Recording of UK Moth Recorders' Meeting

For those who may have been unable to attend but still wish to see what went on, this year's annual UK Moth Recorders' Meeting, held in Birmingham at the end of January, is now available to watch on Butterfly Conservation's YouTube channel here.   

Caterpillar query

 Can anyone kindly help my granddaughter to ID this very small caterpillar - currently about 1cm long.  I'll thank you by updating this post because I'm having the recently-discussed Comment problems (and am grateful for the advice given, which I'm working on).  Our best guess so far is Yellow-tail.  Martin Wainwright, Thrupp, Oxon

Thanks very much Dave and Tim.  She found the cattie near dead ivy leaves on the ground and a beech hedge and 'rescued' it because there didn't seem much for it to eat.  I'll also check out that very helpful link.  She wants to try to rear it, so I'm suggesting a mixed diet based on the poss IDs.  Very much obliged.  I tried again to do a Comment but no luck yet.  All warmest and thanks too for speed M

PhD student looking for help

Each of our County Moth Recorders has been contacted by Iona Cunningham-Eurich at UCL regarding a research project on nocturnal ichneumonid wasps and an edited version of her request appears below:

My name is Iona Cunningham-Eurich, and I am a second-year PhD student at the Natural History Museum (NHM), London, and University College London (UCL), under the supervision of Dr. Gavin Broad (NHM) and Prof. Seirian Sumner (UCL). My research focuses on parasitoid wasps, specifically comparing generalist and specialist species. I am reaching out to the local moth-trapping community to find anyone who would be interested in helping to collect wasp specimens. We are aiming to collect geographically well-distributed nocturnal parasitoids belonging to the genera Netelia and Ophion between May and September of this year (2024). These wasps are attracted to light, including moth traps, and are easily recognisable given that they are relatively large and orange. 

The aims of this project are twofold: (1) to create a snapshot in time of the diversity and distributions of UK nocturnal parasitoids (information that is largely lacking) and (2) to perform a molecular genetics project. The collection process would proceed as follows: we will send packs of tubes containing 70% ethanol to participants (the specimens must be collected in ethanol for genetics). After sampling, participants would send the tubes back to the Natural History Museum every month or so. All equipment and postage will be provided. Once we receive the wasps, we will identify them and they will be integrated into the NHM Hymenoptera collections (with credit to the collector). Some will also be used for the genetics study.

We would like to hear from anyone who is interested, but particularly from people who trap multiple times a month in one or multiple woodland sites between May and September. Even if you are not personally interested in helping, please feel free to share this email with other expert moth-trappers who fulfil the above criteria and may be interested. However, please note that due to limited funding, participation may need to be capped. Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions. Thank you for your interest and I hope to hear from you soon. 

If interested please contact Iona direct at either iona.cunningham-eurich.16@ucl.ac.uk or iona.cunninghameurich@nhm.ac.uk

Mompha jurassicella?

 

I believe this is Mompha jurassicella, found indoors this morning. Neither the Atlas nor Sterling & Parsons seem to suggest dissection is necessary, but I assume it would be the safer option, given that it seems pretty scarce in Bucks and nationally too? On the other hand perhaps it is something else entirely...

Phil T

Bee Moth

This Bee Moth was fluttering around indoors this morning, but it seems to be quite a way outside the normal flight period. I was doing some work in the loft yesterday, where there are several old wasp nests, so I suspect that that is where it originated.

 

Help with comments

 Help!! When I try to add a comment to a post I get the following image:

To leave a comment, click the button below to sign in with Google.

There is a "Google" button belo this but when I click on it, I lose the comment box and go back to the blog page but in a different place to where I was trying to comment.

Can anyone help me with this please

Chestnut or Dark Chesnut etc

 

How about this one Dave? I'm favouring Dark chestnut.

And would you be happy with common rather than small Quaker for this one?

Tackley Heath

18 Feb 24

Pheromone success - in February?!

