Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society Newsletter

Incorporating

The Cheshire Group Newsletter

February 2003 Number 1008

1 Welcome! Welcome to the latest LCES and CMG newsletter. Originally this issue was planned for Christmas but with pressures of work it had to be delayed – apologies! But there is good news. The 2001 report for VC58 is now complete. This is downloadable from the LCES, CMG and rECOrd web sites. Despite the wintry weather, there are signs of spring in the air. As I write this evening, the trap already contains 4 Pale Brindled Beauty and a Spring Usher and before too long the sallow blossom will be out together with the Quakers and Clouded Drabs. Hopefully this year will be better than the cold, wet, windy summers we seem to have had of late.

Field Trips – 2003 Meetings Not much organised so far – if you fancy leading a field trip let me know and I’ll include details next issue.

National Moth Night is the 12th April this year. The events we know about are:

Events in Cheshire for the National Moth Night in 2003 are still to be arranged. Watch this space! Weather permitting we will try to trap at Pym Chair/Goyt Valley for Red Sword-grass. Please contact Adrian Wander BEFORE travelling.

A National Moth Night moth trapping event at Weaver Valley Parkway. Meet at the car park off the A5018 opposite Morrison's Supermarket (SJ656669). Drop in at any time. For further details contact: Brian Jaques on: 01606 891242

Field Trip Reports 29th September: Crimes Lane, Beeston

This was an excellent outing and a very informative field trip looking at leaf mines. The day was a great success and yielded 28 new 10km grid square records. Highlights included Stigmella paradoxa and incredible numbers of peribenanderi. It seemed like every patch of thistle in the area contained cases of this moth.

Coleophora peribenanderi Stigmella paradoxa

1 1

SD0 SE SD0 SE

9 9

8 8

7 7

6 6

5 5

4 4

3 3 SJ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 SK0 1 2 SJ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 SK0 1 2 The cluster of records in the South West of the county represent the fruits of the days work.

2 Cnephasia’s in VC58 – an update

Many thanks to all who sent on either directly or through Steve Hind specimens of Cnephasia for identification. All where either C. asseclana, C. incertana or C. stephensiana. May I take this opportunity to ask again for any Cnephasia from this season be sent to me again to further the study and distribution of this difficult group within Cheshire. Remember, look out for any on the wing during the months of May, mid-July and into August, these are usually the interesting ones!

Cnephasia incertana (Light Grey Tortrix) Light Grey Tortrix (Cnephasia incertana)

0SD SE 1

9 SD0 SE

8 9

8 7

7 6

6

5 5

4 4

3 3 SJ 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0SK 1 SJ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 SK0 1 2 On the left we show the records of Light Grey Tortrix when Jon first put his request out in issue 6. On the right is the current status following the hard work of last year.

Please send to: Jon Clifton, Kestrel Cottage, Station Road, Hindolveston, Norfolk, NR20 5E

The Status of Lempke’s Gold-spot Plusia putnami gracilis in VC58 (Cheshire) - including comparison with surrounding Vice-counties

1. Current Status

In VC58, this species is currently considered a major rarity. The first ever confirmed record was in July 2001 at Arnfield Reservoir (Shane Farrell, Paul Greenall, Adrian Wander, Steve Hind, Paul Hill), close to the boundary with VC57 at SK0197. Whilst there have been previous references to this species being recorded in VC58, none have ever been substantiated by retaining a specimen (and after reference to the genitalia), which is normally required for a Vice-county first. Retention of a specimen and dissection is still required for the acceptance of records for this species in VC58.

