Saturday 16 June 2012

Barred Umber

 

My 2012 spring visit to the Weald was so cold and wet that I did not record any moths. But whilst looking for something else I have just found this photograph of some of the contents of a trap run overnight on 7th - 8th May 2011. Brimstone Moth, Pebble Hook-tip and Scalloped Hazel all appear on the list for that day but I somehow overlooked the slightly worn Geometrid on the right hand side when I made that list. This is Barred Umber, Plagodis pulveraria, a species of ancient semi-natural woodland and 'new' for Flimwell. It has a local distribution. At present, according to the NBN website at least, there is no record for TQ73, Flimwell's 10km square, so good to be able to make this one retrospectively. (Nor, for that mattter, are there any records shown for TQ72 or TQ62 - two adjacent hectads in the High Weald AONB which are replete with ancient broad-leaved woodland - but probably under-recorded).

Sunday 22 May 2011

14 new moths for Flimwell

A very rainy weekend in Glasgow has let me sort out a few moth records for Flimwell from my recent spring sojourn in the Weald. We managed to record 44 species and add 14 species to the list (some of which, like Brimstone Moth and May Highflyer, I was surprised weren’t already on it). 14 more and we hit the magic 200… It was good to find Orange Footman, Pebble Hook-tip etc and in the trap one morning four species of Notodontidae: Swallow, Coxcomb, Great and Pale Prominents (but sadly no Marbled Brown or Lunar Marbled Brown - maybe the timing was wrong or perhaps they do not come to a feeble Actininc lamp?). Coxcomb Prominent (below) was new for the site.

Thanks to Pat Bonham of the Sussex Moth Group for checking my three late April pugs (another new pug for the site, Foxglove Pug, was added to the list on 8th May).

A list of the addtions follows the pictures below of three of them.

Coxcomb Prominent - Ptilodon capucina
Treble Lines - Charanyca trigrammica
The Miller - Acronicta leporina
Currant Pug 30/04/2011
Dwarf Pug 30/04/2011
Coxcomb Prominent 30/04/2011
Agonopterix ocellana 30/04/2011
Pebble Hook-tip 08/05/2011
May Highflyer 08/05/2011
Rivulet 08/05/2011
Foxglove Pug 08/05/2011
Tawny-barred Angle 08/05/2011
Brimstone Moth 08/05/2011
Brown-tail (caterpillar) 08/05/2011
Shuttle-shaped Dart 11/05/2011
Miller 11/05/2011
Treble Lines 11/05/2011





Saturday 30 April 2011

Three Pugs

Flimwell 29th - 30th April 2011
40W Actinic - 27 moths of 15 species including 6 Pale Tussock, an Orange Footman, the first Clouded Border & these three pugs which I think are Dwarf, a worn Brindled and Currant.





Thursday 29 April 2010

Flimwell 23rd March 2010

Last post from Flimwell, at least for a while, as I have left the Weald, and the country for a spell (new Pacific Northwest moth blog at http://www.washington-moths.blogspot.com/). I did put the trap out, and recorded 16 species on one of the less chilly and more cloudy nights this month. Orthosia species are out in numbers and accounted for almost half of the catch (of 66 moths). Pale Pinion, Lithophane hepatica, has woken from its winter sleep, some pristine Oak beauties (Biston strataria) and Red chestnuts (Cerastis rubricosa) too. Early Grey (Xylocampa areola) not significantly later than last year' s record of 17th March. In fact, despite (or because of?) the hard winter and slow spring, today's list compares favourably with the 13 species we recorded on 31st march last year or the 12 species on 17th March. But no Blossom Underwing...


Small Quaker - Orthosia cruda

Red Chestnut - Cerastis rubricosa
Pale Pinion - Lithophane hepatica

Earl Grey - Xylocampa areola

With that, a year mothing at Flimwell has come full circle for me. Thanks to Steve Wheatley for the opportunity to do this and for use of a Mercury Vapour lamp & Robinson trap and to the High Weald AONB Unit for tolerance of unpredictable nocturnal behaviour and polite interest in small brown insects. Here is a summary list of the moth records from Flimwell so far - 155 species. The list is sorted by order of first observed appearance during the year (unfortunately I can't get blogger to support a table very easily). There are still likely to be many gaps and some well-timed surveys during the summer, particularly August which is currently a blank, might add significantly to Lodgefield Wood's recorded lepidopteran fauna.

