Flying Tonight Mid May (Week 20)

The following is a list of the 80 moths most commonly reported between 2011 and 2017 in week 20, mid May, with the most common first.  A list of other species recorded in smaller numbers is included at the end. This data is taken from the county moth recorders database and has not been fully verified. For more information about each species please visit UK Moths website.

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Common name Taxon RES B&S Total number 2011 – 17 Distribution map & phenology, click to see larger images
Shuttle-shaped Dart Agrotis puta 73.325 2092 1638
Treble Lines Charanyca trigrammica 73.101 2380 1262
Tawny Shears Hadena perplexa 73.286 2167 1130
Flame Shoulder Ochropleura plecta 73.329 2102 954
Light Feathered Rustic Agrotis cinerea 73.316 2084 894
Heart & Dart Agrotis exclamationis 73.317 2089 867
Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis luteolata 70.226 1906 697
Common Quaker Orthosia cerasi 73.244 2187 598
Angle Shades Phlogophora meticulosa 73.113 2306 535
Muslin Moth Diaphora mendica 72.022 2063 408
Hebrew Character Orthosia gothica 73.249 2190 375
Common Swift Korscheltellus lupulina 3.002 17 365
Pale Mottled Willow Caradrina clavipalpis 73.095 2389 328
Pale Tussock Calliteara pudibunda 72.015 2028 326
Rustic Shoulder-knot Apamea sordens 73.158 2334 308
Double-striped Pug Gymnoscelis rufifasciata 70.141 1862 304
Vine’s Rustic Hoplodrina ambigua 73.099 2384 284
Common Pug Eupithecia vulgata 70.183 1834 283
White Ermine Spilosoma lubricipeda 72.02 2060 280
Least Black Arches Nola confusalis 74.004 2078 277
Green Carpet Colostygia pectinataria 70.1 1776 272
Brindled Pug Eupithecia abbreviata 70.156 1852 271
Cinnabar Tyria jacobaeae 72.031 2069 260
Setaceous Hebrew Character Xestia c-nigrum 73.359 2126 237
Bright-line Brown-eye Lacanobia oleracea 73.267 2160 217
Common Marbled Carpet Dysstroma truncata 70.097 1764 216
Marbled Minor agg. Oligia strigilis agg. 73.1731 2337x 212
Silver Y Autographa gamma 73.015 2441 211
Waved Umber Menophra abruptaria 70.257 1936 205
Red Twin-spot Carpet Xanthorhoe spadicearia 70.051 1724 192
Yellow Belle Aspitates ochrearia 70.294 1968 187
Early Grey Xylocampa areola 73.069 2243 164
Brown Silver-line Petrophora chlorosata 70.222 1902 161
Clouded Drab Orthosia incerta 73.242 2188 161
Swallow Prominent Pheosia tremula 71.017 2007 160
Light Brocade Lacanobia w-latinum 73.263 2157 157
Pebble Prominent Notodonta ziczac 71.013 2003 157
Garden Carpet Xanthorhoe fluctuata 70.049 1728 135
Lime-speck Pug Eupithecia centaureata 70.173 1825 131
Orange Footman Eilema sororcula 72.049 2043 130
Yellow-barred Brindle Acasis viretata 70.2 1883 130
Turnip Moth Agrotis segetum 73.319 2087 128
Mottled Pug Eupithecia exiguata 70.184 1819 102
Light Emerald Campaea margaritaria 70.283 1961 99
Maiden’s Blush Cyclophora punctaria 70.036 1680 98
Oak-tree Pug Eupithecia dodoneata 70.157 1853 97
Poplar Hawk-moth Laothoe populi 69.003 1981 95
Chocolate-tip Clostera curtula 71.027 2019 93
Chinese Character Cilix glaucata 65.007 1651 92
Clouded Border Lomaspilis marginata 70.207 1887 88
