Moth Report

Moth Report

 

The year 2003 will be remembered as one of the best years ever. Not only was the total moth catch up, but also more species were caught on the reserve than ever before.

 

January held no surprises, with twenty-one moths caught of seven species. Three species of moth that over winter as adults came to the lights; the Chestnut, Dark Chestnut, and Satellite.

 

The highest ever Pitsford totals of moths for February, consisted of eight species, with 151 moths caught in total. Pale Brindled Beauty totalled fifty- one, but only four of these were the dark form f.monacharia.

 

March gave us another record for total moths caught, with 753 taken. The bulk of the catch consisted of Hebrew Character, Common, and Small Quaker, and Clouded Drab.

 

During April things start to wake up. Again it was the best month on record for both numbers and species, beating previous bests with 650 and 37 respectively. Four Brindled Beauty and only one Lunar Marbled Brown were low counts, but the first migrant of the year, a Dark Sword Grass came to trap one on the 29th

.

As always happens a dip in the number of moths coming to the traps occurs in May. Nothing of major significance came to either trap, but a day flying moth survey was started on the meadows, between the causeway and the feeding station. This produced, on 26th, the first new record for the reserve; Small Yellow Underwing. A moth that is classed as scarce in the county. Its larval food plant, Common Mouse-ear occurring commonly close to the old road. Several could be seen flying at once in the hot sunshine and egg laying was observed. The second new record was a May Highflyer, found beside the main path in the Walgrave arm. It is not surprising it was found here, as its larval food plant is Alder.

 

June saw three new records for the reserve. The day flying moth survey turned up the first two, with Marsh Pug on the 2nd (a moth of unspoilt grass-land) and Six-spot Burnet on the 16th. The latter feeding in very large numbers on Knapweed with the very similar Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet. The last new record for the month was a very good one indeed. In trap one on the morning of the 22nd amongst a huge catch was a Red-necked Footman. This is a species that sometimes migrates and is thought to be expanding its range. Its larval food plants are lichens on trees. There has only been one previous record of this moth in the county, caught on the 3/7/93 in Longthorpe. As well as the new records the month produced lots of other good species. Chimney Sweeper was seen again after an absence of six years, the second record of Pine Hawk moth was on 17th, Cream-bordered Green Pea were in good numbers and Pale Oak Beauty, with Varied Coronet on the 11th. A species showing signs for concern is Garden Tiger. This beautiful moths numbers have plummeted, from a high of 36 in 1999, down to just two in 2003. Its larval food plants are a wide variety of herbaceous plants, including Common Nettle, Broad-leaved Dock, and Burdock, (will one be caught in 2004?).

 

A new record for the amount of species caught during a month, was set in July with 167 species, beating the previous best by five, (set in 2001). Another two new species were recorded. White-line Dart on the 14th, this moth is classed as rare in the county, and Ear Moth on the 23rd, which is classed as scarce within Northants. Other good moths caught during the month included the second record of Clouded Magpie on the 15th (see last years report), Oak Eggar, and the first of six Antler Moth to be caught this year.

 

Records kept falling during August. This time smashing the previous best set in 2000 by 1399 moths. A new record of 8953 individual moths in one-month shows how good 2003 has been for moths. The bulk of the catch was made up of five species, Common wainscot had a huge increase in numbers, with Large Yellow Underwing, Lesser Broad bordered Yellow Underwing, Setaceous Hebrew Character, and Square spot Rustic, also showing increases in numbers. Evidence of a large influx of migrants in to the country, was provided by the next two new records for the reserve. The first was seen on the 1st, feeding on nectar from the flowers in the tubs outside the lodge, and was one of three Hummingbird Hawkmoths to be seen during the month. The second was caught on the night of the 15th. This was taken during a visit from the Northants Moth Group, in the Cover and was a Bordered Straw, large numbers of both species turned up in other counties. Other scarce species taken during the month included the only record this year of Maidens Blush, and the second White line Dart on the 21st.

 

September sees the emergence of the more brightly colored autumnal species. Black Rustic, Pink-barred Sallow, and Sallow, all having a good year, but only one Mallow record shows that there is no larval food plant recorded on the reserve.