Formal Name-Common Name-Earliest Record-Latest Record
Tortricodes alternella -Tortricodes alternella-27/02/2009-23/03/2010
Acleris ferrugana -Acleris ferrugana-27/02/2009-27/02/2009
Alsophila aescularia -March Moth-27/02/2009-23/03/2010
Phigalia pilosaria -Pale Brindled Beauty-27/02/2009-03/03/2010
Biston strataria -Oak Beauty-27/02/2009-23/03/2010
Agriopis leucophaearia -Spring Usher-27/02/2009-03/03/2010
Agriopis marginaria -Dotted Border-27/02/2009-23/03/2010
Orthosia cruda -Small Quaker-27/02/2009-23/03/2010
Orthosia cerasi -Common Quaker-27/02/2009-19/03/2010
Orthosia gothica -Hebrew Character-27/02/2009-23/03/2010
Eupsilia transversa -Satellite-27/02/2009-23/03/2010
Conistra vaccinii -Chestnut-27/02/2009-23/03/2010
Apocheima hispidaria -Small Brindled Beauty-03/03/2010-03/03/2010
Achlya flavicornis -Yellow Horned-17/03/2009-23/03/2010
Gymnoscelis rufifasciata -Double-striped Pug-17/03/2009-15/04/2009
Orthosia incerta -Clouded Drab-17/03/2009-31/03/2009
Orthosia munda -Twin-spotted Quaker-17/03/2009-23/03/2010
Xylocampa areola -Early Grey-17/03/2009-23/03/2010
Trichopteryx carpinata -Early Tooth-striped-23/03/2010-23/03/2010
Cerastis rubricosa -Red Chestnut-23/03/2010-23/03/2010
Diurnea fagella -Diurnea fagella-31/03/2009-31/03/2009
Lycia hirtaria -Brindled Beauty-31/03/2009-15/04/2009
Ectropis bistortata -Engrailed-31/03/2009-23/03/2010
Panolis flammea -Pine Beauty-31/03/2009-15/04/2009
Lithophane hepatica -Pale Pinion-31/03/2009-23/03/2010
Lampropteryx suffumata -Water Carpet-15/04/2009-15/04/2009
Eupithecia abbreviata -Brindled Pug-15/04/2009-23/03/2010
Selenia dentaria -Early Thorn-15/04/2009-21/07/2009
Selenia tetralunaria -Purple Thorn-15/04/2009-15/04/2009
Drymonia ruficornis -Lunar Marbled Brown-15/04/2009-15/04/2009
Colocasia coryli -Nut-tree Tussock-15/04/2009-05/05/2009
Monopis weaverella -Monopis weaverella-05/05/2009-05/05/2009
Falcaria lacertinaria -Scalloped Hook-tip-05/05/2009-05/05/2009
Anticlea derivata -Streamer-05/05/2009-05/05/2009
Ecliptopera silaceata -Small Phoenix-05/05/2009-05/05/2009
Thera firmata -Pine Carpet-05/05/2009-23/10/2009
Thera britannica -Spruce Carpet-05/05/2009-23/10/2009
Petrophora chlorosata -Brown Silver-line-05/05/2009-01/06/2009
Odontopera bidentata -Scalloped Hazel-05/05/2009-22/05/2009
Pheosia gnoma -Lesser Swallow Prominent-05/05/2009-01/06/2009
Pheosia tremula -Swallow Prominent-05/05/2009-05/05/2009
Clostera curtula -Chocolate-tip-05/05/2009-22/05/2009
Stauropus fagi -Lobster Moth-05/05/2009-05/05/2009
Peridea anceps -Great Prominent-05/05/2009-22/05/2009
Eilema sororcula -Orange Footman-05/05/2009-22/05/2009
Ochropleura plecta -Flame Shoulder-05/05/2009-01/06/2009
Pseudopanthera macularia -Speckled Yellow-13/05/2009-22/05/2009
Paradarisa consonaria -Square Spot-13/05/2009-13/05/2009
Cabera exanthemata -Common Wave-13/05/2009-13/05/2009
Nemophora degeerella -Nemophora degeerella-22/05/2009-22/05/2009
Menophra abruptaria -Waved Umber-22/05/2009-22/05/2009
Smerinthus ocellata -Eyed Hawk-moth-22/05/2009-22/05/2009
Laothoe populi -Poplar Hawk-moth-22/05/2009-22/05/2009
Pterostoma palpina -Pale Prominent-22/05/2009-22/05/2009
Drymonia dodonaea -Marbled Brown-22/05/2009-01/06/2009
Calliteara pudibunda -Pale Tussock-22/05/2009-01/06/2009
Spilosoma lubricipeda -White Ermine-22/05/2009-01/06/2009