Knot Grass Acronicta rumicis 73.045 2289 86
Willow Beauty Peribatodes rhomboidaria 70.258 1937 84
Nut-tree Tussock Colocasia coryli 73.032 2425 82
White-point Mythimna albipuncta 73.297 2194 78
Buff Ermine Spilosoma lutea 72.019 2061 76
Spectacle Abrostola tripartita 73.001 2450 75
Pale Prominent Pterostoma palpina 71.02 2011 75
Speckled Yellow Pseudopanthera macularia 70.229 1909 74
Buff-tip Phalera bucephala 71.025 1994 74
Dark Sword-grass Agrotis ipsilon 73.327 2091 70
Dew Moth Setina irrorella 72.05 2036 69
Shears Hada plebeja 73.273 2147 67
Grey Pine Carpet Thera obeliscata 70.081 1768 66
Blood-vein Timandra comae 70.029 1682 65
Broad-barred White Hecatera bicolorata 73.279 2164 64
Spruce Carpet Thera britannica 70.079 1769 63
Lunar Marbled Brown Drymonia ruficornis 71.011 2015 63
Great Prominent Peridea anceps 71.016 2005 62
Common Carpet Epirrhoe alternata 70.061 1738 61
Peppered Moth Biston betularia 70.252 1931 61
Scalloped Hazel Odontopera bidentata 70.24 1920 59
Seraphim Lobophora halterata 70.198 1879 59
Silver-ground Carpet Xanthorhoe montanata 70.054 1727 57
Lesser Swallow Prominent Pheosia gnoma 71.018 2006 55
Small Elephant Hawk-moth Deilephila porcellus 69.017 1992 55
Cabbage Moth Mamestra brassicae 73.274 2154 54
Poplar Grey Subacronicta megacephala 73.046 2278 54
Small Square-spot Diarsia rubi 73.334 2123 53
Fox Moth Macrothylacia rubi 66.008 1638 50
White-spotted Pug Eupithecia tripunctaria 70.16 1835 49

Other species recorded in this week in smaller numbers (unverified data):

Common name Taxon RES B&S Total number 2011 – 17
Pebble Hook-tip Drepana falcataria 65.005 1648 47
Puss Moth Cerura vinula 71.003 1995 47
Common Wainscot Mythimna pallens 73.291 2199 46
Sharp-angled Peacock Macaria alternata 70.212 1890 46
V-Pug Chloroclystis v-ata 70.142 1858 43
Foxglove Pug Eupithecia pulchellata 70.151 1817 42
Grass Rivulet Perizoma albulata 70.137 1807 42
Common Wave Cabera exanthemata 70.278 1956 40
Pale Oak Beauty Hypomecis punctinalis 70.268 1944 38
Cream-spot Tiger Arctia villica 72.027 2058 38
Oak Hook-tip Watsonalla binaria 65.002 1646 37
Iron Prominent Notodonta dromedarius 71.012 2000 36
Satin Wave Idaea subsericeata 70.009 1709 36
Coxcomb Prominent Ptilodon capucina 71.021 2008 35
Toadflax Brocade Calophasia lunula 73.059 2223 34
Common White Wave Cabera pusaria 70.277 1955 32
Red-green Carpet Chloroclysta siterata 70.095 1760 31
Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba 73.342 2107 30
Dark / Grey Dagger Acronicta tridens/psi 73.0381 2284x 30
May Highflyer Hydriomena impluviata 70.075 1778 29
Peacock Moth Macaria notata 70.211 1889 28
Mottled Rustic Caradrina morpheus 73.092 2387 27
Scorched Carpet Ligdia adustata 70.208 1888 26
Eyed Hawk-moth Smerinthus ocellata 69.002 1980 26
Powdered Quaker Orthosia gracilis 73.247 2186 26
Treble-bar Aplocera plagiata 70.192 1867 23
Streamer Anticlea derivata 70.067 1747 23
Fern Horisme tersata 70.127 1782 23
Rivulet Perizoma affinitata 70.132 1802 23
Small Dusty Wave Idaea seriata 70.008 1707 23
Scalloped Oak Crocallis elinguaria 70.241 1921 22
White Spot Hadena albimacula 73.284 2172 22
