Field
reports - Tony Prichard
Friday 11th May - Moth Night at Captains Wood
Cancelled due to poor weather.
Friday 18th May - Moth Night at Westleton Common
We have not been lucky with the weather in our visits to this heathland
site and expectations were not high on this rather windy site. We ran
four lights on the northern part of the heath in the sheltered areas we
could find. Fifty species were recorded in all and included Cream-spot
Tiger,
Cryptoblabes bistriga,
Great Prominent,
Pseudoswammerdamia combinella,
Orange Footman, Gold Spot, Dark
Spectacle, Marbled Brown and Sharp-angled Peacock
Friday 25th May - Moth Night at Cavenham Heath
This meeting also suffered from cooler night-time temperatures - not
too surprising for a Breck heathland site. Traps operated within the
shelter of the birch wood were most productive not surprisingly. In all
69 species were recorded, with Grey Carpet being the only Breck
speciality, although also of interest were Cream-spot Tiger, Fox Moth,
Lobesia reliquana, Four-dotted
Footman,
Orthotaenia undulana,
Orange Footman,
Ancylis upupana,
Great
Prominent and Alder Moth.
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Around the trap © Tony Prichard
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Friday 1st June - Moth Night at Wortham Ling
Another cool night when we visited this heathland site in the northern
part of the county, near the Norfolk border not far from Diss. This
site has been well recorded in the past but not regularly in recent
years. Along with the 75 moth species recorded at the traps were a
worrying number of queen hornets. It looked like we would be plagued by
hornets when we returned later in the year. A reasonable selection of
species were recorded with the more noteworthy including Marbled Brown,
True Lover's Knot, Ingrailed Clay, Small Elephant
Hawk-moth, Green Silver-lines, Fox Moth, Large Nutmeg, Scorched Wing,
Beautiful Golden Y, Clouded-bordered Brindle, White Colon, Small
Clouded Brindle and White-point. The latter species most probably
resident now in this part of Suffolk, as previously reported.
Friday 8th June - Moth Night at Maidscross Hill
Cancelled due to poor weather
Friday 15th June - Moth Night at Pashford Poors Fen
This is a small fen site in the north-west part of the county. The
group has visited the site several times in the past but it has been a
few years since our last visit so I thought it would be worth a return
visit. As dusk fell Grey Carpet and Ghost were noted flying in the long
grass. In the end only three members of the group turned up for the
evening and temperatures soon dropped with the fen becoming covered in
mist. The three lights we ran attracted in 73 species. The most notable
species recorded were the Blackneck, a localised species more common in
the coastal areas, and the rarer Dentated
Pug. Other species of interest recorded Agapeta zoegana, Four-dotted
Footman, Small Elephant Hawk-moth,
Epinotia
demarniana, Eyed Hawk-moth,
Phlyctaenia
perlucidalis and Green Silver-lines
Friday 22nd June - Moth Night at Redgrave Fen
Following the recording of a singleton Alder Kitten at this site last
year we returned again to see if we could find any further individuals
and get a better idea of the status of the species at the site. Despite
cool temperatures we managed to notch up nearly 120 species but no
further Alder Kittens. Species recorded were
largely what one would expect from a fenland site at this time of year
-
Nymphula stagnata,
Round-winged Muslin, Striped Wainscot, Dotted
Fan-foot, Scarce Silver-lines, Marbled Brown,
Epagoge grotiana,
Phtheochroa inopiana,
Phlyctaenia perlucidalis, Scorched
Wing,
Pediasia
contaminella, Archer's Dart,
Apotomis
capreana,
Schoenobius
gigantella, Lobster and Scorched
Wing. The moth of the night was the rare
Acleris lorquinana, a RDB species
that in Suffolk is currently only known from this site.
Friday 29th June - Moth Night at Darsham Marshes
At this site the heathy area near the car parking area (not part of the
SWT reserve as far as I know) seems to have deteriorated since our last
visit. Bracken seems to have covered most of the area along with clumps
of gorse. The same cannot be said for the marsh areas of the reserves
at the end of the track. The marsh/fen habitat seems to have developed
a richer flora based on my untrained eye. We ran traps in both types of
habitat to increase our chances of a good species list. With around 120
species at the end of the night we did reasonably well but might have
expected more in another year and with better weather. Species of
interest included Twin-spot Carpet, Large Twin-spot Carpet, Dotted
Fan-foot, Orange Moth,
Striped Wainscot,
Rhopobota naevana,
Anarsia spartiella,
Sharp-angled Peacock, Scallop
Shell, Cream-bordered Green Pea, Water Ermine,
Epiblema foenella,
Phtheochroa inopiana, July
Highflyer and
Nascia cilialis.
Friday 6th July - Moth Night at Thelnetham Fen
Since the group last visited the reserve the area near the road has
been completely opened up, with clearance of a large
amount of the sallow scrub that used to hide the fen from the road.
Another change was that we managed to find
a relatively dry patch on which to set up the sheet. Those that were at
the last meeting here will remember their chairs
slowly sinking into the fen. The recent wet weather meant that any
traps out on the fen would have needed bouyancy aids to stay afloat so
we were
restricted to running lights on the track running through the fen. Out
in the open
the temperature soon started dropping and we felt it. After a
relatively short period we were packing up the traps and warming up as
we travelled back home. Not surprisingly
the species list for the night was rather short with around fifty
species. The more interesting were Nut-tree Tussock, Striped Wainscot,
Dingy Shears, Dotted Fan-foot,
Black Arches, Sycamore and Privet Hawk-moth.