Tyria jacobaeae -Cinnabar-22/05/2009-14/07/2009
Euclidia glyphica -Burnet Companion-22/05/2009-16/06/2009
Hepialus lupulinus -Common Swift-01/06/2009-01/06/2009
Tortrix viridana -Green Oak Tortrix-01/06/2009-01/06/2009
Tetheella fluctuosa -Satin Lutestring-01/06/2009-01/06/2009
Xanthorhoe montanata -Silver-ground Carpet-01/06/2009-01/06/2009
Xanthorhoe fluctuata -Garden Carpet-01/06/2009-01/06/2009
Chloroclysta truncata -Common Marbled Carpet-01/06/2009-23/10/2009
Thera obeliscata -Grey Pine Carpet-01/06/2009-14/10/2009
Electrophaes corylata -Broken-barred Carpet-01/06/2009-01/06/2009
Colostygia pectinataria -Green Carpet-01/06/2009-04/09/2009
Eupithecia exiguata -Mottled Pug-01/06/2009-01/06/2009
Plagodis dolabraria -Scorched Wing-01/06/2009-01/06/2009
Hypomecis punctinalis -Pale Oak Beauty-01/06/2009-01/06/2009
Campaea margaritata -Light Emerald-01/06/2009-19/09/2009
Deilephila elpenor -Elephant Hawk-moth-01/06/2009-01/06/2009
Spilosoma luteum -Buff Ermine-01/06/2009-01/06/2009
Agrotis exclamationis -Heart & Dart-01/06/2009-07/07/2009
Diarsia mendica -Ingrailed Clay-01/06/2009-01/06/2009
Mythimna comma -Shoulder-striped Wainscot-01/06/2009-01/06/2009
Acronicta alni -Alder Moth-01/06/2009-01/06/2009
Euplexia lucipara -Small Angle Shades-01/06/2009-07/07/2009
Apamea crenata -Clouded-bordered Brindle-01/06/2009-01/06/2009
Rivula sericealis -Straw Dot-01/06/2009-01/06/2009
Celypha lacunana -Celypha lacunana-05/06/2009-05/06/2009
Chrysoteuchia culmella -Chrysoteuchia culmella-16/06/2009-16/06/2009
Protodeltote pygarga -Marbled White Spot-16/06/2009-07/07/2009
Idaea biselata -Small Fan-footed Wave-06/07/2009-06/07/2009
Pandemis cerasana -Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Archips podana -Large Fruit-tree Tortrix-07/07/2009-19/09/2009
Clepsis spectrana -Cyclamen Tortrix-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Hedya ochroleucana -Hedya ochroleucana-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Epinotia solandriana -Epinotia solandriana-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Epiblema uddmanniana -Bramble Shoot Moth-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Catoptria pinella -Catoptria pinella-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Perinephela lancealis -Perinephela lancealis-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Euthrix potatoria -Drinker-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Habrosyne pyritoides -Buff Arches-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Geometra papilionaria -Large Emerald-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Hemithea aestivaria -Common Emerald-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Idaea aversata -Riband Wave-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Hydriomena furcata -July Highflyer-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Chloroclystis v-ata -V-pug-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Lomaspilis marginata -Clouded Border-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Macaria notata -Peacock Moth-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Alcis repandata -Mottled Beauty-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Cabera pusaria -Common White Wave-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Lomographa temerata -Clouded Silver-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Phalera bucephala -Buff-tip-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Miltochrista miniata -Rosy Footman-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Eilema complana -Scarce Footman-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Eilema dep
