Dungeness Bird Observatory : Moths of Dungeness

Moth trapping at Dungeness has been carried out for many years, the techniques used changing over the years from "sugaring" to Tilley Lamps and now MV lights. Over the years 565 macros and 116 Pyralidae have been recorded on the shingle at Dungeness. Recent years have seen increased recording of micros and many species are being added to the area list.

There are a number of important breeding species including Pale Grass Eggar, Sussex Emerald, Scarce Chocolate-tip, White Spot and Toadflax Brocade and large populations of Light-feathered Rustic, Tawny Shears and Feathered Brindle. Some of the important "micro" species include Coleophora galbupinella, Ethmia bipunctella and Cynaeda dentalis.

Pale Grass Eggar Lasiocampa trifolii of the rare form var obsoleta

Sussex Emerald Thalera fimbrialis

Scarce Chocolate-tip Clostera anachoreta

Toadflax Brocade Calophasia lunula

Ethmia bipunctella

Cyneada dentalis

As well as the resident species Dungeness is well positioned to receive migrants and vagrants and these are often the targets of visiting mothers. The Gem, Vestal, Convolvulus Hawk-moth, Bordered and Scarce Bordered Straws and Delicates are all regular visitors along with the day-flying Hummingbird Hawk-moth.

Vestal Rhodometria sacraria

Hummingbird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum

Convolvulus Hawk-moth Agrius convolvuli

There is a very long list of extreme rarities including spectacular species like Crimson-speckled, Bedstraw, Silver-striped, Spurge and Death's Head Hawk-moths, Jersey Tiger, Passenger, Dewick's Plusia, Clifden Nonpariel and Beautiful Marbled.