Spurred on by one or two recent reports from elsewhere in the country of Pammene giganteana flying already, I extracted the MOL pheromone lure from the freezer this afternoon and took it with me to Lapland Farm Meadows near Rushbeds, Bucks where it was left in a trap suspended under a couple of hedgerow oaks from 2.30pm while I did some searching for Brown Hairstreak eggs.  The MOL lure (for Grapholita molesta) is one of a handful of lures to which giganteana is known to be attracted.  Sure enough, by the time I returned to the same spot an hour later the little chap below was sitting in the trap.

Pammene giganteana, Lapland Farm Meadows 20th February

Dave Wilton Westcott, Bucks   

iRecord verification (again)

Dave has recently made several important points about submitting records to iRecord (https://upperthamesmoths.blogspot.com/2024/01/irecord-verification.html) to help with the verification process. As well echoing Dave's advice (and again thanking you all for the terrific recording effort), I would like to add a few comments on this topic based on my experience as the VC22 verifier for photo records over the last few years (the County Moth Recorder, Martin Harvey, does all non-photo records).

Additional information

Many moths that come to light are worn and some are 'difficult' species to identify, and it is surprising that sometimes relatively contentious records are submitted without any further information other than the recorder's name, date, and location. While the recorder must have spent time on the identification process (unless it is a guess!) quite often none of this decision-making is imparted to the verifier. I know it takes time, especially when one has a large number of entries to make, but the more detail you can give the better. In addition, as Dave has already noted, some species require a comment to get the record accepted (e.g., that you have checked the hindwing colour of Hoary Footman, or the extent of copper colour of the underside of the hindwing of Svensson's Copper Underwing). Again, if you have recorded a moth outside its usual flight period it is great if you can say so: e.g. "Unusually early/late date, but checked carefully to confirm the species". That way we know that the date is correct, and was not the result of being mis-entered.

Photos

I echo Dave's plea about adding photos: also please make the image sufficiently large (or crop the original) and adequately exposed so that the verifier can check the species without having to download the image to enlarge or darken/lighten it (surprisingly common in my experience). For the many micro-moths that have a roof-like resting position, a single close-up photo taken at an angle that allows markings on the dorsum to be seen as well as those on the costa can be sufficient for identification. However, especially where there is some uncertainty about the ID or the moth is worn I find it extremely helpful if photos at more than one angle are included with the record (I hope that it goes without saying that taking images on a clear background in natural light is often crucial).

Generic records

I am relatively relaxed about records being submitted at or 'relegated' to the genus on iRecord when a species cannot be identified definitively. Thus, the record remains on the system and should further information come to light allowing a more secure identification they can be upgraded. This might seem unlikely but possible examples of further information like this in the new edition of the Field Guide to the Micro-moths (Sterling, Parsons & Lewington 2023) are the absence of a black spot near to the wing base to identify Willow Ermine Yponomeuta rorrella when compared to other Small Ermines, and the differences in length of labial palps in distinguishing Pandemis species.  Although, as Dave has said, generic records will not be useful for further species biodiversity analysis, and will be under-represented in compilations of abundance (as in the UTB Moth Atlas), these records do perhaps give some indication of the extent of the inaccuracy.

For those who are just beginning to use iRecord (the recommended recording format for all three vice-counties), there are short guides to getting started on the website of Upper Thames branch of Butterfly Conservation (https://www.upperthames-butterflies.org.uk/recording) and a Help section on the iRecord website that includes a more comprehensive guide as well as some helpful videos (https://irecord.org.uk/help).

John Thacker (with input from Martin Harvey)

Harwell, Oxon

Oak Nycteoline?

 This little moth which was found on the wall near MV trap last night,appeared to be a Tortrix but I recall making the same mistake last year..

This one is very pale and poorly marked.

Is my ID correct ?

Grateful for help with ID

 Grateful for help with ID. All from Tackley Heath in last week.

