CHESHIRE (VICE COUNTY 58)
MOTH REPORT FOR 2017
Lobster Moth: Roger Parry
Authors: Steve H. Hind and Steve W. Holmes
Date: 10th March 2018 Cheshire moth report 2017
Introduction
Weather conditions were generally favourable for moth recording during the first half of the year resulting in a number of interesting discoveries and some good catches but the summer was unfortunately cool and unsettled. Five new species were added to the county list during the year, with the first two of these during a hot spell of weather in late May: Lobster Moth Stauropus fagi on 25th May and Assara terebrella on 27th May. Stigmella svenssoni followed on 16th June, with Anania lancealis on 30th June and the first of three Box-tree Moths Cydalima perspectalis on 6th July.
954 species were found during 2017, a new record annual count for Vice County 58, Cheshire, 19 more than last year’s previous record and these from over 70,000 records received. This is only the second time we have passed this figure, so thanks to everyone for sending in their records and photographs, making the production of this report possible. As always, a list of those species new for their respective 10km squares during 2017 can be found after the main report.
Work continued during the winter to add historical records from the collections at Manchester Museum, past entomological journals and recorders old note books, which is enabling us to compare our current data with that of the past and this year we have included some additional comments within the species section of the report putting into context some of the years sightings.
The map above shows the number of species recorded in each hectad (10km*10km square) during 2017 to illustrate the recording coverage across the county.
We managed to increase the number of species recorded in 20 hectads during the year, most significantly in SJ37 (Ellesmere Port), where exactly 100 additional species were recorded compared to 2016 and in SJ86 (Congleton) which was targeted specifically to improve the micro- moth coverage and produced an additional 240 species. However numbers were down in 23 hectads, due in a few cases to regular recorders either not trapping during the year, or not
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Cheshire moth report 2017 submitting their records in time for inclusion within the report. Most moth trapping continues to be carried out in recorders gardens and although we currently have a good spread of recorders across the county, there remain hectads without a resident trapper. Knowledge on the status of our garden moths is increasing each year but trapping away from our gardens is still very limited, so visits into the wider countryside is likely to produce the most significant rewards.
Time and effort dictate that this report cannot be a complete analysis of the years’ records; it does however itemise all macro-moth species that were recorded fewer than 10 times during the year as well as the most notable micro-moths.
Throughout what follows, header information relating to each species comprises:
3.004 Gold Swift Hepialus hecta (Linnaeus, 1758)
Which, reading left to right detail:
Incoming Agassiz, Beavan & Heckford species number Species’ vernacular name Species’ taxonomic name Species’ Author(s)
Species distribution maps have been deliberately omitted from this years’ report as we have been involved with and are anticipating the on-line publication of an e-atlas for every species within the county in the not too distant future. A sample is shown below.
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Cheshire moth report 2017
2.004 Eriocrania sparrmannella (Bosc, 1791) Two tenanted leaf mines at Lindow Common on 8th June (BS).
2.006 Eriocrania cicatricella (Zetterstedt, 1839) Several tenanted leaf mines at Mottram St Andrew on 5th May (SHH).
3.004 Gold Swift Hepialus hecta (Linnaeus, 1758) Just nine records of 10 individuals between 19th May and 18th August as follows: Norley Moss: singles on 30th May and 9th June (GO), Alsager: one on 14th June (MD), Rope, Crewe: singles on 14th July, 14th and 18th August plus three on 16th August (DAC), Brookhouse Moss: one on 12th July (SHH) and Coole Fishery (Audlem): one on 14th August (PG).
Steve Hind
4.005 Stigmella betulicola (Stainton, 1856) Larval mines at Vicars Cross Golf Club on 7th July (B&HC), Brookhouse Moss on 12th July (SHH) and Parkgate Old Baths on 18th October (SWH, MB).
Bob & Helen Coan
4.008 Stigmella glutinosae (Stainton, 1858) A tenanted mine at Mount Pleasant on 2nd September (SHH).
4.013 Apple Pygmy Stigmella malella (Stainton, 1854) Three larval mines in a hedgerow at Sutton Lane Ends, Macclesfield on 3rd October (SHH).
4.019 Stigmella viscerella (Stainton, 1853) A leaf mine at Caughall Bridge on 25th October (SWH, MB). Most likely an extension of the Chester Zoo colony which was discovered in 2010. The only other county record was at Bowdon in 1857.
4.040 Stigmella assimilella (Zeller, 1848) A leaf mine on Aspen Populus tremula at Mickle Trafford on 8th October (HJ) All four county records have been this century.
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Cheshire moth report 2017
4.059 Stigmella svenssoni (Johansson, 1971) ** The 1st county record. One male to light at Alsager on 16th June (MD).
Mike Dale
4.068 Trifurcula immundella (Zeller, 1839) A single larval mine at Sale Water Park on 28th March (BS).
4.085 Ectoedemia argyropeza (Zeller, 1839) A tenanted mine in a fallen Aspen Populus tremula leaf at High Lane on 2nd November (SHH).
4.091 Ectoedemia heringi (Toll, 1934) Tenanted leaf mines at Capenhurst on 12th October and Saughall on 13th October (HJ) and Delamere Forest on 30th October (BS).
Ben Smart
5.004 Pseudopostega crepusculella (Zeller, 1839) Four in a Bebington garden on 22nd August, egg-laying on Lemon Thyme Thymus citriodorus and Mint Mentha sp. (RL). There are only six previous records on the county database, although this does include one from a Bebington garden, Michaelis (1956).
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9.003 Raspberry Moth Lampronia corticella (Linnaeus, 1758) One to light at Burton on 21st May (BSB) is the first record from the Wirral.
Barry Barnacal 12.010 Morophaga choragella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Adults to light at Little Budworth Common on 5th July (MBe, HD, HJ) and Sandiway on 4th September (GD). Only three previous records: Shemmy Moss (1986); Marple (2009) & Moore (2014).
Mel Bellingham
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Cheshire moth report 2017
12.012 Triaxomera parasitella (Hübner, 1796) Two to light at Burton on 29th May (BSB).
12.014 Nemaxera betulinella (Paykull, 1785) One to light at Alsager on 22nd July (MD) is our first record for five years.
12.021 Nemapogon clematella (Fabricius, 1781) One dislodged from a roadside Hazel Corylus avellana hedge at Brookhouse Green on 9th June (SHH). The county status was noted as scarce, Ellis (1890), who gave a record from Puddington and uncommon, Mansbridge (1940), adding “we have no records since 1890”. The only other record I have been able to trace is an undated one by Harry L Burrows from the Bollin Valley, Fielding (1974).
Steve Hind
12.026 Common Clothes Moth Tineola bisselliella (Hummel, 1823) One to light at Upton (Chester) on 19th July (RW) was only the second record this century.
12.034 Brown-dotted Clothes Moth Niditinea fuscella (Linnaeus, 1758) A female to light in the Dane Valley, Wildboarclough on 16th June (SHH) was the only confirmed record this year.
12.037 Monopis weaverella (Scott, 1858) Adults to light, were two at Waverton (BC, HC) and one at Norley Moss on 23rd May (GO), followed by one in the Dane Valley, Wildboarclough on 16th June (SHH).
12.038 Monopis obviella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) One to light at Alsager on 18th June (MD).
14.002 Bucculatrix nigricomella (Zeller, 1839) Singles to light at Elton on 15th June (SWH) and Astbury Mere on 24th July (SHH, SSe, JHS).
14.003 Bucculatrix maritima Stainton, 1851 Two to light at Ellesmere Port on 16th June, with a third the following night (HJ).
15.003 Caloptilia populetorum (Zeller, 1839) Four to light at Alsager on 11th March, followed by singles on 15th March and 23rd October (MD) and a male at Bramhall on 30th May (AC). There have now been seventeen records since out first in 2013 but from only seven sites.
Andrew Charlton
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Cheshire moth report 2017
15.019 Acrocercops brongniardella (Fabricius, 1798) Leaf Mines at Delamere Forest on 3rd June (GH), Buglawton on 2nd July (SHH) and Victoria Wood, Toft on 18th October (BTS).
15.025 Parornix betulae (Stainton, 1854) Singles to light at Alsager on 24th May, 8th June & 16th July (MD). A female netted at Danes Moss on 1st June (SHH) and a male to light at Astbury Mere on 24th July (SHH, SSe, JHS).
15.059 Phyllonorycter cavella (Zeller, 1846) A larval mine at Thornton-le-Moors on 7th October (SWH) is our first for five years.
16.005 Willow Ermine Yponomeuta rorrella (Hübner, 1796) One to light at Alsager on 24th July (MD). Our only previous record was from Runcorn in 2013, when larvae were found on willows. 16.014 Pseudoswammerdamia combinella (Hübner, 1786) Four to light at Burton 20th April-21st May and three at Waverton 23rd-26th May (B&HC). 16.024 Ocnerostoma friesei Svensson, 1966 A pupal exuvia was found at Dunham Massey on 17th February (BS) and a female to light at Alsager on 15th July (MD).
17.008 Ypsolopha alpella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Singles to light at Waverton on 24th August (B&HC), Pikelow Farm, Marton on 25th August (SHH), Higher Poynton on 20th September (SHH) and Alsager on 12th October (MD).
17.009 Ypsolopha sylvella (Linnaeus, 1767) Singles to light at Burwardsley on 25th July (MRW), Higher Poynton on 29th August (SHH), Alsager on 16th September (MD) and Great Sutton on 5th, 14th, 15th 19th & 25th September (MBe).
Steve Hind
18.007 Eidophasia messingiella (Fischer von Röslerstamm, 1840) Singles to light at Higher Poynton on 15th June (SHH) and Alsager on 26th June (MD). With the exception of two at Northwich in 2005, all 15 county records have been in East Cheshire.
Steve Hind
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Cheshire moth report 2017
19.011 Leek Moth Acrolepiopsis assectella (Zeller, 1839) Singles to light at Great Sutton on 3rd April (MBe), Handbridge (Chester) on 15th August (KP) and Upton (Chester) on 12th March, 21st April, 15th & 18th June, 30th July and 10th & 25th August (RW). The Leek Moth reached Cheshire in 2012; since when we have had 29 records, mostly, as again this year, from the Chester area, with isolated records from Poynton, Shavington and Shocklach.
20.017 Argyresthia glaucinella Zeller, 1839 One to light at Higher Poynton on 21st June (SHH).
20.018 Argyresthia spinosella Stainton, 1849 Singles at Upton (Chester) on 30th May (RW), Great Sutton on 1st June (MBe), Brookhouse Green on 9th June (SHH) and Waverton on 11th June (B&HC).
21.005 Leucoptera spartifoliella (Hübner, [1813]) Four cocoons on the stems of Broom Cytisus scoparius at Warren, Gawsworth on 13th June (SHH).
22.003 Prays ruficeps (Heinemann, 1854) Two to light at Great Sutton on 11th May (MBe) and singles to light at Waverton on 26th & 30th May and 15th June (B&HC).
28.025 Pleurota bicostella (Clerck, 1759) Five, early evening at Brookhouse Moss on 23rd May and ten on 9th June (SHH), with one at Wybunbury Moss on 1st June (RB).
30.001 Pseudatemelia flavifrontella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) A male to light at Burton on 21st May (BSB). The county status was noted as scarce, Ellis (1890), who gave a record from Bidston, so this is the first record for over a century.
Barry Barnacal
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Cheshire moth report 2017
32.002 Semioscopis steinkellneriana ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Singles to light at Burton on 21st April (BSB) and Norley Moss, Delamere on 6th May (GO)
Greg Osborn
32.015 Agonopterix subpropinquella (Stainton, 1849) Singles to light at Elton on 22nd May (SWH) and Ellesmere Port on 26th May (HJ).
35.050 Aristotelia ericinella (Zeller, 1839) Two adults disturbed from Heather Calluna vulgaris at Brookhouse Moss on 10th August (SHH).
35.107 Psoricoptera gibbosella (Zeller, 1839) Singles to light at Higher Poynton on 18th July and 4th August (SHH). 26 adults have been caught in the Poynton/Higher Poynton area since 2010. Our only other records are from Anderton, Northwich in 1985 and 1990.
