Flying nearly 3 weeks ago...eeek!

Field Trip - Herts Moth Group Meet - Rye Meads - 06/08/16

Hello all.

Here is the report from the latest Herts Moth Group feld trip at the beginning of August

06th August 2016:Rye Meads RSPB reserve, Hertfordshire. Herts Moth Group outing

This report must start with an apology – since it appears that we confused people over the meeting place. It transpires that the wrong locality data was copied and pasted from a past program with the result that several people gathered at the entrance to the Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust nature reserve at Rye Meads, which is a short distance east of the intended venue of the RSPB’s portion of the Meads and the other side of the toll barrier on Rye Road. Luckily, someone had a mobile phone and was able to raise me and eventually we all assembled at the same place! If anyone turned up late, without a phone and was unable to find us I offer profound apologies – please contact me if you wish.

In total there was around a dozen of us and lights were scattered across the entire of the somewhat extensive RSPB nature reserve, with my own 4 lights in the north east section, Graeme Smith’s in the north-west, leaving the entire southern two thirds to Ben Sale and Andrew Raybould, John Chainey and Jenny Spence. I am not sure how many lights we had, since my bad leg prevented me from walking around the whole site and counting, and also because Ben has now disappeared on a family holiday (I do hope he took a moth trap) and is not available for questioning! I guess it was around 15 – 20 lights? These were a mixture of mv lamps and actinic tubes and we could easily have managed more.

In spite of this we only managed 153 species (93 macros and 60 micros) – with a few micros still awaiting dissection for accurate naming. The general theme was quality rather than quantity and many people added new species to their personal “life lists”. The target was “wetland moths” and as the list below shows we managed to achieve that, with examples including Chilo phragmitella, Schoenobius gigantella, Donacaula forficella, Acentria ephemerella (Water Veneer), Parapoynx stratiotata (Ringed China-mark) and Cataclysta lemnata (Small China-mark) representing the micros and Simyra albovenosa (Reed Dagger), Celaena leucostigma (Crescent), Nonagria typhae (Bulrush Wainscot), Archanara geminipuncta (Twin-spotted Wainscot), Archanara dissoluta (Brown-veined Wainscot), Archanara sparganii (Webb's Wainscot), Arenostola phragmitidis (Fen Wainscot), Chilodes maritimus (Silky Wainscot), Earias clorana (Cream-bordered Green Pea) and Schrankia costaestrigalis (Pinion-streaked Snout) amongst the macros. Most were in good number too, although there was only one Reed Dagger – in Graeme’s very last trap as we packed up around 3am – literally, the last moth of the night and possible the best as this species is known in the county from only two places – here and at Sawbridgeworth Marsh. We managed a Jersey Tiger at one of Graeme’s lights and a male Gypsy moth came to the 125 watt lamp suspended in front of the sheet hung on the side of my Landrover. There were several Tree-lichen Beauties and a single Box-tree Moth (or Boxworm, depending on which book you read). The award for smallest moth goes easily to Stigmella alnetella, which most doubted I could name – but I did anyway! The Phalonidia manniana was named without dissection and I am happy that it was not an example of the recently split Phalonidia udana. The full list is below – minus the few outstanding micros. If anyone remembers anything that I have missed, do please tell me (likewise if anyone spots any mistakes). As usual, I am using the “old” Bradley names, but I have used the up to date families (I think?).

I look forward to seeing you all on the next trip – see web site for details (www.hertsmothgroup.org.uk).

