As I put this newsletter together I thought I was running a few weeks later than I had planned but on checking over the material I realised I've managed to miss out the August newsletter! Only one person had commented that they had not yet received issue 27 and being a sole voice I just thought they were rather keen to receive the newsletter. Apologies for this. Before I hear mutterings from paying subscribers about being diddled out of their promised four copies for £2 I thought I had better chip in and say that there will be no subscription charges for existing subscribers for 2003 - a whole year's subscription for free - what a bargain! At the current moment £2 more than covers the production and distribution costs of the newsletter and surplus funds are accumulating which I do not really want to happen.
This year has seen another busy field season for the group, in addition to the usual Friday night venues moth nights have been held on most Saturdays and occasionally mid-week. Once I have completed sending out this year's field reports to the site owners I will be thinking of venues for next year's programme. If anyone has any suggestions for venues then I would be keen to hear from you, especially if the venues are in the under-recorded areas around Newmarket, north of Lowestoft or north of Framlingham.
This issue has write-ups for thirty-five field meetings so in the main I've kept comments rather brief. Trying to make thirty-five field reports sound interesting is rather beyond my literary creativity. Many thanks to those people who have contributed articles to this issue the more people who contribute to the newsletter the more interesting it will be for everyone.
The group will be
continuing its survey work on the Lunar Yellow Underwing larvae in the
Sandlings this year. Gerry Haggett has previously been finding the larvae
in the Brecks from December onwards. If you are interested in getting involved
in this survey - which did have some success earlier this year -
then give me a ring.
A special web site
has been set up, giving information on NMN 2003 and can be found at http://www.nationalmothnight.info
I already have moth
trapping risk assessments for the moth group and as part of my work as
Moth Conservation Officer for Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation.
However, I think that the way we handle public events in the future will
need to be re-evaluated to reduce the risk of such an event occurring at
one of the group's moth nights.
Currently there appear to be two main popular and not so popular recording packages; Mapmate and Recorder 2000, which I have considered and evaluated for use as a replacement for Recorder 3. Mapmate is popular with quite a few recorders within the group but, in my opinion, lacks certain features for managing records that I regard as essential for a county recorder. It also has quite a simple data model. Recorder 2000 was developed as replacement for Recorder 3 but having heard comments from people who have used Recorder 2000 it would seem that this is not a suitable replacement either. Recorder 2000 has a complex data model.
Since then I have been busy developing my own replacement recording software which sits, in terms of complexity of the data model, somewhere between Mapmate and Recorder 2000. I will now be using this program to hold the county moth records. One key advantage of this program is that it automates the Suffolk Moth Panel validation process and partitioning of validated/unvalidated records - this previously involved a lot of manual processing and updating by myself of records in Recorder 3. It has an record import facility which will accept records in spreadsheet format and this means that if recorders can send in electronic copies of their records this would greatly reduce my workload. I don't fancy another year of manually entering 25 thousand records. The preferred format for data being submitted as spreadsheets is detailed in issue 24 of the newsletter, although as ever I will accept records in almost any format.
Currently I am migrating the records from Recorder 3 to the database and this should be completed in the next few days.
This will hopefully
result in less time spent by myself over the winter entering records received
for the year and with the automation of the SMP process I should achieve
a more speedy follow-up on records that the SMP highlight for querying.
The format of the meeting will follow similar lines as last year, with some waffle from myself about recording during the year, a chance for members to show some of their moth slides (so please bring some along), hopefully a chance to view the museum collections (I've still to confirm this). I will be trying to bring a PC projector again this year so members will also be able to show digital photos on CD. If you are thinking of bringing along digital photos then it would be a good idea to check that I have been able to book the projector and lap-top.
Please bring your own lunch, although the Greyhound pub just up the road serves rather good food. There should be a table for any exhibits if you have any, so please bring any you have along. If there are any other things that people would like to add to the agenda then please let me know, as it reasonably flexible.
This is a chance
to bring along any specimens for identification (especially pyralids bearing
in mind that Tony Davis will be present).
Two M.V. and one actinic trap were set up in an area known as the Long Pits - an area of shingle with sallow and aspen scrub and not far from the reed-fringed gravel pits. The lights were turned on at dusk on this warm, humid and overcast evening. Soon the first Pale Grass Eggars appeared and moths started arriving in droves. Some more interesting species recorded during the evening were Poplar Lutestring, Reed Dagger, Double Kidney and about a dozen Cydaena dentalis.