Friday 13th July - Moth Night at East Bergholt
This was a joint meeting with the Essex Moth Group at the 'Place for
Plants' nursery on the outskirts of East Bergholt. The Suffolk
contingent was rather small but it is always a good opportunity to meet
up with fellow mothers from Essex. Weather conditions were fair for
2007, which was not saying much. The site has extensive plantings of
rather exotic trees and there is always the hope that something odd
might turn up. As we wandered around the gardens, in the dusk light,
looking for sites to set up I noticed swarms of
Ectoedemia heringella flying around
and scurrying over the leaves of the Holm Oaks there.
Possibly the least expected record, of the total 105, was the single
Dioryctria schuetzeella that turned
up at our light. This still appears to be a rare moth in the county,
although in recent years there have been a few more records. Other
species of note included Shaded Fan-foot, Festoon and
Anania verbascalis. It was also
nice to see Large Emerald, Oak Nycteoline, Black Arches, Nut-tree
Tussock, Small Emerald,
Scarce Silver-lines,
Calamatropha
paludella, Olive and
Brachmia
blandella.
Thanks to Joe Firmin of the EMG for organising the event and to Rupert
Eley for
allowing the two groups to hold the meeting at his nursery.
Friday 20th July - Moth Night at Aldeburgh
Cancelled due to poor weather.
Friday 27th July - Moth Night at Hen Reed-beds
A repeat visit to this SWT reserve with a mix of old and new reed-beds.
Weather conditions were not ideal but were at least better than those
from last year. We were joined by Keith Talby and Peter Clark who ran a
number of traps in amongst the older reed-beds, while we ran traps in
the newer part of the reserve. The main objective of the night was to
look for White-mantled Wainscot. This was recorded at the site last
year by Tim Freed but not when we turned up on a cold night the
following weekend. Despite the improved conditions this year we failed
again to find any White-mantled Wainscot although a singleton Fenn's
Wainscot was a useful record for the site. In all a rather short
species list of around 70 species, an indication of how poor the
recording season really was. Species of note included Shaded Fan-foot,
Garden Tiger,
Adaina microdactyla,
Brown-veined Wainscot, Large Twin-spot Carpet, Dog's Tooth,
Twin-spotted Wainscot, Reed
Dagger, Oak Eggar, Antler, Crescent Striped, Water Ermine, Gold Spot,
Kent Black Arches, Starwort, Olive and Silky Wainscot.
Reports
from Recorders around the county
Records reported in
this section have not been checked by the Suffolk Moth Panel. Many
thanks go to the recorders who provide write-ups and records for this
section.
Moths at Ipswich Golf Course, March to July
2007 - Neil Sherman
March
Traps were operated on 4 nights during the 2 mild spells in the middle
of the month. This resulted in a species total of 23 (17 macros and 6
micros), a poorer total than last year when 25 were seen (19 macros and
6 micros).
Macros of possible interest seen included the following. Small Brindled
Beauty was noted on all nights, with a maximum of 18 caught on the 8th.
March Moth also reached a maximum on the same night with 26 trapped.
Oak Beauty peaked later, with 6 on the 11th the highest count, as did
Yellow Horned with 11 seen on the 15th. Dotted Border (3 records), Red
Chestnut (8th + 15th), Satellite (8th + 11th) and Brindled Pug (first
for year on the 25th) were also noted.
Micros were few and far between, which is normal for this time of year.
Diurnea fagella (maximum 4 on
the 25th),
Agonopterix alstromeriana
(2
records) and
Agonopterix scopariella
(15th) were the only ones of note.
The night of the 15th was exceptional for the number of moths seen. A
Robinson trap operated in the garden caught 393 moths of 15 species,
the best night ever so far for the time of year. There were the highest
ever numbers of Small Quaker (169), Common Quaker (156) and Pine Beauty
(10).
April
April 2007 will be remembered as being one of the driest and warmest on
record. Only 0.5mm of rain was noted here all month! Temperatures
during the daytime reached into the twenties, but some nights were
quite cold, due to clear skies. Other nights when cloud cover appeared
were much warmer, producing excellent conditions for moth trapping.
Traps (MV + 15w actinic) were operated on 11 nights, with a species
total of 89 recorded (31 micros, 58 macros). This, not surprisingly was
much better than the poor April in 2006 when only 40 species were noted
from a total of 5 trapping nights.
Macros seen included Frosted Green (19 on the 15th was the largest
count), March Moth (15th and 25th, late records), Maiden’s Blush (2
records), Water Carpet (2 records), Red-green Carpet (on the 23rd).
Pugs included Ochreous and Dwarf on the 23rd plus 2 records of
Oak-tree. Three Early Tooth-striped were noted on 2 dates. Early
Thorn (2 records) and Purple Thorn (22nd) were both nice to see again
in the spring after poor showings in recent years. Brindled Beauty was
recorded 7 times, a good count. The last Oak Beauties for the year (3)
were trapped on the 9th. Quite a few of the prominent species were
recorded, much better than last year when there were none! Iron,
Pebble, Lesser swallow, Swallow and Pale all appeared in good numbers,
but Great Prominent appeared in exceptional numbers, with a peak of 19
on the 25th. Also in good numbers was the Lunar Marbled Brown, with a
maximum of 17 seen on the 15th. Chocolate-tip (2 records), Orange
Footman (25th, first for year), Least Black Arches (2 records) and Grey
Shoulder-knot (8th) were also noted. Numbers of the
Orthosias declined
as the month progressed, as expected.