Colin

6th AUGUST 2016:RYE MEADS RSPB RESERVE, HERTFORDSHIRE

Hepialidae 0014 Hepialus humuli (Linnaeus, 1758) Ghost Moth 0015 Hepialus sylvina (Linnaeus, 1761) Orange Swift Nepticulidae 0115 Stigmella alnetella (Stainton, 1856) Tischeriidae 0125 Emmetia marginea (Haworth, 1828) Tineidae 0228 Monopis weaverella (Scott, 1858) Lyonetiidae 0263 Lyonetia clerkella (Linnaeus, 1758) Apple Leaf Miner Bucculatricidae 0274 Bucculatrix ulmella Zeller, 1848 Gracillariidae 0288 Caloptilia stigmatella (Fabricius, 1781) 0294 Aspilapteryx tringipennella (Zeller, 1839) 0368 Phyllocnistis unipunctella (Stephens, 1834) Leaf mines on Populus – no adults caught Plutellidae 0464 Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus, 1758) Diamond-back Moth Peleopodidae 0658 Carcina quercana (Fabricius, 1775) Gelechiidae 0758 Recurvaria leucatella (Clerck, 1759) Blastobasidae 0873 Blastobasis adustella Walsingham, 1894 0874 Blastobasis lacticolella Rebel, 1940 Batrachedridae 0878 Batrachedra praeangusta (Haworth, 1828) Tortricidae 0926 Phalonidia manniana (Fischer von Röslerstamm, 1839) 0937 Agapeta hamana (Linnaeus, 1758) 0969 Pandemis corylana (Fabricius, 1794) Chequered Fruit-tree Tortrix 0970 Pandemis cerasana (Hübner, 1786) Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix 0972 Pandemis heparana ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Dark Fruit-tree Tortrix 0993 Clepsis spectrana (Treitschke, 1830) Cyclamen Tortrix 0998 Epiphyas postvittana (Walker, 1863) Light Brown Apple Moth 1062 Acleris emargana (Fabricius, 1775) 1076 Celypha lacunana ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) 1113 Eudemis profundana ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) 1138 Epinotia nisella (Clerck, 1759) 1159 Rhopobota naevana (Hübner, 1817) Holly Tortrix 1165 Zeiraphera isertana (Fabricius, 1794) 1169 Gypsonoma dealbana (Frölich, 1828) 1175 Epiblema uddmanniana (Linnaeus, 1758) Bramble Shoot Moth 1183 Epiblema foenella (Linnaeus, 1758) 1205 Spilonota ocellana ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Bud Moth 1260 Cydia splendana (Hübner, 1799) 1261 Cydia pomonella (Linnaeus, 1758) Codling Moth Crambidae 1290 Chilo phragmitella (Hübner, 1805) 1292 Calamotropha paludella (Hübner, 1824) 1304 Agriphila straminella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) 1305 Agriphila tristella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) 1316 Catoptria falsella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) 1323 Pediasia contaminella (Hübner, 1796) 1328 Schoenobius gigantella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) 1329 Donacaula forficella (Thunberg, 1794) 1331 Acentria ephemerella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Water Veneer 1344 Eudonia mercurella (Linnaeus, 1758) 1348 Parapoynx stratiotata (Linnaeus, 1758) Ringed China-mark 1354 Cataclysta lemnata (Linnaeus, 1758) Small China-mark 1358 Evergestis pallidata (Hufnagel, 1767) 1361 Pyrausta aurata (Scopoli, 1763) 1375 Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner, 1796) European Corn Borer 1378 Phlyctaenia coronata (Hufnagel, 1767) 1395 Udea ferrugalis (Hübner, 1796) Rusty-dot Pearl 1398 Nomophila noctuella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Rush Veneer 1405 Pleuroptya ruralis (Scopoli, 1763) Mother of Pearl 1409a Diaphania perspectalis (Walker, 1859) Boxworm Pyralidae 1413 Hypsopygia costalis (Fabricius, 1775) Gold Triangle 1415 Orthopygia glaucinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) 1428 Aphomia sociella (Linnaeus, 1758) Bee Moth 1439 Trachycera advenella (Zincken, 1818) 1452 Phycita roborella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Pterophoridae 1504 Platyptilia pallidactyla (Haworth, 1811) 1513 Pterophorus pentadactyla (Linnaeus, 1758) White Plume Moth Drepanidae 1646 Watsonalla binaria (Hufnagel, 1767) Oak Hook-tip 1652 Thyatira batis (Linnaeus, 1758) Peach Blossom Geometridae 1680 Cyclophora punctaria (Linnaeus, 1758) Maiden's Blush 1699 Idaea rusticata Lempke, 1967 Least Carpet 1702 Idaea biselata (Hufnagel, 1767) Small Fan-footed Wave 1708 Idaea dimidiata (Hufnagel, 1767) Single-dotted Wave 1713 Idaea aversata (Linnaeus, 1758) Riband Wave 1724 Xanthorhoe spadicearia ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Red Twin-spot Carpet 1726 Xanthorhoe quadrifasiata (Clerck, 1759) Large Twin-spot Carpet 1732 Scotopteryx chenopodiata (Linnaeus, 1758) Shaded Broad-bar 1738 Epirrhoe alternata (Müller, 1764) Common Carpet 1742 Camptogramma bilineata (Linnaeus, 1758) Yellow Shell 1759 Ecliptopera silaceata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Small Phoenix 1776 Colostygia pectinataria (Knoch, 1781) Green Carpet 1777 Hydriomena furcata (Thunberg, 1784) July Highflyer 1792 Philereme transversata (Hufnagel, 1767) Dark Umber 1803 Perizoma alchemillata (Linnaeus, 1758) Small Rivulet 1812 Eupithecia inturbata (Hübner, 1817) Maple Pug 1830 Eupithecia absinthiata (Clerck, 1759) Wormwood Pug 1838 Eupithecia icterata (Villers, 1789) Tawny Speckled Pug 1839 Eupithecia succenturiata (Linnaeus, 1758) Bordered Pug 1862 Gymnoscelis rufifasciata (Haworth, 1809) Double-striped Pug 1883 Acasis viretata (Hübner, 1799) Yellow-barred Brindle 1887 Lomaspilis marginata (Linnaeus, 1758) Clouded Border 1894 Chiasmia clathrata (Linnaeus, 1758) Latticed Heath 1906 Opisthograptis luteolata (Linnaeus, 1758) Brimstone Moth 1907 Epione repandaria (Hufnagel, 1767) Bordered Beauty 1913 Ennomos alniaria (Linnaeus, 1758) Canary-shouldered Thorn 1914 Ennomos fuscantaria (Haworth, 1809) Dusky Thorn 1921 Crocallis elinguaria (Linnaeus, 1758) Scalloped Oak 1931 Biston betularia (Linnaeus, 1758) Peppered Moth 1937 Peribatodes rhomboidaria ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Willow Beauty 1955 Cabera pusaria (Linnaeus, 1758) Common White Wave 1956 Cabera exanthemata (Scopoli, 1763) Common Wave Sphingidae 1981 Laothoe populi (Linnaeus, 1758) Poplar Hawk-moth 1991 Deilephila elpenor (Linnaeus, 1758) Elephant Hawk-moth Notodontidae 1997 Furcula furcula (Clerck, 1759) Sallow Kitten 2007 Pheosia tremula (Clerck, 1759) Swallow Prominent 2008 Ptilodon capucina (Linnaeus, 1758) Coxcomb Prominent 2011 Pterostoma palpina (Clerck, 1759) Pale Prominent