 

The mild weather continued in to October. Juniper Carpet appears in trap two despite being absent last year, and the first of only two Large Wainscot appeared on the 14th. Green-brindled Crescent came to the traps three times during the month, but this moth seems to be declining on the reserve.

 

The good run of records carries on in to November, with old records being broken. Both number, and species caught records falling. The thirty-one species and 395 moths caught completely decimating the previous years totals. A Figure of Eight on the 5th was a new reserve record, bringing the reserve macro moth list up to a healthy 355. This moth is deemed common within Northants but has declined in resent years.

 

Things should quieten down during December, but as in the other months the start of the month was very mild. This resulted in good numbers of moths coming to the traps. The firsts five nights catches combined for both traps was 98 moths. By the end of the month 134 moths had been caught, of seven different species breaking yet another record for this month.   

 

 

Macrolepidoptera at Pitsford

Summary of data for the years 1994-2003

Species in bold type are new for 2003.

Key:

C = Common – recorded in 10 or more 10km grid squares in the county

L = Local – recorded in 4 to 9 squares

S = Scarce – recorded in 2 to 3 squares

R = Rare – recorded in only one square

M = Migrant

 

4,5,6,7,8,9,0,1,2 and 3 refer to years 1994 – 2003

 

(WN) = Walgrave North; (WW) = Walgrave West; (C) = The Cover; (SSW) = Scaldwell South-West; (HS) = Holcot South; M = Meadows, P = Poplars, SW = Scaldwell West.

 

Species

Scientific Name

County Status/

Location

Years

 Recorded

Larval Food Plants

Alder Moth

Acronicta alni

L (HS)

9

Various trees & shrubs

Angle Shades

Phlogophora meticulosa

C (WW/C/HS)

4567890123

Dock

Antler Moth

Cerapteryx graminis

L (HS)

13

Various grasses

August Thorn

Ennomos quercinaria

C (HS)

012

Oak, Beech, Birch, Hawthorn + others

Autumnal Moth

Epirrita autumnata

C (HS)

89013

Alder

Barred Hook-tip

Drepana cultraria

C (HS/P)

0

Beech

Barred Red

Hylaea fasciaria

C (HS)

9123

Pine, spruce etc.

Barred Rivulet

Perizoma bifaciata

L (WW/C/HS)

6792

Seeds of Red Bartsia

Barred Sallow

Xanthia aurago

C(HS)

890123

Beech

Barred Straw

Eulithis pyraliata

C (C/SW/P)

46790123

Bedstraws

Barred Yellow

Cidaria fulvata

C (C/HS)

4679123

Dog Rose

Beaded Chestnut

Agrochola lychnidis

C (HS)

890123

Chickweed, Dandelion

Beautiful Golden Y

Autographa pulchrina

C (C/HS)

47890123

Dandelion

Beautiful Hook-tip

Laspeyria flexula

C (HS)

03

Lichens on Hawthorn, Blackthorn, apple etc.

Black Rustic

Aporophyla nigra

L (HS)

890123

Dock, Chickweed, Dandelion

Blair’s Shoulder-knot

Lithophane leautieri hesperica

C (HS)

890123

Chamaecyparis

Blood-vein

Timandra griseata

C (HS/SW/P)

4690123

Dock, Sorrel, Knotgrass, Orache

Blue-bordered Carpet

Plemyria rubiginata rubiginata

L (HS/WW)

03

Alder, Blackthorn, etc

Bordered Beauty

Epione repandaria

L (HS)

690123

Sallow

Bordered Pug

Eupithecia succenturiata

C (HS)

903

Leaves of mugwort

Bordered Straw

Heliothis peltigera

M (C)

3

Flowers of Scentless Mayweed

Bordered White

Bupalus piniaria

C (C/HS/WW)

67890123

Scots Pine

Brick

Agrochola circellaris

C (HS)

4890123

Ash

Bright-line Brown-eye

Lacanobia oleracea

C (HS/SW)

4890123

Dock

Brimstone Moth

Opisthograptis luteolata

C (WW/C/HS)

4567890123

Blackthorn

Brindled Beauty

Lycia hiraria

C (C/HS)

790123

Elm, Alder

Brindled Green

Dryobotodes ermita

C (HS)

890123

Oak, Hawthorn

Brindled Pug

Eupithecia abbreviata

C (C/(HS)

56790123

Oak, Hawthorn

Broad-barred White

Hecatera bicolorata

L (HS)

9123

Hawkweed and hawk’s-beard

Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing

Noctua fimbriata

C (WW/C/HS/P)

7890123

Various herbaceous plants, plus tree buds

Broken-barred Carpet

Electrophaes corylata

C (HS)

923

Birch, oak, hawthorn

Blackthorn etc.

