In my
Stoke Goldington garden (incorporating an overgrown stream) some good moths trapped recently, associated with damp habitat: several Ringed China Mark, Dingy Shears (second record in 10 years) and a presumed
Phlyctaenia perlucidalis (3rd record) - scarce in Bucks?). Other showy micros included Gold Triangle and
Endotricha flammealis. A garden first was Plain Golden Y, but pride of place went to
Small Ranunculus which was found by accident on Sunday evening inside the house a day after my son's all-night party (a sort of giant moth trap!). Waring and Townsend list this moth as "proposed Red Data Book" - insufficiently known/nationally scarce. As a once nationally extinct recent recolonist, it would be interesting to know what its current status is within our recording area.
Also, as ever, there is a perplexing Crambid? which does not seem to conform to any of the classic illustrations. Suggestions welcomed. Keith
.jpg) |
Dingy Shears
|
.jpg) |
Presumed Phlyctaenia perlucidalis
|
.jpg) |
Gold Triangle
|
..jpg) |
Plain Golden Y
|
 |
Small Ranunculus (flash image)
|
.jpg) |
Small Ranunculus (natural light)
|
 |
Ringed Chinamark ?
|
Yes your moth is perlucidalis. We have over 130 records in the Bucks database for this moth. Not common, but turns up in most areas eventually. I'll leave Martin A to comment on Small Ranunculus, I think my old garden is the only place left in Bucks that it hasn't been seen now...it's doing very well in its resurrection. I can't tell what the last moth is from the image, sorry.
ReplyDeleteHello Keith, difficult to tell without an indication of size but I wonder if your 'worn crambid' might not be a washed-out Udea olivalis. They often end up looking like that at the end of their flight season.
ReplyDeleteThe Bucks database now has 94 records for Small Ranunculus. The first was in the South in 2004, adult and larvae. The species has spread in Bucks since then and there were 17 records last year from 7 sites, including Milton Keynes. Your record will be the most Northerly for Bucks, but maybe not for long as we might see it during the BIG/BENHS meeting at Salcey Forest on Friday or Saturday.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your comments. I'd like to come along to the mothing night, as it is just up the road, and would like to meet Martin - we have conversed by email for a few years now, but have never met. When is the decision on the day likely to be made?
DeleteLovely creatures! And just to let you know that my sons are interested in this moth-based pretext for an all-night party...
ReplyDeleteRe the mystery crambid, I agree with Dave in that it could be a worn U. olivalis. Looking at the hindwings should tell you if it could be Ringed China-mark.
ReplyDelete