Red Chestnut

Chestnut

Tortricodes alternella

Tortricodes alternalla (2  Same moth as above)

Alan Diver Tackley

19/2/24

An early Turnip

 Assuming my identification is correct this Turnip seems quite early.

Andy Newbold, Sibford Ferris, Oxon.

Pupa puzzle

I've got moth books and caterpillar books, but need a pupa book! This empty pupal skin was underneath some Sycamore bark today. I did wonder if it could be the Regal Piercer, Pammene regiana, which is known to pupate in Sycamore bark. However, my pupa doesn't match other images of regiana.

I'm not expecting that this can be fully identified, but if anyone can narrow it down that would be very impressive. The hooks on the cremaster are also impressive!

Pupa from under bark

Close-up showing cremaster

Carpe noctem

I try to set the moth traps at home when I can, but this depends on the intersection of multiple conditions: I have to be at home; it has to fit with other commitments and the weather has to be right.

It was good that all of these came together last night (16th February) because I was aware that it should be a good night for mothing after the mild weather and run of south/south-westerly winds.  I was also aware of the weather warning for tonight and rather mixed forecast for the coming days and nights.  And it turned out to be a very good night.

My twin-15W actinic trap in the front garden had what I would usually rate as a good night for the middle of February: 25 moths of six species.  This included the first-ever Acleris cristana (unfortunately it posed for the photo with mis-folded wings).

Acleris cristana
Newton Longville, 16 February 2024

However, the LED light in the back garden did better, managing 130 moths of ten species, including 101 Common Quaker.

The back-garden moths included four micromoth species: Agonopterix heracliana - no pink underneath -  and Acleris ferrugana/notana, plus early examples of Agonopterix ocellana and Emmelina monodactyla.  Early macros included a Double-striped Pug and a Pine Beauty.  Unfortunately, a brief-but-heavy shower came through while I was going through the trap, with the result that the Pine Beauty below is rather bedraggled.

Pine Beauty
Newton Longville, 16 February 2024

The overall result of 155 moths of 13 species in mid-February is a record for this garden.  I have never previously caught more than five species in a night in February, nor more than three dozen individuals.  The earliest in the year that I have previously caught at least 13 species is on 22nd March (last year), and the earliest in the year that I have achieved at least 155 moths was in mid-May (in 2020).

Tim Arnold

Newton Longville, Bucks

A new species

The Lichen Tortrix, Acleris literana, is described as "local" and has a reasonable number of dots on the Upper Thames Atlas, but I've somehow managed to avoid seeing it before. So I was delighted to find one sitting on the vanes of the garden light trap this morning - what a gorgeous moth! (Buckinghamshire.)

Lichen Tortrix, Acleris literana

Lichen Tortrix, Acleris literana

Six other species were alongside it, including Yellow Horned, the first one I've recorded for four years and the first one in the garden for eight years. Suspect this says more about my lack of early spring woodland moth trapping than it does about the moths.

Yellow Horned showing off its yellow horns

A nice fluffy Common Quaker

Another dumb question?

 Hi there,

This took a shine to our living room TV screen last night! I'm failing to make much progress with it - none of the various options seem to be flying at this time of year! Around 0.5/6 cms in length, wings tucked closely round the body, a sprinkling of golden scales and a couple of black spots. That's what I'm seeing, but it's not leading me anywhere!

Suggestions very welcome, David

Busy night

 

My second trapping of the year on Wednesday's very mild night brought lots of visitors, compared to a grand total of nil when I first tried at the end of January. I have been puzzling over the one above and wonder - after a fair bit of Agnopterixing - if it is an Oak Nycteoline, which would be new for me? (I'm also trying to find out what 'Nycteoline' means!) All advice appreciated.  Martin Wainwright, Thrupp, Oxon

PS I'm having trouble posting comments for some reason so this is just to say Thank You very much to Tim for a Rolls Royce explanation.  I've always wanted to have a good read of Maitland Emmet and hope to some day. I had fondly thought of Nycteoline as something which might power a moth trap generator in the wilds, but like Martin H, I am entirely won over by your explanation.  It's a very nice little moth.  Many thanks again.