Broom Moth

Ceramica pisi

C (HS)

90123

Wide variety plants

Brown Rustic

Rusina ferruginea

C (HS/SW)

4890123

Dock

Brown-line Bright-eye

Mythimna conigera

C (HS)

90123

Various grasses

Brown-silver Line

Petrophoro chlorosata

C  (HS)

23

Bracken

Brown-spot Pinion

Agrochola litura

C (HS)

7890123

Dock, Chickweed

Buff Arches

Habrosyne pryritoides

C (HS/WW)

4790123

Bramble

Buff Ermine

Spilosoma luteum

C (HS)

490123

Various low growing plants.

Buff-tip

Phalera bucephala

C (HS)

4890123

Elm

Bulrush Wainscot

Nonagria typhae

C (HS)

9013

Common Reedmace

Burnished Brass

Diachrysia chrysitis

C (HS)

490123

Nettle, White Dead-nettle.

Cabbage Moth

Mamesra brassicae

C (WW/C)(HS)

790123

Mainly cabbage family

Chamomile Shark

Cucullia chamomillae

L (HS)

2

Flowers of Mayweeds.

Campion

Hadena rivularis

C (HS)

90123

Ripening seeds of Silene & Lychnis

Canary-shouldered Thorn

Ennomos alniaria

C (HS)

890123

Alder

Centre-barred Sallow

Atethemia centrago

C (HS)

7890123

Ash

Chestnut

Conistra vaccinii

C (C/HS)

467890123

Elm

Chimney Sweeper

Odezia atrata

L (SSW/WW/SW)

73

Pignut

Chinese Character

Cilix glaucata

C (WW/C/HS)

7890123

Blackthorn

Chocolate-tip

Clostera curtula

C (HS/P)

90123

Poplar and Willow

Cinnabar

Tyria jacobaeae

C (HS/WW)

890123

Ragwort, Groundsel

Clay

Mythimna ferrago

C (WW/C/HS)

4790123

Grasses etc.

Clay Triple-lines

Cyclophora linearia

S (HS)

901

Beech

Cloaked Minor

Mesoligia furuncula

C (WW/C/HS)

790123

Inner stems of various grasses

Clouded Border

Lomaspilis marginata

C (C/HS/P)

467890123

Sallow, Aspen, Poplar, Hazel

Clouded Brindle

Apamea epomidion

C (HS)

9023

Various grasses

Clouded Drab

Orthosia incerta

C (HS/C)

4567890123

Deciduous trees

Clouded Magpie

Abraxas sylvata

S (HS)

23

Wych Elm and Common Elm

Clouded Silver

Lomographa temerata

C (HS)

890123

Thorns, Apple

Clouded-bordered Brindle

Apamea crenata

C (HS)

890123

Cock’s-foot

Common Carpet

Epirrhoe alternata alternata

C (WW/C/HS)

67890123

Cleavers

Common Emerald

Hemithea aestivaria

C (C/HS)

56790123

Deciduous trees

Common Footman

Eilema lurideola

C (C/HS/SW/P/WW)

47890123

Lichens and Algae

Common Marbled Carpet

Chloroclysta truncata

C (HS)

7890123

Dock

Common Pug

Eupithecia vulgata vulgata

C (C/HS)

47890123

Sallow, Yarrow; Hawthorn etc.

Common Quaker

Orthosia stabilis

C (C/HS)

467890123

Var. deciduous trees

Common Rustic

Mesapamea secalis

C (WW/C/HS)

467890123

Inner parts of various grasses

Common Swift

Hepialus lupinus

C (HS)

7890123

Roots of grasses etc.