A second record of two separate individuals in Cheadle Hulme (Geoff Lightfoot) at SJ8786 in September 2002 prompted me to consider that this species may, in fact, be more common in VC58 than is generally believed. These latter individuals displayed characters of both species and it was only after dissection (see the scan of the dissected plate below) that their identity was confirmed. GL retained the specimens in light of the 2001 records and ‘as there was something about them’ which made him suspect Lempke’s Gold-spot; his experience and observation skills were clearly well-founded. Adrian Wander was also suspicious about two specimens retained from his garden last year and made the following comment, ‘I had two Gold Spots from August that I did over the weekend: one a good, dark, one with pointed ends to the gold spot, the other one smaller, paler with nice rounded ends to the gold spots. I didn't

3 have a Gold Spot plate for reference so I did the dark one first. No problem - classic Gold Spot gen. I then did the pale one - no problem Classic Gold Spot gen! If I had been in the fens I would not have bothered keeping the specimen and would have recorded the moth as Lempke's. It was only because it would have been a new garden record and a very good VC58 record that I kept the specimen - good job I did.’ If even experts like Adrian can be ‘fooled’ from external characters, then hopefully readers can understand our caution in accepting records for the rarer Lempke’s Gold-spot!

2. Confirmation of Records

It is appreciated that many recorders will be hesitant to kill and retain specimens of any moth, let alone one which is as attractive as either Gold-spot or Lempke’s Gold-spot. Some recorders will refuse point blank to take such action simply to confirm a species for just, in most cases, their own ‘garden list’. In such circumstances it is recommended that the specimen is held in

Genitalia plate of one of the Cheadle Hulme specimens in 2002.

the refrigerator for a few days until it can be referred to someone for confirmation if Lempke’s Gold-spot is suspected. A member of the Cheshire Panel should be consulted in these circumstances and an assessment can then be made as to whether or not the specimen is worth dissecting and then a final decision can be taken. Details of the contacts can be found on the website at www.consult-eco.ndirect.co.uk/lrc/mothg.htm Alternatively, or if the recorder takes the decision not to dissect, they should be recorded as Gold-spot, this being the more likely species. If specimens are to be retained then they can be killed within a minute or two in the freezer and then retained for an almost indefinite period in the freezer or alternatively out of the freezer in a pot. If not stored frozen, do ensure that the pot is well sealed as pests (dust mites etc.) can often eat the body parts to the distress of the recorder! Specimens can be sent to me, Adrian Wander or Steve Hind for dissection if required. It should be noted that although the males can be readily split by assessing the genitalia, this is almost impossible in the females. That said, if we get together more samples then perhaps more reliable female genitalia features will become apparent that will allow future female specimens to be positively identified. I have listed the main general external features below and also include within this article a photograph of one of the specimens captured at Arnfield in 2001 along with a specimen of Gold-spot.

3. External separation features and flight period

Whilst both species can only be definitely split by appraising the genitalia (and then only generally males), it is sometimes possible, with care, to make a ‘best guess’ identification. However, a ‘best guess’ identification is all this can be. The following external identification features are not totally reliable and tend to form a cline in features between one species and another. As mentioned above, in VC58 dissection will still always be required to allow records for Lempke’s Gold-spot to be accepted. Retention of occasional voucher specimens is extremely unlikely to have any negative impact whatsoever on the population of a species such

4 as this; also the features listed below will hopefully help to reduce the numbers requiring dissection to a minimum. Turning to the features that can be used to reduce dissections, in general, Lempke’s Gold-spot has a warmer golden brown ground colour and normally does not show the stronger contrast often seen in Comparison shot with Lempke’s Gold-spot on the left and Gold-spot. The wing-shape Gold-spot on the right. Both captured at Arnfield (forewing) is usually slightly Reservoir July 2002 different; Lempke’s Gold-spot often has a concave costa (compared with a straight or slightly bulging costa in Gold-spot); furthermore the forewing of Lempke’s Gold-spot often appears broader and more pointed as a result of the fact that the costa is generally shorter in relation to the termen than in Gold-spot. This makes the forewing appear shorter in length when compared with Gold-spot. The two golden panels on the forewing are usually much rounder in Lempke’s Gold-spot and the classic separation character is indicated by the shape of the silvery/golden panels near the apex; the largest one is usually blunt in Lempke’s Gold-spot at the proximal end, whereas in Gold-spot it forms a point. These features can be seen well on the photograph above, but it will be appreciated that not all specimens will show all of these characters.