Another Suffolk moth-er Stuart Read joined us late evening. He had travelled down in torrential rain reporting that the Suffolk roads were like rivers! At around 1.30am rain arrived at Dungeness and appeared to be getting heavier, I decided it was time to pack up! In the rush as the rain lashed down, a strange Knotgrass was potted up for further inspection along with a Pug, a Dart and a few micros.
Shortly after dawn
on Sunday morning, photographs were taken of several species retained and
identifications made of White-spotted Pug and White-line Dart. The
strange Knotgrass exhibited an orbicular stigma with a central dot (eliminating
Light Knot Grass) and had the distinct dagger mark of a tornal streak making
it a Scarce Dagger. Once we realised the enormity of the record it
was shown to David Walker and Barry Banson at the observatory and Sean
Clancy. David kindly showed us the contents of his trap which included
more Sussex Emeralds and a superb Toadflax Brocade.
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Previous records
of Scarce Dagger at Dungeness were on 12 August 1932 and 4 August 1933.
There have been about sixteen British records since this former breeding
species became extinct around the turn of last century. This was
apparently the first UK record since 1996!
Colin Hawes
3 Silver Leys
Bentley
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP9 2BS.
The identification
was straight forward but the origins far more interesting. Was it
a migrant that arrived the same night as the Dewick’s Plusia and somehow
made it into the living room, perhaps on my back when coming in from emptying
the trap that morning? Or was it an import on plant material?
Of the ten or so previous U.K. records, a high proportion have been found
in similar circumstances inside houses.
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It was sexed as a
male, as the specimen exhibited a wedge-shaped cream fovea on the forewing
- thus giving the moth its name - fovealis. Records from Norfolk
and Essex have been published in ‘Atropos’ but this appears to be the first
for Suffolk. It occurs naturally in the Mediterranean and the Canary
Islands but has been recorded in other European countries where it has
become a pest. Fortunately my specimen was a male so hopefully no
more will found!
If you looking for a cabinet then please contact Howard Mendel supplying the following information
The purchaser is responsible for collecting the cabinets (Howard says they will help load the cabinets into the vehicle). I gather some people have used removers, in which case the museum are happy to supervise at their end.
On the night of the
19th a moth flying outside the kitchen window was captured and identified
as a Bordered Straw - the second garden record and a pristine specimen
after a dull individual last year. Another garden second came the following
night in the form of a Water Ermine. Beautiful Golden Y was recorded
on six nights this month and the Plain Golden Y in lower numbers this year
with just the one on June 20th. The Marbled White-spot appeared on
the 20th with a further record in July. Garden Tiger made a welcome
comeback after a total absence last year and appeared on 25th. Hawk-moths
peaked at eight Poplar on 2nd and three Privet on 29th. Three each
of White-point and Turnip were recorded during the month.
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Amongst the micros were Argyresthia curvella (8th) and two Argyresthia cupressella (on 20th and 25th). Pyralidae included Phlyctaenia perlucidalis (15th and 17th), Orthopygia glaucinalis (17th), Pempelia formosa (20th) and Myelois circumvoluta (17th).
Some species which I regularly see out with the SMG are rare here, like the Peach Blossom which turned up on the 24th - only the second garden record.
I had been reading
Roy Leverton’s ‘Enjoying Moths’ book and admiring the photo of a Muslin
Footman on the evening of July 16th. The following morning by sheer
coincidence a singleton of this species was found in the garden trap and
I knew instantly what it was! This very local moth in Suffolk proved
to be the highlight of the month. The same night also produced Ostrinia
nubilalis, Udea ferrugalis, Bordered Pug, White Satin,
Garden Tiger, three Olive and a Lunar-spotted Pinion.
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A Round-winged Muslin on 22nd provided good comparison with last weeks Muslin Footman. Other interesting macros this month included Varied Coronet, Miller, Double Lobed and Reed Dagger.
The gelechid Monochroa palustrella was regularly recorded this month. Tortricids included Aethes rubigana, Lozotaenia forsterana, Cnephasia longana, Argyrotaenia ljungiana (29th), Acleris holmiana and Acleris laterana. The best of the pyralids were Phlyctaenia perlucidalis, Ebulea crocealis and three Ostrinia nubilalis (during 16th -24th).