35.109 Scrobipalpa acuminatella (Sircom, 1850) Larval mines on Creeping Thistle Cirsium arvense at Blakenhall on 15th October (SHH, HJ).
35.147 Carpatolechia decorella (Haworth, 1812) One to light at Great Sutton on 20th February (MBe).
35.157 Recurvaria leucatella (Clerck, 1759) Larva on Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna at Waverton on 21st April, emerged 10th June (B&HC).
36.002 Batrachedra pinicolella (Zeller, 1839) To light at Alsager on 1st, 6th (2) & 13th July (MD). Regularly recorded from this site with 21 individuals since 2015. Elsewhere only known from six sites.
37.013 Coleophora siccifolia Stainton, 1856 Single males to light at Alsager on 13th June (MD) and Higher Poynton on 14th June (SHH). There are only three previous records which date back to the 1940-60 period.
37.014 Coleophora coracipennella (Hübner, 1796) A female to light at Higher Poynton on 18th July (SHH).
37.016 Apple & Plum Case-bearer Coleophora spinella (Schrank, 1802) Singles to light at Poynton on 20th June (RGG, SHH), Waverton on 5th July (B&HC) and Higher Poynton on 6th July (SHH).
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37.029 Coleophora orbitella Zeller, 1849 A male to light at Alsager on 14th June, followed by a female on 18th June (MD)
37.048 Coleophora mayrella (Hübner, [1813]) A male to light in the Dane Valley, Wildboarclough on 16th June (SHH).
37.052 Coleophora ibipennella Zeller, 1849 A male to light at Alsager on 4th July (MD).
37.053 Coleophora betulella Heinemann, [1876] A male to light at Alsager on 19th June (MD).
37.055 Coleophora pyrrhulipennella Zeller, 1839 Four larvae swept from Heather Calluna vulgaris at Shemmy Moss on 23rd April and an adult at dusk, Brookhouse Moss on 9th June (SHH).
37.070 Coleophora tamesis Waters, 1929 Single females to light at Burwardsley on 17th June (MRW) and Higher Poynton on 21st June (SHH). Two larval cases on Jointed Rush Juncus articulatus at Congleton on 20th August (SHH).
37.072 Coleophora otidipennella (Hübner, [1817]) 17 adults amongst Field Wood-rush Luzula campestris at Prestbury on 4th May and one at Jacksons Brickworks, Higher Poynton on 21st May (SHH).
37.099 Coleophora striatipennella Nylander [1848] Three males to light in the Dane Valley, Wildboarclough on 16th June and two males at Higher Poynton on 21st June (SHH).
38.005 Elachista triatomea (Haworth, 1828) Singles disturbed during the day at Chorlton on 8th May and Meremoor on 31st May (RB).
38.016 Elachista subalbidella Schläger, 1847 Four to light at Danes Moss on 1st June (SHH).
Steve Hind
38.032 Elachista apicipunctella Stainton, 1849 Singles to light at Sale on 8th July (PBH) and at Higher Poynton on 16th July (SHH).
38.046 Elachista albidella Nylander, [1848] One male to light at Higher Poynton on 21st June (SHH).
39.003 Spuleria flavicaput (Haworth, 1828) One daytime observation at Gowy Meadows CWT on 19th May (SWH), followed by one to light at Upton (Chester) on 26th May (RW).
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40.003 Mompha lacteella (Stephens, 1834) Eleven adults to light at Higher Poynton 14th – 21st June (SHH).
40.006 Mompha jurassicella (Frey, 1881) Fourteen adults at Higher Poynton 17th February- 8th April. Most of these were indoors, with only one at light. Elsewhere, one to light at Oakwood Farm, Styal on 28th March (NG) followed by daytime observations at Whaley Bridge on 20th April (AS), Astbury Mere, two on 11th May (SHH) and a pupal cocoon and larval workings in stems of Great Willowherb Epilobium hirsutum near Fairy Lane sub-station, Sale on 13th August (BS). First discovered at Macclesfield in 2015, a colony has been well established at Higher Poynton for the past three years.
Angie Seymour
40.007 Mompha bradleyi Riedl, 1965 Two females along the Biddulph Valley Way, Congleton on 2nd May (SHH), a male found dead, indoors at Bromborough on 7th May (PHo), three flying at Astbury Mere on 11th May (SHH), one disturbed at Buglawton and another at Dane-in-Shaw on 22nd May (SHH), a female at Eaton on 24th May (SHH), another female at Dane-in-Shaw Meadow SSSI on 14th June (SHH) and a female to an actinic light trap at Ellesmere Port on 4th September (HJ). First discovered at Alsager in 2011, has since been found at sixteen widespread sites. Only three of the records have been at light. It is mostly found during daylight fieldwork or indoors.
40.011 Mompha langiella (Hübner, 1796) One flying in afternoon sunshine by Hatchmere on 25th March (SHH), one to light at Daresbury Firs on 5th August (PFH) and one indoors at Higher Poynton on 11th October (SHH).
Paul Hillyer
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45.012 Brown Plume Stenoptilia pterodactyla (Linnaeus, 1761) Singles at Gee Cross on 4th July (AM), Macclesfield on 8th July (WLG), Kerridge Hill on 12th July (WLG) and Burwardsley on 19th July (MRW).
Les Gradwell
45.037 Dusky Plume Oidaematophorus lithodactyla (Treitschke, 1833) Larva at Dane-in-Shaw Meadow SSSI on 14th June (SHH) and adults at Marbury Country Park on 3rd July (DBe) and Burton Mere Wetlands on 7th July (HD).
Dave Bedford
46.001 Schreckensteinia festaliella (Hübner, [1819]) One to light at Higher Poynton on 23rd July (SHH).
49.015 Variegated Golden Tortrix Archips xylosteana (Linnaeus, 1758) One to light at Little Budworth Common on 20th June (MBe), four on 5th July (MBe, HD, HJ) and one at Elton on 21st June (SWH).
49.035 Clepsis senecionana (Hübner, [1819]) An adult at Taxal Moor on 24th May (AS) and larvae in hibernacula on both Bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus and Cowberry Vaccinium vitis-idaea at Withinleach Moor on 6th October (SHH).
49.042 Neosphaleroptera nubilana (Hübner, [1799]) A male to light at Alsager on 19th June (MD).
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49.057 Cnephasia longana (Haworth, 1811) One to light at Elton on 15th July (SWH).
49.063 Acleris bergmanniana (Linnaeus, 1758) Two adults flushed from a hedgerow at Whiteley Green, Adlington on 12th June (SHH).
49.078 Acleris aspersana (Hübner, [1817]) One to light at Alsager on 3rd August (MD)
49.084 Acleris notana (Donovan, 1806) Bred from larva at Pikelow Farm, Marton on 26th August; female emerged 30th September (SHH).
49.087 Acleris literana (Linnaeus, 1758) Singles to light at Bromborough on 18th March (PHo) and Great Sutton on 18th February, 31st March, 6th September and 2nd November (MBe).
Mel Bellingham
49.095 Phtheochroa rugosana (Hübner, [1799]) Singles to light at Handbridge (Chester) on 21st May (KP), Waverton on 16th June (B&HC) and Elton on 15th & 17th June (both SWH).
49.096 Hysterophora maculosana (Haworth, 1811) One at rest on an elm leaf in a bluebell wood at the Bollin Valley, Prestbury on 5th May (SHH).
Steve Hind
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49.101 Phalonidia manniana (Fischer von Röslerstamm, 1839) A female to light at Great Sutton on 23rd June (MBe).
49.108 Gynnidomorpha alismana (Ragonot, 1883) A male to light at Burton Mere Wetlands on 29th July (HJ). The county status was noted as scarce and local, Ellis (1890), who gave a record from Sealand. This is probably the SJ27 record in Creaser (1994). This record requires confirmation and was the only one until a colony was discovered at Higher Poynton in 1993. The Higher Poynton colony was destroyed in 1994 when houses were built on the site, however one was trapped nearby in 2008, so the species may well have survived in this area.
49.128 Aethes rubigana (Treitschke, 1830) Singles to light at Upton (Chester) on 17th June (RW), Little Budworth Common on 5th July (MBe, HD, HJ), Burton on 6th July (BSB) and Delamere on 12th July (GO).
Greg Osborn
49.158 Hedya ochroleucana (Frölich, 1828) One to light at Congleton on 13th July (SSe). The county status was noted as scarce, Ellis (1890), who gave a record from the Wirral. Mansbridge (1940) was unable to add any further records. There are six records from the 1940/50 period, followed by none until one at Minshull Vernon in 2005. There have since been two further records at Higher Poynton (2009) and Upton (Chester) (2015).
Steve Seal
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49.172 Phiaris schulziana (Fabricius, [1777]) One to light in the Dane Valley, Wildboarclough on 16th June (SHH). Two at Wybunbury Moss on 16th July (RB), 29 disturbed from heathers during the early evening at Brookhouse Moss on 10th August (SHH) and one undated record at Abbots Moss (GD).
Gordon Davenport
49.184 Lobesia reliquana (Hübner, [1825]) One to light at Norley Moss on 23rd May (GO).
Greg Osborn
49.188 Endothenia marginana (Haworth, 1811) One male bred from Teasel Dipascus fullonum seed heads at Whaley Bridge on 2nd May (AS).
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49.238 Willow Tortrix Epinotia cruciana (Linnaeus, 1761) One to light at Higher Poynton on 19th June (SHH).
49.242 Epinotia nanana (Treitschke, 1835) A male to light at Higher Poynton on 21st June (SHH). The eleventh individual caught at this site, although only four were confirmed by dissection. Elsewhere reported from Burton (1940), Romiley (2001) & Alsager (2015), although only the Romiley specimen has been confirmed.
49.243 Epinotia demarniana (Fischer von Röslerstamm, 1840) Eleven to light at Alsager 25th May – 19th June (MD).
49.253 Epinotia fraternana (Haworth, 1811) Singles to light in the Dane Valley, Wildboarclough on 16th June (SHH) and Alsager on 21st June (DRS). One previous record, from a different site at Alsager in 2015.
Steve Hind
49.280 Gypsonoma oppressana (Treitschke, 1835) Singles to light at Ellesmere Port (HJ) and Alsager (MD) on 3rd July and Higher Poynton on 4th July (SHH). Ten individuals at seven sites since our first in 2013.
49.283 Gypsonoma aceriana (Duponchel, [1843]) Two larval feeding tubes were found at Gowy Meadows on 17th June (SWH) and a male to light at Hawk Green, Marple on 20th July (SHH).
49.289 Epiblema costipunctana (Haworth, 1811) A dozen disturbed towards dusk, from rough grassland containing plenty of Ragwort Senecio jacobaea, at Gawsworth on 13th June (SHH) and one to light at Alsager on 6th July (MD).
49.299 Pseudococcyx posticana (Zetterstedt, 1839) Singles to light at Alsager on 25th & 26th May (MD). Also caught at this site in 2016. Our only other record was from Hogshead Wood, Oakmere in 1990.
49.311 Dichrorampha aeratana (Pierce & Metcalfe, 1915) A male swept at Burton on 19th May (HJ). Previously recorded here in 2016. The only other county records are at Taxal in 1951 and Compstall in 1995. The Taxal specimen held at Manchester Museum, was originally identified as Dichrorampha plumbana and only correctly determined in 2018.
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49.313 Dichrorampha acuminatana (Lienig & Zeller, 1846) Three to light at Astbury Mere on 22nd August (SHH, SSe, JHS).
Steve Seal
49.320 Dichrorampha alpinana (Treitschke, 1830) A female swept at Port Sunlight River Park on 27th May (HJ), three amongst Ox-eye Daisy Leucanthemum vulgare at two sites in Chorlton on 9th June (RB), a male to light at Great Sutton on 17th June and a female to light at Upton (Chester) on 24th July (RW).
49.324 Pea Moth Cydia nigricana (Fabricius, 1794) One to light at Upton (Wirral) on 26th May (HD) and one during the day at Basford on 14th June (RB).
