Scarce Marsh Pearl

 

Scarce Marsh Pearl - and true to its name, this moth actually is scarce with only five reports ever in West Sussex and not even mentioned in my Moths or Micro Moths of Great Britain and Ireland, Field Guides. It is probably a migrant species and I do live on the South Coast but  then who knows, it may just be in the process of establishing itself here.

I initially took it to be an Anania or Udea sp. and did not take much notice of it. Fortunately I did take a picture and when I looked at it later the leading edge of the wings looked to be too straight for those species. After some searching I messaged Sean Foote at UK Moth Identification who came back with the answer.

Scarce Marsh Pearl - Psammotis pulveralis

I also had four other moths new to the garden, Oblique Carpet, Buff Arches, Hollyhock Seed Moth and Fleabane Smudge.

Oblique Carpet - Orthonama vittata

Buff Arches - Habrosyne pyritoides

Hollyhock Seed Moth - Pexicopia malvella

Fleabane Smudge - Digitivalva pulicariae

My moth numbers, both of species and quantity are well down this year with the poor weather through July being the main cause. However there have still been a few good moths through the trap.

Early Thorn - Selenia dentaria

Lunar-spotted Pinion - Cosmia pyralina

Herald - Scoliopteryx libatrix

Nut-tree Tussock - Colocasia coryli

Scorched Carpet - Ligdia adustata

Tree-lichen Beauty - Cryphia algae

Diamond-back Marble - Eudemis profundana

Little Ermel - Swammerdamia pyrella

Marbled Piercer - Cydia splendana

Pine Marble - Piniphila bifasciana

Acer Sober - Anarsia innoxiella

Comfrey Ermel - Ethmia quadrillella

The variety in shape colour and patterns never ceases to amaze me but at least it is gradually becoming a bit easier to identify the different species.