Notice Board 2010

Site Images: We are keen to complete the species illustrations on the site, additionally some of the earlier photographs now look below par and could be improved. If anyone has photographs of the species that we have not yet pictured, or clear improvements, and does not mind us using them to fill some of our gaps will they please let John Ward know. Any photographs used will of course be acknowledged.

The up to date grid square coverage map is now available by clicking onto:
Request for Information/Records from the County Recorder

IDENTIFICATION AND NOTICE BOARD ENTRIES: Any member of the group is able to handle identification queries on moths at any of their stages and if in doubt will refer the matter on for a second opinion. At the outset the insect should be retained and a realistic photograph provided to confirm the identity. Due to the limitations sometimes imposed by photographic images of moths it is not always possible to identify difficult species from a photograph alone. Basically there is always a preference for a moth in the hand. Accordingly if there are still doubts the actual insect should then be seen by either Philip Horsnail, Mark Hammond, Pete Sharpe or John Ward who will act as determinators.

In general, at the time of recording we would like to hear of moths that are UK BAP species, new to the county, or are classified on the site as very local, scarce or rare for entry on the notice board. Additionally any exceptional or interesting captures, i.e. very high numbers, species seen months out of season and unusual extremes of variation or melanism etc. will be welcome. Any other records can wait until submission of the annual recorders list. To keep the project within reasonable bounds we will generally only enter the first recording from a locality on the notice board but would appreciate the actual numbers involved at the end of the season.

2010 Records and Notices:

16 November 2010. It would be most helpful if all 2010 records could be sent to John Ward as soon as possible once recording for the season has finished with any new species for each site highlighted please. Any records received after January 15th will be too late for the 2010 season records update.

29 September 2010. One Dark Spectacle A. triplasia taken at light in a Woodnewton garden (TL09) by Tom Smith. Formerly recorded from nearby Bedford Purlieus and recently in the neighbouring county of Huntingdonshire. On seeing this entry a retrospective record of a Dark Spectacle A. triplasia taken by Terry Stokes in his garden trap in Greatworth (SP54) on 31 July 2010 was reported to us. Both records were supported by photographic evidence.

22 September 2010. One L-album Wainscot M. l-album recorded in a garden light trap in Wellingborough (SP86) by Derek Larkin. This constitutes yet another county record from this garden. As with other moths not normally occurring in the county which have been trapped in this garden the origin of the moth is unclear but it could have been introduced on plants supplied to a garden centre nearby.

18 September 2010. The combined barbeque and moth group outing to Fermyn Woods Country Park (SP98) was an enjoyable and well attended event. Despite the conditions being far from ideal the resultant overall catch was nowhere near as bad as at first feared. In total some 50 moths were seen covering 22 species, apart from Deep-brown Dart all are regarded as common moths within the county. The moth group would like to thank the friends of Fermyn Woods Country Park for their hospitality. Click here for full catch list.

11 September 2010. The group outing to Buckingham Thick Copse (SP74) run by Richard Baylis suffered from a cool, clear night, resulting in a rather disappointing total of 15 species during a four hour session. Click here for full catch list.

9 September 2010. Apart from the White Point M. albipuncta below a limited migration of the more frequent migrants seems to be taking place in the county during this month. To date I have been informed of the following species being trapped at light: - Convolvulus Hawk-moth A. convolvuli, x 2, The Vestal R. sacraria x 4 and Scarce Bordered Straw H. armigera x 1. On notification any similar migrant species can be added to this list.

5 September 2010. A single White Point M. albipuncta taken at light in a Woodnewton garden (TL09) for the second year running by Nick Smith.

4 September 2010. One Webb's Wainscot A. sparganii taken at Irchester Country Park (SP96) by Derek Larkin. A new grid square record.

27th August 2010. A single The Butterbur H. petasitis was recorded at a known patch of its foodplant at Chapel Brampton Crossing (SP76) by Roy Hilton et al. The moth was netted in flight around the Butterbur plants - seemingly ignoring the closely adjacent MV trap.