49.342 Cydia fagiglandana (Zeller, 1841) Singles to light at Oakwood Farm, Styal on 5th July (NG), Tytherington on 4th July and 21st August (D&JM) and sixteen at Alsager on 31st May-26th July (MD).
49.343 False Codling Moth Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick, 1913) One at Gee Gross on 24th August (AM). Our only previous record was an adult found indoors at Anderton, Northwich in 2003.
Anthony Marriott
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49.351 Grapholita lunulana ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Two disturbed during the daytime at Astbury Mere on 11th May (SHH).
49.357 Plum Fruit Moth Grapholita funebrana Treitschke, 1835 A male to light at Great Sutton on 22nd May (MBe).
49.362 Pammene giganteana (Peyerimhoff, 1863) One to light at Higher Poynton on 8th April (SHH). With the exception of one from this site in 2015, our previous records are all pre 1950.
49.366 Pammene obscurana (Stephens, 1834) Both male and female to light at Alsager on 24th May (MD). Previously recorded from this site in 2010; the only other county record was at Mere in 2001.
49.371 Fruitlet Mining Tortrix Pammene rhediella (Clerck, 1759) One disturbed from a hawthorn hedge at Dane-in-Shaw on 22nd May (SHH).
49.381 Strophedra weirana (Douglas, 1850) One to light at Alsager on 14th June (MD) and a cocoon between Beech Fagus sylvatica leaves at Delamere Forest on 30th October (BS).
50.002 Leopard Moth Zeuzera pyrina (Linnaeus, 1761) Six records of seven adults to light as follows: Duckington: one on 16th June (FMcC), Alsager: two on 30th June (MD), Waverton on 1st July (B&HC), Macclesfield and Higher Poynton on 7th July (H&LG, SHH) and Delamere: one on 15th July (GO).
Heather & Les Green
52.003 Lunar Hornet Moth Sesia bembeciformis (Hübner, [1806]) A total of four adults and three pupal exuvia as follows: Woolston Eyes: adult on 24th June (DB), Greasby: adult and two exuvia on 30th June, one exuvia on 2nd July and two adults on 5th July (L&MH). The Greasby site is the most regular for the species within VC58.
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52.012 Yellow-legged Clearwing Synanthedon vespiformis (Linnaeus, 1761) A daytime observation of an adult at Poulton on 2nd July (JBF) was the 4th Cheshire record. The first since one at Crewe in 1986.
Bryan Formstone
52.013 Currant Clearwing Synanthedon tipuliformis (Clerck, 1759) Eight daytime records of 16 adults as follows: Greasby: one on 4th June (L&MH), Shavington: total of 13 adults between 15th and 21st June (all RB) and Burton: two to pheromone lure on 1st July (BSB).
Roger Benson
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52.014 Six-belted Clearwing Bembecia ichneumoniformis ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Two daytime records of six adults at the Neumann’s / Ashton’s Flash complex in June as follows: five on 16th (CH) and one to pheromone lure on 25th (CRA). One or two sightings per year has been the recent average though 11 of the 24 all-time records were in 2006.
Chris Hynes
62.005 Lesser Wax Moth Achroia grisella (Fabricius, 1794) Singles to light at Upton (Chester) on 15th June and 26th August (RW), Alsager on 25th July (MD) and Tytherington on 21st August (D&JM).
Dave & Jeanette Maddy
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62.006 Wax Moth Galleria mellonella (Linnaeus, 1758) One to light at Sale on 25th July (PBH).
Peter Hardy
62.012 Matilella fusca (Haworth, 1811) Two to light at Great Sutton on 26th June (MBe).
62.023 Pempelia palumbella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) One to light at Burwardsley on 16th June (MRW).
Mike Whiteside
62.024 Rhodophaea formosa (Haworth, 1811) One to light at Higher Poynton on 1st June (SHH). The only previous record was at Shavington in 2010..
62.027 Dioryctria simplicella Heinemann, 1863 A single to light at Little Budworth Common on 20th June (MBe). There are only three previous records from Winsford (1982), Shemmy Moss (1985) & Thurstaston (1998).
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62.034 Acrobasis repandana (Fabricius, 1798) One to light at Handbridge (Chester) on 18th July (KP).
62.038 Acrobasis consociella (Hübner, [1813]) Larvae on oak at Danes Moss on 1st June and larval webs at Mount Pleasant on 2nd September (SHH). Singles to light at Wilmslow on 4th July (NG), Little Budworth Common (MBe, HD, HJ) and Waverton on 5th July (B&HC) and Alsager on 10th July and 4th August (MD).
Nicola Ginn
62.039 Apomyelois bistriatella (Hulst, 1887) One to light at Alsager on 8th July (MD). The only previous record was at Higher Poynton in 2009.
Mike Dale
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62.047 Assara terebrella (Zincken, 1818) ** The 1st county record. One to light at Hazel Grove on 27th May (SSp).
Sue Spiller
62.054 Homoeosoma sinuella (Fabricius, 1794) Singles to light at Great Sutton on 31st May (MBe) and Ellesmere Port on 17th June & 18th July (HJ).
62.057 Phycitodes maritima (Tengström, 1848) A male to light at Burwardsley on 5th August (MRW) and a female in the Dane Valley, Wildboarclough on 17th August (SHH).
62.059 Phycitodes saxicola (Vaughan, 1870) A female to light at Alsager on 24th July (MD).
62.062 Indian Meal Moth Plodia interpunctella (Hübner, [1813]) One to light at Elton on 26th September (SWH, MB).
62.065 Ephestia unicolorella Staudinger, 1881 A male to light at Higher Poynton on 17th June (SHH) is the first record from NE Cheshire, as the species continues its spread across the county. Further confirmed records came from Waverton on 26th and 30th May (B&HC) and Willaston (Nantwich) on 14th June (DT).
62.074 Large Tabby Aglossa pinguinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) Singles to light at Upton (Wirral) on 20th June (HD) and Nantwich on 6th July (MHo).
63.017 Anania lancealis ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) ** The 1st confirmed county record. One to light at Marbury Country Park on 30th June (LB). Singles reported from this site on 14th June 2016 (LB) and Wybunbury Moss on 6th June 2014 (B Bellamy) will now be added to the county database following confirmation of the species occurrence in Cheshire.
Liz Bentham
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63.022 Anania crocealis (Hübner, 1796) Seven at Dane-in-Shaw Meadow SSSI on 14th June and six on 2nd July (SHH). Singles to light at Elton on 7th July (SWH), Heswall on 30th July (JJ) and Waverton on 2nd August (BC, HC).
63.054 Box-tree Moth Cydalima perspectalis (Walker, 1859) ** The 1st county records. Singles to light at Cheadle Heath on 6th July (DH-T), Elworth, Sandbach on 12th July (PFA) and Runcorn on 10th October (DL).
Pete Atherton
63.092 Agriphila selasella (Hübner, [1813]) Singles to light at Alsager on 4th & 10th August (MD) and at Higher Poynton on 11th August (SHH).
63.099 Catoptria pinella (Linnaeus, 1758) Three to light at Little Budworth Common on 20th June (MBe) with another at the same site on 5th July (MBe, HD, HJ) and one to light at Willaston (Nantwich) on 27th July (DT). Only three previous records this century.
63.117 Ringed China-mark Parapoynx stratiotata (Linnaeus, 1758) Singles to light at Waverton on 26th May (B&HC) and Willaston (Nantwich) on 28th May (DT).
63.122 Donacaula mucronella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) One to light at Elworth, Sandbach on 16th June (PFA).
Pete Atherton
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65.016 Yellow Horned Achlya flavicornis (Linnaeus, 1758) Five records of single adults to light in March as follows: Alsager on 8th and 11th (MD), Marple and Macclesfield on 10th (MPS, L&MH) and Dane Valley, Wildboarclough on 31st (SHH).
66.008 Fox Moth Macrothylacia rubi (Linnaeus, 1758) Just two records of single larvae: Errwood on 20th August (AM) and Goyt Valley on 6th October (SHH).
68.001 Emperor Moth Saturnia pavonia (Linnaeus, 1758) All but one of the eight records (a single larva in the Goyt Valley on 17th July (WLG)) came from the Wirral as follows: Thurstaston Common, adults in April on: 10th (4, BSB), 14th (one, BSB), 15th (1, MBe) and 15 on 18th (KP). Elsewhere four adults were at Heswall on 13th April (HJ) with a larva found there on 2nd August (GH) and five adults were at Caldy on 14th April (HJ).
Kevin Peace
69.015 Striped Hawk-moth Hyles livornica (Esper, [1804]) One was on Hilbre Island on 2nd June (LW), Barnacal (2017). The first since one at Higher Poynton in 2011.
L Williams
70.002 Purple-bordered Gold Idaea muricata (Hufnagel, 1767) Wybunbury Moss once again provided the only records, with seven adults on 17th June and three on 1st July (RB).
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70.009 Satin Wave Idaea subsericeata (Haworth, 1809) Six records of single adults to light as follows: Great Sutton on 1st June (MBe), Upton (Chester) on 14th, 19th and 20th June (all RW) and Upton (Wirral) on 22nd June and 29th August (both HD). A slightly above average year.
Roger Wilkinson
70.012 Treble Brown Spot Idaea trigeminata (Haworth, 1809) One to light on Hilbre Island on 23rd July (GB) was the 3rd county record. Following singles at Nantwich in 1950 and Burwardsley in 2015.
70.026 Smoky Wave Scopula ternata Schrank, 1802 Five adults to light in June as follows: Danes Moss: four on 1st and Dane Valley, Wildboarclough: one on 16th (both SHH). At first sight, a poor year but being a moorland and heathland species the potential for under- recording through no-one visiting the habitat almost certainly explains why this species can have seemingly good and not so good years.
Steve Hind
70.027 Cream Wave Scopula floslactata (Haworth, 1809) Eight records of 12 adults to light as follows: Norley Moss: 19th May (2), 23rd May (2), 30th May (3) and 9th June (1) (all GO), Heswall 31st May (JJ) and Marbury County Park: singles on 19th and 30th June and 4th July (all LB).
Greg Osborn
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70.036 Maiden's Blush Cyclophora punctaria (Linnaeus, 1758) Two records of single adults to light: Congleton on 29th May (SSe) and Higher Poynton on 19th July (SHH). Only the 6th and 7th records this century. Thirty-three of our 46 records were before 1979 and exactly half have come from Delamere.
Steve Seal
70.037 Clay Triple-lines Cyclophora linearia (Hübner, [1799]) Six records of seven adults to light as follows: Burton: singles on 28th May and 8th June and two on 24th June (all BSB), Bromborough: one on 9th June (PHo) and Alsager: singles on 16th and 20th June (both MD). The best year on record. After sporadic records from the first in 1890 at Dunham Park, it went unrecorded between 1946 and 1999 before the recent surge of 19 records since as recently as 2006.
Paul Hillyer
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70.038 Vestal Rhodometra sacraria (Linnaeus, 1767) A small influx in mid-October of this beautiful migrant comprised seven records of nine individuals to light as follows: Marbury Country Park: singles on 15th, 17th and 19th (all LB), Burton: three on 15th and one on 19th (both BSB) Willaston (Nantwich): one on 15th (DT) and Alsager: one on 19th (MD).
70.046 Oblique Carpet Orthonama vittata (Borkhausen, 1794) Four records of singles to light in August as follows: Handbridge (Chester) on 6th and 8th (both KP), Dane Valley, Wildboarclough on 17th (SHH) and Burton on 25th (BSB). The least good showing since 2012.
Barry Barnacal
70.055 Large Twin-spot Carpet Xanthorhoe quadrifasiata (Clerck, 1759) Five records of single adults to light as follows: Alsager: on 14th June, 5th and 24th July (all MD), Delamere: 15th July (GO) and Elworth: 17th July (PFA). The best showing ever for a species that only showed up for the first time in 2006 (also Alsager); most of the early records displayed a distinct easterly bias but it’s now dispersing somewhat.
Greg Osborn
70.068 Beautiful Carpet Mesoleuca albicillata (Linnaeus, 1758) Four records of six adults to light during June. Norley Moss on 9th (GO), Marbury Country Park: two on 14th (LB), Alsager on 19th (MD) and Bromborough: two on 20th (PHo). A slightly below average year when considering post-2000 records.
