Notice Board 2024

The notice board is one of the principal modes of communication for those interested in VC32 moths. I am keen to keep this resource active throughout the year and will be happy to post interesting sightings or issues. In general, at the time of recording I would like to hear of moths that are UK BAP species, new to the county, very localised or rare, or which have not been recorded since 2000. Additionally any exceptional or interesting captures, i.e. very high numbers, species seen out of season and unusual extremes of variation or melanism etc. will be welcome.

All other records can be submitted at the end of the season for inclusion in the central database.

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 the County Moth Recorder Mark Hammond 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 Mark Hammond, Philip Horsnail or Pete Sharpe who will act as determinors.

2024 Records and Notices:

15th December 2024
With very little moth activity to report, here is a link to the recently published Butterfly Conservation edition of e-Moth to while away a few minutes. It does publically report that Les Evans-Hill is retiring in the next week. Les has been at the helm of the BC National Moth Recording Scheme for many years, and was the first port of call when I submited the county database updates to the scheme. At the time of writing I am not sure quite how these updates will be processed after he has left BC, but will let you know when I do!
MapMate news:
Of note, in a related matter, those of you who use MapMate to keep their moth records may well be aware that the company that runs MM is winding-up. This means that the support we have been used to over the years will cease. But despair not! Les will be looking after the Lepidoptera aspect of MapMate in the future, proposing to prepare updates as and when they become required. How this will work in practice, and how they will be distributed to end-users is as yet unknown, but I will be in close touch with him in the coming months and keep the group informed of plans. The end of MapMate as a trading company does not affect your use of the program, and certainly does not affect the county database, and subsequent mapping that I use for the website. So do please keep on using it in the same manner as you have been. Anyway...watch this space for further news.

15th November 2024
Butterfly Conservation has just announced the date and program for the next UK Moth Recorders' Meeting (also known as The Moth Conference). This edition will be held by Zoom rather than in-person in Birmingham. Booking is still essential, so please follow the link here.

14th November 2024
A handful of significant retrospective records to report, following the examination of dissection material:
5th September 2024: Caloptilia honoratella recorded to light at Farthinghoe NR (SP54). This I believe is the 4th VC32 record.
9th August 2024: To my surprise, and delight, a single male Saltern Ear Moth Amphipoea fucosa was confirmed from a garden light trap in Denton (SP85). This is therefore new to VC32. This has finally debunked the old adage that "we only get The Ear in the county"...
2nd August 2024: A single Elachista utonella was confirmed from a light trap at Farthinghoe NR (SP54). This is the 4th VC32 record, and only the 3rd since 2000.
26th July 2024: Another site example of Gelechia nigra was also light trapped at Farthinghoe NR (SP54). This is actually the 4th VC32 record, trumping the one reported on 29th July further down this page. The moth has been recorded at this site on two previous occasions (both in 2023).

8th November 2024
A single Radford's Flame Shoulder Ochropleura leucogaster was found on a garden lawn in Nassington (TL09). The assumption is that the moth was attracted to the light trap operated at that location the previous evening, and then remained un-noticed until later in the day. As far as I am aware, this therefore, is the 4th VC32 record.

3rd November 2024
I have noticed some rather late dates for certain species being recorded on social media. One to note locally is the occurrence of a single Common Pug Eupithecia vulgata to light in Cogenhoe (SP86). Waring & Townsend (Bloomsbury, 2017, 3rd edition) state that this species is predominantly single-brooded, but has an occasional second brood in August (in southern Britain). VC32 records are spread more or less between mid-April and very early September, with the peak flight-period between mid-May and mid-June. Clearly the appearance in early November is extraordinary.

1st November 2024
An apparent continuation of the prolonged migration period has resulted in the 3rd VC32 record of Blair's Mocha Cyclophora puppillaria, to a garden light trap in Nassington (TL09). The only other local records were of individuals taken in Peterborough (24th September 2006) and Pitsford Reservoir (27th October 2013). A photo of the moth is depicted below:

28th October 2024
And another! A 3rd VC32 record of Radford's Flame Shoulder Ochropleura leucogaster was recorded to light in a garden trap at Old Stratford (SP74).