Due to the unseasonal mild weather, a lot of species appeared that are
not normally expected in April. Here is a list of species with the date
first seen, these all being the earliest recorded dates for these moths
here.
Figure of Eighty |
15th
|
Blood-vein |
22nd
|
Currant Pug |
23rd
|
Brimstone |
23rd
|
Peppered |
22nd
|
Barred Red |
23rd
|
Yellow Belle |
25th
|
Lime Hawk-moth |
25th (x2)
|
Pale Tussock |
15th
|
Grey Dagger |
22nd
|
Knot Grass
|
23rd
|
Silver Y
|
25th
|
Micros of note included 3 new species for the site,
with one on the 23rd -
Pammene
argyrana - and two on the 25th;
Semioscopis steinkellneriana
and
Chrysoesthia sexguttella.
Other micros
of note seen were:
Eriocrania
sparrmannella (25th),
Caloptilia
populetorum (13th),
Cedestis
subfasciella (2 on the 23rd) and
Agonopterix subpropinquella
(9th). Numbers of
Eriocrania
subpurpurella
were very low in the traps, although lots were seen flying during the
day.
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|
Chrysoesthia
sexguttella © Neil Sherman
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Mating Emperor Moths © Neil
Sherman |
A bred virgin female Emperor Moth (reared from a
caterpillar found at the golf course) was put out in the garden on the
afternoon of the 19th, soon attracting a male - it was interesting
watching him coming in, picking up the scent, getting close, then
losing it again but soon coming back. Pairing did take place after a
short while.
May
Moth traps were only operated once at the beginning
of May, as conditions were cool. That night (the 3rd) only produced 15
species. I was then away on holiday in Romania for 10 days, enjoying
the wildlife of the Carpathian Mountains and the Danube delta. I did
take a moth trap with me (a 15w actinic) and managed to catch some
moths in both areas.
Highlights in the Carpathians included Scarce Prominent, Silver Cloud
(both new to me) and Square Spot in the trap
while a number of Tau Emperors were seen flying around during the day,
with the best sighting of one being when a Wallcreeper caught it and
ate it!
In the delta species highlights included Reed Leopard (new to me),
Splendid Brocade, Reed Dagger, Flame Wainscot,
Obscure Wainscot, Silky Wainscot, Water Ermine (common), Bedstraw
Hawk-moth
and Grey Carpet (commonest species seen). A huge Mole Cricket and lots
of big Silver Water Beetles also came to the trap, both with loud thuds!
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Reed Leopard © Neil Sherman
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Scarce Prominent © Neil Sherman
|
What was interesting with the trapping in the
different areas was the effect of altitude - in the mountains the moths
seen there were species I would expect in early April in the UK while
in the delta the moths there I would expect to see in June.
Once back in the UK, trapping recommenced in earnest
as conditions in the middle of the month were excellent with some warm
humid nights. The best night was during this period, when 108 species
were caught in the garden trap on the 24th, with the most notable
species for the month appearing also - a Blair’s . This was only
the second Suffolk record and the first time I’ve seen the species in
the UK. It was also a nice fresh specimen (see photo).
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Blair's Mocha © Neil Sherman
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Other macros of possible interest seen included
Satin Wave (23rd, first for year), May Highflyer (24th also first for
year), Dwarf Pug (24th), Seraphim (2 records of 4 individuals),
Sharp-angled Peacock (present again after quite a few in 2006),
Brindled White-spot (23rd (3) + 24th (1)), Small Elephant Hawk-moth (2
records) and
Lobster (in garden trap 24th). Great Prominent continued to appear in
good numbers with 11 seen on 3 dates. Orange Footman averaged at 30 a
night during the warm spell, it continues to be a common species at the
site. Cream-bordered Green Pea (23rd) and Dark Spectacle (24th, third
site record) appeared once.
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Dark Spectacle © Neil Sherman
|
Micros began to build up in numbers with some
interesting records for the site during the warm spell. A singleton of
Platyedra subcinerea was
caught on the 23rd, a new site record. Also of
note were records of
Phylloporia
bistrigella (21st second for site),
Pammene albuginana (20th, 21st
and 24th - the second - fourth site
records),
Ectoedemia decentella
(2 records),
Argyresthia trifasciata
(17th),
Pseudargyrotoza conwagana
(24th) and
Orthotaenia undulana
(2
records).
Daytime observations included a Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth nectaring
on Lilac in the garden on the 1st, 2 records of Mother
Shipton and a singleton of the pretty micro
Alabonia geoffrella found
in a poly-tunnel on the site on the 24th.
The end week of the month was very wet and cool, so
no trapping was undertaken. The final total for the month was 173 (108
macros and 65 micros). This was much better than 2006 when only 93
species were recorded.
June
June 2007 turned out to be a little disappointing. It was quite wet and
cool, with few warm nights, a complete contrast to 2006 with its humid
conditions. Lights were operated on only 8 nights, due to the weather
and holidays, recording 262 species (120 micros and 142 macros). In
2006 18 trap nights produced a total of 304 species. The best
night was the 21st when 131 species were noted in 2 traps at the work
sheds.