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70.069 Dark Spinach Pelurga comitata (Linnaeus, 1758) One to light at Waverton on 15th July (B&HC). Apart from one atypical spike in 2009, one record in a year is not unusual.
70.076 Ruddy Highflyer Hydriomena ruberata (Freyer, [1831]) The only record concerned a female to light at Dane Valley, Wildboarclough on 26th May (SHH). The first since four in 2004.
70.087 Purple Bar Cosmorhoe ocellata (Linnaeus, 1758) Seven records of eight adults to light as follows: Dane Valley, Wildboarclough: singles on 26th May and 16th June and two on 17th August (all SHH), Delamere: one on 15th July (GO), Higher Poynton: singles on 18th July and 28th August (both SHH) and Heatley: one on 26th August (EH).
70.09 Chevron Eulithis testata (Linnaeus, 1761) Two records of singles to light in August: Higher Poynton on 20th (SHH) and Mottram on 23rd (BU). As can be seen from the chart below, two in a year is not unusual but the overall trend is clearly downwards.
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70.092 Spinach Eulithis mellinata (Fabricius, 1787) Eight single adults to light in June as follows: Burton on 3rd (BSB), Ellesmere Port: singles on 15th and 20th (both HJ), Frodsham on 18th (RGB), Higher Poynton and Great Sutton on 21st (SHH, MBe), Bromborough and Whaley Bridge on 30th (ES, AS). A significant improvement on both 2015 and 2016 but overall this species was formerly recorded much more frequently than over recent years.
70.096 Autumn Green Carpet Chloroclysta miata (Linnaeus, 1758) Four singles to light: Dane Valley, Wildboarclough on 30th March (SHH) and Mottram: singles on 9th, 10th and 18th October (all BU). With only 21 records since 2000 (from a total of 61), four in one year is a good showing.
Steve Hind
70.098 Dark Marbled Carpet Dysstroma citrata (Linnaeus, 1761) Six records of adults to light: Higher Poynton: one on 31st July (SHH), Willaston (Wirral): one on 15th August (RP), Dane Valley, Wildboarclough: 11 on 17th (SHH) four on 19th and 1 on 23rd (both JO) and Elton: one on 5th September (SWH). Six records in a year is the least good since 2011 for another species trending downwards overall.
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70.101 Mottled Grey Colostygia multistrigaria (Haworth, 1809) Two records of seven adults to light: Higher Poynton: one on 15th March and Dane Valley, Wildboarclough: six on 30th March (all SHH). An improvement on last years’ single record.
70.105 Northern Winter Moth Operophtera fagata (Scharfenberg, 1805) Two larvae were found at Siddington on 8th May (SHH). Adults to light were subsequently at: Nantwich on 9th October and 12 December (both PG) and Dane Valley, Wildboarclough: two on 10th and one on 12th November (both A, J & RB).
70.107 November Moth Epirrita dilutata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Four records of adults to light, all confirmed through dissection, as follows: Alsager: one on 28th September (MD), Great Sutton: one on 12th and four on 17th October (both MBe) and Willaston (Nantwich): one on 12th October (DT). There were a further 198 records aggregated to November Moth agg.
70.109 Autumnal Moth Epirrita autumnata (Borkhausen, 1794) One, confirmed by genitalial examination, to light at Alsager on 24th October (MD) was the only record.
70.115 Welsh Wave Venusia cambrica Curtis, 1839 One to light at Dane Valley, Wildboarclough on 16th June (SHH).
Steve Hind
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70.116 Blomer's Rivulet Venusia blomeri (Curtis, 1832) One to light at Upton (Chester) on 14th August (RW) was the 3rd Cheshire record. Follows those in 2002 (Mere) and 2013 (Bosley)
Barry Barnacal
70.121 Scallop Shell Hydria undulata (Linnaeus, 1758) Four records of singles to light as follows: Higher Poynton on 21st June (SHH), Alsager on 26th June (MD), Whaley Bridge on 7th July (AS) and Burton on 26th July (BSB). An average showing over recent years.
70.123 Tissue Triphosa dubitata (Linnaeus, 1758) Three single adults to light as follows: Elworth on 6th July (PFA), Willaston (Wirral) on 24th July (RP) and Handbridge (Chester) on 22nd August (KP). There have been just nine records this century and three in any one year is the highest total.
70.131 Twin-spot Carpet Mesotype didymata (Linnaeus, 1758) Seven records concerning 23 adults to light unless otherwise state: Burwardsley: one on 26th May (MW), Delamere: in July, two on 12th, three on 15th and three on 24th (all GO), Brookhouse Green: one (daytime) on 12th July (SHH) and Mossend: eight (daytime) on 12th July (SHH). About an average year.
Greg Osborn
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70.15 Toadflax Pug Eupithecia linariata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) One to light at Ellesmere Port on 18th July (HJ) was the only record. The likelihood is that this species has always been uncommon or even rare in the county and recorders’ increasing awareness in distinguishing it from Foxglove Pug (Eupithecia pulchellata) is cementing that perspective.
70.154 Marsh Pug Eupithecia pygmaeata (Hübner, [1799]) One during the day at Chorlton on 24th May (RB) was the only record. The latest of just nine records since 2000.
70.155 Netted Pug Eupithecia venosata (Fabricius, 1787) Five records of 11 adults to light at Hilbre Island as follows: In May: one on 21st and 29th, two on 30th’ In June, six on 1st and one on 2nd (all Hilbre day sheets, GB). Records formerly came from a number of widespread sites within the county but increasingly it’s become a Hilbre speciality.
70.158 Juniper Pug Eupithecia pusillata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) One to light at Heald Green on 24th September (BTS) was the only record. The dramatic decline in this species is clear to see in the chart below.
70.162 Dwarf Pug Eupithecia tantillaria Boisduval, 1840 Three records of five adults to light in May: Norley Moss: three on 6th and one on 23rd (both GO) and Port Sunlight River Park on 26th (HJ). Another species seemingly in significant decline.
70.166 Plain Pug Eupithecia simpliciata (Haworth, 1809) One to light at Shavington on 7th July (RB) was the only record. Almost exactly half of the 39 County records were before 2000 but it appears never to have been anything other than an extremely scarce species.
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70.175 Triple-spotted Pug Eupithecia trisignaria Herrich-Schäffer, 1848 Three singles to light as follows: Elton: on 9th July and 5th September (both SWH) and Dane Valley, Wildboarclough: on 17th August (SHH). Fourteen of the 16 County records have been since 2000 thus three in one year is a good showing.
70.181 Valerian Pug Eupithecia valerianata (Hübner, [1813]) One to light at Dane Valley, Wildboarclough on 16th June (SHH) was the only record. Just the 7th since 2002 and completely unrecorded between 2006 and 2016.
Steve Hind
70.187 Tawny Speckled Pug Eupithecia icterata (Villers, 1789) Five records of singles to light as follows: Bromborough on 15th July (ES), Willaston (Nantwich) on 21st, 22nd and 29th August (all DT) and Nantwich on 23rd August (PG). Continues its gradual decrease.
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70.188 Bordered Pug Eupithecia succenturiata (Linnaeus, 1758) Five records of singles to light as follows: Heswall on 11th July (JJ), Waverton on 15th July (B&HC), Oxmoor Ponds and Wood LNR on 24th July (PFH), Upton (Chester) on 25th July (RW) and Norton Priory Walled Garden on 26th September (PFH). Slightly less than a recent average year.
70.191 Manchester Treble-bar Carsia sororiata (Hübner, [1813]) Three daytime records of adults at the species’ stronghold of Wybunbury Moss: 12 on 16th June and in July, the unprecedented count of 110 on 1st and one on 16th (all RB).
70.195 Streak Chesias legatella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Two singles to light: Shavington on 18th October (RB) and Willaston (Wirral) on 2nd November (RP). The worst showing since 2008.
70.203 Orange Underwing Archiearis parthenias (Linnaeus, 1761) Four daytime observations as follows: Delamere Forest on 24th March (MBe), Romiley Golf Course on 2nd April (AB), Timbersbrook on 3rd April (JHS) and (dead) Crewe on 1st July (TH). Significantly fewer than in recent years but it’s never an easy find even when there are sunny days in late March.
70.206 Clouded Magpie Abraxas sylvata (Scopoli, 1763) Three records of six adults to light as follows: Dane Valley, Wildboarclough: four on 16th June (SHH), Marbury Country Park: one on 15th July (LB) and Great Sutton on 13th August (MBe). The first dated record was as far back as 1854, after which it was recorded only sporadically to 1972, with 54 records during that 118 year period. It was thereafter seen just four times in the 1980’s and twice in the 1990’s with 1996 being the most recent record. Byerley (1854) gave the status as “not common” and Smith (1948) as “Local but often abundant where found.” Comments presumably resulting from the nearby presence of the foodplant and after Dutch elm disease appeared the species has become even more local. Three records in a single year was last achieved in 1968. Post-2000 records are charted below.
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Mel Bellingham
70.229 Speckled Yellow Pseudopanthera macularia (Linnaeus, 1758) The 4th County record of this stunning day-flyer concerned one at Kettleshulme on 21st June (JHS). This follows a sighting at Bosley in 2015. Could these both be vagrants from colonies in the nearby Derbyshire Dales, or is this species resident in our eastern hills and if so has this always been the case, or is it a recently established population? The only other records on the county database are both undated but prior to 1903 and from the Cheshire Plain (Delamere & Tarporley).
70.248 Brindled Beauty Lycia hirtaria (Clerck, 1759) Eight records of singles to light as follows: Broomhall (Nantwich) on 10th and 11th April (both PG), Norley on 10th April (GO), Burwardsley on 20th April and 2nd May (both MRW), Marbury Country Park on 21st April (LB), Haslington on 2nd May (AF) and Alsager on 21st May (MD). Another average year.
70.264 Satin Beauty Deileptenia ribeata (Clerck, 1759) One to light at Alsager on 7th July (MD). Four in 2014 was the best recent year.
70.272 Square Spot Paradarisa consonaria (Hübner, [1799]) The 6th and 7th County records concerned six individuals to light at Norley on 6th and 30th May (three each night) (both GO). Five of the seven records have come in the last three years; the first was at Upton (Wirral) in 1890.
Greg Osborn
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70.274 Grey Birch Aethalura punctulata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Six single adults to light as follows: Burwardsley on 30th April (MRW), Marbury Country Park on 5th May (LB), Norley Moss on 6th May (GO), Bromborough, Sale and Higher Poynton on 25th May (PHo, PBH and SHH).
70.295 Grass Wave Perconia strigillaria (Hübner, [1787]) Two adults to light at Little Budworth Common on 20th June (MBe). Just the 9th record since 2000.
Mel Bellingham
70.297 Grass Emerald Pseudoterpna pruinata (Hufnagel, 1767) Two records of adults in June as follows: Runcorn on 18th (LL) and Alsager on 21st June (MD). The first records since 2013.
71.003 Puss Moth Cerura vinula (Linnaeus, 1758) An adult to light at Wallasey on 22nd May (RBi) and a larva at Leasowe on 23rd August (DH) were the only records. Two is about the recent average for a year.
71.007 Poplar Kitten Furcula bifida (Brahm, 1787) Nine records of single adults to light as follows: Wallasey on 22nd May (RBi), Coole Fishery (Audlem) on 24th and 25th May (both PG), Burton on 26th May (BSB), Runcorn on 27th May (DJ), Frodsham on 29th and 31st May (both RGB), Dane Valley, Wildboarclough on 8th July (SHH), Alsager on 3rd August (MD) and Heswall on 9th August (JJ). An above average post-2000 year.
71.009 Lobster Moth Stauropus fagi (Linnaeus, 1758) ** The 1st County record concerned a single to light at Willaston (Wirral) on 25th May (RP). This species has been spreading north and there have been recent records from North Wales. Photograph on front cover
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71.01 Marbled Brown Drymonia dodonaea ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Singles to light at Burwardsley on 16th and 23rd May (both MRW) represented the 4th and 5th County records. The first since one at nearby Peckforton in 1991, which may be where these originated.
