Micro Moth Notice Board







 

 

2014

16 October 2014. A single Depressaria badiella (0674; 32.038) was taken in a Heath actinic trap left overnight in Ring Haw (TL09). This is was later confirmed by gen det. This constitutes the second VC32 record, with the previous record being in 1943. David comments that there are plenty of records over the border in VC30 (Bedfordshire) and thus suggests this to be under-recorded in the county.

16 May 2014. A single Spuleria flavicaput (0904; 39.003) was taken at light in Grafton Park Wood (SP98) by Mark Hammond, the fourth VC32 record, last recorded in 2001. David Manning notes that there are sixteen records in neighbouring VC30 suggesting it may be under-recorded in the county. Also taken in the same trap session, a single Ancylis obtusana (1122; 49.204) which represents the third VC32 record for this Nationally Notable species.

Record recently identified from 2013: Coleophora conyzae (0521; 37.036), new to VC32 - recorded by James Skinner at Kelmarsh Hall & Gardens (SP77), 17.vii.2013. Complicated by the fact that the male gen. det. figure in MBGBI Vol 3 is incorrect.

2013

22 October 2013. Another example of Palpita vitrealis (1408) was recorded to light by Derek Larkin in his Wellingborough garden (SP86). This record is twelve years to the day since Derek's previous record for this species (which was also the first time it was recorded in VC32).

24 September 2013. A single example of the known migrant species Palpita vitrealis (1408) was recorded to light by Perdita Cawthorn in her Lower Benefield garden (SP98). This is the second VC32 record for this species.

Other recent notable recent records:

Psychoides verhuella (0199) - larval feeding on Hart's -tongue fern:- Kingsthorpe, (SP76) by Tony Richardson, Rothwell Gullet NR (SP88) by John Showers, Kelmarsh Estate, Old Rail Tunnel (SP78) by James Skinner, all following David's request for sightings of this species.

Phyllonorycter dubitella (0336) - bred from leaf-mines on sallow at Far Cotton, Northampton by Martin Coles (gen.det. DVM)

Dichrorampha sedatana (1286) - swept from tansy at Kingsthorpe, Northampton (SP76) by Pete Sharpe

Nemophora fasciella (0144) - observed in garden at Kingsthorpe, Northampton (SP76) by Diane Sharpe

18 July 2013. A number of Dichrorampha vancouverana (1284) were netted at dusk in a Thrapston garden (SP98) by Mark Hammond. Further individuals were seen on subsequent nights, with some turning up in the garden MV trap.

17 July 2013. A single Lampronia luzella (0135) was netted in the evening at Grafton Park Wood (SP98) by Mark Hammond. This is the second VC32 record, seen previously in 2005.

06 July 2013. Eidophasia messengiella (0469) was taken by Mike Weedon in Peterborough garden (TL19). This is the third VC32 record for this species.

16 June 2013. A number of Epinotia fraternana (1143) were beaten from a Spruce at Grafton Park Wood (SP98) by Mark Hammond. This constitutes the third county record for this species.

26 May 2013. A single Ancylis obtusana (1122) was netted in the evening at Bedford Purlieus (TL09) by Mark Hammond. This is only the second VC32 record for this Nationally Notable species, having previously been recorded by Eustace Wallis in 1907.

12 to 14 May 2013. Three Cydia strobilella (1254) emerged from the fallen cones of Norway Spruce collected by Martin Coles from Delapre Wood (SP75).

12 May 2013. Approximately a dozen Pancalia leuwenhoekella (0899) seen at Ring Haw (TL09) on the morning of 12th May by Mark Hammond. Only two previous records of this species exist in VC32. These were in flight close to the ground during sunny periods, with others seen "head-down" in flowers of Dandelion.

06 May 2013. A single Cydia conicolana (1269) came to MV light in Martin Cole's Northampton garden (SP76). There are only two previous VC32 records of this Nationally Notable species.

07 May 2013. Two Micropterix tunbergella (0001) netted in the afternoon at Grafton Park Wood (SP98) by Mark Hammond. There are only three previous records for this moth, all dating to 1907, credited to Eustace Wallis. David Manning comments that there are currently a dozen records in neighbouring Bedfordshire (VC30).

