Hall’s Hawk-moth tally rises to nine for this year and Peach Twig Borer makes landfall.

A hastily convened group trapping session at Bawdsey took place last night (26 July) with traps being set up in the dark.  The roll call of attendees included John Chainey, Jenny Spence and Paul Bryant.

Four traps were deployed on the saltmarsh; with three nearby in the picnic area.  In addition, the usual complement of traps were operated at the Hall.

The full total has yet to be computed but in the region of 240 species actually identified.  It is always a good night when a new macro or pyralid species is added to the Bawdsey list.  This time two new macro additions were made – Slender Pug and Dark Dagger – both gratefully confirmed by John. The new pyralid species was Elegia similella – which is documented as possibly an occasional immigrant – one taken on the saltmarsh. 

Elegia similella (third Suffolk record) – Matthew J. Deans

However, these captures were eclipsed by the capture of the first Suffolk record of the Peach Twig Borer – a streaky gelechid – in Jenny’s trap in the picnic area – which was retained and subsequently identified by John.  Researching this species, it seems most likely to have been of continental origin, where the species is a pest of fruit trees. 

Peach Twig Borer (first Suffolk record) – John E. Chainey

The other immigrant highlight and ninth hawk-moth for the season was a small Convolvulus Hawk taken at one of the traps in the grounds of the Hall. I have never seen one in July before and was quite surprised at this capture.

Convolvulus Hawk-moth - Matthew J. Deans

Highlights from the saltmarsh were two Goniodoma limoniella, Eucosma conterminana, Anerastia lotella, five Leopard Moths, two Ground Lackey, several Rosy Waves, a Water Ermine, several Saltern Ears, Silky Wainscot, two Sandhill Rustics – one of the latter was a lovely melanic specimen and Dotted Fan-foot.

Eucosma conterminana – Paul. E. Bryant

Ground Lackey – Paul. E. Bryant

Traps in the picnic site produced some interesting species too with Pammene aurita, a few Pammene fasciana, Evergestis limbata, Platytes alpinella, Vitula biviella, Maple Pug, Bordered Pug, Plain Pug, Small Scallop, Scorched Carpet, Lesser Cream Wave, Dingy Shell, Peach Blossom and Rufous Minor – the latter confirmed by John.

Other interest at Bawdsey Hall was provided by Cherry Bark Tortrix, Acrobasis marmorea, Oak Eggar, Blue-bordered Carpet, Bordered Beauty, Magpie, Kent Black Arches, Olive, Lunar-spotted Pinion, L-album Wainscot, Fen Wainscot, Silky Wainscot, two Dark Sword-grass, Dingy Shears and both Ear Moth and Saltern Ear.

The summer generation of Caloptilia semifascia was noted at both the picnic area and the Hall.

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