Despite limited trapping, things of interest were still seen, including
new site records.
On the macro front of possible interest were the following. A Beautiful
Hook-tip was noted in the garden trap on the 28th, a first for the
site. Others of interest included Festoon (3 records, first for
year). 10 Blotched Emeralds were trapped, a good number after
dropping to low numbers a few years ago. Tawny Wave (28th), Barred
Yellow (20th, the 6th site record) and Lilac Beauty (18th) were noted
as singles. Brindled White-spot was seen 4 times, a very low number.
Only 4 were seen last month, in 2006 35 were noted. 2 Privet Hawk-moths
in
the garden trap were nice to see on the 20th, always seems to be scarce
here. 4 Small Elephant Hawk-moths were also trapped during the month.
Maple Prominent (21st), Marbled Brown (15 trapped on the 18th was a
good
number), White Ermine (the 8 on the 5th were the last seen), Southern
Wainscot (18th, in actinic trap), Suspected (first for year on 21st),
Miller (21st), Dingy Shears (20th), Rufous Minor (28th, confirmed by
dissection), Cream-bordered Green Pea (20th, in garden trap), Scarce
Silver-lines (2 on the 28th were the first for the year), Shaded
Fan-foot (18th, also first for 2007) and Dotted Fan-foot (21st).
L-album Wainscot was seen in the garden trap on the 17th, the 4th site
record.
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Beautiful Hook-tip © Neil Sherman
|
There were some very interesting micro records.
Sophronia semicostella
was trapped on the 21st a new site record. Also new was a
Vitula
biviella on the 17th in the garden trap, a species only new to
Britain
in 2007 and currently only found in Kent and Sussex. Other species of
possible interest were
Teleiodes
vulgella (20th),
Blastodacna
hellerella (17th),
Lozotaenia
forsterana (2 of this large tortrix
during the month),
Zeiraphera
ratzeburgiana (28th - second site
record),
Pammene albuginana
(6th record on the 7th following on from 4
last month),
Sitochroa verticalis
(3 records),
Oxyptilus distans
(17th,
5th site record) and
Amblyptilia
acanthadactyla (6 noted on 2 nights,
seems to be on the increase here). All the following were noted
on the 21st:
Lampronia corticella
(2),
Eidophasia messingiella,
Mompha
ochraceella (scarce here),
Aethes
beatricella,
Epinotia
demarniana (2),
Stophedra nitidana,
Scoparia basistrigalis and
Udea ferrugalis (first
for year).
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|
Sophronia
semicostella © Neil Sherman
|
Vitula
biviella © Neil Sherman
|
A few caterpillars were discovered during the month, including a
Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth on Honeysuckle (17th) and 25 Mullein
larvae on
Mullein plants in the garden (6th). Another daytime observation was a
single Currant Clearwing drawn to the ALS ‘Tip’ pheromone at another
site on the course after last year’s discovery of a breeding colony.
July
July 2007 did not live up to its expectations. Normally the best
month of the year for trapping, this year it was decidedly average.
Generally it was cool and very wet, although not as wet as other
unluckier parts of the UK. There were no real hot and humid days or
nights, unlike 2006 when the month was dominated by them. Lights were
operated on 15 nights, mainly in the garden or around the work shed
area - only on 2 nights were traps tried in different areas of the
site, again due to the poor conditions. The best night was on one of
those nights, on the 14th a reed-bed area was trapped - 165 species
were noted. On average 80 - 90 species were noted most nights. Even the
commoner species of moths seemed in low numbers. The total for the
month was 370 (196 macros, 174 micros), nowhere near last year’s record
July when 484 species were seen. Despite the low species counts and
numbers of moths, there were still some sightings of interest.
Macros of possible note here included the following. Festoon peaked on
the 14th, when 15 were seen. Only one Common Lutestring was recorded,
again on the 14th. Grass Emerald was seen 5 times, while the Small
Emerald was noted once in the garden trap on the 13th - a rare moth
here. After the single Tawny Wave last month, two were seen on the 15th
followed by another on the 18th. Flame Carpet was seen three times.
Only one Small Phoenix has been noted so far (19th). There were 5
records of Scallop Shell, a good number here. Slender Pug was only
noted on the 14th this year (3). White-spotted Pug appeared once on the
24th. 2 more Privet Hawk-moths were noted in the garden trap during the
month following on from 2 in June. The Pine Hawk-moth was much more
common,
with 50 noted during the month - this is the most common hawk-moth
species
at this site. One second brood Chocolate-tip was noted on the 18th.
White Satin appeared for the first time in the garden trap on the 15th,
only the 4th site record. Kent Black Arches continues to be noted at
the site with 4 records for 2007. A worn Purple Clay was seen in the
garden trap on the 13th, the only record for 2007. More of a surprise
were the 2 records of Square-spot Rustic on the 18th and 24th, both
earlier than the previous earliest (31st July 2002), a sign that the
season was rapidly moving on! There were single records of Beautiful
Yellow Underwing (12th) and White-point (31st). Svensson’s Copper
Underwing, as normal here, appeared before Copper with 2 seen (so far).
Lesser-spotted Pinion was also noted twice (12th and 15th). Both
Bulrush (16th) and Webb’s Wainscot (15th) have been trapped once so
far. Cream-bordered Green Pea appeared again after one was seen last
month (10th). There were 4 records of Scarce Silver-lines, this species
seems to have increased in recent years here. Also possibly on the
increase is the Dark Spectacle with 2 records in the garden trap.