Flight time is also perhaps worth noting as this can again indicate which species one has captured. Gold-spot is usually considered to be double-brooded with Lempke’s Gold-spot being single brooded. Specimens recorded from mid to late August onwards appear to be almost always confirmed as Gold-spot. However, again this is only a rule of thumb as there are occasional, and confirmed, records for Lempke's Gold-spot from mid-August onwards indicating a partial second brood. However, generally these are few and far between. Gold- spot usually emerges first, occurring in the final week of May and then can be found almost all the way through to late September. Lempke's Gold-spot appears in mid June with most in July, a few in August (when 2nd brood Gold-spot are at their height) and very rarely in September. It will be noted that even this aspect of these ’ natural history is not straight forward!

4. Distribution in neighbouring Vice-counties

Lempke's Gold-spot has been recorded extensively in VC59/60 (Lancashire – with 141 records of 228 specimens at January 2003). There is a single VC39 (Staffordshire) record at Gnosall railway line SJ83 in September 1990. However, this was not confirmed by dissection. There is a single known record in VC40 (Shropshire) recorded on a BENHS field trip to Fenn's, Whixall & Bettisfield Mosses NNR in July1992. Lempke's Gold-spot has never been recorded in VC57 (Derbyshire), VC50 (Denbighshire) or VC51 (Flintshire). The distributions in VC59/60 (Lancashire) and VC58 (Cheshire) are shown on the maps below. Steve Palmer, the county Micro-moth recorder for VC59/60, recently commented on Lancashire’s records. He advised that on the whole Gold-spot is recorded about seven times as frequently as Lempke’s Gold-spot using light trapping methods. Most moth’ers use light trapping as the main recording technique. This can sometimes cause apparent anomalies within the recorded distribution of

5 species; because some species may be more attracted to light than others they may appear more common than species not as strongly attracted. Although much more difficult and time- consuming than light-trapping, searching for early stages can assist in this issue and is yet another area where recorders can greatly increase knowledge of species’ distribution. Unfortunately, as no differences have ever been noted between the two species in the early stages, the adults would have to be reared through and, again, dissected. This would, however, be a far more accurate way of establishing the ranges of the two species than light-trapping.

Hopefully in reading this article, recorders from VC58 and neighbouring counties, will be encouraged to investigate the status of this species in their own area. With this assistance we will hopefully be able to expand upon the knowledge of these very attractive . Lempke’s Gold-spot is normally associated with damper biotopes and a more northerly distribution than Gold-spot (and thus may be at the southern end of its UK range in our counties). It is, however, almost certainly more common than the records suggest at this juncture and comment from recorders around the North-west would be more than welcome.

5. References

SKINNER B. 1998, Moths of the British Isles HEATH J. AND EMMET A.M. 1983, The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland (Volume 10) FARRELL S.P. 2000-03, records for 2000-2003 CHESHIRE MOTH GROUP RECORDS (via Mapmate) LANCASHIRE RECORDS (via Mapmate) via BOARDMAN P. The Fenn's, Whixall & Bettisfield Mosses NNR Unpublished Archive EMLEY D.W. & WARREN R.G. 2001, The Larger Moths of Staffordshire, Staffordshire Ecological Record. NEAL M.G. (in preparation), The Moths of Denbigh and Flint

VC58 (Cheshire - left) and VC59 and 60 (Lancashire - right) Distribution

6 Thanks to everyone that read this piece during the preparation, ironing out any problems and making suggestions for this article. Thanks also to the county recorders from neighbouring Vice-counties who have helped me fill in the detail for other areas.

