Sunday 16 March 2014

Wainscots, Sharks and Shoulder-knots:

Noctuidae (Hadeninae)

2192 Mythimna conigera - Brown-line Bright-eye




Status: Annual in small numbers.

Habitat/Food plant: Wide ranging around various grasslands, the larval food plants are grasses including Common Couch and Cock's-foot.

Broods/flight period:  Singe brooded, on the wing mainly in July and August.

1999 - 2023 garden records:  Never numerous but showing signs of decline in recent years.

The annual total counts have been:

1999 = 1.    2000 = 1.    2001 = 20.    2002 = 9.    2003 = 20.    2004 = 30.    2005 = 8.    2006 = 15.    2007 = 6.    2008 = 3.    2009 = 18.    2010 = 9.    2011 = 4.    2012 = 7.

2013 = 6.   2014 = 1.     2015 = 1.      2016 = 1.     2017 = 2.       2018 = 1.    2019 = 6.    2020 = 6.   2021 = 2.   2022 = 3.   2023 =  7.   2024 = 

Earliest date: 21st June 2018.

Latest date: 7th August 2004.

Peak count: 6 moths in 2001 and 2004.


2198 Mythimna ferrago - Clay




Status:  Common in small numbers.

Habitat/Food plant: Wide ranging over open grasslands, the larval food plants are grasses especially Cock's-foot and Meadow Grasses.

Broods/flight period: Singe brooded, on the wing from late June till August.

1999 - 2023 garden records: A stable population has existed here throughout.

Earliest date: 15th June 2022.

Latest date: 27th August 2012.

Peak count:11 moths, in 2014.


2194 Mythimna albipuncta - White-point



Status: Common.

Habitat/Food plant: Manly coastal, the larval food plants are various grasses, including Common Couch and Cock's-foot.

Broods/flight period: The books say that there is mainly just one generation in the UK, with overlapping migrant generations showing up, so the moths can be on the wing pretty much anytime between May and November ... this doesn't exactly fit what goes on here?  The larval food plants are grasses, including Cock's-foot and Common Couch.

1999 - 2023 garden records: Has increased here over the years.

Earliest date: 21st May 2014.

Latest date: 28th October 2009.

Peak count: 33 moths on 30th August 2021 and then again on 18th August 2023. 


2195 Mythimna vitellina - Delicate




Status: Erratic migrant, usually a rarity.

Habitat/Food plant: Usually a coastal migrant in the UK. On the continent it occurs in Southern Europe and North Africa.

Broods/flight period: It occurs here any time between April and November. The larval food plants are various grasses.

1999 - 2023 garden records: Taken here in seven of the twenty years, most notably in 2007 when I caught 1 - 2 moths on ten dates.

The annual tallies were: 2004 = 2.    2005 = 1.    2006 = 5.    2007 = 11.    2014 = 1.    2015 = 1.    2016 = 0.    2017 = 1.    2018 = 0.    2019 = 5.    2020 = 5.   2021 = 1.   2022 = 10.   

2023 = 37.   2024 = 

Earliest date: 21st June 2007.

Latest date: 28th October 2004.

Peak count: Three moths, one night in 2023. 


2197 Mythimna straminea - Southern Wainscot




The bottom photo shows the headband effect, helpful for identification though once you get you eye in so to speak and recognise the pale ground colour then it's only secondary factor in the identification.

Status: Notable.

Habitat/Food plant: Marshes, Fens, Riverbanks etc. The larvae feed on Common Reed and Reed Canary-grass.

Broods/flight period: One generation, on the wing in July and August.

1999 - 2023 garden records:  Taken here on seventeen dates, in 2000, 2003, twice in 2005, twice in 2009 then once in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, on three dates in 2017, once in 2019, 2020 and 2022.  

2019 = 1.  2020 = 1.  2021 = 0.  2022 = 1.  2023 = 4.  2024 = 

Earliest date: 29th June 2011.

Latest date: 23rd of August 2023. 

Peak count: Singles only.


2198 Mythimna impura - Smoky Wainscot




Status: Common.

Habitat/Food plant: All types of grassland, the larval food plants are grasses including Cock's-foot and Common Reed.

Broods/flight period: One generation, on the wing from late June till August.

1999 - 2023 garden records: Showing signs of decline number-wise here, though still failry common.

Earliest date: 26th May 2004.

Latest date: 16th September 2001? Very late??

Peak count: 23 moths, in 2009.


2199 Mythimna pallens - Common Wainscot




Status: Common (ish) but showing obvious signs of decline in recent years.

