Cypress Pug and an NCR at Cultivate , Y Drenewydd/Newtown. 21/09/2024 In association with Butterfly Conservation.

As part of efforts to increase species records at Cultivate community garden in Newtown, I was invited by Stephanie Green, Branching Out Volunteer Leader of this cooperative organisation, to conduct a moth recording session and workshop. Primarily for members of the project and public, at their premises on the south side of Newtown, neighbouring Theatr Hafren.

Cultivate gardens. ngs.org.uk©

Established in 2012, the project was founded with the aim of supporting and promoting the local food economy and network. Volunteers help to maintain the very productive gardens.

Traps were set up around the gardens, according to the weather forecast, which was for ideal conditions other than scattered, heavy rain showers. Fortunately, it was possible to keep the two MV lights under cover.

Before the trapping had even started, I experienced a personal, new county record, in the form of a superb evening meal being laid on for a mothing event. It really was great, a delicious, vegan curry.  All compliments to the chefs!

Traps were switched on around 8.15pm and it was not long before the first moth, a Silver Y (of which many have been sighted throughout Montgomeryshire this year), appeared in a pot and then several more, some being caught feeding on the lavenders. A good steady flow of moths followed, including the odd looking Lilac and Privet leaf-miner Gracillaria syringella, and this time a true New County Record, Tachystola acroxantha, apparently an Australian species!

Gracillaria syringella. PMcG

Tachystola acroxantha. PMcG

And another sometimes immigrant, Pale Mottled Willow.

Pale Mottled Willow. PMcG

Fantastic enthusiasm and curiosity was present from the 14 strong group of all ages, throughout the evening as they collected moths from the traps and brought them back to the room we were based in, for help with identification. Attendees were soon however, confidently identifying the moths for themselves.

Dusky Thorn and Canary-shouldered Thorn delighted many while the striking shape of Angle Shades was much admired.

All members of the group had retired from the event by around midnight. As the last two left, I decided to do a quick round of the traps myself and came across a very much out of its range Cypress Pug in one of the synergetic traps, confirmed by Peter Williams as 5th county record. A moth normally confined to southern Wales and England.

Cypress Pug. PMcG.

This was accompanied by Small Dusty Wave and a stunning (as ever), Black Rustic.

Small Dusty Wave. PMcG.

Black Rustic. PMcG.

All traps were switched off by 2am.  21 species were recorded, four of those being micro's.

A very enjoyable and worthwhile event, hopefully to be repeated in Spring 2025.

Traps used:

1 x White Sheet 125wMV

1 x Skinner's 125wMV

3 x Skinner's 15w synergetic

Many thanks to Cultivate https://www.cultivate.uk.com/, Newtown for their hospitality and enabling the event.

Thanks to Butterfly Conservation https://butterfly-conservation.org/ for mothing event insurance cover.

Many thanks to Peter Williams, Vice County Moth Recorder for verifications.

Phil.