27th August 2010. Approximately ten larvae of Small Ranunculus H. dysodea were observed by Mark Hammond et al feeding on wild lettuce along the Brampton Valley Way old railway track near to Chapel Brampton (SP76).

25 August 2010. One Webb's Wainscot A. sparganii taken in a garden m.v. light trap by Nick Smith at Woodnewton (TL09).

21 August 2010. A single White-spotted Pinion C. diffinis was taken in Nick Smith's Woodnewton garden light trap (TL09). This Biodiversity Action Plan species has seen a dramatic decline in recent years since the onset of Dutch Elm disease. Current stronghold for this moth is in neighbouring Huntingdonshire and Cambridgeshire.

19 August 2010. James Skinner reports a single September Thorn E. erosaria as part of a light trapping session at Sulby gardens (SP68). This species has seemingly declined locally in recent years, and was the target moth of a cancelled group trip planned for last weekend.

16 & 19 August 2010. One Garden Dart E. nigricans taken at Pitsford Water (SP77) by Dave Francis. These were confirmed as separate moths.

15 August 2010. One Toadflax Brocade C. lunula taken in a garden actinic light trap in Peterborough (TL19) by Mike Weedon; photographically determined by John Ward. An unexpected moth for VC32 but nevertheless a new county record doubtless as a result of migration or vagrancy.

10 August 2010. One Garden Dart E. nigricans taken in a garden m.v. light trap by Nick Smith at Woodnewton (TL09). A greatly declined species in Northamptonshire in recent years.

8 August 2010. One Yarrow Pug E. millefoliata taken in a garden m.v. light trap by Nick Smith at Woodnewton (TL09).

8 August 2010. Several dozen larvae overall of Small Ranunculus H. dysodea were observed feeding on prickly lettuce in Kingsthorpe and at Bradlaugh Fields, both sites in SP76, by Pete Sharpe. Further evidence of the spread of the species within Northamptonshire.

3 August 2010. One Small Ranunculus H. dysodea taken in a garden m.v. light trap in Northampton (SP76) by Bob Gill.

2 August 2010. One Small Ranunculus H. dysodea taken in a garden actinic light trap in Peterborough by Mike Weedon.

24 July 2010. One White-line Snout S. taenialis taken at m.v. light in Sunderland Wood (SP77) by James Skinner. A new moth for Northamptonshire.

19 July 2010. One Garden Tiger A. caja was seen in a garden light trap at Lower Benefield (SP98) by Perdita Cawthorne.

12 July 2010. Phil Horsnail reports that a single Waved Black Parascotia fulginaria was taken to light in his Oundle garden (TL08), subsequently seen and verified by Mark Hammond. This constitutes the first county record for this species. The nearest other records for this species are just over the county border in VC55 (Leicestershire & Rutland) with singletons recorded at the Rothamstead Trap at Loddington in 2005, from a garden in Barrowden on 18th August 2005, with a further example taken at light at Launde Big Wood (near Loddington) on 15th July 2008 (the last two being recorded by Ron Follows).

9 July 2010. Another Small Ranunculus H. dysodea taken at MV Light in Nicola Orchard's Fletton garden (TL19).

9 July 2010. Nicola Orchard reports finding a single Small Ranunculus H. dysodea inside the Samaritans office in Peterborough (TL19) first thing in the morning. The office had been closed overnight so possibly entered the building on the evening of 8th July. The moth was photographed and image submitted for confirmation.

7 July 2010. One Small Ranunculus H. dysodea taken at m.v. light in a Kingsthorpe garden (SP76) by Pete Sharpe. A new grid square record for the species and evidence of spread of the moth within the county.