However a moth that has not been seen in great numbers in 2007 is the
Shaded Fan-foot - after one last month, 15 were noted on the 14th,
followed by 4 on the 19th, but no more.
The most important macro records for the year (so far) were the 2
White-mantled Wainscot sightings. After trapping a male in the garden
last
year, an area of reed-bed on the site was surveyed on the 14th, with a
single moth noted. A few days later, on the 19th, the same area was
trapped and produced a second individual in fresh condition. It is
quite possible there could be a breeding colony now present on the
site, a significant shift southwards in the current known distribution
of this moth. Part of this area of habitat has in the last few years
been restored from scrub woodland, with more planned in forthcoming
years.
|
|
White-mantled Wainscot © Neil Sherman
|
Yponomeuta
cagnagella © Neil
Sherman |
There were a few micro sightings of note too in July. First, there were
2 new species -
Epermenia
chaerophyllella (1st, in garden trap) and
Yponomeuta cagnagella (13th
again in the garden trap). Other notables
included
Lampronia corticella
(12th),
Morophaga choragella
(2 records),
Aspilapterix tringipennella (2
on the 24th),
Prays fraxinella
(14th,
not a common species here),
Agonopterix
ciliella (12th, second site
record),
Carpatolechia alburnella
(14th),
Batrachedra praeangusta
(27th),
Phalonidia manniana
(16th),
Zeiraphera ratzeburgiana
(3
records, first seen only last year),
Gypsonoma
minutana (2 records),
Eucosma obumbratana (16th,
second site record),
Ostrinia
nubilalis (2
records),
Udea prunalis (2
records, at garden trap only),
Nomophila
noctuella (18th, only one so far),
Trachycera marmorea (14th),
Pyla
fusca (8th) and
Oxyptilus
distans (12th).
Also of interest was the number of
Vitula
biviella seen. Following on
from the first last month, the species was recorded on 13 of the 15
nights of trapping this month. 64 were recorded in total, with the
highest 2 counts coming from the garden trap with 12 on both the 13th
and 16th. Most were indeed seen in the garden trap, but others were
noted at all trap sites this month too. This strongly suggests the moth
has colonised Suffolk, especially as good numbers have also been noted
in traps at Bawdsey (M. Deans).
There were 2 daytime observations considered of interest. A vacated
leaf mine of
Phylloporia bistrigella
was found on a birch sapling on
the 9th, proving breeding at the site following on from a couple of
adult records at light. A
Gelechia
senticetella was flushed while
cutting conifer hedging around the garden on the 21st, only seen at
this site for the first time last year.
Eye Moths, April to June 2007 - Paul
Kitchener
April
The extraordinarily good, record breaking weather of April really kick
started the mothing season with seventy eight species being recorded,
easily beating my previous April best of forty nine seen in 2003.
Over twenty species were seen on their earliest ever dates and it’s the
first year that the following have been seen in April:
Plutella porrectella,
Zeiraphera isertana (all previous
records have been in July),
Epiblema
cynosbatella, White-spotted Pug, Yellow-barred Brindle,
Sharp-angled Peacock, Grey Dagger, Pebble Hook-tip, Coxcomb Prominent,
Ruby Tiger, Flame, Treble Lines, Light Brocade, Vine’s Rustic and
Maiden’s Blush.
It is unusual to pick up new site records this month so to get four was
amazing. The first was a superb female Emperor, one of only eleven
moths caught on the 13th, and quite a sight. Flame Carpet (16th) and
Great Prominent (22nd) had been hoped for/expected for a long time but
I had not trapped either species in Eye during the eleven years I’ve
been here. The fourth new one was
Elachista
maculicerusella, also on the 22nd, but overshadowed somewhat by
the Great Prominent!
|
Female Emperor Moth © Paul Kitchener
|
The first
Plutella xylostella
of the year appeared on the 26th, with many more to come; already the
year’s total for this species has surpassed all previous years except
2006. Other notable occurrences have included the fourth site record of
Red-green Carpet on the 15th (all three previous records having been in
October), only the second site record of Brindled Beauty on the 24th
(why this moth is so rare here is a mystery, the only other record was
as long ago as 2002), the fourth record of Lunar Marbled Brown on the
23rd (the first since 2003), three Chocolate-tip, two Least Black
Arches, three Powdered Quaker and the second and third site records for
Nut-tree Tussock.
An example of a species that has started the year exceptionally well
around here is Swallow Prominent. April of the previous four years has
seen totals of two, nine, none and one but this year twenty were
trapped. It will be interesting to see if the second generation is as
successful.
May
The rainfall this month certainly made up for the dry April, but
generally it was a good month, the one hundred and thirteen species was
the best total since 2003.
As last month many species were seen earlier than ever and the
following were recorded in May for the very first time:
Cydia splendana,
Cydia pomonella,
Ptycholoma lecheana,
Ditula angustiorana,
Clepsis consimilana,
Eudonia angustea,
Chrysoteuchia culmella, Wormwood
Pug and Dark Spectacle.
There was one new site record this month, a
Syndemis musculana on 22nd, but
Aspilapteryx tringipennella (4th)
and
Mompha subbistrigella
(24th) were only second records (four more of the latter were seen in
June).
Udea ferrugalis was seen for
the first time in “spring” when one appeared on the 24th and the only
other possible migrants this month were White-point (2nd) and Silver Y
(21st) though it’s more than likely that they were “home-bred”.
