe on 22/7/2014.

Thursday 19 June 2014

Banded Pine (Carpet (Pungeleria capreolaria) - 2nd for Britain (1st for Kent)

This striking Banded Pine Carpet Pungeleria capreolaria was trapped by Barry Banson in his garden at Greatstone, Kent. This is the second British record following hard on the heels of the first in Sussex on May 18th.

Banded Pine Carpet, 9/6/14, Greatstone, Kent, Dave Walker

Waved Carpet (Hydrelia sylvata)

10+ of these dark forms (f. goodwini) were caught at the Badgells Woodland Campsite by the Bald Birder. This was quite a faded example, with most of them looking even better. There were none of the usual paler (nominate) form caught on the site.

Waved Carpet f. goodwini, 19/6/14, Badgells Woodland Campsite, Kent, The Bald Birder

Monday 16 June 2014

Purple Clay (Diarsia brunnea)



Purple Clay, 14/6/14, Badgells Wood Campsite, The Bald Birder

Brindled White-spot (Parectropis similaria)

Several of these Brindled White-spots were caught overnight at the Badgells Wood Campsite by the Bald Birder.


Brindled White-spot, 14/6/14, Badgells Wood Campsite, The Bald Birder

Beautiful Carpet (Mesoleuca albicillata)

This Beautiful Carpet was caught by the Bald Birder  on the North Downs in West Kent.

Beautiful Carpet, 14/6/14, Badgells Wood Campsite, Kent, The Bald Birder

Twin-spot Carpet (Perizoma didymata)

Several Twin-spot Carpets were caught at the Badgells Wood Campsite, this evening, by The Bald Birder

Twin-spot Carpet, Badgells Wood Campsite, 14/6/14, The Bald Birder


Wednesday 11 June 2014

Round-winged Muslin (Thumatha senex)



Round-winged Muslin, 11/6/14, Cliffe Marshes RSPB, The Bald Birder

Rosy Wave (Scopula emutaria)

This Rosy Wave was a surprise catch for the Bald Birder at Cliffe Marshes RSPB.

Rosy Wave, 11/6/14, Cliffe Marshes RSPB, The Bald Birder
Rosy Wave, 11/6/14, Cliffe Marshes RSPB, The Bald Birder


Wednesday 4 June 2014

Green Arches (Anaplectoides prasina)

Always a nice moth to find in the trap.

Green Arches, June 2014, Seabrook, Kent, Ade Jupp

Monday 2 June 2014

Light Brocade (Lacanobia w-latinum)

 A distinctive member of the genus, quite common in the south.

 Light Brocade (Lacanobia w-latinum)