Common Wainscot

Mythimna pallens

C (WW/C/HS/SW/M/P)

67890123

Broad-bladed grass

Common Wave

Cabera exanthemata

C (WW/C/HS/SW/P)

67890123

Sallow, Aspen

Common White Wave

Cabera pusaria

C (WW/C)

790123

Var. deciduous trees

Convolvulus Hawk-moth

Agrius convolvulu

M (HS)

0

Field Bindweed and other Convolvulaceae

Copper Underwing

Amphipyra pyramidea

C (HS)

4890123

Ash

Coxcomb Prominent

Ptilodon capucina

C (HS)

4890123

Var. deciduous trees

Cream Bordered Green Pea

Earias clorana

L (HS)

123

Various willow

Cream Wave

Scopula floslactata floslactata

C

4

Docks, dandelion etc

Crescent

Calaena leucostigma leucostigma

L (WW/C/HS)

679023

Inner stems of Yellow Iris + others

Currant Pug

Eupithecia assimilata

C (HS)

03

Wild Hop, Black and Red Currant

Dark Arches

Apamea monoglypha

C (WW/C/HS/SW/P)

4567890123

Grass roots

Dark Chestnut

Conistra ligula

L (HS)

90123

Hawthorn, sallow, oak.

Dark Dagger

Acronicta tridens

C (HS)

913

Hawthorn, Blackthorn, etc

Dark Marbled Carpet

Chloroclysta citrata citrata

C (HS)

90

Var. trees & shrubs

Dark Sward-grass

Agrostis ipsilon

M (C/HS)

789013

Herbaceous plants

Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet

Xanthorhoe ferrugata

C (HS/P/WW)

890123

Dock, Dandelion, Bedstraw, etc.

Dark Umber

Philereme transversata britannica

L (HS)

123

Buckthorn

December Moth

Poecilocampa populi

C (HS)

4890123

Elm, Blackthorn

Deep-brown Dart

Aporophyla lutulenta

C (HS)

890123

Blackthorn

Dingy Footman

Eilema griseola

C (HS)

0123

Unspecified lichens

Dingy Shears

Enargia ypsillon

L (C/HS/P)

467903

Poplars, Willows

Dot Moth

Melanchra persicariae

C (HS)

4790123

Var. herbaceous plants

Dotted Border

Agriopis marginaria

C (C/HS)

7890123

Var. deciduous trees

Double Lobed

Apamea ophiogramma

L (WW/C/HS)

6790123

Inner stems of Reed Canary-grass

Double Square-spot

Xestia triangulum

C (C/P/HS)

46790123

Herbaceous plants

Double-striped Pug

Gymnoscelis rufifasciata

C (HS)

90123

Flowers of many trees and shrubs

Drinker

Philudoria potatoria

C (C/SW/P/WW/HS)

456790123

Wide-bladed grass

Dun-bar

Cosmia trapezina

C (WW/C/HS)

46790123

Var. deciduous trees

Dusky Brocade

Apamea remissa

C (HS/P)

7890123

Couch, Annual Meadow-grass

Dusky Sallow

Eremobia ochroleuca

C (WW/C/HS)

6790123

Grass flowers

Dusky Thorn

Ennomos fuscantaria

C (HS)

4890123

Ash

Dusky-lemon Sallow

Xanthia gilvago

S (HS)

0

Seeds of Wych Elm

Dwarf Cream Wave

Idaea fuscovenosa

C (HS)

4

Bramble, Knotgrass

Dwarf Pug

Eupithecia tantillaria

C (HS)

7890123

Douglas Fir

Ear Moth

Amphipoea oculea

S (HS)

3

Various grasses

Early Grey

Xylocampa areola

C (HS)

90123

Honeysuckle

Early Moth

Theria primaria

C (HS)

90123

Thorns

Early Thorn

Selenia dentaria

C (HS/SW/WW)

7890123

Alder, Blackthorn

Elephant Hawk-moth

Deilephila elpenor

C (C/HS)

67890123

Willow herb, Bedstraw

Engrailed

Ectropis bistortata

C (C/HS/P)

4567890123

Var. deciduous trees

Eyed Hawk-moth

Smerinthus ocellata

C (HS)

4890123

Sallow, Willow; Apple, Aspen

Fan-foot

Herminia tarsipennalis

C (WW/C/HS)

78903

Withered leaves of Oak, Beech, etc.