24th October 2024
A 2nd VC32 record of Radford's Flame Shoulder Ochropleura leucogaster was recorded to light, this time in a garden in Little Billing, Northampton (SP86). I note from social media that the moth has been recorded in other midland counties in recent days. A table-top photo of the moth is depicted below:

23rd October 2024
A significant retrospective record to report:
An unidentified Tortrix moth was taken to light in Easton Hornstocks (TF00) on 2nd June 2024, and retained for future examination. Subsequent dissection proved this to be Brevicornutia pallidana, which is new to VC32 for this species. The moth is considered to be quite scarce across the UK, with a very disjointed distribution. The larvae feed on Sheep's Bit (Jasione montana), which is, apparently, a very rare plant in VC32, with the only currently known site being at Newnham Hill near Daventry. This of course opens up the possibility that the plant exists undiscovered in or near to Easton Hornstocks, or that the individual moth was a vagrant. The site is regularly trapped, and so will be monitored carefuly for this species in subsequent years.

12th October 2024
A single mine of Phyllonorycter cavella has been located on Birch at Farthinghoe NR (SP54). This is only the all-time 5th VC32 record, and first time seen since 2010.

9th October 2024
A run of excellent form in Oundle continues, with another new VC32 record: a single Radford's Flame Shoulder Ochropleura leucogaster was recorded to light at Oundle (TL08). This species certainly does seem to be recorded in the UK with increasing regularity, with records noted from some neighbouring counties (Warwickshire, Bedfordshire). A pot-shot of the moth is depicted below:

8th October 2024
Another very significant retrospective record to report: An unrecognised tortrix moth was taken in a garden light trap in Oundle (TL08) on 6th August 2024. The moth did not appear to match anything in published books, or on the UK Moths website. It was thus retained for future examination. Upon presentation to the CMR for identification, it was noted that this was not a moth that was immediately recognised, but "rang a bell". Looking through the Entomological Record & Journal of Variation, Volume 135(5) came up with a match: Clepsis peritana. Dissection was advised to separate it from other options, which confirmed the identification. This is the 1st VC32 record. The species is a resident of Canada and the USA, but is also known to be spreading through Continental Europe, likely feeding on a range of foodplants including Strawberry and Citrus species. It was newly recorded in the UK in July 2023 in Staffordshire, with two further records subsequently noted in Wales and Essex during September of the same year. Therefore, this record is likely only the 4th for the UK.

7th October 2024
A very significant retrospective record to report: A moth, almost devoid of markings and wing scales, was taken on 26th September in a garden light trap in Oundle (TL08). Upon dissection, this moth proved to be a male Eastern Nycteoline Nycteola asiatica. Not only is this a new VC32 record, but following conversations with various UK experts, this could well be only the 10th UK record! The species was first noted in the UK in 1993, in Lydd, Kent. A few sporadic records ensued, but until 2024 (I believe five records in 2024, including this one), has not been seen in the UK since 2005.

5th October 2024
Four reports of Clancy's Rustic Caradrina kadenii have been noted to garden light traps, all being new site records for the species and covering a good geographical spread through the county: Nether Heyford (SP65); Kingsthorpe, Northampton (SP76); Kettering (SP88) and Raunds (SP97).

5th October 2024
A retrospective report from 25th September, following verification duties on iRecord/iNaturalist: Another Goat Moth Cossus cossus larva has been reported, with an accompanying photograph to prove the ID, this time at what appears from the grid reference supplied to be a garden location in Ailsworth (TL19). Sadly, the nature of iNaturalist means it is very difficult to contact the originator of the record to clarify the exact details. This is now the 5th post-2000 record!

2nd October 2024
A further Musotima nitidalis has been taken to light at Easton Hornstocks (TF00). I think this is therefore the 5th VC32 record, but importantly, the species was first recorded in the county at this site in 2023, and this moth was recorded approximately 100m from the one recorded last year. A good indication that the moth is breeding there. A single moth has also been noted at the Oundle site too, following the record there on 23rd September, which I believe would be the 4th VC32 record.

24th September 2024
A retrospective report of a 5th VC32 record of Isophrictis striatella - taken to light in Duston, Northampton (SP76), on 30th July 2024, pictured below.