ressa - Buff Footman-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Eilema lurideola -Common Footman-07/07/2009-17/07/2009
Cosmia trapezina -Dun-bar-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Hoplodrina alsines -Uncertain-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Hoplodrina blanda -Rustic-07/07/2009-07/07/2009
Idaea trigeminata -Treble Brown Spot-08/07/2009-08/07/2009
Zygaena filipendulae -Six-spot Burnet-14/07/2009-14/07/2009
Apamea monoglypha -Dark Arches-14/07/2009-21/07/2009
Crocallis elinguaria -Scalloped Oak-16/07/2009-16/07/2009
Amphipyra pyramidea -Copper Underwing-21/07/2009-17/09/2009
Endotricha flammealis -Endotricha flammealis-22/07/2009-22/07/2009
Colotois pennaria -Feathered Thorn-22/07/2009-27/11/2009
Amphipyra berbera subsp. Svenssoni-Svensson's Copper Underwing-22/07/2009-22/07/2009
Noctua pronuba -Large Yellow Underwing-13/08/2009-29/09/2009
Ypsolopha parenthesella -Ypsolopha parenthesella-04/09/2009-19/09/2009
Pandemis cinnamomeana -Pandemis cinnamomeana-04/09/2009-19/09/2009
Cymatophorima diluta-Oak Lutestring-04/09/2009-17/09/2009
Xestia xanthographa -Square-spot Rustic-04/09/2009-19/09/2009
Tholera decimalis -Feathered Gothic-04/09/2009-04/09/2009
Gortyna flavago -Frosted Orange-04/09/2009-19/09/2009
Hypena proboscidalis -Snout-04/09/2009-19/09/2009
Blastobasis adustella-Blastobasis adustella-17/09/2009-17/09/2009
Scrobipalpa costella -Scrobipalpa costella-17/09/2009-19/09/2009
Chloroclysta siterata -Red-green Carpet-17/09/2009-23/10/2009
Noctua janthe -Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing-17/09/2009-17/09/2009
Dryobotodes eremita -Brindled Green-17/09/2009-29/09/2009
Omphaloscelis lunosa -Lunar Underwing-17/09/2009-29/09/2009
Caloptilia stigmatella -Caloptilia stigmatella-19/09/2009-19/09/2009
Epiphyas postvittana -Light Brown Apple Moth-19/09/2009-19/09/2009
Acleris emargana -Acleris emargana-19/09/2009-19/09/2009
Dioryctria abietella -Dioryctria abietella-19/09/2009-19/09/2009
Watsonalla cultraria -Barred Hook-tip-19/09/2009-19/09/2009
Xanthia togata -Pink-barred Sallow-19/09/2009-14/10/2009
Nycteola revayana -Oak Nycteoline-19/09/2009-19/09/2009
Endrosis sarcitrella -White-shouldered House-moth-25/09/2009-25/09/2009
Xestia c-nigrum -Setaceous Hebrew Character-29/09/2009-29/09/2009
Agrochola circellaris -Brick-29/09/2009-29/09/2009
Xanthia icteritia -Sallow-29/09/2009-14/10/2009
Phlogophora meticulosa -Angle Shades-29/09/2009-29/09/2009
Agrochola lota -Red-line Quaker-14/10/2009-23/10/2009
Agrochola macilenta -Yellow-line Quaker-14/10/2009-23/10/2009
Epirrita dilutata -November Moth-23/10/2009-23/11/2009
Erannis defoliaria -Mottled Umber-23/10/2009-19/01/2010
Lithophane ornitopus -Grey Shoulder-knot-23/10/2009-03/12/2009
Allophyes oxyacanthae -Green-brindled Crescent-04/11/2009-04/11/2009
Operophtera brumata -Winter Moth-20/11/2009-18/01/2010
Poecilocampa populi -December Moth-01/12/2009-02/12/2009

