2026 additions to Dalgety Bay moth list

 

22 species added to the Dalgety Bay list during 2026 (my records only. Others unknown)

ABH Scientific Vernacular Date

49.076 Acleris cristana Tufted Tortrix 24/02/2026

73.247 Orthosia gracilis Powdered Quaker 16/04/2026

12.036 Monopis laevigella Skin Moth 25/05/2026

70.190 Eupithecia subfuscata Grey Pug 28/05/2026

70.145 Pasiphila chloerata Sloe Pug 16/06/2026

49.367 Pammene fasciana Acorn Piercer 23/06/2026

73.154 Apamea remissa Dusky Brocade 23/06/2026

35.020 Anarsia spartiella Obscure Snout 23/06/2026

49.244 Epinotia subocellana Pale Willow Tortrix 25/06/2026

49.191 Endothenia nigricostana Hedge Marble 25/06/2026

49.234 Epinotia abbreviana Brown Elm Tortrix 29/06/2026

49.265 Eucosma cana Hoary Tortrix 29/06/2026

49.223 Rhopobota naevana Holly Tortrix 03/07/2026

49.248 Epinotia tenerana Nut Bud Moth 20/07/2026

45.008 Gillmeria pallidactyla Yarrow Plume 22/07/2026

49.110 Agapeta zoegana Bright Straw 22/07/2026

38.025 Elachista atricomella Cock's-foot Miner 22/07/2026

63.071 Eudonia lineola Coast Grey 25/07/2026

49.376 Pammene aurita Tawny Sycamore Piercer 27/07/2026

63.031 Udea ferrugalis Rusty Dot 18/08/2026

15.063 Phyllonorycter maestingella Beech Leaf-miner 24/08/2026

45.013 Stenoptilia bipunctidactyla Twin-spot Plume 08/09/2026

2026 additions to Dalgety Bay monthly lists

An analysis of species recorded at Dalgety Bay in 2026 that had not previously been recorded in that calendar month (records to 5 November 2026). This shows that the list is far from mature, especially during the peak months. To a degree there will be lack of coverage during typical school holiday periods.

January (0)

No additions.

February (1)

• Acleris cristana – Tufted Tortrix (24 Feb)

March (1)

• Amblyptilia acanthadactyla – Beautiful Plume (31 Mar)

April (2)

• Orthosia gracilis – Powdered Quaker (16 Apr)
• Coleophora discordella – Lotus Case-bearer (27 Apr)

May (13)

• Blastobasis lacticolella – Wakely's Dowd (22 May)
• Scrobipalpa costella – Bittersweet Moth (22 May)
• Pasiphila rectangulata – Green Pug (24 May)
• Bryotropha affinis – Dark Moss-moth (25 May)
• Monopis laevigella – Skin Moth (25 May)
• Scoparia ambigualis – Common Grey (25 May)
• Tinea trinotella – Triple-spotted Nest Moth (25 May)
• Plutella xylostella – Diamond-back Moth (26 May)
• Cameraria ohridella – Horse-Chestnut Leaf-miner (28 May)
• Cosmorhoe ocellata – Purple Bar (28 May)
• Eudonia lacustrata – Little Grey (28 May)
• Eupithecia subfuscata – Grey Pug (28 May)
• Oligia strigilis – Marbled Minor (28 May)

June (33)

• Petrophora chlorosata – Brown Silver-line (6 Jun)
• Caradrina morpheus – Mottled Rustic (6 Jun)
• Hadena confusa – Marbled Coronet (8 Jun)
• Agonopterix arenella – Brindled Buff (16 Jun)
• Platyptilia gonodactyla – Triangle Plume (16 Jun)
• Pasiphila chloerata – Sloe Pug (16 Jun)
• Monopis laevigella – Skin Moth (16 Jun)
• Eudonia mercurella – Small Grey (16 Jun)
• Eupithecia absinthiata – Wormwood Pug (21 Jun)
• Rhigognostis incarnatella – Northern Diamond-back (23 Jun)
• Pammene fasciana – Acorn Piercer (23 Jun)
• Geometra papilionaria – Large Emerald (23 Jun)
• Eupithecia centaureata – Lime-speck Pug (23 Jun)
• Scotopteryx chenopodiata – Shaded Broad-bar (23 Jun)
• Agonopterix nervosa – Dark-fringed Flat-body (23 Jun)
• Anarsia spartiella – Obscure Snout (23 Jun)
• Apamea remissa – Dusky Brocade (23 Jun)
• Borkhausenia fuscescens – Dingy Concealer (23 Jun)
• Catoptria pinella – Pearl Grass-moth (23 Jun)
• Eupithecia subfuscata – Grey Pug (24 Jun)
• Epinotia subocellana – Pale Willow Tortrix (25 Jun)
• Endothenia nigricostana – Hedge Marble (25 Jun)
• Rivula sericealis – Straw Dot (25 Jun)
• Lobesia littoralis – Shore Marble (28 Jun)
• Hoplodrina blanda – Rustic (28 Jun)
• Idaea dimidiata – Single-dotted Wave (29 Jun)
• Eucosma cana – Hoary Tortrix (29 Jun)
• Clepsis consimilana – Rufous Tortrix (29 Jun)
• Patania ruralis – Mother of Pearl (29 Jun)
• Epermenia chaerophyllella – Common Ridge-back (29 Jun)
• Epinotia abbreviana – Brown Elm Tortrix (29 Jun)
• Hydriomena furcata – July Highflyer (29 Jun)
• Lyonetia clerkella – Apple Leaf Miner (29 Jun)