Shane Farrell

Pugs – love them or loath them you just can’t help looking….. A trap full of pugs is often regarded as a nightmare. They are small, rather indistinctly marked, the reproduction of plate 10 in Skinner is not that good in many copies and to cap it all the moths are usually badly worn as well. For the birder’s amongst you these really are the lbj’s (little brown jobs) of the moth world. However, with patience, luck and perseverance some progress can be made. The publication of a key to the pugs in the August 2002 issue of Atropos may help although so far I’ve not tried it in anger. One thing is clear, if you think you have a rare pug please retain the specimen for genitalia determination. There are now a number of people in the County willing to do gen dets on pugs so please pass them on. This winter has seen records of scarce species such as Larch Pug, Ochreous Pug, Oak-tree Pug and Plain Pug confirmed on the basis of genitalia examination. Looking at our current records compared those given in Rutherford’s book reveals some interesting trends. In particular, two species appear to be much more regular of late – Freyer’s Pug and Plain Pug. Plain Pug was first recorded in 1986 in Bromborough. This is the only record given by Rutherford. The species remains rare in the County and we now have 10 records, the majority of which have been confirmed by genitalia examination. The records have occurred during the first three weeks of July and are scattered across the County. Rutherford gives records of just four Freyer’s Pug, with the first as recently as 1987. We now have 194 records of 476 individuals from across the County. Presumably, the moth has benefited from the trend of gardeners to plant evergreens as the larvae feed on various Cypresses. Records of the moth are scattered across the County and the species is single brooded with a flight period extending from early May through to late July. The peak emergence is during June.

Freyer's Pug (Eupithecia intricata)

Freyer's Pug 1

SD0 SE 100 9 80 8 60 40 7

6 Individuals 20

0 5 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 4 Week Number 3 SJ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0SK 1 2 Keep your eyes open for these two species this year. Adrian Wander

Coleophora juncicolella Stt. and other moths found on heather during spring 2002

Late March and throughout April was exceptionally warm and sunny during 2002, so I took the opportunity to visit the eastern uplands. The purpose of which was to try and locate the larvae

7 of Coleophora juncicolella Stt. After finding the larvae at Lindow Common SJ8381 the previous year, I was interested to see if it occurred in the hills as well as on the plain. The few previous county records, from Little Budworth Common SJ5865 in 1989 (K.P.Bland) & 2001 (A.Wander) and 19th century records from Bidston Hill SJ28 (C.S.Gregson; J.F.Brockholes), Knutsford SJ77 (J.Campbell) and Puddington SJ37 (J.F.Brockholes), were all from lowland sites.

The larvae spin a case that closely resembles the tip of a sprig of Heather. They are extremely well camouflaged and impossible to see when on the plants. The way to find them is to sweep the heather and empty the contents into a container. A petri dish is ideal for this. Place the dish on the ground and with the aid of a grass stem, flick out, or otherwise remove all the many small spiders etc., that will have also been swept up, leaving just the heather tips. This can be quite a time consuming process, which can take anything from five to fifteen minutes. By which time any juncicolella larvae should have started to show themselves. Look closely for any moving heather tip and you should see the head of a larva. A lens can be useful here. Once found, return them and the contents to the heather and move on to survey another area. Alternatively just place the contents from the sweep net into a container and wait to see if any larvae crawl up the sides.

Larvae Case of C. juncicolella crawling out of the debris and up the side of a Tupperware sandwich box (Photo: A. Wander)

Larvae were soon found at the first site I sampled, as well as at a number of others. The following upland sites produced larvae during 2002:

Staley Brushes SJ9999 29.3.02 Swineshaw Moor SK0099 29.3.02

8 Arnfield SK0097 30.3.02 Arnfield Reservoir SK0197 30.3.02 Boar Flat SK0199 30.3.02 Ogden Clough SE0100 30.3.02 Arnfield Flats SE0200 30.3.02 @ over 400 metres above sea level Derbyshire Bridge SK0171 19.4.02 Danebower SK0070 19.4.02 Billinge Quarry, Rainow SJ9577 23.4.02 Longdendale SK0499 24.4.02

And at new sites on the plain:

Cranberry Moss, Eaton SJ8664 5.4.02 Caldy Hill SJ2285 7.4.02 Little Budworth Common SJ5866 13.4.02

They were fairly common at those sites visited on 30th March 2002. A number of sites were sampled in the Cat & Fiddle – Danebower – Derbyshire Bridge triangle on 19th April, with success at only two. Likewise on 24th April between Crowden and Tintwistle, although not all had suitable growths of Heather. Whether it was the condition of the habitat or the progressing season which had the main effect on success or failure is unknown, although I would suspect the former, as several of the sites where I failed to find larvae had been heavily grazed.