Mike Whiteside
72.007 Beautiful Snout Hypena crassalis (Fabricius, 1787) Six records of eight adults to light as follows: Dane Valley, Wildboarclough: singles on 26th May and 16th June (SHH), Norley Moss: one on 9th June (GO), Mottram: one on 15th June (BU), Whaley Bridge: two on 16th June (AS) and Davenham: two on 26th June (GO). The best showing since 2009.
Steve Hind
72.01 Black Arches Lymantria monacha (Linnaeus, 1758) One at Heswall on 16th August (BDG) was the only record. Five of the 12 County records have come from sites on the Wirral.
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72.023 Clouded Buff Diacrisia sannio (Linnaeus, 1758) One during the day at Flaxmere on 19th June (CJ) was the only record. Just the 6th since 2000 at a site fast becoming the most reliable in the County to see this stunning insect.
Clive Jones
72.038 Four-dotted Footman Cybosia mesomella (Linnaeus, 1758) Two records of singles to light in July: Little Budworth Common: on 5th (MBe, HJ, HD) and Delamere on 12th (GO). About a par showing; both sites regularly produce records of this essentially heathland species.
Greg Osborn
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72.049 Orange Footman Eilema sororcula (Hufnagel, 1766) Eight records of singles to light (in May unless otherwise stated) as follows: Burwardsley on 11th (MRW), Marbury Country Park and Willaston (Wirral) on 22nd (LB, RP), Norley Moss on 23rd (GO), Heald Green on 26th (BTS), Alsager on 29th and 30th and 1st June (all MD). The best year ever; all 28 records follow the first at Alsager in 2009.
72.06 Marsh Oblique-barred Hypenodes humidalis Doubleday, 1850 Four records as follows: Burwardsley (one to light) on 9th July (MRW), Brookhouse Moss: 47 on 12th July and one on 10th August (both SHH) and Wybunbury Moss: 133 on 16th July (RB). The Brookhouse Moss count must be one of the shortest lived records for any species within the county! Four records in a year is the best ever and bring the total to 28.
Mike Whiteside
73.014 Golden Plusia Polychrysia moneta (Fabricius, 1787) Nine records of singles to light as follows: Waverton on 11th and 16th June (both B&HC), Davenham on 12th June (GO), Timperly on 16th June and 8th July (both MMcC), Willaston (Nantwich) on 26th June and 20th September (both DT), Willaston (Wirral) on 2nd July (RP) and Burton on 4th September (BSB).
Barry Barnacal
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73.023 Lempke's Gold Spot Plusia putnami Grote, 1873 Three records of singles to light: Higher Poynton on 21st June (SHH), Congleton on 10th July (SSe) and Styal on 18th July (NG). Three records in one year is a significant reversal for a species which had thus far enjoyed a meteoric rise following the first as recently as 2001.
Steve Seal
73.024 Marbled White Spot Deltote pygarga (Hufnagel, 1766) Nine records of adults (to light unless otherwise stated) as follows: Norton Priory Walled Garden: one on 27th May (PFH), Danes Moss: two on 1st June (SHH), Brookhouse Moss (one, daytime) on 9th June (SHH), Alsager: one on 9th June (MD), Shavington: one on 16th June (RB), Lindow Common: (one, daytime) on 18th June (DH-T), Little Budworth Common: two on 20th June (MBe), Styal: one on 29th June (NG) and Wybunbury Moss: (one, daytime) on 1st July (RB). Another good showing. Roger Benson
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73.037 Dark Dagger Acronicta tridens ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Six records of singles (larval unless otherwise stated) of a species which when adult requires genitalial examination to differentiate it from Grey Dagger Acronicta psi. A female to light at Great Sutton on 26th June (MBe), a female to light at Astbury Mere on 24th July; Waverton on 20th August (B&HC), Mount Pleasant on 2nd September (SHH), Hockenhull (JHS) and Ness Gardens (SR) on 3rd September and Little Heath, Audlem on 17th September (SHH). Additionally, there were 397 records of Grey / Dark Dagger.
Dark (left) and Grey Dagger (right) larvae. Helen & Bob Coan
73.042 Light Knot Grass Acronicta menyanthidis (Esper, 1798) One to light at Alsager on 26th May (MD) was the only record. About the average since 2002. All post-2000 records are charted below.
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73.047 Coronet Craniophora ligustri ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) One to light at Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB on 29th June (MBE, HJ, HD) was the 2nd County record. The first was at Ince in 1885.
73.052 Shark Cucullia umbratica (Linnaeus, 1758) Three singles to light as follows: Upton (Chester) on 1st June (RW), Greasby on 14th June (HB), and Upton (Wirral) on 18th July (HD). The equal least good showing in recent times.
73.065 Sprawler Asteroscopus sphinx (Hufnagel, 1766) Two records of singles to light in November: Handbridge (Chester) on 2nd (KP) and Waverton on 18th (B&HC). There have been 12 records since 2000; 41 in total.
73.07 Bordered Sallow Pyrrhia umbra (Hufnagel, 1766) Three singles to light in July as follows: Burton: on 6th and 7th (both BSB) and Waverton on 15th (B&HC).
Barry Barnacal
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73.074 Bordered Straw Heliothis peltigera ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) One to light at Elworth on 13th June (PFA) was the only record of this migrant species. The last major influx was in 2015, with 13 records.
Pete Atherton
73.076 Scarce Bordered Straw Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner, [1808]) Four records of singles to light of this migrant species as follows: Alsager: on 25th August, 2nd September and 16th October (all MD) and Upton (Chester) on 4th September (RW). The first records since 2007; there has been nothing to compare with the huge influx in 2006, which accounted for 64 of the 92 county records.
Mike Dale
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73.087 Small Mottled Willow Spodoptera exigua (Hübner, [1808]) One to light at Marbury Country Park on 29th June (LB) was the only record of this migrant species. As with the previous species, 2006 produced the bulk of all county records; 13 from 38 in total.
Liz Bentham
73.099 Vine's Rustic Hoplodrina ambigua ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Eight records of nine adults to light as follows: Upton (Wirral): singles on 10th June, 19th and 24th August and 22nd and 25th September (all HD), Heswall: 26th August (JJ), Wallasey: two on 1st September (RBi) and Willaston (Wirral): 6th September (RP). This startling influx into Wirral constitutes the 3rd to 10th county records ever. The first was at Cheadle Hulme in 2008, a site some distance from all other records. A putative report from Upton (Wirral) in 1995 will now be reconsidered following this year’s arrivals and their distribution.
Harry Davies
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73.119 Crescent Helotropha leucostigma (Hübner, [1808]) Five records of eight adults to light: Oxmoor Ponds and Wood LNR: four on 24th July (PFH), Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB: one on 29th July (HJ) and Handbridge (Chester): singles on 2nd, 27th and 29th August (all KP). About an average showing post-2000 for a species which has been significantly more common at times.
73.126 Saltern Ear Amphipoea fucosa (Freyer, 1830) One to light at Burton on 25th August (BSB) was confirmed as a female following the genitalial examination (HJ) required to confirm this species; the only record for the year. There were just three additional records concerning “Ear Moth agg.”.
73.128 Ear Moth Amphipoea oculea (Linnaeus, 1761) One to light at Dane Valley, Wildboarclough on 17th August (SHH) was confirmed as male following the genitalial examination (SHH) required to confirm this species; the only record for the year.
73.132 Sandhill Rustic Luperina nickerlii (Freyer, 1845) One found by torchlight at West Kirby Sand Dunes on 24th August (MBo) was the only record for the year. The first since one at Red Rocks in 2013.
73.137 Fen Wainscot Arenostola phragmitidis (Hübner, [1803]) Three to light in July as follows: Oxmoor Ponds and Wood LNR: two on 24th July and a single at Elton on 25th July (SWH, MB). After the first (at Chester in 1858) there were further records in 1889 and 1895 followed by four undated in the Day (1903) list. Thereafter, there was a 101 year wait before one (at Frodsham Marsh), followed by records in 2005, two in 2008, and lastly (before the current year) in 2015.
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73.141 Brown-veined Wainscot Archanara dissoluta (Treitschke, 1825) Two to light on 24th June at Oxmoor Ponds and Wood LNR (PFH) was the only record. Just the 10th records since 2004.
Paul Hillyer
73.155 Clouded Brindle Apamea epomidion (Haworth, 1809) Three singles to light as follows: Bromborough and Willaston (Nantwich) on 20th June (PHo, DT) and Marbury Country Park on 24th July (LB). Another below par year.
73.164 Reddish Light Arches Apamea sublustris (Esper, 1788) The 7th County record concerned one to light at Upton (Wirral) on 26th June (HD). All records have come from the Wirral, including three from Red Rocks and two from Hilbre Island.
Harry Davies
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73.165 Confused Apamea furva ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) The 8th County record concerned one to light at Dane Valley, Wildboarclough on 8th July (SHH) was the only record. The first since 1982.
Steve Hind
73.169 Common Rustic Mesapamea secalis (Linnaeus, 1758) Four records of six males (all confirmed through genitalial examination) to light as follows: Alsager: one on 20th July, Astbury Mere: one on 24th July (SHH, SSe, JHS) and Great Sutton: two on 2nd September (MBe). In addition, there were 811 records of “Common Rustic agg.”.
73.17 Lesser Common Rustic Mesapamea didyma (Esper, 1788) Two records of single males (confirmed through genitalial examination) to light. At Astbury Mere on 24th July (SHH, SSe, JHS) and Marton on 25th August (SHH).
73.171 Rosy Minor Litoligia literosa (Haworth, 1809) Nine records of 12 adults to light (singles unless otherwise stated) as follows: Marbury Country Park on 5th June (LB), Whaley Bridge: four on 14th July, one on 25th August (both AS), Styal on 18th July (NG), Elton on 19th July (SWH), Higher Poynton on 1st August (SHH), Congleton on 3rd August (SSe) and Gee Cross and Dane Valley, Wildboarclough on 17th August (AM, SHH). A slight improvement on 2016.
73.173 Marbled Minor Oligia strigilis (Linnaeus, 1758) Four records of single adults to light, confirmed by dissection, as follows: males at Great Sutton on 20th May and 1st June (both MBe), male at Alsager on 25th May (MD) and a female at Dane Valley, Wildboarclough on 16th June (SHH). A further 702 records submitted were “Marbled Minor agg.”.
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73.174 Tawny Marbled Minor Oligia latruncula ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Two males to light, confirmed by dissection, at Alsager on 9th and 20th June (both MD) were the only records.
73.175 Rufous Minor Oligia versicolor (Borkhausen, 1792) Eight records of single adults to light, confirmed by dissection, as follows: Great Sutton: on 23rd May and 22nd, 23rd and 29th June (all MBe), Alsager on 11th June (MD), Higher Poynton on 26th June (SHH), Burwardsley on 13th July (MRW) and Astbury Mere on 24th July (SHH, SSe, JHS). An above average year.
73.183 Dusky-lemon Sallow Cirrhia gilvago ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Four records of single adults to light: Burwardsley on 24th September (MRW), Elton on 29th September (SWH, MB), Great Sutton on 2nd October (MBe) and Willaston (Nantwich) on 6th October (DT). A very good showing; six in 2011 was the best recent year.
Mike Whiteside
73.188 Flounced Chestnut Agrochola helvola (Linnaeus, 1758) Four adults to light at Delamere on 22nd September (GO) was the only record of the year. Though a poor year, several post-2000 years have been complete blanks.
Greg Osborn
73.2 Tawny Pinion Lithophane semibrunnea (Haworth, 1809) Five records of singles to light as follows: Great Sutton on 27th March (MBe), Heswall on 1st April (JJ), Burton on 2nd April (BSB), Burwardsley on 23rd May (MRW) and Waverton on 26th May (B&HC). Another average year.
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73.209 Red Sword-grass Xylena vetusta (Hübner, [1813]) Nine records of 10 adults to light as follows: Alsager on 9th April, 13th and 19th October (all MD), Mottram on 18th, 24th and 30th October and 2nd November (all BU) and Higher Poynton on 26th October (two) and 3rd November (all SHH). Another good year.