Monday 22 March 2010

Flimwell 19th March 2010

Common Quaker on the end wall this evening. Small Quaker and Twin-spotted Quaker appeared around outside lights on the 17th and Tortricodes alternella on the 8th March. Plan to run Robinson trap one night next week. Maybe we'll pick up Blossom Underwing...

Wednesday 3 March 2010

Flimwell 3rd March 2010

Small Brindled Beauty - Apocheima hispidaria

One among 5 species this morning at Robinson trap run over a clear night with light frost: Spring Usher (1), March Moth (3), Oak Beauty (1), Pale Brindled Beauty (1), Small Brindled Beauty (2). Seems Brindled Beauty is not flying yet.

Also on the building this evening were 2 male Oak Beauties and a Satellite.

Flimwell 1st March 2010

March Moth - Alsophila aescularia


impeccably punctual

Thursday 18 February 2010

Flimwell 15th February 2010

Dotted Border - Agriopis marginaria


A poor photo - 10 ft up on the wall with a zoom lens in the dark - of the first Dotted Border seen this year, Lodgefield Wood.

Wednesday 3 February 2010

Flimwell 2nd February 2010

Pale Brindled Beauty - Phigalia pilosaria

Candlemas - and a mildish evening - brought a minor flurry of moth activity to exterior lights around the building. Four Satellites, a Chestnut, a Spring Usher and, settled on the end wall, seven male Pale Brindled Beauties were seen between about 5 and 6.30 pm. This evening (the 3rd) was damper and colder, and the walls mothless.

Thursday 28 January 2010

Flimwell 28th January 2010

Spring Usher - Agriopis leucophaearia

Wednesday 9 December 2009

Flimwell 8th December 2009

Pale Pinion - Lithophane hepatica

Sunday 6 December 2009

Flimwell 1st December 2009

December Moth - Poecilocampa populi

No light trap was run during the month of November. The exterior of the building is well lit with two ground level floodlights on the end wall and high level lights beneath the eaves. These bring a number of moths. Six species were recorded during November either on the building or at lit windows.

Allophyes oxyacanthae Green-brindled Crescent
Epirrita dilutata November Moth
Colotois pennaria Feathered Thorn
Operophtera brumata Winter Moth
Eupsilia transversa Satellite
Erannis defoliaria Mottled Umber

On December 1st the first December moth was seen. The species reappeared on the end wall the next two nights. It was absent the following night but a single Grey Shoulder-knot was seen.


Friday 6 November 2009

Flimwell 4th November 2009

Green-brindled Crescent - Allophyes oxyacanthae

Friday 23 October 2009

Flimwell 23rd October 2009

Feathered Thorn - Colotois pennaria

Mottled Umber - Erannis defoliaria


The Satellite - Eupsilia transversa


Grey Shoulder-knot - Lithophane ornitopus


Flimwell 14th October 2009

Yellow-line Quaker - Agrochola macilenta

Red-line Quaker - Agrochola lota

Thursday 22 October 2009

Flimwell 19th September 2009

National Moth Night produced 23 species at MV light in Lodgefield Wood - most notably Oak Nycteoline (Nycteola revayana - below) and Barred Hook-tip (Watsonalla cultraria - bottom)


Flimwell 17th September 2009

Brindled Green - Dryobotodes eremita
Lunar Underwing - Omphaloscelis lunosa

Thursday 10 September 2009

Flimwell 4th September 2009

Oak Lutestring (Ochropacha duplaris)
Feathered Gothic (Tholera decimalis)

Frosted Orange (Gortyna flavago)

Saturday 18 July 2009

Flimwell 7th July 2009

Thirty-five species came to light in Lodgefield Wood on the 7th July. This brings the total species of moth recorded here at Flimwell so far this year to 114 species. Above - Buff Arches (Habrosyne pyritoides), below - Large Emerald (Geometra papilionaria).

Wednesday 17 June 2009

Flimwell 16th June

Marbled White Spot - Protodeltote pygarga (at the edge of Lodgefield Wood), a species with a southern distribution in the British Isles, the caterpillars are said to feed on Molinia.