Other species of note in May were Dingy Shell (seen every year, but in
very small numbers), Sharp-angled Peacock, Orange Footman, Cinnabar
(the first since 2004), two Powdered Quaker, Dark Brocade,
Clouded-bordered Brindle (none last year!), large numbers of Treble
Lines (double the previous best year’s total) and three Buttoned Snout
(I usually see only two in a year).
June
On the whole June was a rather disappointing and very wet month which,
according to the weather statisticians, had slightly above average
temperatures, but I certainly didn’t notice. Heavy rain, often in the
evening and at dusk, must have been responsible for the reduced catches
even when the night temperatures held up.
A total of two hundred and nine species wasn’t bad, only one less than
last June but well down on the best June of 2003 when two hundred and
thirty two were seen. Seven of them were new site records and these
were
Nematopogon metaxella,
Phyllocnistis unipunctella,
Roeslerstammia erxlebella,
Teleiodes luculella,
Apotomis turbidana,
Pediasia contaminella and Lobster
Moth.
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Nematopogon
metaxella © Paul Kitchener
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Roeslerstammia
erxlebella © Paul Kitchener
|
Other micros of note included
Argyresthia
cupressella (the usual brief flush of June records),
Prays fraxinella (two, both on the
17th), over one hundred
Plutella
xylostella (a maximum of forty on the 8th),
Epermenia chaerophyllella (two),
Monochroa palustrella,
Brachmia blandella (an early record
on the 21st),
Mompha ochraceella
(second site record),
Phtheochroa
inopiana (three on the 29th; first recorded only last year when
nine were seen),
Ancylis achatana,
Epinotia bilunana (the first
since 2004),
Platytes cerussella
(second site record),
Eudonia pallida
(the fourth and fifth site records),
Perinephela
lancealis (second site record),
Phlyctaenia perlucidalis (four),
Udea ferrugalis (one on the 5th), a
very good total of twenty one
Aphomia
sociella, the first June record for
Trachycera advenella,
Pempelia formosa (two),
Dioryctria abietella (third site
record),
Nephopterix angustella
(seven),
Ephestia parasitella
(has become more and more frequent since 2003) and
Homoeosoma sinuella (second site
record).
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Prays
fraxinella © Paul Kitchener
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Of the macros the following occurrences were noteworthy for the garden:
Peach Blossom (only the seventh since the first was recorded here in
2005), good numbers of Treble Brown Spot (a maximum of nine on the
21st), Yellow Shell (two), Purple Bar (the first since 2004),
Blue-bordered Carpet, Slender Pug (two), Sloe Pug (fourth site record),
Dingy Shell (two), Small Elephant Hawk-moth (only the third record, the
first two were in 2004), Maple Prominent (four), Orange Footman
(another single following the one in May), Pearly Underwing (the third
site record and only the second time I’ve recorded it in Eye in June)
on the 10th, White-point (five), Shoulder-striped Wainscot (the second
and third site records having been seen for the first time here only
last year), Miller (the second site record, the first was in 2003), Oak
Nycteoline (my first Eye June record), good numbers of Burnished Brass,
Silver Y (ten) and Dark Spectacle.
A Burnished Brass taken on the 6th was noteworthy for having a pure
golden colouration to the wings. Although the books state the species
has a brassy yellow, brassy greenish-yellow or golden pattern it is the
first one I have seen (out of just under a thousand in Eye), that I can
recall, that hasn’t had any hint of green whichever way the light
caught it. As one of my favourite species I always take a good look at
fresh specimens so this was quite a rare sight which brightened up a
wet morning. I would be interested to here if anyone else has seen one
like it.
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Miller © Paul Kitchener
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Burnished Brass © Paul Kitchener
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Moths at Bawdsey, January to July 2007
- Matthew Deans
January and February
No traps were operated due to the cold and blustery weather. As
the security lights are no longer operational, no moths were recorded
whatsoever.
March
The first fortnight of the month was mild, a cold snap then ensued with
northerly winds, before it turned mild again at the month’s end.
The first trapping effort of the year took place on 8th and produced
just singletons of March Moth and Hebrew Character. Trapping was
undertaken on three nights mid-month (12th, 13th and 14th) with the
highlights being Oak Beauty and Dotted Border on 12th, Early
Tooth-striped (new site record) and Pale Brindled Beauty on 13th and
Diurnea fagella, Red Chestnut, Lead-coloured Drab, Twin-spotted Quaker
and Angle Shades on 14th.
A final trapping attempt on 26th produced further Pale Brindled and Oak
Beauties along with the usual
Orthosias
although nothing new for the year.
April
It was the warmest April on record, with temperatures peaking at
25°C around mid month. The whole month was dominated by high
pressure and rainfall was very limited. As a consequence some of
the best mothing I can remember in April was on offer, with many
species appearing much earlier than normal.
Micros of note included
Ypsolopha
ustella on 15th and
Cochylidia
implicitana on 24th. Early records were made of
Argyrotaenia ljungiana on 24th,
Eudonia angustea on 25th and
Evergestis extimalis on 23rd (three
specimens).
The Shoulder Stripe was recorded on 11th with The Streamer on 22nd and
23rd followed by two specimens of Mottled Grey on 25th.
