The autumnal changing of the mothing guard

At this time of year, the moth trap starts to change character. As I mentioned a couple of days ago, we’ve had the local rise and fall of the Large Yellow Underwings. There has been an increase in frequency of one or two of the orangey-yellow-brown moths, such as the Frosted Orange and the Centre-barred Sallow alongside the cohorts that are here all summer, such as Flounced Rustic, Shuttle-shaped Dart, Setaceous Hebrew Character etc. Frosted Orange I’ve been mothing long enough to have a fairly good idea of what’s likely to be around at this time of year, although “likely” and “actually turns up in the trap” are two entirely different things. Moths, like buses, often have their own ideas. But, on the radar for the coming week will be the likes of September Thorn, the clue is in the name. It would be a lovely new one for me if it were to turn up. Lunar Underwings come in various forms It’d also be nice to see Orange Sallow, Barred Sallow, and even just plain-old Sallow. Others that…