30 April & 01 May 2013. Three Cydia strobilella (1254) emerged from the fallen cones of Spruce collected from Grafton Park Wood (SP98) by Mark Hammond. These constitute the third to fifth Vice County records for this species, having been last recorded in 1926. Interestingly the species has been recorded over the last few days in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire (which was the first record since 1899) and Huntingdonshire (where it was first recorded in 2011).

2012

09 November 2012. The second Vice County record of Acleris logiana (1051) was recorded in a Thrapston (SP97) garden Actinic light by Mark Hammond.

31 July 2012. A singleton of Parectopa ononidis (0299) was taken in a garden light trap in Thrapston (SP97) by Mark Hammond. This is the first county record for this very attractive micro. There are a number of records from Bedfordshire, mostly of the larval stage which mines Red Clover.

04 July 2012. A second county record of Ethmia quadrillella (0719) was taken in a garden light trap in Peterborough (TL19) by Mike Weedon.

05 June 2012. A single adult Phaulernis dentella (0477) was beaten from a mixed Hawthorn and Blackthorn hedge along a green lane near Islip (SP97) by Mark Hammond. This is the first county record for this species, which has a south-easterly distribution in the UK.

A long awaited, and very useful guide to the current status and distribution to the UK micromoths: A Review of the Status of Microlepidoptera in Britain, has been published by Tony Davis of Butterfly Conservation.

2011

19 November 2011 . One Acleris logiana (1051) was taken at MV light by Derek Larkin in his garden trap in Wellingborough (SP86). This is a new county record. Until recently the only British records were from the highlands of Scotland . Since the 1990s the species has become established in the south east of England , probably from a spread of migrants from Europe .

25 September 2011. Leaf-mines of Chrysoesthia drurella (0746 - see image below) were observed on Chenopodium album by Martin Coles in his garden in Northampton (SP75).

3 September 2011. Nemapogon wolffiella (0217) was taken by Martin Coles in his garden trap in Northampton (SP75).

14 August 2011. Caloptilia falconipennella (0289). Leaf-mines and larval spinnings were observed on leaves of alder at Summer Leys NR (SP86) by Barry Dickerson during a site visit by Hunts. Fauna and Flora Society.

31 July 2011 . One Pyrausta nigrata (1366) was taken at MV light by Mark Hammond in his garden light trap in Thrapston (SP97). The last record in VC32 was in 1945, and all previous records are from the north east of the county. This record is well away from any known habitat and should initially be considered a vagrant/accidental. It is resident in Bedfordshire (VC30) on chalk hills at the north edge of the Chilterns, with 17 records known to date.

26 June 2011. Oegoconia caradjai (0871a) was taken by Martin Coles in his garden trap in Northampton (SP75). On 25 Jul 2012 a second specimen was taken by Pete Sharpe in his garden light trap at Kingthorpe (SP76). The three species in this genus can only be reliably separated by dissection.

15 June 2011. Mompha terminella (0881) was taken at MV light by James Skinner at Scotland Wood, Kelmarsh Estate (SP77). Following this record a search on the foodplant Enchanter's Nightshade resulted in leaf-mines being found in Yardley Chase (SP85) and six sites in Bedfordshire (VC30).

May 2011. The presence of the declining UK BAP species Grapolita pallifrontana (1243 - see image below) was confirmed at Bradlaugh Fields in Northampton (SP76) by Pete Sharpe.

29 May 2011. Denisia albimaculea (0638a - see image below) was taken by Martin Coles in his garden trap in Northampton (SP75). On the previous day a specimen was recorded at Ampthill Park in Bedfordshire (VC30). This species is local and scarce in England , and there are few recent records.

28 May 2011. Eulamprotes unicolorella (0732) was taken at MV light by James Skinner at Ring Haw (TL09).

24 March 2011. Acrolepiopsis assectella (0473 - see image below), known as The Leek Moth, was taken by Mike Weedon in his garden trap at Peterborough (TL19). A second specimen was found in the same trap on 23 August 2011.