Dark Spectacle appeared on 12th with another on the 15th. These were the first garden records since a singleton in 1999. Bulrush Wainscot was also trapped on the 12th.
The trap was run
on the night of the 15th with the intention of recording Square-spotted
Clay for another season here. Inspection of the contents the following
morning revealed a singleton of the target species so I was delighted.
Then I found a Dusky Thorn, Twin-spotted Wainscot, Gold Spot, White-point,
Olive, Calamotropha paludella and a superb Dewick’s Plusia - only
the second County record. The 16th was a day to remember, not only
for discovering the Plusia, but later on that day the pyralid Duponchelia
fovealis was found in my living room!
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Another excellent night was the 18th with three Square-spotted Clay recorded along with Dusky Thorn, Lesser-spotted Pinion, Dark Sword-grass and Galleria mellonella.
A Treble-Bar on 21st was the first record of the year with none recorded during the first brood. The month then took a decidedly autumnal turn on the 28th with the first Frosted Orange and Centre-barred Sallow recorded along with another two Dusky Thorn - good numbers of the latter continued to be recorded in September outnumbering Canary-shouldered Thorn.
The second Bulrush Wainscot of the year appeared on the 2nd and more Dark Spectacles were recorded - one on 2nd and two together on the 4th. Three Feathered Gothics appeared on the 2nd, 4th and 6th; as I had digitally photographed them it was possible to determine that they were different individuals - the wonders of modern technology! The last Square-spotted Clay of the year was on the 2nd, I will be searching here for the larvae in the Spring.
Good numbers of the Centre-barred Sallow were recorded in the first half of the month. The Sallow first appeared on 2nd and a single Orange Sallow was trapped on 17th. Brown-spot Pinion and Lunar Underwing both appeared on 10th and 16th respectively. Brindled Green and Feathered Ranunculus were first seen on 19th. The last week of the month produced the first Mallow Moth of the year on the 24th, Beaded Chestnut on 26th, 3 Barred Sallows on the 29th and a superb Merveille du Jour, Grey Shoulder-knot and the Satellite on the 30th. A notable absentee was the Red Underwing with no records this year.
As expected micros were lean this month, the most interesting being Agriphila latistria on the 2nd, Cochylidia implicitana on the 4th and Plutella porrectella on 19th.
Migrants included the second Bordered Straw of the year on the 3rd on the outside of the trap. Single Dark Sword-grass and Nomophila noctuella, three White-points and a few Silver Ys and Plutella xylostellas were also recorded.
In the quieter second
half of the month I turned to leaf miners to boost the garden list!
With the help of Tony I managed to record Stigmella ulmivora, basiguttella
and anomalella; Lyonetia clerkella and the Phyllonorycters:
corylifoliella,
coryli
and nicellii.
There were some interesting
records during the period, with the number and variety of species on the
increase as the month progressed. Of possible note on the macro front were:
Festoon (recorded on 3 dates), Eyed Hawk-moth (normally only 1 or 2 a year
but this season there have been 4 – this increase seems to have been reflected
across the county), Tawny Wave (on the 5th), Orange Footman (continuing
its good fortunes here with 20 recorded on the 5th + 10 recorded on the
6th at different positions around the site), Grey Arches (another species
having a good season with 1 on the 16th, 5 on the 17th and 2 on the 25th),
Alder Moth, The Miller (on 2 occasions), Peach Blossom (3 on the 16th
was a good count), Common Lutestring, Pinion-streaked Snout (2 on 17th),
Lilac Beauty (17th + 2 on 25th), Shaded Fan-foot (5 on the 17th the first
of the year), Sloe Pug, Lunar Yellow Underwing (on 2 dates) and Small Emerald
(24th).
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Micros noted during the month were Opostega salaciella (4 on the 16th), Phtheochroa rugosana (this White Bryony-feeding tortrix has become an annual visitor in recent years), Sitochroa verticalis and Lozotaenia forsterana (1 of this huge tortrix on the 25th).