2030 Euproctis similis (Fuessly, 1775) Yellow-tail 2033 Lymantria monacha (Linnaeus, 1758) Black Arches 2034 Lymantria dispar (Linnaeus, 1758) Gypsy Moth Arctiidae 2044 Eilema griseola (Hübner, 1803) Dingy Footman 2047 Eilema complana (Linnaeus, 1758) Scarce Footman 2049 Eilema depressa (Esper, 1787) Buff Footman 2050 Eilema lurideola (Zincken, 1817) Common Footman 2057 Arctia caja (Linnaeus, 1758) Garden Tiger 2061 Spilosoma luteum (Hufnagel, 1766) Buff Ermine 2064 Phragmatobia fuliginosa (Linnaeus, 1758) Ruby Tiger 2067 Euplagia quadripunctaria (Poda, 1761) Jersey Tiger Noctuidae 2089 Agrotis exclamationis (Linnaeus, 1758) Heart and Dart 2092 Agrotis puta (Hübner, 1803) Shuttle-shaped Dart 2102 Ochropleura plecta (Linnaeus, 1761) Flame Shoulder 2107 Noctua pronuba Linnaeus, 1758 Large Yellow Underwing 2109 Noctua comes Hübner, 1813 Lesser Yellow Underwing 2111 Noctua janthe Borkhausen, 1792 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing 2112 Noctua interjecta Schawerda, 1919 Least Yellow Underwing 2123 Diarsia rubi (Vieweg, 1790) Small Square-spot 2126 Xestia c-nigrum (Linnaeus, 1758) Setaceous Hebrew Character 2134 Xestia xanthographa ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Square-spot Rustic 2160 Lacanobia oleracea (Linnaeus, 1758) Bright-line Brown-eye 2197 Mythimna straminea (Treitschke, 1825) Southern Wainscot 2278 Acronicta megacephala ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Poplar Grey 2290 Simyra albovenosa (Goeze, 1781) Reed Dagger 2292 Cryphia algae (Fabricius, 1775) Tree-lichen Beauty 2297 Amphipyra pyramidea (Linnaeus, 1758) Copper Underwing 2298 Amphipyra berbera Fletcher, 1968 Svensson's Copper Underwing 2312 Ipimorpha subtusa ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Olive 2318 Cosmia trapezina (Linnaeus, 1758) Dun-bar 2321 Apamea monoglypha (Hufnagel, 1766) Dark Arches 2336 Apamea ophiogramma (Esper, 1793) Double Lobed 2341 Mesoligia furuncula ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Cloaked Minor 2343 Mesapamea secalis (Linnaeus, 1758) Common Rustic 2352 Eremobia ochroleuca ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Dusky Sallow 2361 Hydraecia micacea (Esper, 1789) Rosy Rustic 2368 Celaena leucostigma (Hübner, 1808) Crescent 2369 Nonagria typhae (Thunberg, 1784) Bulrush Wainscot 2370 Archanara geminipuncta (Haworth, 1809) Twin-spotted Wainscot 2371 Archanara dissoluta (Treitschke, 1825) Brown-veined Wainscot 2373 Archanara sparganii (Esper, 1790) Webb's Wainscot 2377 Arenostola phragmitidis (Hübner, 1803) Fen Wainscot 2381 Hoplodrina alsines (Brahm, 1791) Uncertain 2391 Chilodes maritimus (Tauscher, 1806) Silky Wainscot 2418 Earias clorana (Linnaeus, 1761) Cream-bordered Green Pea 2439 Plusia festucae (Linnaeus, 1758) Gold Spot 2441 Autographa gamma (Linnaeus, 1758) Silver Y 2450 Abrostola tripartita (Hufnagel, 1766) Spectacle 2474 Rivula sericealis (Scopoli, 1763) Straw Dot 2477 Hypena proboscidalis (Linnaeus, 1758) Snout