Country diary: my moth trap nets the usual suspects and a rare newcomer

Lower Benefield, Northamptonshire: The stubby little white specimen turns out to be my first concolorous moth

National Moth Night has inspired me to dust off my moth trap and indulge in a summer pageant of colourful insects. With some disappointment I clock the dropping temperatures and cleared sky with twinkling stars. Not a positive development. Clear, cold nights deter moths from taking to the wing. I consider hanging the trap back up, but decide a small haul of moths would be suitably charming.