5th Ladybird species of the year and Grey Shoulder-knot

1st March was one of the better nights this year so far with 9 moths of 6 species.  Of those only Clouded Drab was new for the year.

Clouded Drab, North Elmham, 1st March

The new dissection group wesbite is now up and running and with it come a greater selection of images of moth genitalia than were available before.  With greater quality images of Agonopterix ciliella to compare to I now feel more confident about confiming Agonopterix heracliana, though I would still like to see an example of ciliella under the microscope.  As expected, tonight's Flat-bodies proved to be 3 Common Flat-bodies Agonopterix heracliana.

 Common Flat-bodies Agonopterix heracliana (males, gen det), North Elmham, 1st March

The other moths were March Moth, Dotted Border, Hebrew Character and 2 Chestnuts.

The following night there was just 1 Chestnut and then a run of nil returns followed, broken by a single Hebrew Character on 5th.

Not a moth, but another new ladybird for the year on 7th was this colourful 22-spot Ladybird.

22-spot Ladybird, North Elmham, 7th March

Finally on Tuesday the run of mothless nights ended with Common Quaker, Hebrew Character and Chestnut.  Wednesday night produced 2 March Moths and a Grey Shoulder-knot.  I don't see many of the latter, one or two a year usually.

Grey Shoulder-knot, North Elmham, 9th March

Also on 9th I found this midge in the house on one of the windows.  Thought it looked fairly distinctive and wondered if I could find enough information to identify it.  Turns out it's a bit of a window speciality - it was a Window Gnat Sylvicola fenestralis.

Window Gnat Syvicola fenestralis, North Elmham, 9th March

Next evening there was only one moth, but a nice one - Oak Beauty.

Oak Beauty, North Elmham, 10th March

Friday night produced 3 March Moths, Hebrew Characters and Chestnut.  Just 2 March Moths last night.