A Puss Moth was trapped on 24th, both Lunar Marbled Brown and
Chocolate-tip on 16th and Cream-spot Tiger on 30th - all constituting
the earliest ever Bawdsey records. A Blossom Underwing on 22nd
was the first site record and well received.
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Blossom Underwing © Matthew Deans
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Toadflax Brocade ©
Matthew Deans |
The Northern Drab is surveyed every year and 29 were recorded this
month between 9th and 22nd. Thirteen examples of Powdered Quaker
were taken between 10th and 29th with a Toadflax Brocade (first site
record) also on this latter date.
The highlight of the month however was the Dotted Chestnut taken on
16th which was a fine addition to the Suffolk list and one predicted by
the author to turn up in the County in his SMG newsletter article last
year!
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Dotted Chestnut © Matthew Deans
|
Regular migrants recorded included four
Plutella xylostella Diamond Backed
Moth, two
Udea ferrugalis
Rusty-dot Pearl and one Silver Y.
May
Following the drought in April, the weather during May was much more
unsettled, although the temperatures were still a degree or two higher
than the norm.
A few micros were added to the site list including
Aspilapteryx tringipennella on
22nd,
Platyedra subcinerea on
21st,
Isotrias rectifasciana
on 25th and
Dichrorampha simpliciana
on 8th. Other notable micros included
Eidophasia messingiella on 24th,
Cydia ulicetana on 9th (by day on
gorse) and
Anerastia lotella
on 25th.
The Red-green Carpet was taken on 23rd and represented the first spring
record. A May Highflyer also on 23rd and a Pretty Chalk Carpet on
24th were amongst the most interesting geometers.
Hawk-moths appeared with a Privet on 2nd, Lime on 8th, Eyed on 28th,
Poplar on 2nd, Elephant on 21st and Small Elephant on 23rd. The
records of Privet and Small Elephant were the earliest site records.
A Broad-barred White trapped on 21st and a Buttoned Snout on 24th
constituted the first site records. A Mullein was taken on 16th
and the first L-album Wainscot of the year on
30th.
Regular migrants recorded included 90
Plutella
xylostella Diamond Backed Moth (56 on 21/05 was a notable
influx), six
Udea ferrugalis Rusty-dot
Pearl, one Dark Sword-grass, three Pearly Underwing (first May records)
and eight Silver Y.
June
There was not much sunshine this month. For the most part we were
covered in heavy cloud with frequent belts of rain, torrential at
times. It was just very unsettled and a disappointing month.
There were some highlights however and on the micro front these
included
Pammene regiana on
19th,
Pima boisduvaliella on
18th,
Dioryctria abietella
(23 between 5th and 21st - larger migrant specimens) and
Nephopterix angustella (three
between 17th and 28th).
A Bright Wave on 16th was the undoubted highlight of the month - being
the first County record since
c1990
when the moth was last seen at Thorpeness. Subsequent searches
for further individuals proved fruitless.
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Bright Wave © Matthew Deans
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The Blotched Emerald was trapped four times between 13th and 20th, a
Dingy Shell appeared on 11th, Magpie Moth on 20th and a Brindled
White-spot on 11th - the latter was the first site record.
Three further new species for the site were the Clouded Buff taken on
10th, Ingrailed Clay on 13th and a Rosy Marbled on 13th.
Other less rare species at Bawdsey included Water Ermine on 5th and
14th, White Colon on 24th, Striped Wainscot on 21st and Obscure
Wainscot on 20th. Surveying of the L-album Wainscot continued
with 15 recorded between 1st and 22nd.
Regular migrants recorded included 207
Plutella xylostella Diamond Backed
Moth, three
Ostrinia nubilalis
European Corn-borer, five
Udea
ferrugalis Rusty-dot Pearl, two
Nomophila noctuella Rush Veneer,
one Pearly Underwing, four Delicate and 19 Silver Y.
July
The weather this month continued in the same vein as June, very wet
with frequent torrential downpours. It was deluge after deluge
with most mornings spent checking soggy egg trays for an interesting
moth. It was so disappointing after the promising start to the
season.
A few new micros to the site appeared including
Morophaga choragella on 28th,
Yponomeuta plumbella on 31st,
Epagoge grotiana on 18th,
Scoparia subfusca on 28th,
Eudonia truncicolella on 30th,
Trachycera marmorea on 2nd and
Cnaemidophorus rhododactyla on 12th.
A Ground Lackey was taken on 25th with a Peach Blossom on 13th.
Amongst the geometers Large Emerald was a long overdue site ‘first’ on
17th, Small Emerald was trapped three times between 11th and 26th,
Small Scallop on 15th, Dark Spinach on 28th, Fern on 12th, Plain Pug on
18th and 22nd and Scorched Carpet on 31st.
The White Satin was taken on 31st, a male Four-spotted Footman on 18th,
Garden Tiger on 15th (with three subsequent records), Kent Black Arches
on 17th, L-album Wainscot on 8th and 12th, Tree-lichen Beauty on 13th,
Olive on 12th, Lesser-spotted Pinion on 18th, Lunar-spotted Pinion on
23rd, Slender Brindle on 28th and Double Lobed on
15th.
Regular migrants recorded included 54
Plutella
xylostella Diamond Backed Moth, six
Ostrinia nubilalis European
Corn-borer, 17
Udea ferrugalis
Rusty-dot Pearl, seven
Nomophila
noctuella Rush Veneer, three Dark Sword-grass, eight Delicate
and 65 Silver Y.
