There was a small Geometrid in the trap that I didn't recognise when I got home from work at 02:30. I potted it for further study the following morning and it turned out to be a complete surprise - Oblique Carpet !
It frequents bogs, fens and marshes, the larvae feeding on bedstraws. There are two generations: months 5/6 and 7/8.
The recorders have agreed, in principle, with the ID, but will view the specimen for confirmation. The last county record was in 1973.
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| 1719* Oblique Carpet Orthonama vittata |
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| 1719* Oblique Carpet Orthonama vittata |
Previous records for Bedfordshire on the NBN Gateway are:
| Date | Site | GridRef | Recorder | Habitat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Bedford, Rosamond Rd |
TL04 | Champkin, W.J. | garden |
| 1965 | Stevington | SP991535 | Champkin, W.J. | water meadows |
| 1965 | Putnoe Wood | TL069526 | Champkin, W.J. | small mixed wood |
| 1972 | Whipsnade Zoo | TL01 | Arnold, V. | chalk downland |
| 1972/73 | Whipsnade Zoo | TL005175 | Martin, A. | chalk downs |
| 1973 | Bromham, Moor End |
TL05 | Arnold, V. | garden |
List for SP9326: 15/08/11
15 Orange Swift 4
1304 Agriphila straminella 3
1305 Agriphila tristella 6
1306 Agriphila inquinatella 1
1313 Catoptria pinella 2
1719* Oblique Carpet 1
1738 Common Carpet 2
1825 Lime-speck Pug 2
1906 Brimstone Moth 2
1937 Willow Beauty 4
2107 Large Yellow Underwing 1
2293 Marbled Beauty 1
2303 Straw Underwing 2
2321 Dark Arches 1
Total: 14 species
That's very impressive Andy! Another scalp for the Ratface.............
ReplyDeleteCheers Matt - an amazing record in the Bedfordshire context - the last CONFIRMED specimen was 1910 (the recorders will probably explain more). This moth has a reputation for NOT coming to light - but not everyone has a Ratface :~)
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