Also found amongst the Heather were Heath Rustic larvae, which were present at fourteen sites; Neglected Rustic larvae at two sites, Staley Brushes SJ9998 & Longdendale SK0498 and Northern Eggar larvae at five sites. The Billinge Quarry site produced adult Beautiful Yellow Underwing and Neofaculta ericetella (Geyer), as well as the larva of Scalloped Oak and Winter Moth. Philedonides lunana (Thunb.) was on the wing at four sites, several Emperor Moths at the Cat & Fiddle and Longdendale, with Common Heaths at the latter site. One species I failed to find at any of the upland sites was Coleophora pyrrhulipennella Zell. The distinctive black larval cases of pyrrhulipennella would have been easy to spot had they been present, as they were at two of the three sites visited on the plain.

S H Hind

More Adventures of an Itinerant Moth Man In the last issue I described an expedition in May to the Scotland Highlands. This time I hoped to bring you stories of migrants down south, as I usually try and get away in September/October for a week or twos mothing in Cornwall. However, with pressures of work I couldn’t get away until the middle of November – not the best time of year for rare moths. However, there is one specie on the wing at that time of year that I had never seen; the Plumed Prominent. I contacted Jon Clifton in Norfolk and he had also never seen the moth. A quick chat with the Suffolk moth group about where to go to see the specie resulted in an invitation to join them on an expedition. The weather was good on the 21st of November, and I set of for Norfolk to collect Jon. We left Norfolk in the early afternoon, arriving at the site near Bury St Edmunds at around 4:30pm to meet the Suffolk guys. Traps set and generators running we settled down amongst intermittent showers of rain to await events. The night was truly outstanding – 15 Plumed Prominents arrived by the time we packed up at 7:30pm. A number of Scarce Umber were also a welcome

9 sight. In total eight species of macro were recorded. Many thanks to the Suffolk Group for their hospitality and for a VERY successful and enjoyable evening. Adrian Wander

Contacts and Web Sites · The Lancashire and Cheshire Entomology Society (LCES) can be found at: http://www.consult-eco.ndirect.co.uk/entomol/lces · rECOrd – The Local Records Centre for Cheshire, Halton, Runcorn, Warrington and the Wirral can be found at: http://www.record-lrc.co.uk · All records of macro and micro moths for Cheshire (VC58) should preferably be submitted to the Cheshire Moth Group Data Officer, Shane Farrell [email protected] or via snail mail at 15 Westover, Romiley, Stockport, Cheshire SK6 3ER · Records of macro moths in Cheshire can also be sent to Steve McWilliam at: [email protected] · Records of micros in Cheshire can also be sent to Steve Hind at: [email protected] · Records from Shropshire should be sent to Peter Boardman, 7 High Street, Weston Rhyn, Shropshire, SY10 7RP or e-mail at [email protected] · Submission of all biological records can be made to rECOrd at: [email protected] · Butterfly Conservation can be found at: http://www.butterfly-conservation.org · The Lancashire Moth Group now has a web page at http://www.lancashire-moths.org · The Cheshire Moth Group also has web pages at http://www.consult-eco.ndirect.co.uk/lrc/cmg/cmg.htm · Jon Clifton can be contacted via Kestrel Cottage, Hindolveston, Norfolk, NR20 5DE · I can be contacted regarding field trips, items for the next newsletter etc. at: [email protected] or by snail-mail at 16 Bramhalls Park, Anderton, Northwich, Cheshire, CW9 6AH

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