THURLESTONE MOTHS

MAY 2026

There are occasions when statistics are just difficult to accept.

The numbers of of moths trapped in the last six years and the total of different species is remarkable for the month of May

 YEAR       NO. OF MOTHS RECORDED          NO. OF DIFFERENT SPECIES

 2026                    4415                                   240

 2025                    2104                                   186

 2024                    1911                                   161

 2023                    1206                                   139

 2022                    1097                                   122

Earlier this year there were some significant rain storms throughout the Canary Isles extending towards the Sahara Desert and Morocco.   This resulted in significant increase in vegetation and insects.

From the middle of May a prolonged period of southerly winds and increasing temperatures resulted in an influx of migrant moths from the Southern Europe and North Africa finding their way into Devon and Cornwall.

From 21st May 2026 I recorded in my garden in Thurlestone a total of 842 migrant moths of 245 different species.    This compares with the same period in 2025 of 18 migrant moths of 8 species.

This report is prepared to provide an insight into certainly the most interesting 10 days I have experienced in the recording of Moths.

Migrant species and total records for the period of 21st to 31st May 2026.

Starting with 2 new species not recorded in Thurlestone before.

MANY LINED -  a very surprising arrival on 24 May.   There are only 5 previous Devon records - the last was 13th June 2015 prior to that June 2007, June 2006, March 2005 and September 2000. Certainly has put Thurlestone on the UK moth map.

EASTERN BORDERED STRAW - There are only 2 previous records for Devon - 16th June 2022 and 5th January 1999.   Throughout the counties of Devon and Cornwall, at least 50 were recorded this year, thankfully 1 was in my trap on 30th May.

Scarce migrants which are usually recorded each year in Thurlestone but less than 10 in total.

SMALL MARBLED - No records before June 2025 with 10 between June and November.

In May 2026 6 recorded highest being 2 on 30th May.

EUCHROMIUS OCELLA - A small micro moth. - only previous Thurlestone records were in January and February 2024 when a total of 6 recorded.  This year singles on 4 days between 24th and 30th May.

NI MOTH - Only two previous site records and only 25 recorded in Devon since 2007, nice to find singles on15th and 28th May.

CROCIDOSEMA PLEBEJANA - A small micro. Moth usually in flight between late June and December only one  previous site record on 21st August 2025.   One recorded on 26th May was deemed a migrant.

STRIPED HAWK MOTH - A beautiful large moth mainly found in the Canary Isles - previously 4 recorded in 2025 and 2 in 2022.   This year a total of 9 with 4 on 30th May and 2 on 31st.

VASTAL - A Mediterranean moth usually recorded in Autumn.   This year 2 records on 23rd and 24th May - from photographs different moths.

BLAIRS MOCHA  - Another migrant usually found in Autumn.  One on 24th May was the second this year.

BORDERED STRAW - Another Mediterranean moth - recorded once last year in August, 1 found on 31st May.

GEM - A moth from Southern Europe usually recorded at least 3 times a year from June onwards - this year singles on 25th, 28th and 30th May.

DELICATE -  A migrant from France/Spain - 11 records in 2025  earliest on 10th June.   First for 2025 was on 31st May.

WHITE-POINT - Another migrant from France - singles recorded last year in June August and October.   First May record was on 26th.

The remaining migrants whilst recorded most years in Thurlestone the end of May was spectacular due to the very high numbers involved:

PORTLAND RIBBON WAVE - Until recently was only found on the Isle of Portland - now regularly recorded in Devon with migrants from France and Spain - This year 10 recorded in. May with 3 on 24th and 26th.

TURNIP - Recorded in every month from June to November.  Singles this year on 26th, 28th and 30th May.

L-ALBUM WAINSCOT - migrant from over the Channel last year only 1st May record this year a total of 11 from 22nd May with a maximum of 3 on 24th.

RADFORDS FLAME SHOULDER - Another migrant from France/Spain of the 74 Devon records last year, 55 were recorded in Thurlestone.  4 in May this year compared with only 1 in 2025.

RUSH VENEER - A regular visitor between April and October.   A total of 25 between 21st and 31st May is a good start for the year.

SILVER Y - Another regular visitor from May to November,   Between 21st and 31st May 57 recorded with a max of 14 on 27th.

SMALL MOTTLED WILLOW - An exceptional of 185 between the 21st and 31st May. - max of 36 on 24th - in 2025 the total for all Devon was 191.

RUSTY DOT PEARL - A common migrant throughout the year - between 21st and 31st May I recorded 190 with a max of 35 on 24th.

DIAMOND-BACK MOTH - One of the smallest moth only 7mm in length.   A very regular migrant from France/Spain - 379 recorded in Devon in 2025 -  In 10 days I recorded 316 with an incredible total of 175+ on 26th May - I gave up recording them at 23.00. So the final numbers would be much higher - a definite invasion this year.   The highest total at one sit in 2025 was 12!

A more remarkable few days in middle of July - again very mild nights and winds bringing moths in from Europe between 6th July and 13th July big influx with over 3,000 moths logged, a site record of 930 on 13th with 565 SILVER Y from the Continent.  Full report next time.