The 15th June was National Moth Night, and as usual I support the event by running a trap at the site. This year the moth group (myself included) went to Barnhamcross common, the trapping not finishing there till about 3 a.m. Once back to Ipswich, as it was getting light I went straight to the golf club (dodging the milkmen!) at 4 a.m. to go through the catch. I got there just as the heavens opened so the trap was rushed under cover to sort through! 63 species were recorded, of possible note being Schoenobius gigantella and 3 Blotched Emerald among the more usual species. Only then did I go home for some well-earned rest!
An adult Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth was seen on the 7th, feeding at honeysuckle flowers followed by the first feeding signs of young larvae on the 18th. The small round holes they leave either side of the midrib of honeysuckle leaves are very easy to see once you know what to look for. Also found during the day were Mullein caterpillars (on the 24th, fully grown) and a Dingy Shears larva (found in a bat box – good to find something using the box although it is not the intended occupant!). Also a few Silver Y have been flushed up from heather, but none have appeared at light as yet.
Of possible note
on the macro front during the month for the site were: Festoon (recorded
on 4 dates after appearing last month), Common Lutestring, Grass Emerald
(in good numbers), Least Carpet (3 records during the month including a
female – I also found one at Sainsburys while doing the shopping at the
end of the month!), Dark Spinach (a immaculate specimen on the 29th), Chevron
(2 tatty individuals on the 30th), Bordered Beauty (one of this beautiful
species on the 22nd), Chocolate-tip (good to see back in numbers after
a few bad years), Black Arches (46 recorded during the month was a good
total), Purple Clay (2 appeared on the 3rd), Beautiful Yellow Underwing
(normally see during the day, but 15 appeared at light on the 30th), Antler,
Suspected, Svensson’s Copper Underwing (2 amongst a haul of 8 Copper Underwings
on the 30th), Straw Underwing ( the first of what will be many more appeared
on the 28th), Olive (2 recorded on the 25th), Slender Brindle (another
species having a good year at several sites across the county including
here), Scarce Silver-lines (2 records of this attractive species) and Shaded
Fan-foot (18 individuals recorded at different locations across the site).
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On the migrant front, the warm conditions prompted some movements with a Gem appearing on the 29th, followed by a Dark Sword-grass on the 30th along with the usual commoner migrant Silver Y and Plutella xylostella.
July is peak month for micros, and the following were of note at this site. Ypsolopha dentella (15 in the trap on the 22nd was exceptional), Calybites phasianipennella, Ypsolopha sylvella (1 of this localised species on the 29th), Ypsolopha scabrella (on the 22nd), Agonopterix nervosa (the first of the year on the 25th), Acleris boscana (a fresh specimen on the 3rd – has normally been found here in the winter and early spring), Hedya salicella (on the 7th – a large bird dropping mimic!), Pammene aurita (=aurantiana)(on several dates, always near the foodplant, sycamore), Schoenobius gigantella, Evergestis extimalis (recorded 3 times) and Sitochroa verticalis (found during the day on the 8th + another at light on the 20th).
On the 10th, an adult
Hornet Moth was found at 7.45-a.m. crawling up a poplar tree trunk (the
foodplant) during a specific search for the species – it was only the second
tree checked! Emergence holes have been seen in the wintertime on these
trees, proving the species breeds on the site. Also found, yet again,
demolishing the roses in the Clubhouse flowerbeds, were larvae of the Emperor
Moth. Caterpillars of this very common moth have also been seen on the
more typical foodplant, heather.
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Macros of possible note seen included Black Arches – this has been in higher than normal numbers here all of this year. The Hedge Rustic has also been more common, with between 8 – 10 a night from mid month onwards. The Pine Hawk-moth was last seen on the 15th, when 2 were caught. This is a month and a half after Skinner states they are supposed to fly. The Poplar Hawk-moth also came to an end, with the last on the 19th. Also seen that night was a Webb’s Wainscot the second record of one at light. Two other species doing well this year are White-line Dart (up on last year’s low numbers) and the Pinion-streaked Snout (maximum 4 on the 19th). Two closely related species appeared together on the 11th – the Campion and the Lychnis, allowing close comparison. The pretty Bordered Beauty reappeared, with one trapped on the 12th. The BAP species Lunar Yellow Underwing continued to appear erratically with singles on the 13th and 18th. Another BAP species trapped mid month was the Square-spotted Clay (on the 18th + 19th in different locations across the site). Also of note was the second Tawny Wave of the year on the 29th. Other records of interest were Beautiful Yellow Underwing (15th), Cream-bordered Green Pea (18th) and an Old Lady (24th). Two species that have been notable due to their low numbers so far have been the Flounced Rustic and the Feathered Gothic (2 in the last week of the month), but they may pick up in September.