23rd September 2024
We appear to be in the midst of a vertiable Palpita vitrealis invasion! I have noted this species as being a rare migrant to VC32, with an all-time total of 15 records prior to this year. It was first recorded locally in 2001 (a single record), but then not again until 2013 (two records). Another record drought followed until 2018 (three records), but has been recorded as singletons most years since then. 2023 saw it noted on three occasions. However, at the time of writing, I am aware of at least ten individuals having been recorded within the county since the beginning of September. Records are quite well spread out, those being Northampton, Sywell, Cogenhoe, Thrapston, Oundle and Nassington. I have seen this species being reported quite widely on social media. The individual pictured below was caught at Sywell.

23rd September 2024
Another Musotima nitidalis has been taken to light in a garden light trap, this time in Oundle (TL08). This then is the 3rd VC32 record.

23rd September 2024
Following on from the record on 21st September, a further example of Clancy's Rustic Caradrina kadenii has been recorded in a garden light trap in Thrapston (SP97). This is now the 8th VC32 record (and, like the record on 21/9, was also recorded at this location in 2023) - well worth keeping an eye out for further occurences.

22nd September 2023
Two individuals of Musotima nitidalis were taken to light in a garden light trap in Earls Barton (SP86). These represent the 2nd VC32 record for this species, having been recorded for the first time here in 2023.

22nd September 2023
A single male Four-spotted Footman Lithosia quadra was taken to light in Nassington (TL09). A species which is only recorded sporadically in VC32, although with slightly increased frequency in recent years, and associated with periods of migrant activity.

21st September 2024
The first Clancy's Rustic Caradrina kadenii of 2024 was taken at light in Nassington (TL09), making this the 7th VC32 record. NB: the species was recorded at this location on several occasions in 2023. This species was first recorded in the county in 2023, and is also currently being recorded in neighbouring counties again.

14th September 2024
Three mines of Phyllocnisits ramulicola have been found on the Farthinghoe Reserve (SP54). This species is new to VC32. The mines, along with the pupation sites, were located on Crack Willow. This speices was first discovered in the UK in Havant Thicket, Hampshire, in 2006. It was subsequently noted in other nearby areas, indicating that this was an undetected resident species. It is also recorded in Essex and Kent, otherwise information on current distribution is a little hard to find - this could be the most northrly UK record to date.

25th August 2024
Some catch-up news following various dissection sessions as follows:
Two adults of Caloptilia honoratella have been recorded: one individual taken to light at Old Head Wood (SP98) on 9th July 2024 and another to light in a Sywell Reservoir (SP86) on 20th July 2024. At the time of writing, I believe these to be the 2nd and 3rd VC32 records for this species, which appears to be expanding its known range.
A single Delplanqueia inscriptella was taken to light in a Cogenhoe garden (SP86) on 28th July 2024. This is the 9th all-time VC32 record, but only the 4th time recorded in the county since 2000.
Singleton of Oegoconia caradjai taken to light, also in a Cogenhoe garden (SP86) on 28th July 2024. This is the 6th VC32 record, but the third time at this site (2018 and 2022 previously).
Another Cydia illutana has also been recorded at Pitsford Reservoir (SP77) on 22nd June 2024. This is now the 5th VC32 record (second this year) - all known records having come from this single site since it was first noted in the county in 2016.

14th August 2024
A single example of Uncinus obductella was recorded to light at Ring Haw (TL09). This is a new VC32 record. Until fairly recently, this species was only known from Kent, but has seen an expansion in range, being found sporadically in other south-eastern counties, including Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Hertfordshire, Huntingdonshire, Bedfordshire and Leicestershire. Given that the moth was recorded at a site which corresponds to ideal breeding habitat (the larvae feed on Wild Marjoram), it is quite possible that this represents an individual from a newly discovered resident colony, rather than being an individual that has dispersed from out-of-county. The moth is pictured below:

13th August 2024
An amazing record of The Mocha Cyclophora annulata has been noted at Fineshade (SP99), as part of a long-standing moth survey. The moth has not been seen in the county for 51 years! The last records were in 1973, where it was noted from Grafton Park Wood and Brigstock (both SP98). The assumption being that this is an individual moth that has migrated/dispersed from a resident population outside of VC32. The species has been searched for locally on many occasions over the past 30 years, without success. The individual is pictured below:

12th August 2024
A second VC32 record of the rare migrant Cydia amplana has been recorded in a garden light trap in Old Stratford (SP74). The moth was very worn. The only previous record was of a singleton to light in Kingsthorpe, Northampton, on 11th September 2021.(Addendum: Of interest, I have since seen reports of this species in garden light traps from neighbouring vice-counties including Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Warwickshire).