Feathered Gothic

Tholera decimalis

C (HS)

69123

Hard-bladed grasses

Feathered Thorn

Colotois pennaria

C (HS)

890123

Blackthorn

Fen Wainscot

Arenostola phragmitidis

S (HS)

2

Stems of Common Reed

Figure of Eight

Diloba caeruleocephala

C (HS)

3

Blackthorn, Hawthorn, Crab Apple

Figure of Eighty

Tethea ocularis octogesimea

C (HS)

6890123

Poplar, Aspen

Flame

Axylia putris

C (HS/SW/P/WW)

6890123

Dock

Flame Shoulder

Ochropleura plecta

C (WW/C/HS)

467890123

Dock Dandelion

Flounced Rustic

Luperina testacea

C (WN/C/HS)

67890123

Grass roots

Four-dotted Footman

Cybosia mesomella

L (C/HS)

789023

Algae, Lichens

Foxglove Pug

Eupithecia pulchellata

L (HS)

92

Flowers of Foxglove

Freyer’s Pug

Eupithecia intricata arceuthata

L (HS)

9

Juniper

Frosted Orange

Gortyna flavago

C (HS)

4890123

Inner stems & roots of thistles, Burdock

Garden Carpet

Xanthorhoe fluctuata

C (HS)

4890123

Crucifers

Garden Dart

Euxoa nigracans

C (HS)

2

Wide variety of wild and cultivated plants.

Garden Tiger

Arctia caja

C (HS)

4690123

Var. herbaceous plants and shrubs

Gem

Orthonama obstipata

M (HS)

8012

Dock, Knotgrass etc.

Ghost Moth

Hepialus humuli humuli

C (HS)

6890123

Roots of grasses and many other plants.

Gothic

Naenia typica

C (WN/C/WW)

4793

Var. herbaceous plants

Green Arches

Anaplectoides prasina

C (HS)

02

Honeysuckle

Green Carpet

Colostygia pectinataria

C (C/HS/SW/WW)

47890123

Bedstraws

Green Pug

Chloroclystis rectangulata

C (HS/SW/P/WW)

6890123

Apple, Blackthorn, Pear & Cherry

Green Silver-lines

Pseudoips fagana britannica

C (HS)

90123

Oak & var. trees

Green-brindled Crescent

Allophyes oxyacanthae

C (HS)

6890123

Blackthorn

Grey Birch

Aethalura punctulata

C (HS)

0

Birch

Grey Chi

Antitype chi

L (HS)

1

Herbaceous plants

Grey Dagger

Acronicta psi

C (HS/WW)

490123

Deciduous trees

Grey Pine Carpet

Thera obeliscata

C (HS)

4689012

Scots Pine, spruces

 

Grey Pug

Eupithecia subfuscata

C (C/HS

679123

Flowers and leaves of various plants

Grey Shoulder-knot

Lithophane ornitopus lactipennis

C (HS/WW)

489123

Oak

Heart and Dart

Agrotis exclamationis

C (C/HS/SW)

4567890123

Var. herbaceous plants

Hebrew Character

Orthosia gothica

C (C/HS/P)

4567890123

Blackthorn

Herald

Scoliopteryx libatrix

C (C/HS/P/SE)

46790123

Sallow, Willow, Aspen, Poplar

Hornet Moth

Sesia apiformis

L (WN/SSW/P/SW/

C)

6823

Trunks of Poplar

Humming-bird Hawk-moth

Macroglossum stellatarum

M (HS)

3

Bedstraws

Ingrailed Clay

Diarsia mendica mendica

C (HS)

4890123

Dock

Iron Prominent

Notodonta dromedarius

C (WW/C/HS)

790123

Birch, Alder, Oak, Hazel

July Highflyer

Hydriomena furcata

C (WW/C/HS)

46790123

Sallow, Hazel

Juniper Carpet

Therajuniperata juniperata

L (HS)

13

Juniper

Knot Grass

Acronicta rumicis

C (HS)

890123

Dock

Lackey

Malacosoma neustria

C (HS)

902

Thorns etc.