On the migrant front, the Silver Y has been very common, but not at light. Large numbers were seen feeding on heather flowers, most of them probably the result of breeding of earlier immigrants. Also appearing was the White-point, regular at the end of the month with a maximum of 4 on the 24th.
Micros dropped in numbers from their July peak. Of possible interest were: Stenoptilia pterodactyla (6th), Clavigesta purdeyi (also on the 6th), Recurvaria leucatella (7th), Hypatima rhomboidella (12th), Monopis obviella (18th), Acleris rhombana (first of the year on the 18th), Caloptilia populetorum (3 on the 13th, 1 on the 17th + 2 more on the 19th – first recorded last year) and Nomophila noctuella (regular singles from mid month onwards).
An interesting moth was brought to me by one of the members of staff, found underneath the clubhouse security lights on the 1st – a Garden Tiger. This is the first record for the site since 1997.
The good numbers of Hedge Rustic seen in August continued until the middle of the month, with 8- 10 appearing each time. Feathered Gothic also picked up, with a maximum of 20 on the 5th. However, numbers of Flounced Rustic and Lesser Yellow Underwing were well down, a trend that has been noted on the Suffolk Moth Group nights on Fridays also. The migrant White-point appeared 3 times, but few other migrants were noted; only a single Dark Sword-grass on the 5th. Heath Rustic had a good year with singles trapped on 4 dates with 2 on the 11th. The BAP species Lunar Yellow Underwing was also on a high, with 11 appearing in total with 6 the highest number on the 11th. Another BAP, the Square-spotted Clay last appeared on the 3rd. The Centre-barred Sallow is a very rare moth at the site; the one trapped on the 2nd was only the 3rd record in 8 years recording here. Another surprising record was a Merveille du Jour on the 10th – this is the earliest record for the site, with it normally appearing in October. Other odd records of possible interest were: Autumnal Rustic (in good numbers), Flame Carpet (2 on the 19th) and Pink-barred Sallow (26th). The 30th produced a plethora of interesting records for the site: Flounced Chestnut, Red-green Carpet, Mullein Wave, Beaded Chestnut and a Satellite (an individual, which hadn’t expanded its wings, somehow got inside the trap – it must have crawled!).
Micros were few and far between with the following of possible note: Crambus hamella (3 on the 2nd), Agriphila latistria (also on the 2nd), Acleris emargana (11th), Chrysoteuchia culmella (a very late one on the 16th) and Ypsolopha sequella (on the 19th).
Daytime discoveries
this month were all larvae: Fox Moth (6th), Buff-tip (20th feeding on Oak)
and Yarrow Pug (a caterpillar found by searching Yarrow seedheads on the
27th).
The 2002 mothing year began with a Winter Moth on the kitchen window on January 5th. Although I didn’t run my garden trap at all during the first part of the year, several winter species were recorded, thanks to the security lights at Long Melford Village Hall. Species seen there included Early Moth (January 31st), Acleris hastiana (February 1st), Pale Brindled Beauty and Agonopterix heracliana (both February 10th), Dotted Border (March 4th) and March Moth (March 5th), plus an Early Thorn seen in a friend’s kitchen on March 9th. The first outing for the trap (March 21st) added Hebrew Character, Common Quaker, Clouded Drab and Diurnea fagella to this list. Things improved further on March 31st when the numbers of both moths and species trapped increased. A male Muslin Moth was welcome and was joined by Double-striped Pug and Twenty-plume Moth (Alucita hexadactyla). The first of several examples of The Streamer was also found at the Village Hall on this date (a really brilliant moth).
Anticipation grew as April arrived and the species list around the village began to lengthen with Early Grey, The Engrailed, Shoulder Stripe and Red-green Carpet all new additions to the Village Hall list, whilst the end of the month produced two good species whilst at work in nearby Lavenham; Scarce Tissue on 24th and – best of all – a Sloe Carpet on 25th. The tiny Micropterix calthella was again found at Long Melford sewage works this year; feeding on the pollen from buttercups.