6 July 2010. One Garden Tiger A. caja was recorded in a garden light trap in Wellingborough (SP86) by Derek Larkin.

6 July 2010. One Red-necked Footman A. rubricollis taken at Pitsford Water (SP77) by Dave Francis.

1 July 2010. One Scarlet Tiger C. dominula taken in an m.v. light trap in a Wellingborough garden (SP86) by Derek Larkin. A surprising moth to find in Northamptonshire and even more so as twenty years ago a Scarlet Tiger was also taken at light in the same garden by Derek. The explanation perhaps lies in the proximity of a local garden centre.

30 June 2010. One The Concolorous C. extrema taken at m.v. light in Geddington Chase (SP98) by John Ward. It is noticeable that the food plant calamagrostis is becoming less plentiful in the wood, presumably due to the generally dryer conditions now present in the wood. Also included in the catch was an example of the currently seldom seem Satin Beauty D. ribeata.

30 June 2010. One Ruddy Carpet C. rubidata, one Red-necked Footman A. rubricollis and one Treble Brown Spot I. trigeminata taken at m.v. light at Easton Hornstocks (TF00) by James Skinner and Derek Larkin.

29 June 2010. One Ruddy Carpet C. rubidata taken in a garden m.v. light trap by Nick Smith at Woodnewton (TL09).

29 June 2010. One Treble Brown Spot I. trigeminata taken in the woodland trap at Pitsford Water (SP77) by Dave Francis. A new record for the site and the grid square.

27 June 2010. One Red-necked Footman A. rubricollis taken in a garden m.v. light trap in Wellingborough (SP86) by Derek Larkin.

26 June 2010. One Small Seraphim P. sexalata taken in a garden m.v. light trap by Nick Smith at Woodnewton (TL09) with a further example being taken on 10 July 2010.

26 June 2010. The group recce of a private part of Yardley Chase (SP85) was blessed with fine mothing weather. The most significant of the 73 species catch was The Concolorous C. extrema of which ninety-one examples were recorded. Unfortunately the target species the Heart Moth was not seen. Click here for full catch list.

23 June 2010. One Red-necked Footman A. rubricollis taken in a garden m.v. light trap in Northampton (SP76) by Bob Gill.

18 June 2010. The field trip to Ravensthorpe Reservoir (SP67) lead by Richard was struck by poor weather conditions. Coupled with the generally lower temperatures experienced near to open water reduced the catch to 21 species, with no species of particular note. Click here for full catch list.

11 June 2010. A single Treble Brown Spot I. trigeminata taken in a garden m.v. light trap in Woodnewton (TL09) by Nick Smith.

5 June 2010. The BioBlitz event at Bradlaugh Fields (SP76) resulted in fifty-one species being identified. Best record for the night was the Nationally Notable Cream-bordered Green Pea  E. clorana. Thanks go to James Skinner and Derek Larkin for organising the group's presense at this event. Click here for full catch list.

4 & 5 June 2010. One False Mocha C. porata and two The Concolorous C. extrema were taken on respective nights in a garden m.v. light trap in Woodnewton (TL09) by Nick Smith. On each night large numbers of macro moths were recorded. On 5 June 2010 along with The Concolorous 1307 moths covering 114 macro species were taken. C. extrema Although this is clearly a good site for a garden, as these results are so exceptional I felt that it would be of general interest to establish more details of the trapping methods used. Apparently on these occasions six 40w actinic light traps were run overnight within the garden. The lights were then worked until the early morning as on 4 June when the False Mocha was netted at midnight moths were still being potted prior to1a.m.

4 June 2010. The group outing to Easton Hornstocks (TF00) was quite well attended and althought the target moth Pauper Pug (Fletcher's Pug) was not seen, a large number of moths were attracted to the lights and the seventy species that were identified included a fair sprinkling of local species. The star moth was the first record for the season of The Concolorous C. extrema, a Northamptonshire speciality which nowadays seems to have recovered somewhat from its recent declines in the old Rockingham Forest woodlands. Click here for full catch list.