Aston, Oxon, 15th Feb

There was a Dark Sword-grass in my actinic trap this morning. I know that they can turn up at any time of year, but this was my earliest ever record.

David

Dark Sword-grass © David Hastings

Westcott, Bucks

Well, that was a productive fortnight in the garden considering that we're still supposed to be in the depths of winter!  The actinic was run every night and moths turned up each time, occasionally in some numbers.  Putting to one side the potential consequences for all invertebrates of what ever-milder winters might mean in the longer term, the forecast is currently looking good for moth catches at least until the end of February - no frosts at any rate - so if you haven't already started trapping for the year then I suggest you get going.  Tonight and possibly the following couple of nights are looking particularly promising for migrants on the current southerly airstream as well as for our early-flying species which are often under-recorded.  

The garden year-list at Westcott has now passed 30 adult moth species and new arrivals during the first two weeks of February comprised the following:

     (3rd)  Agonopterix ocellana, Acleris schalleriana, Acleris ferrugana/notana, Oak Beauty, Clouded Drab

     (4th)  Hebrew Character

     (8th)  Tortricodes alternella, Dotted Border

     (9th)  Small Quaker

     (10th)  Agonopterix alstromeriana

     (12th)  March Moth

     (13th)  Caloptilia semifascia, Shoulder Stripe, Angle Shades

     (14th)  Ypsolopha ustella, Pale Pinion

Caloptilia semifascia, Westcott 13th February

Ypsolopha ustella, Westcott 14th February

Agonopterix ocellana, Westcott 3rd February

Tortricodes alternella, Westcott 8th February

Oak Beauty, Westcott 3rd February

Angle Shades, Westcott 13th February

Pale Pinion, Westcott 14th February

Hebrew Character, Westcott 4th February

Of the Orthosia species, I've currently had only two examples of Small Quaker but the other three which have appeared already are now turning up nightly in some numbers, so this is well and truly an early start to their season rather than just the appearance of a few outliers.  Last night, for example, I had Common Quaker (13), Clouded Drab (3) & Hebrew Character (6).

There have been few "non-moths" attracted to the light over this period apart from assorted Diptera.  The only exceptions have been a 10-spot Ladybird Adalia decempunctata (4th) and, unfortunately for our Lepidoptera, the annual invasion by the ichneumon wasp Ophion variegatus.  The count for the latter had reached 98 individuals here by last night since the first on 25th January, presumably accounting for an identical number of now-deceased noctuid caterpillars in the area around our garden.

Ophion variegatus, Westcott 13th February

Dave Wilton Westcott, Bucks  

A tricky micro from last July!

 Uploading records (I know,late) to irecord I came across this little beauty.Has the jizz Horse-chestnut leaf miner but I 8 month on I am having doubts…

New annual reports from Les Finch and Martin Finch

For many years Les Finch and Martin Finch have been producing a series of fascinating reports that explore and analyse the huge amount of moth recording that they carry out. Three new reports for 2023 have been uploaded to the Berkshire Moth Group website, and are now available from the publications page.

At their main trapping site in a Maidenhead garden, up to seven traps were run on each of 337 nights across the year, totalling 2,041 ‘trap nights’. As a result, they saw a few moths: 33,758 macro moths, of 277 species, including 6 species new to the tetrad.

The report analyses these records in relation to previous years, to weather conditions, to longer-term changes in climate and much more, providing lots to think about and to compare to experience at other sites. Here is just one of the many charts included, this one summarising the accumulation of species and individuals during the years 2022 and 2023. Intriguingly, moth abundance recovered well in 2023 compared to the very hot summer of 2022, but the total number of species seen was a little lower in 2023:

Somehow Les also found time to record at two other sites during the year, and has provided shorter reports summarising the results from Bisham Woods and a privately-owned site in Cookham Dean.