Larch Pug

Eupithecia lariciata

C (HS)

690123

Larch

Large Emerald

Geometra papilionaria

C (HS)

1

Birch and Alder

Large Nutmeg

Apamea anceps

C (HS)

890123

Various grasses

Large Ranunculus

Polymixis flavicincta

C (HS)

89012

Dock, Dandelion

Large Twin-spot Carpet

Xanthorhoe quadrifasiata

C (WW/C/HS)

46790123

Bedstraw, Chickweed, Dock

Large Wainscot

Rhizedra lutosa

L (HS)

690123

Lower stems, roots, Common Reed

Large Yellow Underwing

Noctua pronuba

C (WW/C/HS/SW/P)

67890123

Various herbaceous plants and grasses

Lead-coloured Drab

Orthosia populeti

C (C/HS)

7890123

Aspen, poplars

Least Black Arches

Nola confusalis

L (C/HS)

790123

Lime, Oak

Least Yellow Underwing

Noctua interjecta caliginosa

C (WW/C/HS)

4790123

Var. herbaceous plants

Leopard Moth

Zeuzera pyrina

C (HS)

690123

Insides of stems of Sallow, Apple, Ash

Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing

Noctua janthina

C (WW/HS)

467890123

Blackthorn

Lesser Common Rustic

Mesapamea secalella

C (HS)

490123

Inner plants of various grasses

Lesser Swallow Prominent

Pheosia gnoma

C (HS/P)

890123

Birch

Lesser Yellow Underwing

Noctua comes

C (WW/C/HS)

46789012

Var. herbaceous plants

and trees

Light Arches

Apamea lithoxylaea

C (C/HS)

790123

Roots of grasses

Light Emerald

Campaea margaritata

C (C/HS/P)

6790123

Birch, Beech, Oak, Elm, Hawthorn etc.

Lilac Beauty

Apeira syringaria

C (HS)

81

Honeysuckle, Ash, Wild Privet

Lime Hawk-moth

Mimas tiliae

C (HS)

890123

Birch, Lime, Elm, Alder

Lime-speck Pug

Eupithecia centaureata

C (WW/C/HS)

6790123

Flowers of many plants

Little Emerald

Jodis lactearia

C (HS)

013

Various trees

Lunar Hornet Moth

Sesia bembeciformis

L

8

Inner wood of Sallow + (Willow)

Lunar Marbled Brown

Drymonia ruficornis

C (HS)

469013

Oak

Lunar Underwing

Omphaloscelis lunosa

C (HS)

4890123

Various grasses

Lunar-spotted Pinion

Cosmia pyralina

C (WW/C/HS)

79

Elm, Wych Elm, Blackthorn, etc.

Lychnis

Hadena bicruris

C (HS)

90123

Red & White campion

Magpie

Abraxas grossulariata

C (WW/C/HS)

4790123

Var. trees & shrubs

Maiden’s Blush

Cyclophora punctaria

L (HS)

90123

Oak

Mallow

Larentia clavaria

C (HS)

8123

Mallow

Maple Prominent

Ptilodontella cucullina

C (HS)

690123

Field Maple

Marbled Beauty

Cryphia domestica

C (WW/C/HS)

4790123

Lichens

Marbled Minor

Oligia strigilis

C (HS)

46890123

Inner parts of Cock’s-foot, Reed Canary-grass

Marbled White Spot

Lithacodia pygarga

L (HS)

13

Purple moor grasses and others

March Moth

Alsophila aescularia

C (C/HS)

67890123

Blackthorn

Marsh Pug

Eupithecia pygmaeata

S (M)

3

Field Mouse-ear

May highflyer

Hydrionena impluviata

L (WN)

3

Alder

Merveille du Jour

Dichonia aprilina

C (HS)

80123

Oak

Middle-barred Minor

Oligia fasciuncula

C (HS/SW)

690123

Tufted Hair-grass + some others

Miller

Acronicta leporina

C (HS)

690123

Birch, Alder

Minor Shoulder-knot

Brachylomia viminalis

C (WW/C/HS)

4679012

Sallow, Willow

Mottled Beauty

Alcis repandata repandata

C (C/HS/SW/P)

46790123

Birch, Blackthorn, Bramble, Dock etc.

Mottled Pug

Eupithecia exiguata

C (HS)

0123

Hawthorn, Blackthorn and Sycamore

Mother Shipton

Callistege mi

C (M/WW)

23

Clover

Mottled Rustic

Caradrina morpheus