28 May 2010. The group outing to Geddington Chase (SP98) was reinforced by some fellow moth enthusiasts from Worcestershire. The additional light power was most welcome resulting in a larger catch; in total 173 moths were recorded covering 49 species. Although the target moth False Mocha C. porata was not seen, other significant species were recorded such as Clay Triple-lines C. linearia, which was last seen in the Chase in 1907, Pale Oak Beauty H. punctinalis and Orange Footman E. sororcula that have never been recorded there despite earlier records going back to Victorian times. These species show change since the Chase was last worked some ten years ago. At this time in the 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s Derek Howton and I recorded in the wood extensively and were as sure as one could possibly be that certainly Pale Oak Beauty was not present. On this occasion a single 125W trap was left running all night through the keepers mains and a 6W actinic was similarly left in the SSSI ancient oak wood. The small trap was particularly successful numerically and also recorded 6 Pale Oak Beauty’s. Similar traps have been run in this exact situation many times previously over the years without the moth being seen. Click here for full catch list.

15th May 2010. National Moth Night was cold! The group outing to Stanwick Lakes (SP97) saw a greater influx of members of the public than of moths, with only fifteen species being recorded. However, the crowds were suitably entertained by the most welcome presence of Phil Richardson of the Northants Bat Group, who conducted a walk around the reserve with bat detection equipment to record Common Pipistrell (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) and Daubenton's Bat (Myotis daubentonii). Watching the Daubenton's by torch-light swooping low over the Nene whilst hearing the changes in their echo location as they caught and ate their prey was very informative. Click here for full catch list.

15th may 2010. Paul Waring ran lights overnight at Borough Fen Duck Decoy (TF10) to celebrate National Moth Night. A "moth breakfast" was held the following morning to go through the traps with members of the public. A full catch list will be forthcoming here shortly.

24 April 2010. The second group outing, kindly organised by Ron Follows, was made to Old Sulehay (TL09) in an attempt to locate Early Tooth-striped (T. carpinata). Sadly the group was less fortunate than Pete Sharpe was on the same evening! Thirty-one species were recorded over the session. Click here for full catch list.

24 April 2010. One Early Tooth-striped T. carpinata taken at m.v. light in Yardley Chase (SP85) by Pete Sharpe. At last!. Included in the twenty-eight species catch was Scarce Prominent O. Carmelita.

18 April 2010. One Dotted Chestnut C. rubiginea taken at m.v. light in a Northampton garden (SP76) by Pete Sharpe.

16 April 2010. One Dotted Chestnut C. rubiginea taken at m.v. light in an East Haddon garden (SP66) by Richard Bayliss. Further evidence of the spread of this species within the county.

26 March 2010. The first group outing was made to Glapthorn Cow Pastures (TL09)- almost on the anniversary of last year's attempt at Fermyn Woods to record the same target species: Small Eggar. Despite reasonably good conditions for the time of year, we once again failed to pick it up. Larvae and larval webs were recorded last year along the roadside hedges just along from Glapthorn, so it is a reasonable bet that the moth is present on the reserve. Nick Smith kindly brought along the example he caught in his garden on 24th March for the group to see first hand. It was pleasing to note however that a good range of spring species was seen, and mostly in good numbers. Some sugaring was also performed with the slightly over-ambitious intent of luring a Dotted Chestnut, but was very sparsly attended (apart from the usual selection of grateful millipedes, earwigs, beetles and a single Tree Slug, Limax marginatus, which we were informed is actually locally quite rare!). Click here for full catch list.

24 March 2010. One Small Eggar E. lanestris, part of a 296 macro moth, 24 macro species catch, including Blossom Underwing, Pale Pinion, Lead-Coloured Drab, Small Brindled Beauty taken at light in Woodnewton (TL09) by Nick Smith. An exceptional garden catch for late March.

16 March 2010. One Dotted Chestnut C. rubiginea taken at trap one, the water’s edge trap at Pitsford Water (SP77) by Jenny Wallace. Previously singletons were recorded on the reserve in 2005 and 2007.