12th August 2024
The 3rd post-2000 record (actually 4th post-2000 record - see below) of Goat Moth Cossus cossus has been noted at Tanholt Pits, near Peterborough (TF20). The sighting was of a 10cm larva, seen wandering on the ground. This is also the first larval record since 1981! The larva is pictured below:

NB: an update to this record: The captor informs me that he recorded another larva at the same location on 30th August 2022 (confirmed by photo)! It was reported to be "partially burried" so probably in the process of locating a site for pupation.

29th July 2024
A nice example of Gelechia nigra was taken in a garden light trap in Thrapston (SP97). This appears to be only the 4th all-time VC32 record (3rd since 2000). The only other modern, post-2000 records are from Farthinghoe NR (SP54), with two specimens seen during July 2023.

24th July 2024
A single Crescent Dart Agrotis trux was recorded at one of the light traps operated at Pitsford Reservoir (SP77). This is only the 2nd VC32 record of this predominantly coastal species. The only previous record was of a single adult taken to sugar in Hardwick Wood on 28th June 1945! Interestingly, neighbouring VC55/Leicestershire had its first county record of this species on 22nd July - possibly indicating a small disperal event. The moth is pictured below:

19th July 2024
A fifth VC32 record of Dingy White Plume Merrifieldia baliodactylus has been noted at Sywell Country Park (SP86). Significantly, all other previous records have been from the one site at Swaddywell Pits (TF10) near Helpston. The larvae feed on Wild Marjoram and are more often noted on calcareous soils. In Spring, after the larvae hibernate, they bite through the upper part of the stems of the foodplant, causing it to wilt, which would be one way to further record the species in the future.

19th July 2024
Another Dotted Rustic Rhyacia simulans has been recorded in a garden light trap, in Higham Ferrers (SP96). I believe that this is the fourth noted so far this year, with one also having been recorded in Brigstock (SP98) on 24th June (which is the second time recorded at this site).

17th July 2024
A good number of Nemaphora metallica were recorded by day on Field Scabious at Finedon Pocket Park (SP97). There are only ten previous modern, post-2000 records for this species so it's well worth keeping an eye out on any foodplant. Photos below include one of a female egg-laying on the flower head. (Addendum: Five adults were also seen by day at this location by another recorder on 13th July).

24th June 2024
Hot on the heels of the record on 16th June, another Dotted Rustic Rhyacia simulans has been recorded in a garden light trap, this time in Nassington (TL09).

23rd June 2024
Two Striped Wainscot Mythimna pudorina were taken in a garden light trap in Nassington (TL09). There are only seven modern, post-2000 records for this species in the vice county, all being in the north-east (Helpston, Swaddywell Pits, Oundle, Polebrook).

16th June 2024
A single Dotted Rustic Rhyacia simulans was recorded in a garden light trap in Oundle (TL08). This is the fourth time that this species has been recorded at this location (two in 2019 and another in 2023). As far as I am aware, there are only fourteen VC32 records since 2000.

8th June 2024
A new site for the species - First noted on the site on 3rd June, a further 15 Concolorous Photedes extrema were noted to light at Weldon Woodland Park on the outskirts of Corby (SP98) - with 13 in one trap!

8th June 2024
A 2nd VC32 record of Coleophora violacea was recorded to the Ni Moth lure, this time at Grafton Park Wood (SP98), left overnight in amongst a hedgerow containing mature Hawthorn, Blackthorn and Dog Rose.

2nd June 2024
Results from battery-powered moth traps were quite poor at Easton Hornstocks (TF00), despite the weather conditions seemingly being favourable, but the Ni Moth pheromone lure left out overnight produced a single Coleophora violacea. This is another new VC32 record. The species is apparently recorded in several neighbouring vice-counties and thus possibly over-looked until now. If you have this pheromone lure, it would be worth deploying it amongst e.g. Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Apple and Dog Rose, these being the (published) preferred foodplants of the larvae.

