Waveney Valley V-moth survey

With the main focus on monitoring the population of V-moth on the Norfolk bank of the river Waveney opposite Beccles marshes, on 25th July four of us ran 7 traps, a mixture of 125MV’s and actinic, through the length of the track in the woodland containing their food-plant, – wild redcurrant. The furthest trap was right on the water’s edge. The result was a bit mind-boggling, possibly as many as 150, although an accurate count was not kept. Two of the traps alone contained more than 30 in each trap and even the 5 traps spread across the rest of the site outside the woodland, all contained a number of them. In July last year, from 3 traps on the same track only 4 V-moth were recorded, albeit a little earlier in the month and my highest previous count on one night was 6 in 2011.
Spinach, another species we were interested in, had just about finished and only 2 were recorded. Phoenix, another currant feeder was well represented with about 12 fresh specimens counted, while second generation Balsam Carpet was about at its peak with 60 to 70 in the traps.
With a total of around 240 species in the 11 traps it was well into dawn before everything was packed away. The best-of-the-rest was a new species for me, – Four-spotted Footman and several other new ones were added to the site list including Chevron, Dark Sword-grass, Muslin Footman, Small Emerald, Small Dotted Buff, Scarce Silver Lines & Platytes alpinella plus a few micros awaiting positive ID. There was also a record number of 15 Shaded Fan-foot recorded for the site.
Double Kidney was only just emerging with 2 fresh individuals and several Brown Scallop, Beautiful Hook-tip, Cream-bordered Green Pea, Garden Tiger, Miller & Sycamore with singles of Kent Black Arches, Silky Wainscot & Green Arches also in the traps.
Even with a bright full moon and clear skies it turned out to be a successful evening.

Brian

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