73.213 Olive Ipimorpha subtusa ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) The only record concerned one to light at Norton Priory Walled Garden on 26th September (PFH). The alarming trend since 2000 is clear to see in the chart below. The overall total is 225.
73.217 Lunar-spotted Pinion Cosmia pyralina ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) One to light at Marbury Country Park on 9th August (LB) was the 5th County record. The previous record was also from Marbury Country Park, in 2010; the first was in 1888 followed by others in 1891 and 1976.
73.22 Minor Shoulder-knot Brachylomia viminalis (Fabricius, [1777]) One to light at Burwardsley on 9th July (MRW) was the only record. The first since 2014.
73.228 Grey Chi Antitype chi (Linnaeus, 1758) Nine records of 10 adults to light in August (unless otherwise stated) as follows: Frodsham: singles on 9th, 21st, 25th and 29th (all RGB), Sale on 16th (PBH), Dane Valley, Wildboarclough: two on 21st (JO), Handbridge (Chester) on 25th (KP), Greasby on 31st (L&MH) and Whaley Bridge on 8th September (AS). An average year over the last four years but another species declining considerably.
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73.231 Deep-brown Dart Aporophyla lutulenta ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Four records of singles to light at Marbury Country Park: 17th 25th and 27th September and 4th October (all LB). A below average year for a species that was completely absent between 1998 and 2003.
73.234 Brindled Ochre Dasypolia templi (Thunberg, 1792) One to light at Dane Valley, Wildboarclough on 15th October (A, J&RB) was the only record. Just the 4th since 1962.
73.238 Dark Brocade Mniotype adusta (Esper, 1790) Three records of four to light as follows: Dane Valley, Wildboarclough on 26th May (two) and 16th June (both SHH) and Elton on 1st July (SWH). Another poor showing.
73.252 Hedge Rustic Tholera cespitis ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) One to light at Burleydam on 7th July (BJ) was the only record. Declining, as can be seen from the chart below.
Beth Jones
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73.253 Feathered Gothic Tholera decimalis (Poda, 1761) Nine records of 11 adults to light in August (unless otherwise stated) as follows: Newgate Nature Reserve on 19th (NG, RHi), Marbury Country Park: two on 22nd (LB), Styal on 23rd (NG), Marton: two on 25th (SHH), Higher Poynton on 26th, 27th and 28th (all SHH), Henbury on 27th (TW) and Altrincham on 3rd September (KN). A very poor showing; all records came from a 15 day period.
73.266 Dog's Tooth Lacanobia suasa ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Six records of seven to light as follows: Burton on 26th May and 1st July (both BSB) and Heswall on 30th May (two), 13th, 18th and 21st June (all JJ). Another species once considered to be fairly common now in decline.
73.272 Glaucous Shears Papestra biren (Goeze, 1781) Four to light at Dane Valley, Wildboarclough on 26th May (SHH) was the only record. One record a year has been about the average since 2000.
Steve Hind
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73.28 Small Ranunculus Hecatera dysodea ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Seven records of eight to light as follows: Ellesmere Port: 23rd, 26th and 27th (two) June (all HJ), Runcorn on 6th and 13th July (both DJ), Cheadle Heath on 6th July (DH-T) and Wallasey on 26th July (RBi). A set of records fitting well into the species’ predominantly westerly bias within the county.
Robert Blithell
73.282 Varied Coronet Hadena compta ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) One to light at Rope (Crewe) on 29th June (DAC) was the 6th County record. All but one have occurred since 2006.
David A Cookson
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73.283 Marbled Coronet Hadena confusa (Hufnagel, 1766) Seven records of 14 individuals to light as follows: Runcorn on 17th May (DJ) and Hilbre on 20th (one), 21st (four), 29th (three) and 31st (two) May, 1st (two and 2nd (one) June (all Hilbre day sheets, GB). Almost exclusively a Hilbre Island speciality; very rarely recorded elsewhere.
Dan Jameson
73.294 Southern Wainscot Mythimna straminea (Treitschke, 1825) Four records of five to light as follows: Coole Fishery (Audlem): 21st June (two), 2nd and 20th July (PG, PFA) and Great Sutton on 16th July (MBe). An improvement on single records from the previous three years.
73.296 White-speck Mythimna unipuncta (Haworth, 1809) One to light at Alsager on 22nd October was the 2nd County record. The only other record came from Nantwich in October 2002.
Mike Dale
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73.302 Obscure Wainscot Leucania obsoleta (Hübner, [1803]) Seven records of nine to light as follows: Marbury Country Park: on 9th (two), 13, 16th, 17th (two) and 18th June and 5th July (all LB) and Sale on 15th June (PBH). All but five of the 59 county records have come since 2000 and Marbury Country Park is the most favoured location.
Peter Hardy
73.307 Pearly Underwing Peridroma saucia (Hübner, [1808]) Three singles of this migrant to light as follows: Great Sutton on 19th September (MBe), Coole Fishery (Audlem) on 27th September (PG) and Alsager on 19th October (MD). Three in a year is about the recent average.
Mel Bellingham
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73.313 White-line Dart Euxoa tritici (Linnaeus, 1761) Seven records of 12 to light in June (unless otherwise stated) as follows: Burton: one on 9th (BSB), Willaston (Wirral) singles on 12th and 24th (both RP), Upton (Wirral): one on 18th (HD), Hilbre Island: four on 23rd and three on 24th (both GB) and Elton: one on 14th August (SWH). A very good showing.
Harry Davies
73.314 Garden Dart Euxoa nigricans (Linnaeus, 1761) Eight records of 10 adults to light: Handbridge (Chester): one on 18th and two on 29th July plus one on 4th August (all KP), Sale: one on 2nd August (PBH), Heswall: singles on 19th August and 2nd September (both JJ), Elton: one on 28th and two on 30th August (both SWH). About an average year.
John Jakeman
73.331 Barred Chestnut Diarsia dahlii (Hübner, [1813]) Two to light at Dane Valley, Wildboarclough on 17th August (SHH) constituted the only record.
73.336 Red Chestnut Cerastis rubricosa ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Seven records of 12 to light in spring as follows: Alsager: singles on 10th, 12th and 17th March (all MD), Burleydam: one on 31st March (BJ) and Dane Valley, Wildboarclough: five on 30th March (SHH), two on 13th and one on 17th April (both JO).
73.351 Double Dart Graphiphora augur (Fabricius, 1775) Nine records of 10 individuals to light: Coole Fishery (Audlem): singles on 31st May, 10th, 22nd, 24th and 27th June, two on 20th June and one on 2nd July (all PG) and Upton (Wirral) singles on 21st and 30th June (Both HD). A slightly above average year based on post 2000 records.
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73.355 Neglected Rustic Xestia castanea (Esper, 1798) One larval, daytime observation from Taxal Moor on 8th April (AS) was the only record. One is the average of post-2000 records.
73.356 Heath Rustic Xestia agathina (Duponchel, 1827) Five records of seven individuals as follows: Shemmy Moss (one larva) and Hogshead Wood, Oakmere (three larvae), both on 23rd April, all swept from Heather (Calluna vulgaris) (both SHH). Singles to light at Alsager on 2nd September (MD), Higher Poynton on 5th September (SHH) and Hatchmere on 10th September (GO). About an average year.
References
Barnacal, Barry, 2017. Striped Hawk-moth Hyles livornica on Hilbre Island, Cheshire. Atropos 59:54-55 Creaser, A., 1996. 1994 Presidential Address: The microlepidoptera of Wirral – a provisional review. Annual Report and Proceedings, Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society Vol.116-120:128-133. Day, G.O., 1903. A list of the lepidoptera found in the counties of Cheshire, Flintshire, Denbighshire, Caernarvonshire and Anglesea. Proc. Chester Soc. Nat. Sci. 5: i-viii, 1-120. Ellis, J.W., 1885-90. The Lepidopterous Fauna of Lancashire and Cheshire. Fielding, E. H., 1974. Report Proceedings Transactions Manchester Entomological Society 1966 – 1973 Mansbridge. W., 1940. The Lepidopterous Fauna of Lancashire & Cheshire by J W Ellis, revised 1940. Michaelis, H.N., 1956. Records of microlepidoptera from Lancashire and Cheshire. Rep. Proc. Lancs. Chesh. Ent. Soc. 1953-55: 55-69.
Map-winged Swift: Paul Hopkins: Four records from the west of the county in 2017 were unusual
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The march of the footmen Steve Holmes
When I began moth-trapping within the county back in 1991 the only species of footman that I was at all likely to encounter in the west was Common (Eilema lurideola), which happened in June of that year. Muslin (Nudaria mundana) followed in 1997 and Scarce (Eilema complana) in 2001 opened the floodgates, through which Buff (Eilema depressa) passed in 2011, Four- dotted (Cybosia mesomella) and Dingy (Eilema griseola) in 2012 and finally for me, Four- spotted (Lithosia quadra) in 2013. Whilst all this was happening of course the county scene was for some species, being inundated by wave after wave of initially vagrants then regular immigrants and ultimately breeders.
Common has and probably always will be the commonest of all our footman species and currently the county database holds over 8,100 entries. Remarkably, Dingy is the next most frequently recorded with 1,750. There are five records dated from 1800-1979, followed by one in 2001 but the astonishing 380 reports in 2017 placed it as 40th most common species in the county, commoner than the likes of Angle Shades, Yellow-tail and Small Quaker… Buff is the only other species boasting more than 1,000 recorded sightings, all of them since the first in 1999 and with 140 in 2017 alone making it more commonly reported than Common Swift and Cinnabar amongst others. Database records then plunge to ‘just’ 224 for Round-winged Muslin which on its own demonstrates a species’ progress from vagrants (in 1935 and 1952) to more regular immigrants during the 1980s to well established… as 29 records in 2017, the best ever year, illustrates. Muslin Footman (215 records) appears to have been around all the time but 161 records have come from post-2000 years. The same is essentially true of Scarce, who’s rise has been less meteoric; four records from the 1880’s, then after a long wait, two in 1976 and singles in 1978 and 1996 before the toehold was firmly established, culminating in 27 reports in 2017 or 14% of all records in the one year. Four-dotted has struggled in comparison to some of its congeners with almost half the records from 1800-1979, though a large majority of them came from the Delamere area in the 1940’s and 1950’s. Delamere remains a favoured area and there have been 19 reports post-2000, just under a quarter of the all-time total. With 41 database entries, Red-necked is currently our 5th rarest footman; there were four records from 1800-1979 before singles in 1973, 1996 and 1999. However it seems now to have arrived in earnest and 2017 was its best ever year with 13 records, almost 33% of the all-time total. Orange isn’t far behind Red-necked, with 28 reports but they have all come since the first in 2009 and 2017 was again the best year, with eight records. Both Red-necked and Orange look set to leave Four- spotted in their wake as records for it are extremely rare; there are just nine in the database, but four have come since 2006 so it might just be on the launch-pad. Crimson Speckled is a very rare immigrant to the UK and is included here only for completeness sake. It’s been recorded in Cheshire just twice, sometime prior to 1887 and more recently in 2012. Our rarest footman, with just a single record (2009) is Rosy and we will have to wait and see whether or even if it was the first of many more to come.
If all the above isn’t good news enough then we may not yet be done – there are still more species, currently rare and of strictly southern or easterly distribution, which could find their way to us in the future. If none do, then we can at least be content with our recent run of good fortunes.
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Species new for their respective 10km squares in 2017
What follows is a summary of the species, which, according to the verified data available on the county database at 9th March 2018, were new for their respective 10km squares in 2017. Another 493 new hectad records were added during 2017, mainly due to coverage in the two previously underworked hectads SJ86, Congleton, which produced 84 new species and SK06, Dane Valley, Wildboarclough, where 98 new species were found.
Red-necked Footman Atolmis rubricollis is spreading rapidly across Cheshire and was found in five new hectads during the year, with Aethes cnicana, Anania perlucidalis, Beautiful Hook-tip Laspeyria flexula, Cherry Bark Tortrix Enarmonia formosana, Coleophora albicosta, Maple Pug Eupithecia inturbata, Mompha jurassicella and Sycamore Acronicta aceris all added to four new hectads.
