Oncocera semirubella

Oncocera semirubella

Taken in Aug 2012 on Lydden downs by James Hunter.

Metzneria neuropterella

Metzneria neuropterella

The last Kent records were in 1965. In 2011 the species was discovered by James Hunter on the downs near Shoreham and confirmed from photos by John Langmaid. It was also trapped on 3 occasions at the same site this year with up to 5 individuals being caught.

Plumed Prominent

Plumed Prominent - male

17 Nov 2011. Taken near Shoreham. The first west Kent record for 16 years was the reward for a concentrated trapping effort by James Hunter under the food plant Field Maple over a 3 week period.

Black-spotted Chestnut

Male Black-spotted Chestnut

A female of this species was caught on the 8th of November 2011 by Norman Winterman in Dartford and represented the first British record of this species, amazingly the following evening took an even more unexpected turn. Arrangements were made for the moth to be on view from mid-evening in nearby James Hunter's garden. A dozen enthusiasts were attempting to photograph the rather active female in the comfort of James's lit garden shed. Paul Chapman, who was already happy with his views, was standing outside in the garden, next to James's actinic trap. Suddenly a small noctuid moth arrived on a nearby doll's house and Paul instinctively enticed it onto his finger. Almost immediately, shouts of "quick, get a pot!" pierced the night air and the moth was soon safely secured. Everybody was staggered to see that it was another Black-spotted Chestnut, this one a male and in even better condition than the first!

Thanks again to James for the photo, and the text from Birdguides.

Evergestis extimalis

Evergestis extimalis - a local resident in the south-east and occasional migrant elsewhere. Taken by James Hunter in Dartford during August 2011.

Horse Chestnut Leaf-miner

Horse Chestnut Leaf-miner - can be abundant in some areas and another recent addition to the British list.

Argyresthia trifasciata

This titchy micro was trapped by James Hunter in Dartford, May 2012

From UKMoths: This tiny but quite distinctive moth was not discovered in Britain until 1982, when one was caught in London. More recently the species has become widely associated with gardens, and are now regularly found in good numbers around conifers, especially juniper (Juniperus) and Leyland cypress (Cupressocyparis leylandii).

Lace Border

Lace Border. August 2011. A declining chalkland species trapped on the downs in West Kent.


Many thanks to James Hunter for the photo.

Death's-head Hawk Moth

A blast from the past:

Taken by James Hunter in September 2003 at Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory