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Hello and welcome to my moth Blog. I now reside in a small village in East Cambridgeshire called Fordham. My Blog's aim is to promote and encourage others to participate in the wonderful hobby that is Moth-trapping.
Moth records are vital for building a picture of our ecosystem around us, as they really are the bottom of the food chain. They are an excellent early indicator of how healthy a habitat is. I openly encourage people to share their findings via social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
So why do we do it? well for some people it is to get an insight into the world of Moths, for others it is to build a list of species much like 'Twitching' in the Bird world. The reason I do it....you just never know what you might find when you open up that trap! I hope to show what different species inhabit Cambridgeshire and neighbouring counties.
On this Blog you will find up-to-date records and pictures.
I run a trap regularly in my garden and also enjoy doing field trips to various localities over several different counties.
Please also check out the links in the sidebar to the right for other people's Blogs and informative Websites.
Thanks for looking and happy Mothing!

KEY

NFY = New Species For The Year
NFG = New Species For The Garden
NEW! = New Species For My Records

Any Species highlighted in RED signifies a totally new species for my records.

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Contact Email : bensale@rocketmail.com

My Latest Notables and Rarities

Tuesday 23 August 2016

Field Trip - Herts Moth Group Meet - Rye Meads - 06/08/16


Hello all.

Here is the report from the latest Herts Moth Group feld trip at the beginning of August




6th August 2016:Rye Meads RSPB reserve, Hertfordshire. Herts Moth Group outing



This report must start with an apology – since it appears that we confused people over the meeting place. It transpires that the wrong locality data was copied and pasted from a past program with the result that several people gathered at the entrance to the Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust nature reserve at Rye Meads, which is a short distance east of the intended venue of the RSPB’s portion of the Meads and the other side of the toll barrier on Rye Road. Luckily, someone had a mobile phone and was able to raise me and eventually we all assembled at the same place! If anyone turned up late, without a phone and was unable to find us I offer profound apologies – please contact me if you wish.



In total there was around a dozen of us and lights were scattered across the entire of the somewhat extensive  RSPB nature reserve, with my own 4 lights in the north east section, Graeme Smith’s in the north-west, leaving the entire southern two thirds to Ben Sale and Andrew Raybould, John Chainey and Jenny Spence. I am not sure how many lights we had, since my bad leg prevented me from walking around the whole site and counting, and also because Ben has now disappeared on a family holiday (I do hope he took a moth trap) and is not available for questioning! I guess it was around 15 – 20 lights? These were a mixture of mv lamps and actinic tubes and we could easily have managed more.



In spite of this we only managed 153 species (93 macros and 60 micros) – with a few micros still awaiting dissection for accurate naming. The general theme was quality rather than quantity and many people added new species to their personal “life lists”. The target was “wetland moths” and as the list below shows we managed to achieve that, with examples including Chilo phragmitella, Schoenobius gigantella, Donacaula forficella, Acentria ephemerella (Water Veneer), Parapoynx stratiotata (Ringed China-mark) and Cataclysta lemnata (Small China-mark) representing the micros and Simyra albovenosa (Reed Dagger), Celaena leucostigma (Crescent), Nonagria typhae (Bulrush Wainscot), Archanara geminipuncta (Twin-spotted Wainscot), Archanara dissoluta (Brown-veined Wainscot), Archanara sparganii (Webb's Wainscot), Arenostola phragmitidis (Fen Wainscot), Chilodes maritimus (Silky Wainscot), Earias clorana (Cream-bordered Green Pea)  and Schrankia costaestrigalis (Pinion-streaked Snout) amongst the macros. Most were in good number too, although there was only one Reed Dagger – in Graeme’s very last trap as we packed up around 3am – literally, the last moth of the night and possible the best as this species is known in the county from only two places – here and at Sawbridgeworth Marsh.  We managed a Jersey Tiger at one of Graeme’s lights and a male Gypsy moth came to the 125 watt lamp suspended in front of the sheet hung on the side of my Landrover. There were several Tree-lichen Beauties and a single Box-tree Moth (or Boxworm, depending on which book you read). The award for smallest moth goes easily to Stigmella alnetella, which most doubted I could name – but I did anyway! The Phalonidia manniana was named without dissection and I am happy that it was not an example of the recently split Phalonidia udana. The full list is below – minus the few outstanding micros. If anyone remembers anything that I have missed, do please tell me (likewise if anyone spots any mistakes). As usual, I am using the “old” Bradley names, but I have used the up to date families (I think?).



I look forward to seeing you all on the next trip – see web site for details (www.hertsmothgroup.org.uk).



Colin

************************

6th AUGUST 2016:RYE MEADS RSPB RESERVE, HERTFORDSHIRE

Hepialidae
0014    Hepialus humuli (Linnaeus, 1758)                                              Ghost Moth
0015    Hepialus sylvina (Linnaeus, 1761)                                              Orange Swift
Nepticulidae
0115    Stigmella alnetella (Stainton, 1856)                                           
Tischeriidae
0125    Emmetia marginea (Haworth, 1828)                                         
Tineidae
0228    Monopis weaverella (Scott, 1858)                                              
Lyonetiidae
0263    Lyonetia clerkella (Linnaeus, 1758)                                            Apple Leaf Miner
Bucculatricidae
0274    Bucculatrix ulmella Zeller, 1848                                                 
Gracillariidae
0288    Caloptilia stigmatella (Fabricius, 1781)                                     
0294    Aspilapteryx tringipennella (Zeller, 1839)                                 
0368    Phyllocnistis unipunctella (Stephens, 1834)                               Leaf mines on Populus – no adults caught
Plutellidae
0464    Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus, 1758)                                            Diamond-back Moth
Peleopodidae
0658    Carcina quercana (Fabricius, 1775)                                           
Gelechiidae
0758    Recurvaria leucatella (Clerck, 1759)                                          
Blastobasidae
0873    Blastobasis adustella Walsingham, 1894                                  
0874    Blastobasis lacticolella Rebel, 1940                                           
Batrachedridae
0878    Batrachedra praeangusta (Haworth, 1828)                              
Tortricidae
0926    Phalonidia manniana (Fischer von Röslerstamm, 1839)       
0937    Agapeta hamana (Linnaeus, 1758)                                           
0969    Pandemis corylana (Fabricius, 1794)                                          Chequered Fruit-tree Tortrix
0970    Pandemis cerasana (Hübner, 1786)                                            Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix
0972    Pandemis heparana ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)             Dark Fruit-tree Tortrix
0993    Clepsis spectrana (Treitschke, 1830)                                           Cyclamen Tortrix
0998    Epiphyas postvittana (Walker, 1863)                                         Light Brown Apple Moth
1062    Acleris emargana (Fabricius, 1775)                                            
1076    Celypha lacunana ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)               
1113    Eudemis profundana ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)          
1138    Epinotia nisella (Clerck, 1759)                                                    
1159    Rhopobota naevana (Hübner, 1817)                                         Holly Tortrix
1165    Zeiraphera isertana (Fabricius, 1794)                                        
1169    Gypsonoma dealbana (Frölich, 1828)                                       
1175    Epiblema uddmanniana (Linnaeus, 1758)                                Bramble Shoot Moth
1183    Epiblema foenella (Linnaeus, 1758)                                          
1205    Spilonota ocellana ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)               Bud Moth
1260    Cydia splendana (Hübner, 1799)                                               
1261    Cydia pomonella (Linnaeus, 1758)                                             Codling Moth
Crambidae
1290    Chilo phragmitella (Hübner, 1805)                                             
1292    Calamotropha paludella (Hübner, 1824)                                  
1304    Agriphila straminella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)           
1305    Agriphila tristella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)                  
1316    Catoptria falsella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)                 
1323    Pediasia contaminella (Hübner, 1796)                                      
1328    Schoenobius gigantella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)       
1329    Donacaula forficella (Thunberg, 1794)                                     
1331    Acentria ephemerella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)           Water Veneer
1344    Eudonia mercurella (Linnaeus, 1758)                                        
1348    Parapoynx stratiotata (Linnaeus, 1758)                                    Ringed China-mark
1354    Cataclysta lemnata (Linnaeus, 1758)                                        Small China-mark
1358    Evergestis pallidata (Hufnagel, 1767)                                        
1361    Pyrausta aurata (Scopoli, 1763)                                                 
1375    Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner, 1796)                                                 European Corn Borer
1378    Phlyctaenia coronata (Hufnagel, 1767)                                    
1395    Udea ferrugalis (Hübner, 1796)                                                    Rusty-dot Pearl
1398    Nomophila noctuella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)           Rush Veneer
1405    Pleuroptya ruralis (Scopoli, 1763)                                                Mother of Pearl
1409a Diaphania perspectalis (Walker, 1859)                                       Boxworm
Pyralidae
1413    Hypsopygia costalis (Fabricius, 1775)                                        Gold Triangle
1415    Orthopygia glaucinalis (Linnaeus, 1758)                                   
1428    Aphomia sociella (Linnaeus, 1758)                                             Bee Moth
1439    Trachycera advenella (Zincken, 1818)                                      
1452    Phycita roborella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)                 
Pterophoridae
1504    Platyptilia pallidactyla (Haworth, 1811)                                   
1513    Pterophorus pentadactyla (Linnaeus, 1758)                             White Plume Moth
Drepanidae
1646    Watsonalla binaria (Hufnagel, 1767)                                         Oak Hook-tip
1652    Thyatira batis (Linnaeus, 1758)                                                   Peach Blossom
Geometridae
1680    Cyclophora punctaria (Linnaeus, 1758)                                    Maiden's Blush
1699    Idaea rusticata Lempke, 1967                                                     Least Carpet
1702    Idaea biselata (Hufnagel, 1767)                                                  Small Fan-footed Wave
1708    Idaea dimidiata (Hufnagel, 1767)                                               Single-dotted Wave
1713    Idaea aversata (Linnaeus, 1758)                                                 Riband Wave
1724    Xanthorhoe spadicearia ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)      Red Twin-spot Carpet
1726    Xanthorhoe quadrifasiata (Clerck, 1759)                                  Large Twin-spot Carpet
1732    Scotopteryx chenopodiata (Linnaeus, 1758)                            Shaded Broad-bar
1738    Epirrhoe alternata (Müller, 1764)                                                Common Carpet
1742    Camptogramma bilineata (Linnaeus, 1758)                             Yellow Shell
1759    Ecliptopera silaceata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)           Small Phoenix
1776    Colostygia pectinataria (Knoch, 1781)                                       Green Carpet
1777    Hydriomena furcata (Thunberg, 1784)                                      July Highflyer
1792    Philereme transversata (Hufnagel, 1767)                                   Dark Umber
1803    Perizoma alchemillata (Linnaeus, 1758)                                    Small Rivulet
1812    Eupithecia inturbata (Hübner, 1817)                                          Maple Pug
1830    Eupithecia absinthiata (Clerck, 1759)                                        Wormwood Pug
1838    Eupithecia icterata (Villers, 1789)                                                Tawny Speckled Pug
1839    Eupithecia succenturiata (Linnaeus, 1758)                               Bordered Pug
1862    Gymnoscelis rufifasciata (Haworth, 1809)                                Double-striped Pug
1883    Acasis viretata (Hübner, 1799)                                                    Yellow-barred Brindle
1887    Lomaspilis marginata (Linnaeus, 1758)                                     Clouded Border
1894    Chiasmia clathrata (Linnaeus, 1758)                                         Latticed Heath
1906    Opisthograptis luteolata (Linnaeus, 1758)                                 Brimstone Moth
1907    Epione repandaria (Hufnagel, 1767)                                          Bordered Beauty
1913    Ennomos alniaria (Linnaeus, 1758)                                            Canary-shouldered Thorn
1914    Ennomos fuscantaria (Haworth, 1809)                                      Dusky Thorn
1921    Crocallis elinguaria (Linnaeus, 1758)                                          Scalloped Oak
1931    Biston betularia (Linnaeus, 1758)                                               Peppered Moth
1937    Peribatodes rhomboidaria ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)  Willow Beauty
1955    Cabera pusaria (Linnaeus, 1758)                                                Common White Wave
1956    Cabera exanthemata (Scopoli, 1763)                                         Common Wave
Sphingidae
1981    Laothoe populi (Linnaeus, 1758)                                                Poplar Hawk-moth
1991    Deilephila elpenor (Linnaeus, 1758)                                            Elephant Hawk-moth
Notodontidae
1997    Furcula furcula (Clerck, 1759)                                                     Sallow Kitten
2007    Pheosia tremula (Clerck, 1759)                                                    Swallow Prominent
2008    Ptilodon capucina (Linnaeus, 1758)                                           Coxcomb Prominent
2011    Pterostoma palpina (Clerck, 1759)                                              Pale Prominent