New species emerged in ever increasing numbers as May and June passed and garden highlights included two Scarce Tissues, Pale Tussock, Bee Moth, Lozotaenia forsterana, Large Tabby (Aglossa pinguinalis), the first (of very few) Rush Veneers (Nomophila noctuella) this year, Barred Straw, Buff-tip, Poplar Grey, Clouded Silver and The Clay amongst other more common species. National Moth Night (June 15th) produced the first 50+ species catch of the year with Small Fan-foot, Argyresthia cupressella, Scorched Carpet, Figure of Eighty, Small Clouded Brindle, and Spruce Carpet being the more interesting species trapped. Sixty three Heart and Darts helped to boost the numbers!
A Leopard Moth found in the road by the house on July 2nd got the month off well. The usual ‘common’ species dominated the month until 27th, when three new macro species were added to the garden list in one night; Orange Moth (a rather worn male), a smart Double Lobed and Pine Hawk-moth (completing the list of commoner hawk-moths for the garden – Small Elephant doesn’t occur around here, so a nice vagrant next please). This proved to be the best night so far this year for the trap with other quality species joining the list; Gold Triangle (Hypsopygia costalis), Meal Moth (Pyralis farinalis), Ypsolopha dentella, Early Thorn and Dusky Sallow included, along with a total of 15 Scalloped Oaks.
Another very good
night was had on August 2nd with Least Carpet, Canary-shouldered Thorn,
Oak Hook-tip, Swallow, Coxcomb, and Pebble Prominents, Herald, Copper Underwing,
Evergestis
pallidata and Phlyctaenia coronata being the stars. Silver-Ys
seem to have been very scarce this year (around this way anyway), so the
eight trapped on August 10th were welcome, as were Mouse Moth and The Lychnis
on 13th. Three more species were added to the garden list on 16th; Old
Lady (about time!), Lesser-spotted Pinion and Six-striped Rustic. These
were joined by only the second garden record of Chinese Character (a species
which somehow ought to be more common than it is, especially when its main
foodplants – hawthorn and blackthorn – are abundant) and 37 Lesser Yellow
Underwings. The month (and this report) ended with 40 Large Yellow Underwings
in the trap – the shape of things
At the light species of interest included; Monopis monachella, Coleophora orbitella, Schoenobius gigantella, Donacaula forficella, Phlyctaenia perlucidalis, Pempelia palumbella, Narrow-winged Pug, Four-dotted Footman, Broom Moth, Shark, Miller, Silky Wainscot.Pinion-streaked Snout and Dotted Fan-foot. 94 species recorded.
It was soon decided at around 10.45p.m. to go round and look at the traps, with only around 35 species on the list. The first trap, certainly more sheltered than the sheet, was quite busy adding quite a few to the total. This was repeated at all the other lights apart from one in a cold spot that had less. It looked like as usual the sheet was in the worst place! One of the traps placed on the edge of the reedbed was most uncomfortable to look in, with it absolutely swarming with midges (non-biting!). Unfortunately for me, it was one of mine so it was my job to hold my breath and check the contents, while everyone else stood at a discrete distance! What of the moths? There were plenty flying around each light, with the numbers of Magpies being too many to count, along with large numbers of footmen and various micros. Of possible interest were: Chocolate-tip, Webb’s Wainscot, Shaded Fan-foot (in good numbers), Brown-veined Wainscot, Pinion-streaked Snout, Caloptilia stigmatella, Bordered Beauty, Acleris cristana, Small Rufous, Lunar Yellow Underwing, Lesser Cream Wave, Double Lobed, Ostrinia nubialis, Cream-bordered Green Pea and Kent Black Arches. Upon returning to the sheet after the mammoth trap round, the total was boosted to 182 species! It was found that the wind had dropped here, with moths swarming around the sheet. Garden Tiger was added immediately, and a quick look added a few more. After a short respite for refreshments and identification of a couple of pugs collected (Slender and Satyr Pug), it was off again to start packing the lights away, with it being about 2 o’clock! Unfortunately Jon Clifton had to leave at this point, having to get back for work the next day.