Some of the squares are only partially in VC58 and although species may have been recorded in adjacent counties, they are new for our side of the boundary. The following are listed in the Agassiz, Beavan & Heckford taxonomic order for each 10km square.
SJ18 Striped Hawk-moth Hyles livornica, Treble Brown Spot Idaea trigeminata, White-spotted Pug Eupithecia tripunctaria.
SJ27 Stigmella betulicola, Stigmella perpygmaeella, Ectoedemia angulifasciella, Phyllonorycter messaniella, Phyllonorycter froelichiella, Pistol Case-bearer Coleophora anatipennella, Apple Leaf Skeletonizer Choreutis pariana, Gypsonoma dealbana.
SJ28 Stigmella sakhalinella, Stigmella ulmivora, Ectoedemia angulifasciella, Heliozela resplendella, Nematopogon swammerdamella, Bucculatrix ulmella, Pea Moth Cydia nigricana, Black Arches Lymantria monacha, Vine's Rustic Hoplodrina ambigua.
SJ35 Ypsolopha ustella, Yellow-legged Clearwing Synanthedon vespiformis.
SJ37 Ectoedemia heringi, Raspberry Moth Lampronia corticella, Caloptilia betulicola, Spindle Ermine Yponomeuta cagnagella, Leek Moth Acrolepiopsis assectella, Pseudatemelia flavifrontella, Semioscopis steinkellneriana, Grey Tortrix Cnephasia stephensiana, Phalonidia manniana, Gynnidomorpha alismana, Epinotia rubiginosana, Dichrorampha alpinana, Matilella fusca, Lobster Moth Stauropus fagi, Red- necked Footman Atolmis rubricollis, Orange Footman Eilema sororcula, Dark Dagger Acronicta tridens, Sycamore Acronicta aceris, Coronet Craniophora ligustri, Vine's Rustic Hoplodrina ambigua.
SJ38 Stigmella sakhalinella, Stigmella samiatella, Ectoedemia angulifasciella, Ectoedemia minimella, Heliozela resplendella, Bucculatrix bechsteinella, Phyllonorycter schreberella, Agonopterix assimilella, Bryotropha senectella, Coleophora peribenanderi, Mompha bradleyi, Ancylis achatana, Epinotia rubiginosana, Calamotropha paludella, Maple Pug Eupithecia inturbata, Beautiful Hook-tip Laspeyria flexula.
SJ39 Common Lutestring Ochropacha duplaris, Sandy Carpet Perizoma flavofasciata, Brown Silver-line Petrophora chlorosata, Oak Beauty Biston strataria, Iron Prominent Notodonta dromedaries, Vine's Rustic Hoplodrina ambigua, Silky Wainscot Chilodes maritima.
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SJ45 Leopard Moth Zeuzera pyrina, Hypsopygia glaucinalis, Udea olivalis, Lime Hawk-moth Mimas tiliae, Small Blood-vein Scopula imitaria, Spruce Carpet Thera britannica, Red-necked Footman Atolmis rubricollis, Buff Footman Eilema depressa, Alder Moth Acronicta alni.
SJ46 Map-winged Swift Korscheltellus fusconebulosa, Stigmella betulicola, Bucculatrix bechsteinella, Spindle Ermine Yponomeuta cagnagella, Cedestis subfasciella, Carpatolechia fugitivella, Coleophora albicosta, Spuleria flavicaput, Strawberry Tortrix Acleris comariana, Dichrorampha alpinana, Acrobasis repandana, Blomer's Rivulet Venusia blomeri, Early Tooth-striped Trichopteryx carpinata, Tawny Pinion Lithophane semibrunnea.
SJ47 Eriocrania sangii, Stigmella confusella, Stigmella assimilella, Stigmella samiatella, Heliozela resplendella, Bucculatrix cidarella, Caloptilia betulicola, Phyllonorycter cavella, Agonopterix ocellana, Coleophora paripennella, Mompha bradleyi, Strawberry Tortrix Acleris comariana, Indian Meal Moth Plodia interpunctella, Triple-spotted Pug Eupithecia trisignaria.
SJ54 Stigmella sakhalinella, Stigmella ulmivora, Bucculatrix bechsteinella, Phyllonorycter harrisella.
SJ55 Ypsolopha sylvella, Argyresthia pygmaeella, Athrips mouffetella, Teleiodes vulgella, Coleophora tamesis, Brown Plume Stenoptilia pterodactyla, Aethes cnicana, Epinotia immundana, Cryptoblabes bistriga, Pempelia palumbella, Phycitodes maritima, Pyrausta aurata, Rusty-dot Pearl Udea ferrugalis, Marsh Oblique-barred Hypenodes humidalis, Silky Wainscot Chilodes maritima, Dusky-lemon Sallow Cirrhia gilvago,
SJ56 Aspilapteryx tringipennella, Parornix finitimella, Ash Bud Moth Prays fraxinella, Crassa unitella, Batia lunaris, Agonopterix arenella, Mirificarma mulinella, Elachista argentella, Blastodacna hellerella, Acleris hastiana, Aethes rubigana, Eudemis profundana, Celypha striana, Ancylis achatana, Notocelia rosaecolana, Cydia splendana, Phycitodes binaevella, Hypsopygia glaucinalis, White Satin Leucoma salicis, Beautiful Hook-tip Laspeyria flexula.
SJ57 Morophaga choragella, Cherry Fruit Moth Argyresthia pruniella, Mompha propinquella, Mompha langiella, Carnation Tortrix Cacoecimorpha pronubana, Hedya salicella, Large Twin-spot Carpet Xanthorhoe quadrifasiata, Round-winged Muslin Thumatha senex, Red-necked Footman Atolmis rubricollis.
SJ58 Mompha langiella, Cherry Bark Tortrix Enarmonia formosana, Boxworm Cydalima perspectalis, Marbled White Spot Deltote pygarga, Marbled Coronet Hadena confusa, Green Arches Anaplectoides prasina.
SJ64 Nematopogon swammerdamella, Coleophora discordella, Red-barred Tortrix Ditula angustiorana, Lozotaeniodes formosana, Pammene aurita, Red-necked Footman Atolmis rubricollis, Dark Dagger Acronicta tridens, Sycamore Acronicta aceris, Hedge Rustic Tholera cespitis.
SJ65 Ectoedemia minimella, Phyllonorycter esperella, Ypsolopha ustella, Ypsolopha sequella, Agonopterix nervosa, Coleophora lutipennella, Aleimma loeflingiana, Large Tabby Aglossa pinguinalis, Pyrausta purpuralis, Rush Veneer Nomophila noctuella, Varied Coronet Hadena compta.
SJ67 Azalea Leaf Miner Caloptilia azaleella, Anania lancealis, Maple Pug Eupithecia inturbata, Sycamore Acronicta aceris.
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Cheshire moth report 2017
SJ68 Swammerdamia pyrella, Red-necked Footman Atolmis rubricollis, Red Underwing Catocala nupta, Pale Pinion Lithophane socia
SJ74 Ectoedemia subbimaculella, Nemophora degeerella, Aspilapteryx tringipennella, Phyllonorycter quercifoliella, Phyllonorycter kleemannella, Laburnum Leaf Miner Leucoptera laburnella, Scrobipalpa acuminatella, Coleophora artemisicolella, Acleris ferrugana SJ75 Spindle Ermine Yponomeuta cagnagella, Epinotia fraternana, Plain Pug Eupithecia simpliciata, Marbled White Spot Deltote pygarga.
SJ76 Cypress Tip Moth Argyresthia cupressella, Oegoconia quadripuncta, Metzneria metzneriella, Plum Tortrix Hedya pruniana, Boxworm Cydalima perspectalis, Donacaula mucronella, Large Twin-spot Carpet Xanthorhoe quadrifasiata, Phoenix Eulithis prunata, Tissue Triphosa dubitata, Maple Pug Eupithecia inturbata, Spring Usher Agriopis leucophaearia, Sycamore Acronicta aceris, Bordered Straw Heliothis peltigera, Dark Sword-grass Agrotis ipsilon, Least Yellow Underwing Noctua interjecta.
SJ79 Cauchas rufimitrella, Nematopogon swammerdamella, Bucculatrix thoracella, Paraswammerdamia nebulella, Cherry Fruit Moth Argyresthia pruniella, Carpatolechia fugitivella, Coleophora albicosta, Cherry Bark Tortrix Enarmonia formosana, Holly Tortrix Rhopobota naevana, Wax Moth Galleria mellonella, May Highflier Hydriomena impluviata, Green Carpet Colostygia pectinataria, Obscure Wainscot Leucania obsoleta.
SJ85 Stigmella svenssoni, Nemaxera betulinella, Monopis obviella, Willow Ermine Yponomeuta rorrella, Eidophasia messingiella, Tachystola acroxantha, Chrysoesthia sexguttella, Coleophora siccifolia, Coleophora ibipennella, Coleophora peribenanderi, Acleris aspersana, Cherry Bark Tortrix Enarmonia formosana, Gypsonoma oppressana, Epiblema costipunctana, Apomyelois bistriatella, Anania perlucidalis, Scoparia subfusca, Calamotropha paludella, Donacaula forficella, Clay Triple-lines Cyclophora linearia, Satin Beauty Deileptenia ribeata, Light Knot Grass Acronicta menyanthidis, White- speck Mythimna unipuncta.
SJ86 Cork Moth Nemapogon cloacella, Nemapogon clematella, Tinea semifulvella, Psychoides filicivora, Parornix betulae, Honeysuckle Moth Ypsolopha dentella, Ypsolopha scabrella, Ypsolopha alpella, Ypsolopha ustella, Cypress Tip Moth Argyresthia cupressella, Cherry Fruit Moth Argyresthia pruniella, Ash Bud Moth Prays fraxinella, Agonopterix arenella, Hypatima rhomboidella, Bryotropha domestica, Bryotropha senectella, Aristotelia ericinella, Athrips mouffetella, Mirificarma mulinella, Coleophora discordella, Coleophora albicosta, Coleophora caespititiella, Coleophora tamesis, Elachista atricomella, Elachista canapennella, Elachista rufocinerea, Blastodacna hellerella, Mompha ochraceella, Mompha jurassicella, Mompha bradleyi, Mompha subbistrigella, Mompha locupletella, Common Plume Emmelina monodactyla, Isotrias rectifasciana, Dark Fruit-tree Tortrix Pandemis heparana, Acleris forsskaleana, Acleris laterana, Cochylimorpha straminea, Eupoecilia angustana, Aethes cnicana, Hedya ochroleucana, Phiaris schulziana, Lobesia littoralis, Cherry Bark Tortrix Enarmonia formosana, Bud Moth Spilonota ocellana, Epinotia immundana, Epinotia bilunana, Epinotia nisella, Eucosma campoliliana, Epiblema sticticana, Epiblema costipunctana, Notocelia rosaecolana, Notocelia trimaculana, Rhyacionia pinicolana, Dichrorampha acuminatana, Codling Moth Cydia pomonella, Lathronympha strigana, Grapholita compositella, Grapholita lunulana, Pammene fasciana, Fruitlet Mining Tortrix Pammene rhediella, Pammene aurita, Euzophera pinguis, Anania perlucidalis, Anania crocealis, Rusty-dot Pearl Udea ferrugalis, Calamotropha paludella, Agriphila geniculea, Catoptria falsella, Donacaula forficella, Small Blood-vein Scopula imitaria, Maiden's Blush Cyclophora punctaria, Grass Rivulet Perizoma albulata, Maple Pug Eupithecia inturbata, Blotched Emerald Comibaena bajularia, Chocolate-tip Clostera curtula, Muslin Footman Nudaria mundana, Buff Footman Eilema depressa, Marsh Oblique- barred Hypenodes humidalis, Beautiful Hook-tip Laspeyria flexula, Lempke's Gold Spot Plusia putnami, Marbled White Spot Deltote pygarga, Poplar Grey Subacronicta megacephala, Powdered Quaker Orthosia gracilis.