2030    Euproctis similis (Fuessly, 1775)                                                  Yellow-tail
2033    Lymantria monacha (Linnaeus, 1758)                                      Black Arches
2034    Lymantria dispar (Linnaeus, 1758)                                             Gypsy Moth
Arctiidae
2044    Eilema griseola (Hübner, 1803)                                                    Dingy Footman
2047    Eilema complana (Linnaeus, 1758)                                            Scarce Footman
2049    Eilema depressa (Esper, 1787)                                                     Buff Footman
2050    Eilema lurideola (Zincken, 1817)                                                 Common Footman
2057    Arctia caja (Linnaeus, 1758)                                                        Garden Tiger
2061    Spilosoma luteum (Hufnagel, 1766)                                           Buff Ermine
2064    Phragmatobia fuliginosa (Linnaeus, 1758)                                Ruby Tiger
2067    Euplagia quadripunctaria (Poda, 1761)                                     Jersey Tiger
Noctuidae
2089    Agrotis exclamationis (Linnaeus, 1758)                                     Heart and Dart
2092    Agrotis puta (Hübner, 1803)                                                         Shuttle-shaped Dart
2102    Ochropleura plecta (Linnaeus, 1761)                                          Flame Shoulder
2107    Noctua pronuba Linnaeus, 1758                                                 Large Yellow Underwing
2109    Noctua comes Hübner, 1813                                                        Lesser Yellow Underwing
2111    Noctua janthe Borkhausen, 1792                                               Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing
2112    Noctua interjecta Schawerda, 1919                                            Least Yellow Underwing
2123    Diarsia rubi (Vieweg, 1790)                                                           Small Square-spot
2126    Xestia c-nigrum (Linnaeus, 1758)                                                Setaceous Hebrew Character
2134    Xestia xanthographa ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)           Square-spot Rustic
2160    Lacanobia oleracea (Linnaeus, 1758)                                        Bright-line Brown-eye
2197    Mythimna straminea (Treitschke, 1825)                                    Southern Wainscot
2278    Acronicta megacephala ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)      Poplar Grey
2290    Simyra albovenosa (Goeze, 1781)                                              Reed Dagger
2292    Cryphia algae (Fabricius, 1775)                                                   Tree-lichen Beauty
2297    Amphipyra pyramidea (Linnaeus, 1758)                                   Copper Underwing
2298    Amphipyra berbera Fletcher, 1968                                              Svensson's Copper Underwing
2312    Ipimorpha subtusa ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)               Olive
2318    Cosmia trapezina (Linnaeus, 1758)                                            Dun-bar
2321    Apamea monoglypha (Hufnagel, 1766)                                    Dark Arches
2336    Apamea ophiogramma (Esper, 1793)                                        Double Lobed
2341    Mesoligia furuncula ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)             Cloaked Minor
2343    Mesapamea secalis (Linnaeus, 1758)                                         Common Rustic
2352    Eremobia ochroleuca ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)          Dusky Sallow
2361    Hydraecia micacea (Esper, 1789)                                               Rosy Rustic
2368    Celaena leucostigma (Hübner, 1808)                                         Crescent
2369    Nonagria typhae (Thunberg, 1784)                                             Bulrush Wainscot
2370    Archanara geminipuncta (Haworth, 1809)                                Twin-spotted Wainscot
2371    Archanara dissoluta (Treitschke, 1825)                                      Brown-veined Wainscot
2373    Archanara sparganii (Esper, 1790)                                              Webb's Wainscot
2377    Arenostola phragmitidis (Hübner, 1803)                                    Fen Wainscot
2381    Hoplodrina alsines (Brahm, 1791)                                              Uncertain
2391    Chilodes maritimus (Tauscher, 1806)                                         Silky Wainscot
2418    Earias clorana (Linnaeus, 1761)                                                  Cream-bordered Green Pea
2439    Plusia festucae (Linnaeus, 1758)                                                 Gold Spot
2441    Autographa gamma (Linnaeus, 1758)                                       Silver Y
2450    Abrostola tripartita (Hufnagel, 1766)                                         Spectacle
2474    Rivula sericealis (Scopoli, 1763)                                                  Straw Dot
2477    Hypena proboscidalis (Linnaeus, 1758)                                     Snout
2484    Schrankia costaestrigalis (Stephens, 1834)                                Pinion-streaked Snout

  
Brown-veined Wainscot













Twin-spotted Wainscot











Garden Tiger











Webb's Wainscot











Reed Dagger











Southern Wainscot











Elachista maculicerusella











Cydalima perspectalis










Canary-shouldered Thorn

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