The discussion on the way to the first trap was all about breaking the previous record set at Redgrave fen last year (190 species). As it turned out, this was beaten and then some! All the traps were still heaving with insects, including the midge trap that was even more uncomfortable to clear away! Moths of possible note added to the total this time round were: Chevron, Epinotia quadrimaculana, Silky Wainscot, Dotted Clay, Evergestis pallidata, Ypsolopha nemorella, Broom Moth, Pretty Chalk Carpet, Sharp-angled Peacock, Crescent, Gem, Dog’s Tooth, Adaina microdactyla, Triple-spotted Clay, Flame Carpet, Cochylidia implicitana, Agriphila selasella, Reed Dagger, Dotted Fan-foot and 2 specimens of our target moth, the White-mantled Wainscot. The sun was just starting to come up as we got to the last trap – good job too as Matthew’s generator ran out of petrol while we were clearing it away! A final tot up at the end of the night in my notebook produced a total of 251 species! With both Jon Clifton and Tony Prichard taking micros away to be identified, this total is only going to get higher!
I finally got home at about 4.30a.m on the Saturday morning, having to dodge past the local milkman who, by his quizzical look was not expecting anyone to be around that early in the morning! I know others who had to travel home further didn’t get in till 6 a.m! Its good in one way that not all moth nights were like this one – there were certainly some very tired looking faces at the Shingle street moth night on the Saturday evening!
145 species were recorded in all with of possibly more interest; Phalonidia affinitana, Epiblema foenella, Agdistis bennetii, Rosy Wave, Dark Spinach, Triple-spotted Pug, Clouded Magpie, Bordered Beauty, Garden Tiger, Dog's Tooth, Campion, Reed Dagger and Olive.
Species of note included; Ghost Moth, Aspilapteryx tringipennella, Scrobipalpa costella, Anacampsis blattariella, Calamatropha paludella, Bordered Beauty, Chocolate-tip, Garden Tiger, Kent Black Arches, Square-spotted Clay, Dog's Tooth, Reed Dagger, Fenn's Wainscot, Crescent, Small Rufous, Silky Wainscot, Pinion-streaked Snout and Shaded Fan-foot.
137 species were
recorded but unfortunately the White-spotted Pinion was not among them.
Plenty of Lesser-spotted Pinions appeared at the start of the evening to
get the hopes up, but no other 'pinions' put in an appearance. Other species
of possible interest were: Agriphilia selasella, Epiblema foenella,
Ostrinia
nubilalis, Clavigesta purdeyi, Clouded Magpie (2 adults - numerous
larvae were found at the site last year), Square-spotted Clay (over 10
seen), Dark Spinach, Archer's Dart, Black Arches (in large numbers and
has been common elsewhere in the county this year), Sharp-angled Peacock,
Flame Carpet, August Thorn (2), Dark Spectacle and Webb's Wainscot. Discovery
of the night was the 15 specimens of Dioryctria sylvestrella, a
new species to all present. This is the third Suffolk site for this species,
the others being Tunstall Forest and Ipswich Golf Course last year. (Ed.-
identity of this species confirmed by Mark Parson at the BENHS annual exhibition
and this species has turned up at other sites during the year)
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After lunch at a
nearby hostelry we moved on to the Thornham Estate in the afternoon. The
first mine recorded was Phyllonorycter platani on the plane trees
close to the car park. This venue proved rather more successful with 52
species recorded and including; Phyllonorycter quinnata, Bucculatrix
albedinella, Stigmella tiliae and Stigmella suberivora
being recorded.
Please send any
Suffolk moth records, moth articles or other queries to myself (preferably
via email) at :
3 Powling Road, Ipswich,
Suffolk IP3 9JR
Email : tony.prichard@btinternet.com
(also tony.aw.prichard@bt.com
)
Suffolk Moths web site (home of the SMG): http://www.btinternet.com/~tony.prichard
SMG Email Discussion Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/suffolkmothgroup
Essex County Moth
Recorder : Brian Goodey, 298 Ipswich Road, Colchester, Essex. CO4 0ET.
E-mail: brian.goodey@dial.pipex.com
Good quality at low prices
Full range of entomological
supplies.
MV and actinic Moth traps.
MV, Blended and Black bulbs
in stock. Dissection equipment, Chemicals, Microscopes, Generators, Entomological
cabinets, collecting tubes etc.
For full details send a
SAE to:
PO Box 232, Northwich Delivery
Office,
CW8 3FG. Or phone 01263
862068
Website : http://www.angleps.btinternet.co.uk/
Proprietors: J Clifton & A Wander