2010

14 October 2010. Leaf-mines and larval cocoons of Bucculatrix cidarella (0272) were found on alders by David Manning at Sane Copse, Yardley Chase (SP85).

23 September 2010. Cosmopterix zieglerella (0894) was noted by David Manning as leaf-mines on hop at Yardley Hastings (SP85).

14 August 2010. Cochylis molliculana (0964a) was taken at MV light by James Skinner at Easton Hornstocks (TF00).

24 July 2010. Coleophora hemerobiella (0523) was taken at MV light by James Skinner at Sunderland Wood, Kelmarsh Estate (SP77).

20 July 2010. Stathmopoda pedella (0877) was taken at MV light by James Skinner at Easton Hornstocks (TF00).

18 July 2010. Chionodes fumatella (0790) and Cochylidia heydeniana (0957) were recorded by Colin Plant during a survey at Nassington (TL09). On being advised that Cochylidia heydeniana was a new county record Colin Plant recalled an earlier record from Peterborough Railworld Wildlife Haven (TL19) on 21 July 2008.

6 July 2010. Epinotia nigricana (1140) was netted by Pate Sharpe at Harlestone Heath (SP76).

25 June 2010. Pseudatemelia josephinae (0660) was attracted to an MV light trap run by Ron Follows at Collyweston Great Wood (TF01).

21 June 2010. A larval case of Diplodoma laichartingella (0180 - see image below) was found on a tree trunk at Scotland Wood, Kelmarsh Estate (SP77), by James Skinner.

5 June 2010. Cydia milleniana (1258) was taken by Pete Sharpe in his garden light trap at Kingthorpe (SP76). This species is found in larch forests, and was previously recorded in Britain only from Norfolk and Suffolk.

20 May 2010. Phtheochroa sodaliana (0923) was taken by Pete Sharpe in his garden light trap at Kingthorpe (SP76).

19 May 2010. Epinotia subsequana (1131) was netted by Pete Sharpe at Harlestone Heath (SP76).

2009

19th September 2009. One Epinotia caprana (1154 - see image below) was taken at MV light by Mark Hammond at Stanwick Lakes LNR (SP97) as part of Natinal Moth Night. This species was last recorded in the county in August 1918 (no location given - reported in the Kettering & District Natural History Society notes). Larvae feed on the spun, rolled terminal leaves of salix spp and is known to inhabit wetland, fens and marshland and is found in suitable locations across the UK, but never commonly encountered.

12th June 2009. A single Tachystola acroxantha (0656) was recorded at MV light in Mark Hammond's Thrapston garden (TL07). This is the first county record of this adventive species which is reportedly spreading north and east from it's first UK record in Devon in 1908. Most records are south and west of the county, nearest known record being from Warwickshire in 2002.

2nd June 2009. Nick's good fortune and hard work has payed off again - single Luquetia lobella (0668) recorded at Woodnewton (TL09). This is the first county record for this species, which has been recorded a number of times in recent years in neighbouring Bedfordshire (Rothamstead trap in TL24) and once in the far west of Leicestershire in June 2006.

27th May 2009. A single Epiblema grandaevana (1181) was recorded at Nick Smith's Woodnewton garden (TL09). This is a proposed Red Data Book species has only been recorded once in the county at Colyweston Great Wood on 26th July1991. It has been recorded a number of times in and near suitable habitat at a number of locations in neighbouring Rutland (VC55)

22nd May 2009. As part of the NMG trip to Easton Hornstocks (TF00), Ron Follows recorded a singleton of Ancylis laetana (1123) which is only the fourth county record. Ron also recorded a single Carpatolechia proximella (0770), which constitutes the third county record.

2008

11th September 2008. A single Uresiphita polygonalis (= gilvata) (1369) was taken in an MV light trap in Easton Hornstocks (TF00) by Mark Hammond, Keith Tailby and Pete Clarke. This is a new county record for this rare migrant moth, which is usually only ever reported from the most southern vice counties in the UK.

5 July 2008. A single Ethmia quadrillella (0719) was taken in a garden MV light trap in Woodnewton (TL09) by Nick Smith. This is a new county record for this localised species.

 


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