SMG event 30/08/2013 – Maidscross Hill, Lakenheath.

This event was re-scheduled to take advantage of the warm conditions on the Friday night – the Brecks is not a place to visit if cool conditions are forecast as it is always much colder there! Was a wise choice too as the temperature certainly did drop on the Saturday night.
6 moth hunters were present at this meeting, with 6 traps operated (1 actinic). With a bit of a breeze blowing across this mainly open site a bit of time was taken locating suitable sites to put the traps, which were placed in sheltered spots behind trees and within an area of scrub. This turned out to be another excellent night’s recording with just over 100 species noted. The traps were heaving with moths at least for a few hours until the sky cleared out. Large numbers of Feathered gothic, Hedge rustic, Archer’s dart and Antler were caught, reflecting the acid grassland habitat. Other macro moths of note included: Tawny wave, Lunar yellow underwing (a few), Centre-barred sallow (a few), Dark spinach, Yellow belle (good numbers), Frosted orange and macro of the night a most unexpected Large thorn. This was not moth of the night however! 2 micro-moths that none of us had seen before were caught, with both being potentially new Suffolk species. The first is clear cut – 3 Pammene spiniana were caught in the traps placed amongst the scrub. The other species is looking very much like Depressaria douglasella but will have to wait for dissection to be certain. It is amazing that at this historically well-recorded site that we have turned up 2 new county records.
Other micros of note included: Agonopterix nervosa, Agonopterix assimilella, Agonopterix scopariella, Ypsolopha scabrella and Agriphila latistria.

Neil

Mere wainscot

Large thorn

Pammene spiniana

Probable Depressaria douglasella

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