31st May 2024
Despite the cooling conditions and ultimately clear skies forcing a slightly early pack-up, the moth group visit to Swaddywell Pits (TF10) proved to be reasonably succesful. The session was well attended, with visitors from as far afield as St Albans and Scotland, and with over twenty moth traps deployed. The full catch list has yet to be derived but at time of writing 45 Concolorous Photedes extrema were recorded - an amazing total for a chilly night! Several micro-moths were potted for later examination in better light. One of these was one of the larger, bronze-winged Coleophoridae. Closer examination of the eye detail showed the difinitive orange-red eye and matching eyelashes, proving this to be the 2nd VC32 record of Coleophora amethystinella.

16th May 2024
A single Cydia illutana was taken to light at Pitsford Reservoir (SP77). This is the 4th VC32 record, all of which have emanated from this site, with the first being recorded in 2007.

11th May 2024
A VC32 first was noted to a garden light trap in Duston, Northampton (SP76) - notably a single Ethmia bipuntella. A moth that is generally found on chalky cliffs around the south-east of England, but known to "wander inland occasionally" (per Sterling & Parsons, 2023). Not known to have been recorded in neighbouring Vice-counties at the time of first capture. The VC32 record in Duston is possibly therefore due to a dispersal event rather than being a locally bred individual. (NB: a single Portland Ribbon Wave was recorded in Bedfordshire on the same night, which may support this hypothesis). Larvae feed on Viper's-buglos.

26th April 2024
At last, some news to report! A morning spent examining Greater Stitchwort at a couple of sites in the west of the county have yielded a couple of decent records. The larval cases of Coleophora solitariella were found on the foodplant at Everdon Stubbs and Ramsden Corner SSSI (both SP65). These records represent the all-time 7th and 8th VC32 records, but only 2nd and 3rd modern, post-2000 records, having been last recorded in 2015. The moth has principally been recorded in Yardley Chase by the same method, but also once in Ramsden Corner in September 1998. Also found at Ramdsen Corner on Greater Stitchwort was the first VC32 record of Coleophora lithargyrinella, where a single case was located near to feeding windows on the foodplant. This species has a scattered distribution across the UK, and is probably under-recorded, but is noted often to exist in fairly low density.

29th February 2024
For anyone interested, here is a link to the recording of Moth Recorders Meeting that took place at the BMI at the end of January this year: Moth Recorder Conference Video

16th February 2024
A very early record of Pale Tussock Calliteara pudibunda was noted in Staverton (SP56). The earliest I have on record is from 1920, with a recorded date of 22nd March, followed by 28th March 2014, so this is a good month ahead of those. I looked at trends over the past 40 years for this moth, and noted the average earliest recorded date for each 10-year period as follows:
1984 - 1993: 19th May
1994 - 2003: 8th May
2004 - 2013: 5th May
2014 - 2023: 19th April
Certainly, there have been several comments posted on social media of Spring moths putting in early appearances this year, so I'm sure that the trend noted above could well be mirrored by other species locally.

16th February 2024
Please find a link here to the annual VC32 Moth Summary for 2023. I hope it is an interesting read, and sufficiently covers the usual updates for our less-well recorded species, a summary of species that were added during the year and a few more items of interest too. I apologise if anything appears to have been missed!

30th January 2024
Reflecting the increased migrant activity along the south coast, reported on social media, a single Silver Y Autographa gamma has been taken in a garden light trap in Northampton (SP76).

1st January 2024
It's that time of year when (I copy and paste the message from last year!) and wish you all a Happy New Year. I'd like to thank all those who have already submitted their 2023 records. I have sorted through just about all of these. I'll be going into iRecord to perform verifications, etc soon. I will make my customary request for any outstanding moth records for 2023 please (or indeed any others you may have lurking from previous years) to be sent to Mark Hammond as soon as possible please, so that I can assimilate records, run the necessary checks, update species information on the website and write the report for the year.

Please also note that the Recorder Spreadsheet for 2024 is nearly ready - I will post this here shortly (and probably send by email to all the group too).