July (19)

• Blastobasis vittata – Dotted Masoner (2 Jul)
• Rhopobota naevana – Holly Tortrix (3 Jul)
• Hedya nubiferana – Marbled Orchard Tortrix (3 Jul)
• Zygaena lonicerae – Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet (17 Jul)
• Cydia splendana – Marbled Piercer (19 Jul)
• Triodia sylvina – Orange Swift (19 Jul)
• Epinotia tenerana – Nut Bud Moth (20 Jul)
• Gillmeria pallidactyla – Yarrow Plume (22 Jul)
• Agapeta zoegana – Bright Straw (22 Jul)
• Epinotia abbreviana – Brown Elm Tortrix (22 Jul)
• Elachista atricomella – Cock's-foot Miner (22 Jul)
• Borkhausenia fuscescens – Dingy Concealer (22 Jul)
• Gillmeria ochrodactyla – Yellow-barred Plume (22 Jul)
• Eudonia lineola – Coast Grey (25 Jul)
• Epinotia ramella – Black-marked Tortrix (27 Jul)
• Hydraecia micacea – Rosy Rustic (27 Jul)
• Pammene aurita – Tawny Sycamore Piercer (27 Jul)
• Platyptilia gonodactyla – Triangle Plume (27 Jul)
• Thera britannica – Spruce Carpet (27 Jul)

August (6)

• Rhopobota naevana – Holly Tortrix (18 Aug)
• Udea ferrugalis – Rusty Dot (18 Aug)
• Carpatolechia fugitivella – Elm Grey (21 Aug)
• Phyllonorycter maestingella – Beech Leaf-miner (24 Aug)
• Acleris emargana – Notch Wing Tortix (27 Aug)
• Caloptilia stigmatella – Willow Stilt (28 Aug)

September (16)

• Caloptilia rufipennella – Rufous Stilt (3 Sep)
• Cosmia trapezina – Dun-bar (3 Sep)
• Noctua fimbriata – Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (3 Sep)
• Gymnoscelis rufifasciata – Double-striped Pug (5 Sep)
• Antitype chi – Grey Chi (6 Sep)
• Evergestis forficalis – Garden Pebble (6 Sep)
• Xanthorhoe designata – Flame Carpet (6 Sep)
• Atethmia centrago – Centre-barred Sallow (7 Sep)
• Eudonia angustea – Narrow-winged Grey (7 Sep)
• Catoptria falsella – Chequered Grass-moth (8 Sep)
• Stenoptilia bipunctidactyla – Twin-spot Plume (8 Sep)
• Camptogramma bilineata – Yellow Shell (13 Sep)
• Scrobipalpa costella – Bittersweet Moth (13 Sep)
• Endrosis sarcitrella – White-shouldered House-moth (19 Sep)
• Thera obeliscata – Grey Pine Carpet (20 Sep)
• Leptologia lota – Red-line Quaker (21 Sep)

October (3)

• Phyllonorycter rajella – Common Alder Leaf-miner (1 Oct)
• Xestia xanthographa – Square-spot Rustic (1 Oct)
• Erannis defoliaria – Mottled Umber (28 Oct)

November (2)

• Phlogophora meticulosa – Angle Shades (2 Nov)
• Griposia aprilina – Merveille du Jour (5 Nov)

December (0)

Stenoptilia bipunctidactyla (Twin-spot Plume) new to Dalgety Bay on 08/09/2026

 

The 23rd new moth species for the Bay this year - so far.

Udea ferrugalis new to Dalgety Bay

A new species to Dalgety Bay, pushing the moth additions for the year up to 20. With 207 species for the year the target is to beat the 230 previous highest species total. Other sites may not be getting so much attention but it's fun to double down on local patch mothing.

Rusty Dot, a migrant

Dalgety Bay Coast Grey and Box Moth

 An interesting night at the moth trap with the second Box Moth and the first (two) Eudonia lineola. Also a nice fresh Juniper Pug was new for the year. The Eudonia has scarce VC85 records, with previous ones being from Kincraig Point and Isle of May.

Endothenia nigricostana new to Dalgety Bay (and maybe VC85?)

 Stormy conditions last night let the moth trap surrounded by wet egg boxes, but inside was this 

Endothenia nigricostana

Times move on quickly sometimes in moth distribution but East of Scotland website has this in the micros distribution maps

It's definitely a good one, regardless

Pammene fasciana and Anarsia spartiella new to Dalgety Bay, 23/06/26

New additions to Dalgety Bay, both from Downing Point:

Pammene fasciana (Acorn Piercer)

Anarsia spartiella (Obscure Snout)

Both are moths with few records in Fife, so both welcome additions (and both new to me too)

Two new Dalgety Bay moths

So far this month Dalgety Bay has seen two new moths. Neither are particularly rare, but both welcome additions to the list. Capua vulgana (Common Twist) was recorded on 24/05/2026, with Monopis laevigella (Skin Moth) on 25/05/2026.