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Cheshire moth report 2017
SJ87 Cedestis subfasciella, Twin-spot Plume Stenoptilia bipunctidactyla, Eupoecilia angustana, Aethes cnicana, Plum Tortrix Hedya pruniana, Blackneck Lygephila pastinum.
SJ88 Caloptilia populetorum, Mompha jurassicella, Epinotia brunnichana, Boxworm Cydalima perspectalis, Pine Carpet Pennithera firmata.
SJ89 Stigmella speciosa, Mompha jurassicella.
SJ97 Stigmella roborella, Cork Moth Nemapogon cloacella, Pear Leaf Blister Moth Leucoptera malifoliella, Chrysoesthia sexguttella, Brown Plume Stenoptilia pterodactyla, Apple Leaf Skeletonizer Choreutis pariana, Isotrias rectifasciana, Acleris bergmanniana, Cydia fagiglandana, Leopard Moth Zeuzera pyrina, Lesser Wax Moth Achroia grisella, Acrobasis consociella, Anania perlucidalis, Small Blood-vein Scopula imitaria, Edinburgh Pug Eupithecia intricata, Speckled Yellow Pseudopanthera macularia, Mullein Cucullia verbasci.
SJ98 Coleophora siccifolia, Coleophora artemisicolella, Gypsonoma aceriana, Rhodophaea formosa, Assara terebrella, Phycitodes binaevella, Ephestia unicolorella, Udea olivalis, Maiden's Blush Cyclophora punctaria, Silky Wainscot Chilodes maritima.
SJ99 Yarrow Plume Gillmeria pallidactyla, Brown Plume Stenoptilia pterodactyla, Epinotia tetraquetrana, False Codling Moth Thaumatotibia leucotreta.
SK06 Nemophora degeerella, Nematopogon schwarziellus, Brown-dotted Clothes Moth Niditinea fuscella, Caloptilia alchimiella, Argyresthia trifasciata, Argyresthia brockeella, Parsnip Moth Depressaria radiella, Carpatolechia fugitivella, Carpatolechia proximella, Coleophora discordella, Coleophora mayrella, Coleophora albicosta, Larch Case-bearer Coleophora laricella, Coleophora glaucicolella, Coleophora striatipennella, Syndemis musculana, Light Brown Apple Moth Epiphyas postvittana, Tortricodes alternella, Acleris hastiana, Pseudargyrotoza conwagana, Agapeta hamana, Aethes cnicana, Cochylis nana, Orthotaenia undulana, Phiaris schulziana, Epinotia subocellana, Epinotia rubiginosana, Epinotia tedella, Epinotia fraternana, Epinotia bilunana, Epiblema scutulana, Phycitodes maritima, Anania perlucidalis, Garden Pebble Evergestis forficalis, Scoparia pyralella, Chinese Character Cilix glaucata, Peach Blossom Thyatira batis, Figure of Eighty Tethea ocularis, Yellow Horned Achlya flavicornis, December Moth Poecilocampa populi, Small Elephant Hawk-moth Deilephila porcellus, Oblique Carpet Orthonama vittata, Ruddy Highflier Hydriomena ruberata, Broken-barred Carpet Electrophaes corylata, Mottled Grey Colostygia multistrigaria, Sandy Carpet Perizoma flavofasciata, Brindled Pug Eupithecia abbreviata, Oak-tree Pug Eupithecia dodoneata, Valerian Pug Eupithecia valerianata, Common Pug Eupithecia vulgata, Grey Pug Eupithecia subfuscata, Early Tooth-striped Trichopteryx carpinata, Clouded Magpie Abraxas sylvata, Tawny-barred Angle Macaria liturata, Scorched Wing Plagodis dolabraria, Scalloped Hazel Odontopera bidentata, March Moth Alsophila aescularia, Pale Brindled Beauty Phigalia pilosaria, Dotted Border Agriopis marginaria, White-pinion Spotted Lomographa bimaculata, Clouded Silver Lomographa temerata, Alder Kitten Furcula bicuspis, Pebble Prominent Notodonta ziczac, Swallow Prominent Pheosia tremula, Pale Prominent Pterostoma palpina, Beautiful Snout Hypena crassalis, Pale Tussock Calliteara pudibunda, Buff Ermine Spilosoma lutea, White Ermine Spilosoma lubricipeda, Small Fan-foot Herminia grisealis, Alder Moth Acronicta alni, Miller Acronicta leporina, Knot Grass Acronicta rumicis, Mouse Moth Amphipyra tragopoginis, Brown Rustic Rusina ferruginea, Small Angle Shades Euplexia lucipara, Clouded-bordered Brindle Apamea crenata, Rustic Shoulder-knot Apamea sordens, Confused Apamea furva, Marbled Minor Oligia strigilis, Brindled Ochre Dasypolia temple, Dark Brocade Mniotype adusta, Clouded Drab Orthosia incerta, Common Quaker Orthosia cerasi, Small Quaker Orthosia cruda, Powdered Quaker Orthosia gracilis, Hebrew Character Orthosia gothica, Twin-spotted Quaker Anorthoa munda, Pale-shouldered Brocade Lacanobia thalassina, Glaucous Shears Papestra biren, Shears Hada plebeja, Campion Sideridis rivularis, Shoulder-striped Wainscot Leucania comma,
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Cheshire moth report 2017
Heart and Dart Agrotis exclamationis, Dark Sword-grass Agrotis ipsilon, Red Chestnut Cerastis rubricosa, Least Yellow Underwing Noctua interjecta, Green Silver-lines Pseudoips prasinana.
SK07 Cauchas rufimitrella
SK08 Nematopogon schwarziellus, Mompha jurassicella, Agapeta hamana, Cochylis atricapitana, Endothenia marginana, Epinotia bilunana, Epiblema cirsiana, Udea olivalis, Small China-mark Cataclysta lemnata, Oak Eggar Lasiocampa quercus, Seraphim Lobophora halterata, Common Emerald Hemithea aestivaria, Beautiful Snout Hypena crassalis, Beautiful Hook-tip Laspeyria flexula, Frosted Orange Gortyna flavago, Scarce Silver-lines Bena bicolorana,
Red-necked Footman: Mel Bellingham: Spreading rapidly
Sycamore: Pete Atherton: Another species on the increase
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Cheshire moth report 2017
Cheshire Moth Recorders for 2017
C. Rupert Adams CRA, Robert Adderley, Chloe Aldridge, Barbara Allen, Bob Anderson, Mike Ashworth, Peter F. Atherton PFA, Philip Bahan, Dave Bancroft, Thomas Banks, Marion Barlow MB, Barry S. Barnacal BSB, James Beattie, Dave Bedford DBe, Steven Bell, Mel Bellingham MBe, Roger Benson RB, Liz Bentham LB, Ray G. Bertera RGB, Andy Bissitt AB, Robert Blithell RBi, Gavin Broad GB, Mike Boothman MBo, Alison, Julian & Rowan Borrow A,J&RB, David Bowman DB, Terry Box, Anne Brennan, Roger Brereton, Helen Briggs HB, Elspeth Brighton, Philip Brighton, Sue D. Budd, Brian Bull, Andrew Charlton AC, Jeff J. Clarke, Jane Cloake, Bob & Helen Coan B&HC, Richard Comont, David A. Cookson DAC, Brian Corneilius, Mike Cram, Alex Cropper, Mike Dale MD, Gordon Davenport GD, Harry Davies HD, Ashley Deane, Roger L. H. Dennis, Tony Dickinson, Leanna Dixon, Mike Dockery, Andy Dutton, Janine & Steve Edwards, Andy Firth AF, Eric Fletcher, J. Bryan Formstone JBF, Richard G. Gabb RGG, Robyn Gage, David George, Nicola Ginn NG, W. Les Gradwell WLG, Heather & Les Green H&LG, Barbara D. Greenwood BDG, Paul Griffiths PG, Rachel Hacking, Les & Marian Hall L&MH, Phil J. Hampson, Julia Harding JH, Limmuel Hardy, Loren Hardy, Peter B. Hardy PBH, Toby Hart TH, David Hatch DH, Gary Hedges GH, Dave Higginson-Tranter DH-T, Paul F. Hillyer PFH, Roy Hilton RHi, Steve H. Hind SHH, Elizabeth Hollinshead EH, Mike Holmes MHo, Steve W. Holmes SWH, Paul Hopkins PHo, Kate Hughes, Chris Hynes CH, John Jakeman JJ, Dan Jameson DJ, Mark Jarratt , Huw John HJ, Beth Jones BJ, Clive Jones CJ, J. M. Kelly, Jenny Kendal, Rosalind King, Lee Lappin LL, Angela Lidgett, Dawn Lightfoot DL, Geoff Lightfoot, Roy Lowry RL, Dave & Jeanette Maddy D&JM, Susan Marley, Anthony Marriott AM, Kevin McCabe, Matthew McCabe MMcC, Fraser McConnell FMcC, Steve J. McWilliam, Russell Miller, Keith Neal KN, Bill Neill, Jean Oliver JO, Greg Osborn GO, Tony R Parker, Roger Parry RP, Kevin Peace KP, Jonathan Prescod, Paul Quigley, Simon Radley, Paul Ralston, John W. Rayner, Brian Reilly, Richard Ringrose, John K. Roberts, Richard A. Rowlandson, Pat Rose, Stephen Ryder SR, Edwin Samuels ES, Steve Seal SSe, Caroline Sedgely, Angie Seymour AS, Barry T. Shaw BTS, Sheila Sheldon, Dave R. Skingsley DRS, Ben Smart BS, Tony V. Smith, Sue Spiller SSp, Martyn P. Stanyer MPS, Jack H. Swan JHS, Nigel Tarrant, Dave Taylor (Willaston) DT, David Taylor (Marton), Matt Thomas, D. Clive Totty, Janet Turnbull, Bill Underwood BU, John Vickers, Dave Wallace, Dennis Walton, Clive Washington, Tim Ward TW, Derek Whiteley, Michael R. Whiteside MRW, Roger Wilkinson RW, Lottie Williams LW, Neville Wright.
Lunar Hornet Moth: Les and Marian Hall: Not from 2017 but taken at the Greasy site
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Cheshire moth report 2017
Producing the annual report and maintaining (updating) the county moth database
Recorders may find the annual process, the end products of which are this report and the maintenance of our county database with validated records of interest.
Essentially, the process of gathering records is never ending; some recorders trap all year round and though there will be lean times during the winter, some species are attracted to the few traps that find themselves on from time to time. As your County Recorders, we begin the sharp-end of the process as early as we can and 2017 ought to go down as the template for all future years as it was smooth from start to finish. Through our asking for recorders’ data late on in the year, when most people would have stopped trapping anyway, we were able to begin the task of validating almost 71,000 records during late-November to mid-February. At that time we drew a line and began writing the report, which in turn took us until the middle of March and six versions before reaching what is seen here.
Trying to quantify just how much time and effort the 153 recorders who submitted information undertook is an impossible task. For certain it would have been many thousands of hours of spent trapping, travelling to and from trapping sites, decanting and thereafter attempting to identify what has been caught, leaf-mining, rearing larvae through and doubtless other activities too – all before submitting the data! A mammoth amount of effort that effectively thereafter took four months to parse into validated records and the annual report. During the latter process some 400 datasets (MapMate Sync files, spreadsheets and photographs) amounting to 600 Megabytes of data were generated, analysed and incorporated whilst hundreds of e-mails were also written. In addition, members of the general public, Cheshire Wildlife Trust and the RSPB, not moth people particularly, report oddities encountered on practically a weekly basis for much of the year and are a source of some very useful data, particularly for species such as Hummingbird Hawk-moth.
Other data doesn’t come to us, it has to be extracted from stand-alone on-line systems such as iRecord and Steve Hind has also been delving into archives, notebooks and specimen drawers at Manchester Museum as well as personal collections, gleaning more information all the time, continually enhancing the county picture of our moths. The county database stands at a shade under 1.3 million records at present and even as this article is read that figure will have increased slightly as more will have come in but the next big jump will be November 2018, when we start all over again!
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