Tawny-barred Angle Macaria liturata 70.214 1893 22
Mother Shipton Euclidia mi 72.084 2462 22
Scalloped Hook-tip Falcaria lacertinaria 65.001 1645 21
Mullein Cucullia verbasci 73.058 2221 21
Small Phoenix Ecliptopera silaceata 70.094 1759 21
Herald Scoliopteryx libatrix 72.001 2469 19
Campion Sideridis rivularis 73.276 2166 18
Dark Spectacle Abrostola triplasia 73.002 2449 18
Burnet Companion Euclidia glyphica 72.083 2463 18
Square Spot Paradarisa consonaria 70.272 1949 17
Ochreous Pug Eupithecia indigata 70.171 1844 17
Nutmeg Anarta trifolii 73.255 2145 17
Common Heath Ematurga atomaria 70.275 1952 17
Large Nutmeg Apamea anceps 73.157 2333 17
Snout Hypena proboscidalis 72.003 2477 17
Lime Hawk-moth Mimas tiliae 69.001 1979 16
Figure of Eighty Tethea ocularis 65.01 1654 16
Small Waved Umber Horisme vitalbata 70.126 1781 16
Shoulder-striped Wainscot Leucania comma 73.301 2205 16
Lesser Treble-bar Aplocera efformata 70.193 1868 16
Flame Axylia putris 73.328 2098 16
Broken-barred Carpet Electrophaes corylata 70.086 1773 15
Clouded Silver Lomographa temerata 70.28 1958 15
Marbled Brown Drymonia dodonaea 71.01 2014 15
Small Quaker Orthosia cruda 73.245 2182 15
Sandy Carpet Perizoma flavofasciata 70.138 1808 14
Early Tooth-striped Trichopteryx carpinata 70.202 1881 14
Scorched Wing Plagodis dolabraria 70.224 1904 14
Pine Beauty Panolis flammea 73.241 2179 14
Cream Wave Scopula floslactata 70.027 1693 13
Latticed Heath Chiasmia clathrata 70.218 1894 13
Birch Mocha Cyclophora albipunctata 70.032 1677 13
Green Pug Pasiphila rectangulata 70.144 1860 13
Coronet Craniophora ligustri 73.047 2291 13
Splendid Brocade Lacanobia splendens 73.268 2160a 13
Sallow Kitten Furcula furcula 71.005 1997 13
Dwarf Pug Eupithecia tantillaria 70.162 1857 13
Brindled Beauty Lycia hirtaria 70.248 1927 12
Mullein Wave Scopula marginepunctata 70.023 1689 12
Common Rustic agg. Mesapamea secalis agg. 73.1691 2343x 12
Middle-barred Minor Oligia fasciuncula 73.176 2340 12
Small White Wave Asthena albulata 70.111 1875 12
Small Purple-barred Phytometra viridaria 72.067 2470 12
Grey Birch Aethalura punctulata 70.274 1951 11
Lychnis Hadena bicruris 73.281 2173 11
Poplar Kitten Furcula bifida 71.007 1998 11
Peach Blossom Thyatira batis 65.008 1652 11
Gold Spot Plusia festucae 73.022 2439 11
Grey Pug Eupithecia subfuscata 70.19 1837 10
Miller Acronicta leporina 73.04 2280 10
Satin Lutestring Tetheella fluctuosa 65.012 1656 10
Dark Arches Apamea monoglypha 73.162 2321 10
Heart & Club Agrotis clavis 73.32 2088 10
Pretty Chalk Carpet Melanthia procellata 70.128 1784 10
Cream-bordered Green Pea Earias clorana 74.011 2418 9
Alder Moth Acronicta alni 73.036 2281 9
Engrailed Ectropis bistortata 70.27 1947 9
Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet Xanthorhoe ferrugata 70.052 1725 9
Shaded Pug Eupithecia subumbrata 70.189 1840 8
Purple Thorn Selenia tetralunaria 70.239 1919 8
Common Fan-foot Pechipogo strigilata 72.056 2488 8
Buttoned Snout Hypena rostralis 72.004 2480 8
Oblique Striped Phibalapteryx virgata 70.039 1718 8
Ruby Tiger Phragmatobia fuliginosa 72.024 2064 8
