The Grangelands SSSI at Cadsden, Bucks received another moth survey visit last night from Martin Albertini and myself. Although the temperature dropped rather more quickly than the forecast suggested it might, it was still a good night and we probably saw in excess of 200 species between us. After having been reminded by Peter Hall that Argyresthia species need females to stand any chance of success with dissection, I took along an actinic trap which was placed in amongst the best area of Junipers and got another small batch of them to be checked (any of which could be new to the site). Perhaps the most interesting moth of the night, though, was
Moitrelia obductella which is likely to be a first for VC24.
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| Moitrelia obductella, Grangelands 31st July |
Dave Wilton
Westcott, Bucks
A first for Bucks and according to recent literature a first for outside Kent and Sussex chalk downland. Is it just a wanderer or could it be established at Grangelands which is chalk grassland and has plenty of the larval food plant Marjoram?
ReplyDeleteIt is actually more widespread in the south-east than the literature suggests so could well be established at Grangelands. One to look out for on other similar sites in the Chilterns.
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