May 2015 Moths

Following a poor Spring there was hope for an improvement during May. May did improve for mothing but was not especially inspiring. Advantage had to be taken of the handful of good moth nights. I have however picked up a few good catches with 6 species new to my home site at Hollesley.

The moth species started with domination by the Orthosias and Waved Umber was common here this year too. Prominents then appeared and now the Hawk-moths are around. Notably common this May have been Least Black Arches, Mullein and the 2 Spectacles. The expected moths Light Brocade and at the end of the month the Treble Lines have been dominant species amongst the macros with Aspilapteryx tringipennella abundant in the micros and turning up regularly at other sites visited too. Notocelia trimaculana turned up before the commoner N. cynosbatella this year. I was also pleased to pick up Hysterophora maculosana again this year, encouraging me to believe that it is establishing in my garden bluebells. Other catches of interest at home have been a Bordered Straw 21st, early Cameraria ohridella 15th , early Latticed Heath 16th and in the later part of the month regular Nematopogon schwarziellus that seems the commonest species of the genus here.

Six new species for my home site: Gravitarmata margarotana 10th and previously posted, Bucculatrix bechsteinella 22nd, Pseudatemelia flavifrontella, Pleurota bicostella and Eupoecilia angustana all on 24th. Then on the 25th a Cydia that proved difficult to identify. A genitalia prep proved it to be Cydia conicolana, however by looking up images on Suffolk Moths, UK Moths and Sterling and Parsons it fits C. cosmophorana much better. Norfolk moths image is off kilter. Two differing textual keyings gave different results. The genitalia are distinct.

Two other site visits are worth reporting. Up at Snape on 10th was a catch of only 31 species but had interest. Eyed Hawk-moth, Purple Thorn and Reed Dagger amongst the macros and Elachista maculicerassella common at the site and a Phyllonorycter corylifoliella. Then at Staverton Park on 22nd. A good site and a good moth night that stayed warm through the night until around 6 am when the cold air and drizzle arrived. Dispersed from the nearby Rendlesham Forest the catch included a Pine Hawk-moth, Pine Beauty and Cedestis subfasciella. An early Peppered Moth was a surprise. Pebble, Scalloped and Oak Hook-tip abound. I was delighted to pick up Roeslerstammia erxlebella last autumn however this catch picked up many examples of its Spring brood. They appeared less metallic than the Autumn ones. The site is generally good for micros. Carpatolechia proximella and Teleiodes luculella are common. Two attractive micros Eulia ministana and Ancylis mitterbacheriana also common. A number of leafminer species too; Bucculatrix ulmella, B. bechsteinella, Stigmella lapponica, S. confusella, S. continuella, S. perpygmaeella and S. samiatella.

A spell of cooler wetter and windier weather now for a while, fingers crossed for an improved summer.

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One Response to May 2015 Moths

  1. keith says:

    A very interesting monthly review, Raymond, as ever. Peppered Moth first appeared up here on the 17th and has been regular since.

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