Chamomile Shark Cucullia chamomillae 73.053 2214 8
Red Chestnut Cerastis rubricosa 73.336 2139 7
Grass Emerald Pseudoterpna pruinata 70.297 1665 7
Pale Pinion Lithophane socia 73.201 2236 7
Orange Swift Triodia sylvina 3.001 15 7
Oak Nycteoline Nycteola revayana 74.009 2423 7
Clouded-bordered Brindle Apamea crenata 73.156 2326 7
Yellow Horned Achlya flavicornis 65.016 1659 7
Bordered Straw Heliothis peltigera 73.074 2403 7
Purple Bar Cosmorhoe ocellata 70.087 1752 7
Lunar Thorn Selenia lunularia 70.238 1918 7
Dog’s Tooth Lacanobia suasa 73.266 2159 6
White-banded Carpet Spargania luctuata 70.073 1786 6
Yellow Shell Camptogramma bilineata 70.059 1742 6
Currant Pug Eupithecia assimilata 70.182 1832 6
Pinion-spotted Pug Eupithecia insigniata 70.174 1820 6
Broom-tip Chesias rufata 70.196 1865 6
Marbled White Spot Deltote pygarga 73.024 2410 5
Freyer’s Pug Eupithecia intricata 70.176 1827 5
Sycamore Acronicta aceris 73.039 2279 5
Barred Tooth-striped Trichopteryx polycommata 70.201 1880 5
Reed Dagger Simyra albovenosa 73.035 2290 5
Double Square-spot Xestia triangulum 73.361 2128 5
Straw Dot Rivula sericealis 72.002 2474 5
White-pinion Spotted Lomographa bimaculata 70.279 1957 5
Flame Carpet Xanthorhoe designata 70.053 1722 5
Ingrailed Clay Diarsia mendica 73.333 2120 5
L-album Wainscot Mythimna l-album 73.3 2202 5
Shark Cucullia umbratica 73.052 2216 5
Early Thorn Selenia dentaria 70.237 1917 5
Gem Nycterosea obstipata 70.047 1720 5
Pearly Underwing Peridroma saucia 73.307 2119 4
Bloxworth Snout Hypena obsitalis 72.006 2478 4
Toadflax Pug Eupithecia linariata 70.15 1816 4
Lead-coloured Pug Eupithecia plumbeolata 70.153 1814 4
Chestnut Conistra vaccinii 73.194 2258 4
Clay Triple-lines Cyclophora linearia 70.037 1681 4
Obscure Wainscot Leucania obsoleta 73.302 2204 4
Elephant Hawk-moth Deilephila elpenor 69.016 1991 4
Treble Brown Spot Idaea trigeminata 70.012 1711 4
Brown-line Bright-eye Mythimna conigera 73.29 2192 4
White Colon Sideridis turbida 73.275 2152 4
Mottled Beauty Alcis repandata 70.265 1941 4
Cypress Pug Eupithecia phoeniceata 70.159 1855 4
Dotted Chestnut Conistra rubiginea 73.197 2260 4
Frosted Green Polyploca ridens 65.015 1660 4
Poplar Lutestring Tethea or 65.011 1655 4
Small Clouded Brindle Apamea unanimis 73.159 2331 4
Scarce Chocolate-tip Clostera anachoreta 71.029 2018 4
Dun-bar Cosmia trapezina 73.216 2318 4
Scarce Prominent Odontosia carmelita 71.023 2010 3
Channel Islands Pug Eupithecia ultimaria 70.152 1855a 3
Barred Umber Plagodis pulveraria 70.223 1903 3
Large Red-belted Clearwing Synanthedon culiciformis 52.007 381 3
Mocha Cyclophora annularia 70.031 1676 3
Broom Moth Ceramica pisi 73.271 2163 3
Map-winged Swift Korscheltellus fusconebulosa 3.003 18 3
Pale-shouldered Brocade Lacanobia thalassina 73.264 2158 3
Hummingbird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum 69.01 1984 3
Maple Prominent Ptilodon cucullina 71.022 2009 3
Emperor Moth Saturnia pavonia 68.001 1643 3
Narrow-winged Pug Eupithecia nanata 70.168 1846 3
Green Silver-lines Pseudoips prasinana 74.008 2422 3
Flame Wainscot Senta flammea 73.305 2209 3
