Azores Moths 2023

Despite trapping nearly every night while on Corvo there wasn't much to show for it. I could only transport the LED trap which generally works better in areas of high moth density. I've been bringing a trap to Corvo for several years now but still no sign of any American migrants. I suspect we would need MVs and generators as it appears that it will be quite a challenge. Despite there being multiple American Painted Ladies and Green Darners in the UK this autumn,  nothing in the way of Nearctic entomology has been reported from the Azores despite the record breaking american bird migrant autumn.  I didn't even catch one of the American species that have colonised the Azores- White Speck (American Wainscot) or Wedgling which were numerous in previous years that I tried the trap out.

I did see a Painted Lady sp when David and I were looking for the Wood Thrush but didn't see it well enough to conclude whether an American or European. 

Anyway, here's a few of the moths that either turned up in the trap or were flying during the day.  

Azores moths on Lepiforum HERE. 

Lepidoptera list on Azores Wildlife website HERE

Previous moth trapping on Azores HERE

Chevron Snout 

Maize Moth, Spoladea recurvalis 

Bloxworth Snout 

Rusty-dot Pearl I presume- there were lots of these but there is the Azores endemic Udea Azorensis out on the Azores too which if I understand correctly can only be identified on the pattern on the hind-wing 

Slender Burnished Brass- always nice to see and seemingly quite common on Corvo 

Mediterranean Brocade 

Cosmopolitan 

Hawkmoth sp found by David in the toilet block- presumably a Convolvulus which can be common on Corvo 

Small Angle Shades ? See comments. 

Setaceous Hebrew Character 

Bactra sp? If so the two species present on the Azores is lancealana and venosana. See comments. 

Lapastrier’s Piercer , Selania leplastriana 

Grass Webworm Herpetogramma licarsisalis 

Turnip Moth- the most numerous moth in the trap- up to five 

Gem