Chrysoteuchia culmella - Garden Grass Veneer (on Holcus lanatus in the opening at the top end of Lodgefield Wood)

Flimwell 5th June 2009

Celypha lacunana - a common micro of hedgerows, wood edges etc.
(in scrub near Flimwell crossroads)
Another micro moth seen on the same day amongst rosebay willow herb and nettles on the ride side in Lodgefield Wood. I do not know what it is.

Sunday 24 May 2009

Flimwell 22nd May 2009

The Sphingids are here! From Steve's MV Robinson trap at Flimwell


Poplar Hawkmoth - Laothoe populi (above); Eyed Hawkmoth - Smerinthus ocellata (top - showing eyespots and mammal like 'face', & below - eyespots concealed)

Apart from the hawkmoths, last night's trap brought a dozen or so other species including Brown Silver-line, White Ermine, Pale Tussock, Cinnabar, Waved Umber, Scalloped Hazel, Pale Prominent, Spruce Carpet, Ingrailed Clay and Tawny-barred Angle.

A lunchtime stroll along Steve's butterfly transect in sunny but rather windy conditions yielded few butterflies but we did see some day-flying moths including: Nemophora degeerella, Cinnabar, Speckled Yellow, and this Burnet Companion found by Sally amongst bird's-foot-trefoil in the small bit of rough grassy vegetation towards the top of the ridge and identified by Ruth C.


Flimwell 21st May 2009

Micropterix cf. calthella - a micro-landscape. For scale, the large out-of-focus yellow object is a flower of yellow pimpernel (Lysimachia nemorum). Micropterix are unusual among British moths in having well developed mandibles which allow them to eat pollen (rather than 'drinking' nectar). This one is following the routeway of a bract of a yellow sedge plant towards its male spike. The anthers of this species have very recently emerged and dehisced at Flimwell and, where this individual is headed, there are already about twenty moths feeding on the abundantly produced pollen of one single spike. I saw this moth or a very similar species a month ago feeding on the pollen of earlier flowering sedges like wood sedge. I find myself wondering how long-lived the adults are, how far they can fly and whether they follow the phenological succession of different sedge flowers throughout spring. The books say they also feed on buttercups. The larvae feed on leaf litter.

Stonegate 20th May 2009

This landed on my clipboard when I was out surveying the other day near Stonegate. Bits of leaf tissue, bud scales, disintegrating catkins and frass form a kind of dry rain that constantly falls from the canopy onto the woodland surveyor who must sweep his or her notes often to remove detritus. This rain also includes many living organisms, especially at this time of year - lepidopteran larvae parachute down on spun silk. At first I took this for a bit of desiccated leaf tissue. But when it resisted efforts to be shaken or swept off, I realised this was only half right. Reminiscent of a 6mm long cigar, it is the mobile home of a tiny moth caterpillar (a case moth, Coleophora sp. probably serratella), constructed from a piece of rolled tree leaf (the food plant) and bound together (I suppose with silk). It makes two of these in its lifetime and each is architecturally distinct. This one is its second and will form the pupal case when the caterpillar has stopped feeding. The larva will soon attach itself and the case to a sunlit leaf and the adult moth will metamorphose inside. It may even have been attempting to pupate on my clipboard.

Nemophora degeerella (left)
A beautiful longhorn moth, I’m surprised it has no English name. For scale, it is standing on the serration at the margin of a nettle leaf. This is a male, with antennae four or five times the length of its forewing. Groups of them fly up and down in vertical columns sometimes in small gaps in the canopy (books say they fly at dusk but I often see them doing this in the middle of the day). When they do this above a sunspot on the woodland flooor, the long antennae catch and reflect the light and are very striking. It is said that this behaviour attracts females.


Silver Ground Carpet - Xanthorhoe montanata (right) – ubiquitous according to Townsend and Waring. Day-flying and apparently very common in the woods of the High
Weald.

Anthophila fabriciana – Nettle-tap (left), on its food plant, stinging nettle, in a secondary wood full of that plant. Thanks to David Burrows for identifying this.

Pashley 11th May 2009

Flame Carpet - Xanthorhoe designata - disturbed in damp woodland near Pashley whilst surveying