Many thanks to Les and Martin for putting so much effort into their recording and analysis, and for sharing the reports with the Berks Moth Group. Well worth a read.

Back door mothing

For many years a very persistent Hart's-tongue Fern has grown in a damp corner just outside our back door. A few nights ago I was running the moth trap in our garden and was feeling distinctly underwhelmed by the two Pale Brindled Beauties that were the only visitors. Seeking further mothy excitement I decided to have a closer look at the fern, having failed to do so in the preceding years. And straight away I could see feeding signs of one of the Psychoides moths whose caterpillars feed on fern spores.

In daylight it was possible to find a larva and gently uncover it for a photo, showing the pale brown head markings that should mean this is the Common Fern Moth, Psychoides filicivora (the other species, P. verhuella, has black head markings). Hopefully I'll be able to rear an adult moth for further confirmation.

It's amazing that the fern survives so well in this rather unpromising corner, and even more amazing that the moths are able to find and colonise this isolated plant.

'Habitat' for the Hart's-tongue Fern

Underside of leaf showing spores and feeding webs

Close up of feeding web

Larva inside web - note pale brown head

Berkshire records update

Thanks to everyone who has been sending in their Berkshire moth records for 2023. John Thacker and I are fairly up to date with verifying these, and once again we have some great coverage across the county:

The total of nearly 37,000 records is impressive, but lower than the nearly 57,000 we achieved in 2022! However, there are still records coming in for last year, and there is a large import in progress from Les and Martin Finch that will bump up the numbers considerably.

And we are already up to 36 species in 2024:

To view the above summaries and records in more detail, and to keep up with the latest records as they arrive:

• View the 2024 summary on iRecord
• Join the 2024 Activity on iRecord
• View the 2023 summary on iRecord
• Join the 2023 Activity on iRecord

If you have moth records for any year that you haven't yet sent in please add them to iRecord or send direct to your county recorder - thank you!

Another early one

Stoke Goldington (N. Bucks)

This Clouded Drab at the front door lights last night was the earliest garden record by a good 11 days.

Up and Running

First one of the year last night here in Tilehurst. Putting my skant Micro knowledge to the test - I think it is Tortricodes alternella.

Westcott, Bucks

The second half of January started with the lights off for a week, firstly due to extreme cold and then due to Storm Isha, but they were turned on again from the 22nd until the end of the month.  Pale Brindled Beauty and Early Moth have been regulars, the latter now up to 16 individuals which is the highest count I've ever had of it here in January (after 14 in 2011).  I'll probably get a few more records in February before it disappears.  New arrivals for the year-list took a while to appear but eventually comprised Endrosis sarcitrella (29th), Agonopterix heracliana (28th), Acleris kochiella (30th), Acleris hastiana (28th) & Common Quaker (28th), taking the overall January species count of adult moths to five micros and nine macros (57 individuals altogether, a record here for the first month of the year).  The Common Quaker was only my second garden record for January, the other being on the 25th in 2016 - the moth doesn't usually appear here until mid-February at the earliest.

Acleris kochiella, Westcott 30th January

Acleris hastiana, Westcott 28th January

Common Quaker, Westcott 28th January

There has been some interest amongst the non-moths too.  Another leaf beetle turned up on the night of the 22nd, this time the rather pretty Rosemary Beetle Chrysolina americana.  The tiny long-horn Pogonocherus hispidus visited again on the the 23rd (last seen in December), while on the 25th I had two specimens of the water beetle Colymbetes fuscus and the first of many examples of the ichneumon wasp Ophion variegatus which are now turning up every night (they are regulars here in January and February). 

Chrysolina americana, Westcott 22nd January

Dave Wilton Westcott, Bucks