Habitat/Food plant:  A wide range of dry and damp grasslands. The larval food plants are various grasses including Cock's-foot , Annual Meadow Grass, Tufted Hair-grass and Common Couch.

Broods/flight period: Two generations, flying in June/July then August till October.

1999 - 2023 garden records: Another species arriving in far smaller numbers that it used to.

Earliest date: 15th May 2022. 

Latest date: 11th October 2005.

Peak count: 83 on 13th August 2022 then 92 on 14th August 2022.  


2200 Mythimna favicolor - Mathew's Wainscot



The greyer/duller type ...


... and the more orange form ... 

Status:  Annual ... well almost, always in small numbers.

Habitat/Food plant: A species of coastal salt marsh, the larval food plants are especially Common Salt Marsh Grass, but others including Cock's-foot and Annual Meadow Grass.

Broods/flight period: Double brooded, flying from mid June till late July then a partial second generation again in September.

1999 - 2023 garden records: The annual total counts have been:

1999 = 0.    2000 = 0.    2001 = 1.    2002 = 0.    2003 = 3.    2004 = 9.    2005 = 3.    2006 = 3.    2007 = 2.    2008 = 0.    2009 = 2.    2010 = 3.    2011 = 4.    2012 = 2.

2013 = 1.    2014 = 5.    2015 = 3.    2016 = 1.    2017 = 7.    2018 = 12.    2019 = 7.    2020 = 6.   2021 = 3.   2022 = 6.  2023 = 6.  2024 = 

Earliest date: 31st May 2017.

Latest date: 5th September 2017.

Peak count: Two moths on a few dates.


2202 Mythimna l-album - L-album Wainscot




Status: Common.

Habitat/Food plant: Rough grassland on the coast, the larvae feeding on Marram Grass and Tall Fescue.

Broods/flight period:  Two generations, on the wing in July then September and October/November.

1999 - 2023 garden records:  A species that has increased in numbers during the period.

Earliest date: 22nd May 2007.

Latest date: 1st November 2013.

Peak count: 28 moths, in 2010.


2203 Mythimna unipuncta - White-speck

Status: Rare migrant.

Habitat/Food plant:  A scarce/rare coastal migrant, which arrives regularly in the UK from Southern Europe and North Africa. Apparently it colonised Europe from North America!

Broods/flight period:  In the UK it has been recorded throughout the year, apparently it even occasionally overwinters in the extreme south-west. The larval food plants are grasses such as Cock's-foot and Common Couch.

1999 - 2023 garden records: Four records here, all as single moths on 26/10/02, 25/11/02, 21/10/04 and 29/10/05.

Earliest date: n/a.

Latest date: n/a.

Peak count: n/a.


2204 Mythimna obsoleta Obscure Wainscot

Status: Rare.

Habitat/Food plant:  Reed beds and marshes (including Salt Marsh) where the larval stage feeds on Common Reed.

Broods/flight period:  Single brooded, flying from mid May until July.

1999 - 2023 garden records: One, taken on 11th July 2014.

Earliest date: n/a.

Latest date: n/a.

Peak count: n/a.


2205 Mythimna comma - Shoulder-striped Wainscot



Status: Rare.

Habitat/Food plant: fens/Marshland, the larval food plants are grasses such as Cock's-foot etc.

Broods/flight period: One generation, on the wing from late May till July.

1999 - 2023 garden records:  Two records here, taken on 26th June 2004 and ??th July 2014.

Earliest date: n/a.

Latest date: n/a.

Peak count: n/a.

2208 Leucania loreyi - Cosmopolitan




Status: Rare migrant.  

Habitat/Food plant: Grasses such as Cock's-foot etc.

Broods/flight period: Usually showing up in the UK between July and October. 

1999 - 2023 garden records:  singles on 22nd September 2020, 17th July 2022 and 3rd November 2022. 

Earliest date: n/a.

Latest date: n/a.

Peak count: n/a.


Noctuidae (Cucullinae)

2211 Cucullia abschinthii - Wormwood



Status: Scarce.

Habitat/Food plant: Areas where the food plant, Wormwood, grows.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, on the wing mainly in July.

1999 - 2023 garden records: Taken on eight occasions here, on 03/08/99, 24/07/02, 21/07/03, 21/07/05, 24/07/2007, 28/07/2016, 13/07/2019 and 17/07/2022. 

Earliest date: 13th July 2019.

Latest date: 3rd August 1999.

Peak count: Single moths only.


2214 Cucullia chamomillae - Chamomile Shark



Status:  Notable.

Habitat/Food plant: Open grassy places. The larval food pants are Scentless Mayweed, Chamomile, Corn Chamomile, Stinking Chamomile and Feverfew.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, on the wing in April and May.

1999 - 2023 garden records:

The annual counts have been:

1999 = 0.    2000 = 1.    2001 = 0.    2002 = 3.    2003 = 0.    2004 = 1.    2005 = 0.    2006 = 0.    2007 = 3.    2008 = 0.    2009 = 1.    2010 = 1.    2011 = 1.    2012 = 0.

2013 = 1.    2014 = 0.    2015 = 0.    2016 = 0.    2017 = 1.    2018 = 0.    2019 = 1.    2020 = 2.   2021 = 0.   2022 = 0.  2023 = 5.  2024 = 

Earliest date: The more usual 'early date' was of one taken on 20th April 2017 but another taken on 16th March 2020 might be referred to as very early.

Latest date:13th June 2010.

Peak count: Single moths only.


2216 Cucullia umbratica - Shark



Status:  Notable.

Habitat/Food plant: Open country where the larvae feed on Sow Thistle, Wild Lettuce, Hawk's-beard and Hawkweeds.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from mid June to early August.

1999 - 2023 garden records:

The annual counts have been:

1999 = 0.    2000 = 3.    2001 = 0.    2002 = 2.    2003 = 5.    2004 = 2.    2005 = 2.    2006 = 0.    2007 = 0.    2008 = 1.    2009 = 0.    2010 = 1.    2011 = 0.    2012 = 1.

2013 = 1.    2014 = 4.    2015 = 1.    2016 = 3.    2017 = 0.    2018 = 0.    2019 = 1.    2020 = 0.    2021 = 1.   2022 = 0.  2023 = 1.  2024 = 

Earliest date: 19th June 2008.

Latest date: 1st August 2002.

Peak count: Single moths only.

2217 Cucullia asteris - Star-wort



Status:  Notable.

Habitat/Food plant: Coastal salt marsh and woodland clearings. On the coast the larvae feed on Sea Aster and Sea Wormwood, in woodland on the flowers of Goldenrod.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, on the wing from mid June till August.

1999 - 2023 garden records: Recorded sparingly here and always in more recent years, being seen in 2002, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2019 and 2023. 

Earliest date: 4th July 2003.

Latest date: 23 August 2009.

Peak count: 2 moths on 25th August 2008.


2221 Shargacucullia verbasci - Mullein



Status: Rare.

Habitat/Food plant: Calcareous habitats, ofetn with disturbed ground. The larval food plants are Mulleins, Water Figwort and Buddleias.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying in April and May.

1999 - 2023 garden records: I have been visited on just a few special occasions by this stunning creature, on 12th May 2000, 1st May 2009, 5th April 2014, 25th April 2018, 3rd May 2018 and 5th May 2019.

Earliest date: n/a.

Latest date: n/a.

Peak count: n/a.


2223 Calophasia lunula - Toadflax Brocade



Status:  Once a rarity, they are now annual in small numbers.

Habitat/Food plant: Coastal shingle where the larvae feed on Purple Toadflax and Common Toadflax.

Broods/flight period: Double brooded, flying from May to July then from July till August.

1999 - 2023 garden records: The annual counts show the rise of this species here:

 1999 = 0.    2000 = 0.    2001 = 0.    2002 = 0.    2003 = 0.    2004 = 2.    2005 = 0.    2006 = 0.    2007 = 2.    2008 = 1.    2009 = 12.    2010 = 3.    2011 = 8.    2012 = 11.

2013 = 3.    2014 = 7.    2015 = 11.   2016 = 5.    2017 = 6.    2018 = 3.    2019 = 7.    2020 = 7.   2021 = 25.   2022 = 14.  2023 = 11.  2024 = 

Earliest date: 12th April 2009.

Latest date: Usually last seen in August but in 2021 singles on September 3rd and 8th. 

Peak count: A maximum of two moths.


2225 Brachylomia viminalis - Minor Shoulder-knot

Status: Rare.

Habitat/Food plant: Damp woodland, marshes etc. The larval food plant is mainly Grey Willow, though it will feed on other Willows and Aspen.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, on the wing in July and August.

1999 - 2023 garden records: The here occurred on 30th July 2001.

Earliest date: n/a.

Latest date: n/a.

Peak count: n/a.


2230 Aporophyla australis - Feathered Brindle

Status: Rare.

Habitat/Food plant: Coastal areas, sand dunes, soft rocky sea cliffs and south facing downland. The Larval food plants are Sea Campion, Common Sorrel, Bramble and Wood Sage.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, on the wing mainly in September and October.

1999 - 2023 garden records: Only six records here and none at all since the autumn of 2005. The dates were: 1 on 27th September 1999, 1 on 28th September 1999, singles on 3 dates between 28th and 30th September 2002 then 1 on 22nd September 2005.

Earliest date: n/a.

Latest date: n/a.

Peak count: n/a.



2231 Aporophyla lutulenta - Deep-brown Dart



Status:  Notable, then just plain scarce.

Habitat/Food plant: Open habitats, the larvae feeding on a wide rage of herbaceous plants.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, on the wing in September and October.

1999 - 2023 garden records: Recorded only ten times here prior to 2018, only being seen in the years of 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2011, 2014, 2016 and 2017.

2018 = 0.   2019 = 4.   2020 = 3.   2021 = 13.    2022 = 2.   2023 = 6.  2024 = 

Earliest date: 23rd September 2005.

Latest date: 19th October 2005.

Peak count: 2 on 3rd October 2021 was the one and only multiple sighting.


2232 Aporophyla nigra - Black Rustic




Status:  Annual in small numbers.

Habitat/Food plant: it occurs in various locales and it's larvae eats various things.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded flying in Semester and October.

1999 - 2022 garden records: Never numerous here but doing okay.

The annual counts have been:

 1999 = 4.    2000 = 2.    2001 = 4.    2002 = 2.    2003 = 3.    2004 = 9.    2005 = 6.    2006 = 3.    2007 = 1.    2008 = 8.    2009 = 3.    2010 = 8.    2011 = 3.    2012 = 12.

2013 = 10.   2014 = 5.    2015 = 3.    2016 = 3.    2017 = 7.    2018 = 22.    2019 = 10.    2020 = 20.   2021 = 10.   2022 = 33.   2023 = 27.  2024 = 

Earliest date: 15th September 2009.

Latest date: 13th November 2012.

Peak count: 5 moths, on 13th October 2018.


2235 Lithophane semibrunnea - Tawny Pinion



Status: Notable.

Habitat/Food plant: Broadleaved woodland, parkland and marshes. The larval food plant is Ash.

Broods/flight period: The adults are single brooded, on the wing initially in October and November, then after wintering, again from March till May.

1999 - 2024 garden records:  Nine records here, in 2002, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2019, 3rd March 2021 and 17th March 2024.  

Earliest date: 3rd March 2021.

Latest date: 29th April 2013.

Peak count: Singles only.


2236 Lithophane hepicata - Pale Pinion


A very tatty specimen, taken on 8/05/2014 ... only my second ever record here. 

Status: Rare.

Habitat/Food plant: Broadleaved woodland and parkland. The larval food plants are varied including, Oaks, Sallows, Birches, Apple, Horse Chestnut, Bramble and Wild Privet etc.

Broods/flight period: The adults are single brooded, on the wing initially in October and November, then after wintering, again from March till May.

1999 - 2023 garden records: Only two have ever succumbed to the traps  here, on 12th April 2002 and on 8th April 2014.

Earliest date: n/a.

Latest date: n/a.

Peak count: n/a.


2237 Lithophane ornitopus - Grey Shoulder-knot



Status: Rare.

Habitat/Food plant: Broadleaved woodland and parkland. The larval food plants are Oaks.

Broods/flight period: The adults are single brooded, flying initially in September and October, then after overwintering, again from February till April.

1999 - 2023 garden records:  It took me 'many' years to savour the delightful sight of one of these little blighter's around my garden traps ... up till now I've taken only three, two post wintering sightings on 25th February 2011 and 11th March 2012 then an autumn moth on 12th October 2023. 

Earliest date: n/a.

Latest date: n/a.

Peak count: n/a.


2241 Lithophane leautieri - Blair's Shoulder-knot
 


Status: Common.

Habitat/Food plant: Places where the larval food plants, Conifers and Cypress are found.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying mainly in September and October.

1999 - 2023 garden records: A regular enough moth, though only ever taken in small numbers.

Earliest date: 23rd September 2006.

Latest date: 24th December 2023.

Peak count: 8 moths, one night in 2005.


2243 Xylocampa areola - Early Grey



Status: Common.

Habitat/Food plant: Broadleaved woodland, scrub, hedgerows etc. The larval food plant is Honeysuckle.

Broods/flight period:  Single brooded, on the wing from March till May.

1999 - 2023 garden records:  Relatively stable, decreasing slightly here in recent years. Rarely numerous, only ever reaching double figures on any one night on two occasions.

Earliest date: 15th February 2002.

Latest date: 26th May in both 2002 and 2005.

Peak count: 15 on 24th April 2003.


2245 Allophyes oxyacenthae - Green-brindled Crescent




Status:  Annual in small numbers, perhaps showing a slight increase in recent years?

Habitat/Food plant: Broadleaved woodland, scrub, hedgerows etc. The larval food plants are Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Crab Apple, Dog Rose, Plum etc.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded on the wing from late September till early November.

1999 - 2023 garden records:  Though always notable, a small but stable population exists around here.

The annual counts have been:

 1999 = 3.    2000 = 1.    2001 = 3.    2002 = 1.    2003 = 1.    2004 = 3.    2005 = 6.    2006 = 1.    2007 = 1.    2008 = 3.    2009 = 2.    2010 = 2.    2011 = 7.    2012 = 2.

2013 = 7.   2014 = 10.    2015 = 8.    2016 = 4.    2017 = 1.    2018 = 3.    2019 = 1.    2020 = 3.   2021 = 4.   2022 = 7.   2023 = 19.   2024 = 

Earliest date: 4th October 2009.

Latest date: 17th November 2003.

Peak count: 3 moths, on 28th October 2005 also in the autumn of 2023. 

2246a Dryobota labecula - Oak Rustic




The first two captures here, both very different looking things.

Status:  A recent colonist to the UK, still a rare moth nationally I think?

Habitat/Food plant: Gardens and parkland etc where the larval food-plant [Evergreen Oak] grows.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded on the wing from October through till December.

1999 - 2023 garden records: Single moths on 12th October 2018, 5th November 2018, 1st November 2019, 1st November 2020, 10th November 2021, 14th November 2021 then 9 in 2023.  

2018 = 2.  2019 = 1.  2020 = 1.  2021 = 1.  2022 = 9.  2023 = 4.  2024 = 

Earliest date: 12th October 2018. 

Latest date: 15th November 2022. 

Peak count: n/a.


2247 Dichonia aprilana - Mervielle du Jour



The second of these spectacular insects to grace the garden traps taken in October 2009.


Ten years later number three showed. Well worth the wait too ...

Status: Rare but seemingly on the increase perhaps? 

Habitat/Food plant: A moth of Oak woodland where the larvae eats Pedunculate, Sessile and possibly Turkey Oaks.

Broods/flight period:  One brood, flying September and October.

1999 - 2023 garden records: Five of these rather splendid creatures have shown up here so far, all as singles on 12th October 1999, 1st October 2009, 25th October 2019, 16th October 2021, 5th October 2022 and 22nd October 2023. There are few finer sights than to see a 'Mervielle' in one of your moth traps.

Earliest date: 1st October 2009. 

Latest date: 25th October 2019.

Peak count: singles only. 


2248 Dryobotodes eremita - Brindled Green





Status: Surprisingly rare here. 

Habitat/Food plant: Broadleaved woodland and parkland.  The larval food plants is mainly the buds and leaves of Sessile and Pedunculate Oaks.

Broods/flight period:  Single brooded, on the wing mainly in September and October.

1999 - 2023 garden records: Seven moths have been taken here on five dates, a single on 1st October 2005 and two on 2nd October 2010 then further singles on 1st October 2014, 20th September 2015, 26th October 2017 and 4th October 2022. 

Earliest date: 20th September 2015.

Latest date: 26th October 2017.

Peak count: 2 on 2nd October 2010. 


2052 Polymixis lichenea - Large Ranunculus

Status: Rare.

Habitat/Food plant: Gardens, suburban areas, damp meadows, coastal grasslands etc. The larval stage feeds on the flowers and leaves of various wild and cultivated herbaceous plants.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, on the wing in September and October.

1999 - 2023 garden records: 1 on 5th September 2014.

Earliest date: n/a.

Latest date: n/a.

Peak count: n/a.


2255 Polymixis lichenea - Feathered Ranunculus




Status: Common.

Habitat/Food plant: Most coastal habitats are used, the larval food plants are varied and include Hound's-tongue, Sea Plantain, Thrift, Biting Stonecrop and Wild Cabbage.

Broods/flight period:  Single brooded flying mainly between late August and early October.

1999 - 2023 garden records:  A regular autumn visitor, with numbers occasionally reaching double figures.

Earliest date: 24th July 2004.

Latest date: 22nd November 2015.

Peak count: 33 moths, one night in 2010.