Summer 2007 - a disappointing season in
Woolpit - Paul Bryant
For most of the year there has only been one subject on most people’s
minds…Where have all the moths gone?’
I’ve only been recording myself for about seven years but this must
surely go down as my worst year yet. Speaking to those who’ve been
trapping a lot longer and the story seems to be the same. The question
is, what has this year’s inclement weather done to our moth populations
as a whole? If things in my own garden are anything to go by, then the
simple answer seems to be a noticeable reduction in the number of
individual species, even the so called ‘common’ ones.
Very little trapping took place in the garden during March, and April
wasn’t that much better. The few highlights from the latter month
included a Chamomile Shark that turned up at actinic light on the 22nd,
an
Esperia sulphurella
buzzing around the choisya in our front garden on the 25th and single
Pale Mottled Willows on the 25th & 27th. May was a bit better but I
still only managed a total of ten trap-nights. For the most part it was
single figures with little to get excited about apart from a Lobster
Moth on 24th (a garden first), Green Silver-lines on the 12th and a
Bordered White on the 22nd.
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Lobster Moth © Paul Bryant |
June saw just the hint of an improvement but I still only managed nine
trap-nights all month, the best being the 12th when I recorded 40
species. By far my commonest moth was Heart & Dart, with a maximum
of 60 on the 2nd. Two of only three Privet Hawk-moths caught this year
turned up on the 9th (I had 10 last year and 9 the year before!). Pick
of the bunch were Maiden’s Blush and White Point (2nd), Varied Coronet,
Cream-bordered Green Pea and Buttoned Snout (3rd), Orange Footman
(11th), Scorched Wing (12th) and Shark (20th).
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Orange Footman © Paul Bryant |
Shark © Paul Bryant |
A combination of weather, out of county trips and a brief excursion to
visit Ann’s parents in France at month end meant that I only trapped on
six nights in July. By far the best night of the month (and on
reflection, possibly the best of the year) was the 13th when I recorded
53 species. Notables that night were single Chinese Character, Shaded
Broad-bar, Early Thorn, Scalloped Oak (also recorded on three other
nights in July) and a male Vapourer. Other July treats included a
scattering of Swallow-tailed Moths, and single Nut-tree Tussock (16th),
Magpie Moth, Eyed Hawk-moth, Lime-speck Pug (20th) and a superb Bird’s
Wing (24th). Apart from that it’s been pretty slow going with just
Riband Waves making any sort of attempt to appear in something
approaching double figures.
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Vapourer Moth © Paul Bryant |
August started off reasonably well; with species counts in the 30’s,
but numbers were soon down in the twenties by mid month. The highlight
was a single
Aspilapteryx
tringinpennella on the 1st, which turned out to be a new site
record. That same night I also picked up Leopard Moth, White Satin and
Shaded Broad-bar. Other wanderers to the garden included Sallow Kitten
and Scarce Silver-lines (4th), Magpie Moth and Dusky Thorn (8th), Oak
Hook-tip, Campion and Nut-tree Tussock (10th), Chocolate-tip (17th) and
two Old Lady’s (on the 17th and 24th). Otherwise, it was very much run
of the mill stuff with just the ubiquitous Large Yellow Underwing
appearing in anything more than single figures. Will September and
October be any different?
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Old Lady © Paul Bryant
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As always, happy trapping.
Moths at Rendham, January to August
2007 - Matthew Deans
January and February
No traps were operated due to the cold and blustery weather.
March
The trap was first operated on the mild night of 12th which produced a
new moth for the garden - Small Brindled Beauty. Also trapped
that night were Shoulder Stripe, Oak Beauty, two Chestnuts and three
March Moths. Amongst the usual orthosias were two Lead-coloured
Drabs.
April
The trap was operated three times during the month with the highlights
being two Brindled Beauties and a Swallow Prominent on 11th - both
earliest ever site records. More early records were broken with
the mild weather on the night of 23rd producing the earliest Rendham
records of Maiden’s Blush, Waved Umber and Ruby Tiger. Other
notables were
Esperia sulphurella,
Acleris cristana, Streamer,
Lunar Marbled Brown, Chocolate-tip, Powdered Quaker and Pale Mottled
Willow - all on 23rd.
May
The month opened on 1st with the earliest site records
Syndemis
musculana and both Lime and Poplar Hawk-moths. A week
later
Crambus lathoniellus,
Clouded
Border and Clouded-bordered Brindle on 8th were the earliest ever
records.
Mid-month a Flame Carpet was a notable record on 15th arriving with the
earliest Scalloped Hazel and Eyed Hawk-moth. The night of 17th
produced Sharp-angled Peacock, Latticed Heath and Large Nutmeg.
Nothing spectacular was noted but a few more interesting species
included Campion, Silver Y and Dark Spectacle on 21st.
The trap was finally run this month on 24th - a night which produced 64
species including:
Agonopterix
subpropinquella,
Eudonia
pallida, Ringed China-mark, Treble Bar, Scorched Carpet,
Elephant Hawk-moth and Orange Footman.
June and July
I moved from Rendham to Hollesley in May and was rather busy with
decorating, etc. With the frequent heavy rain whenever I visited
Rendham during June and July, it was just not worth running the trap.
August
The trap was run just once, on the night of 8th producing a meagre 52
species. The most interesting were
Ypsolopha scabrella, Small Waved
Umber and Black Arches.