Barred Hook-tip Watsonalla cultraria 65.003 1647 3
Water Carpet Lampropteryx suffumata 70.103 1750 3
Lobster Moth Stauropus fagi 71.009 1999 3
Netted Pug Eupithecia venosata 70.155 1823 2
Lead-coloured Drab Orthosia populeti 73.246 2185 2
Privet Hawk-moth Sphinx ligustri 69.006 1976 2
Dwarf Cream Wave Idaea fuscovenosa 70.006 1705 2
Cypress Carpet Thera cupressata 70.083 1771a 2
Brown Rustic Rusina ferruginea 73.102 2302 2
Uncertain Hoplodrina octogenaria 73.096 2381 2
Small Fan-foot Herminia grisealis 72.055 2492 2
August Thorn Ennomos quercinaria 70.233 1912 2
Angle-barred Pug Eupithecia innotata 70.169 1848 2
Burnished Brass Diachrysia chrysitis 73.012 2434 2
Riband Wave Idaea aversata 70.016 1713 2
Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet Zygaena lonicerae 54.009 171 2
Delicate Mythimna vitellina 73.295 2195 2
Twin-spotted Quaker Anorthoa munda 73.25 2189 2
Small Yellow Underwing Panemeria tenebrata 73.048 2397 2
Portland Ribbon Wave Idaea degeneraria 70.017 1714 2
Common Footman Eilema lurideola 72.045 2050 2
Pine Hawk-moth Sphinx pinastri 69.007 1978 2
Clay Mythimna ferrago 73.298 2193 2
Sand Dart Agrotis ripae 73.323 2093 2
Mathew’s Wainscot Mythimna favicolor 73.292 2200 1
Lesser Cream Wave Scopula immutata 70.025 1692 1
Dusky Peacock Macaria signaria 70.213 1891 1
Common Emerald Hemithea aestivaria 70.305 1669 1
Pine Carpet Pennithera firmata 70.077 1767 1
Haworth’s Pug Eupithecia haworthiata 70.146 1813 1
Galium Carpet Epirrhoe galiata 70.063 1740 1
Small Angle Shades Euplexia lucipara 73.114 2305 1
Marbled Coronet Hadena confusa 73.283 2171 1
Rustic Hoplodrina blanda 73.097 2382 1
Small Rivulet Perizoma alchemillata 70.133 1803 1
July Highflyer Hydriomena furcata 70.074 1777 1
Bordered Sallow Pyrrhia umbra 73.07 2399 1
Dewick’s Plusia Macdunnoughia confusa 73.01 2436 1
Barred Red Hylaea fasciaria 70.284 1962 1
Spurge Hawk-moth Hyles euphorbiae 69.013 1986 1
Orange Moth Angerona prunaria 70.23 1924 1
Bird’s Wing Dypterygia scabriuscula 73.105 2301 1
Plain Golden Y Autographa jota 73.017 2443 1
Beautiful Carpet Mesoleuca albicillata 70.068 1748 1
Little Emerald Jodis lactearia 70.303 1674 1
Death’s-head Hawk-moth Acherontia atropos 69.005 1973 1
Four-spotted Tyta luctuosa 73.031 2465 1
Mottled Umber Erannis defoliaria 70.256 1935 1
Water Ermine Spilosoma urticae 72.021 2062 1
Pinion-streaked Snout Schrankia costaestrigalis 72.061 2484 1
Clouded Brindle Apamea epomidion 73.155 2327 1
Blossom Underwing Orthosia miniosa 73.243 2183 1
Alder Kitten Furcula bicuspis 71.006 1996 1
Satellite Eupsilia transversa 73.21 2256 1
Drab Looper Minoa murinata 70.117 1878 1
Small Engrailed Ectropis crepuscularia 70.271 1948 1
Dusky Brocade Apamea remissa 73.154 2330 1
Satin Beauty Deileptenia ribeata 70.264 1940 1
Autumn Green Carpet Chloroclysta miata 70.096 1761 1
Short-cloaked Moth Nola cucullatella 74.003 2077 1
Shaded Broad-bar Scotopteryx chenopodiata 70.045 1732 1
Small Mottled Willow Spodoptera exigua 73.087 2385 1
Balsam Carpet Xanthorhoe biriviata 70.05 1721 1
Grey Arches Polia nebulosa 73.261 2150 1

 

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