The Race to 500
- Stephen Thompson
- 18 hours ago
- 4 min read
When I first started at the National Golf Centre at Woodhall Spa in 2023, there was an existing Moth species list from previous trapping at the club, totalling 235 species, but no moth trapping had occurred since the early 2000's. I was itching to get going, and by the end of 2023 I had added 76 species; by the end of 2024, a further 92; and by the end of 2025, another 45, for a total of 448.
At the beginning of 2026, I set myself a target of 500 species by the end of the year. I was fairly confident, but obviously the more moths you record, the harder it then becomes to find new ones. This is my tale of the Race to 500.
If you scroll the cursor over each photo, it should come up with the name of the Moth
Mobile: tap each photo to identify the species
March 16th, 18th & 21st - 3 new species:
I do not see Lead Coloured Drab very often; it is only the 2nd time I have ever seen one. Diurnea fagella (March Dagger Moth) in the other photo and Twenty Plume Moth (no photo) were the other 2.
Lead Coloured Drab Diurnea fagella
451
April 1st & 17th - 2 new species:
The Water Carpet was the only moth on the wall of our sheds in the morning on 1st April, and the Lime Hawk Moth was a much-welcome addition.
Water Carpet Lime Hawk Moth
Water Carpet & Lime Hawk Moth
453
May 15th & 26th - 7 new species:
Scalloped Hazel, Grass Wave, Grey Birch, and Cydia Cosmorphana were all new for me too; also Mottled Pug, Pale Shouldered Brocade, and the Argyresthia spinosella was identified by gendet. (looking at it under a microscope). All the moths were attracted to a 125w MV Robinson trap.
Scalloped Hazel Grass Wave Grey Birch Cydia cosmorphana Mottled Pug Pale Shouldered Brocade Argyresthia spinosella
460
June - 29 new species:
June 4th - Hummingbird Hawk Moth was seen briefly as it flew right in front of me as I stood in a wildflower area near the 15th tee on the Bracken
June 8th - Chimney Sweeper flew straight past me near the 10th green on the Bracken
June 9th - Striped Hawk Moth was unfortunately found by a strimmer in long grass on a bunker bank on the Hotchkin course
12th June - 6 species:
Anania perlucidalis, Fox Moth, Timothy Tortrix, Yellow Barred Longhorn, Small Mottled Willow, Phtheochroa inopiana and Grey Arches. The Fox Moth was found on the floor in the yard; the rest were from a 125 W MV Robinson trap.
Anania perlucidalis Fox Moth Yellow Barred Longhorn Small Mottled Willow Phtheochroa inopiana Grey Arches
13th June - 5 species:
Timothy Tortrix, Argyresthia retinella, Ingrailed Clay & Small Dotted Buff all to the Robinson Trap. There was also a Flame, but I didn't get a photo of that.
Timothy Tortrix Argyresthia retinella Ingrailed Clay Small Dotted Buff
17th June - 1 species:
This Hawthorn Moth (Scythropia crataegella) was found in the halfway hut on the Bracken course in the morning after gaining entry through an open window.
19th June - 8 species added:
Scarlet Tiger is a gorgeous moth and a very welcome addition to the golf club. (There were 3 of them). Also Barred Straw, Epagoge grotiana (new for me), Crambus perlella, Batrachedra pinicolella (Identified by Gendet), Epagoge grotiana (new for me) and Psyche casta (new for me)
Scarlet Tiger Barred Straw Batrachedra pinicolella Psyche casta Epagoge grotiana Crambus perlella
20th June - 6 new species:
Sat 20th saw some moth trapping out on the Bracken course around the 16th green area and 2 ponds. It was the first time trapping on this part of the course. 2 traps were out.
Anania coronata, Achroia grisella, Minor Shoulder Knot, Syncopacma larseniella (identified by gendet) and Schoenbius gigantella. The Eyed Hawk appeared briefly among the reeds not far from the trap. (no photo)
Anania coronata Psyche casta Minor Shoulder Knot Syncopacma larseniella Schoenbius gigantella
489
July: 11 new species:
July 17th: 6 species:
Musotima nitidalis (Golden Brown Fern Moth) was a much sought-after moth for me and one I had been hoping to see for a while; it certainly brought a smile to my face when I saw it at the bottom of the trap. Accompanying it were Pyrausta purpuralis, Scrobipalpa ocellatella, European Corn Borer, Pediasa contaminella and Cochylis atricapitana.
July 24th - 1 new species: Tree Lichen Beauty, the only new moth of the day.
July 25th was Moth Night at the National Golf Centre at Woodhall Spa in conjunction with the Lincolnshire branch of Butterfly Conservation. I had 3 traps out, 1 125w MV, a 50w MV and a 20w Actinic, and fingers crossed, we would reach our target of 500. 12 people attended, and two even stayed till the end at 2 am! Everyone had a good time and went away happy after seeing a good variety of Moths.
The photos of the moth night above were taken by Ross Shepherd
July 25th - 4 new species:
Bucculatrix cristatella, Rosierstammia erxiebella, and Acrobasis consociella were all new to me, as well as to the golf club.
Bucculatrix cristatella Rosierstammia erxiebella Acrobasis consociella
Moth species number 500 - Argyresthia albistria
(Also a new species for me)
When I originally set the 500-species target, it was by the end of the year, not the end of July! I had done it 5 months ahead of schedule. It has been a truly magnificent year for Moths at the National Golf Centre at Woodhall Spa. The Countdown to 600 has begun:
August 14th/15th - 5 new species:
It might take a while to get to 600 species, but August started off well with the following: A Gem, which is a migrant from Southern Europe, and a Birch Mocha, both of which were new for me. Also Cochylis hybridella, Rosy Rustic and Mompha subbistragella.
Gem Birch Mocha Rosy Rustic Mompha subbistragella
Total now 505 species
There is another Moth night at the National Golf Centre in Woodhall Spa on Saturday 5th September, 7.45 pm - midnight. It is fully booked, and as long as the weather stays nice, it should be a good night. Updates will be posted on my Conservation Buddha Facebook page.
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