(note: later discovered that Capua vulgana was actually recorded, but not by me)

Updated pages

Started messing around with AI. New Dalgety Bay and Carlingnose pages available on tabs to the right.

Acleris cristana new to Dalgety Bay, 2nd VC85 record

 

24/02/2026

2020 season well underway

So the first proper spring moths are trickling onto the board already, with March Moh, Dotted Border and Common Quaker all putting in an appearance. Might even be time to get the battery-powered gear out of the loft

Cullaloe LNR 300th lep!

This beatiful streamer was the 300th lep recorded on the reserve. Still another 18 to go for the 300th moth though

Cullaloe LNR, moths 23/3/19

A small but decent collection in actinic overnight trap in willows. Most of them seemed to be on this one egg box for whatever reason!

March Moth 3
Hebrew Character 18
Clouded Drab 4
Twin-spotted Quaker 5
Mottled Grey 1
Common Quaker 1
Early Grey 1
Chestnut 4

Dalgety Bay, garden, 26/06/2018

Common White Wave
Dark Arches
Purple Clay
Mottled Beauty
Double Square Spot
Map-winged Swift
Snout
Foxglove Pug
Common Marbled Carpet

Pics:

Cullaloe LNR, 15/06/2018

List

Green Carpet	Colostygia pectinataria
Silver-ground Carpet	Xanthorhoe montanata
Common Carpet	Epirrhoe alternata
Brimstone Moth	Opisthograptis luteolata
Gold Swift	Phymatopus hecta
Map-winged Swift	Korscheltellus fusconebulosa
Brown Rustic	Rusina ferruginea
Sandy Carpet	Perizoma flavofasciata
Clouded-bordered Brindle	Apamea crenata
Small Clouded Brindle	Apamea unanimis
Riband Wave	Idaea aversata
Common White Wave	Cabera pusaria
Common Wave	Cabera exanthemata
Clouded Silver	Lomographa temerata
Clouded Border	Lomaspilis marginata
Small Square-spot	Diarsia rubi
Common Pug	Eupithecia vulgata
Beautiful Golden Y	Autographa pulchrina
Rivulet	Perizoma affinitata
Small Dotted Buff	Photedes minima
Small Magpie	Anania hortulata
Bordered White	Bupalus piniaria
Brown China-mark	Elophila nymphaeata
Double Dart	Graphiphora augur
Pale-shouldered Brocade	Lacanobia thalassina
Scalloped Hazel	Odontopera bidentata
Rustic Shoulder-knot	Apamea sordens
Beautiful China-mark	Nymphula nitidulata
Grey Pine Carpet	Thera obeliscata
Poplar Hawk-moth	Laothoe populi
Least Black Arches	Nola confusalis
Peach Blossom	Thyatira batis
Common Marbled Carpet	Dysstroma truncata
Peppered Moth	Biston betularia
Flame Carpet	Xanthorhoe designata
Pebble Hook-tip	Drepana falcataria
Light Emerald	Campaea margaritaria
Pebble Prominent	Notodonta ziczac
Phoenix	Eulithis prunata
Small Phoenix	Ecliptopera silaceata
Flame Shoulder	Ochropleura plecta
Burnished Brass	Diachrysia chrysitis
White Ermine	Spilosoma lubricipeda
July Belle	Scotopteryx luridata
Dusky Brocade	Apamea remissa
Middle-barred Minor	Oligia fasciuncula
Shoulder-striped Wainscot	Leucania comma
Marbled Minor agg.	Oligia strigilis agg.
Iron Prominent	Notodonta dromedarius
Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix	Pandemis cerasana
Birch Marble	Apotomis betuletana
	Stenoptilia pterodactyla
	Argyresthia pygmaeella
	Celypha lacunana
	Crambus pratella
Coleophora species	Coleophora sp.
Grey Pine Carpet	Thera obeliscata

Pics

Grey Pine Carpet

Peach Blossom

Pebble Hook Tip

Sallow Kitten

Sallow Kitten

Shoulder-striped Wainscot

Burnished Brass

Ermine and July Belle

Brown China Mark

Beautiful China Mark

Dalgety Bay 19/06/2018

Dalgety Bay 17/07/2018

Brimstone
Freyer's
Dark Arches
Double Square-spot
Bee Moth
Marbled Minor agg.
Light Emerald
Scalloped Hazel
Clay
Common Marbled Carpet
LYU

Pics:

Spectacle, DB, 30/5/18

Another poor night with chilly easterlies, though not as bad as recently

Brimstone (1)
Comac (1)
Spectacle (1)
Scalloped Hazel (1)
White-spotted Pug (1)
Double-striped Pug (1) (pretty worn)