CARMARTHENSHIRE & BUTTERFLY GROUP NEWSLETTER ISSUE No.2 JUNE 2006

Editor: Jon Baker (County Moth Recorder for VC44 Carms)

INTRODUCTION Welcome to the 2 nd newsletter of the VC44 Moth & Butterfly Group. I received a positive reaction to the 1 st one, so I have decided to continue this experiment, and expand on it. In this edition I have included a couple of articles, as well as looking at some of the recent records in more detail. June has been a notably hot month. Sitting here in sweltering heat at the start of July, I look back on what has been a cracking month for mothing. A good range of our native species has been recorded so far this year, but it has also been an exceptionally good month for migration. Although the south coast of England has fared much better than us, a few things have made it here. A summary of migrant can be found below.

I’ve decided not to continue including full lists of micro moths recorded, as this is really not of widespread interest, and time and space can be better used elsewhere. If anyone does wish to discuss micros with me, feel free to ask anything.

Similarly, as I do not actually receive records of Butterflies, I cannot really do a formal write up of those in these bulletins – although I will continue to mention any personal highlights of those of others that I am aware of.

At the end of this edition are a couple of informal articles. One looking at the status of Mouse Moth in the county, the other an identification workshop on the tricky group of “white waves”. I hope these are of some help to somebody, and if appreciated, I will try and continue with similar ideas in future editions of this bulletin.

A really pretty Bee Moth Aphomia sociella HIGHLIGHTS Micromoths: With just two previous county records of leaf mines, several adult Ectoedemia albifasciella on 8 th June at Nantgwyn (SN3623) was a good record. [JSB].

The 2 nd county record of Opostega salaciella , was on 24 th June at Pembrey Saltings (SS4299), flying at dusk over their foodplant – sheep’s sorrel acetosella . The previous county record was from Pembrey Forest. [JSB/SDSB].

Opostega salaciella

Tischeria ekebladella on 8 th June at Nantgwyn (SN3623) was only the 3 rd county site for this species, which has almost certainly been overlooked. Sure to be found far more widely in the coming years. [JSB].

Tischeria ekebladella

The 4 th county record of Lampronia luzella was caught at Coed Gwempa (SN6421) on 23 rd June [JSB].

A really strong colony of the tiny longhorn moth Adela fibulella was found at Garn- fach (SN5210) on 6 th June. This lovely little moth lives on germander speedwell Veronica chamaedrys and was only found for the first time in the county last year [JSB]. Adela fibulella

The bagworm Psyche casta was found for the first time in the county in 2005 in the north of Pembrey Forest. So a male netted at dusk on 24 th June at Pembrey Saltings (SS4299) was a good record – probably indicating that this sedentary species (the females are flightless) is likely to be widespread across the Pembrey peninsula. [SDSB/JSB].

On 8 th June a Bucculatrix bechsteinella came to MV light at Nantgwyn (SN3623). This is the first record of this species in the county. It feeds on hawthorn and other plants. [JSB].

Coleophora caespititiella is also a new addition to the county list this month from 3 locations. This is due to the fact that I am now dissecting coleophorids. This is a relatively common species nationally – and it would seem, locally too. [JSB]

The 2 nd County record of Elachista humilis was also achieved through dissection, having been netted at Coed Gwempa (SN6421) on 23 rd June [JSB].

Monochroa lucidella , a quite striking gelechid was found for the first time in VC44 in 2005, three times! It has now been seen twice in 2006, so it seems likely it is expanding its range. [JSB]

Anarsia spartiella was new for Pembrey on 24 th June and only the 2 nd county record. [JSB/SDSB].

Anarsia spartiella The pretty tortricid Olindia schumacherana was netted at Coed Gwempa (SN6421) on 23 rd June. It feeds on lesser celandine Ranunculus ficaria [JSB].

The 2 nd and 3 rd county records of the beautiful Lobesia reliquana were at Pembrey (SN3803) on 3 rd June and Nantgwyn (SN3623) on 8 th June. [JSB].

Lobesia reliquana

Several Ancylis unguicella were netted at Mynydd Llanllwni (SN5038) on 27 th June. These are only the 2 nd county record. [JSB].

Ancylis unguicella

The 2 nd county record of Pammene germmana was from Pembrey (SN3803) on 22 nd June. [JSB].

The rare pyralid Phlyctaenia stachydalis was recorded at two locations - Nantgwyn (SN3623), where it has regularly been recorded, but also in Johnstown, Carmarthen on 25 th June [JSB].

Phlyctaenia stachydalis Butterflies: Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries seem to be having a good year on theWelsh coast, as I have seen them in several locations during June including two sites in Carmarthenshire – Pembrey Forest (SN3802) and Wharley Point (SN3409). A green hairstreak in minty condition came to MV light in Pembrey Burrows (SS4299) on 1 st July. Marsh Fritillaries at Pembrey are having an appalling year, it would seem, with just a tiny number seen on 2 nd June in good conditions. Numbers seem to be at c.5% of last year at this site. Though this species is known to have major population fluctuations, this does seem notably bad. The site was far wetter than it was last year and this might have been a contributory factor. My first Graylings of the year were seen on 1 st July. Other new species I have had in June include: Small Skipper from 22 nd , Large Skipper from 7 th , Brown Argus on 2 nd June ( at Pembrey MOD – caught by Martin White), Dark-green Frits from 22 nd , Marbled White from 22 nd (doing very well this year it seems), and Meadow Brown and Ringlet, both from 22 nd .

Macro Moths:

Figure of 80 Tethea occularis seems to be increasing in VC44. Once a rarity, it is now turning up quite regularly across the county. There were four seen at 3 locations during June: 08/06/2006 2 Nantgwyn SN3623 Jon Baker 17/06/2006 1 14 Job's Well Rd, Johnstown SN3919 Jon Baker 17/06/2006 1 Rhydcymerau SN5739 Martin Lovell

Figure of 80

Poplar Lutestring Tethea or is also expanding its range it would seem. The first county records were at Pembrey in 2004, where it was also seen in 2005. This record represents a new site:

23/06/2006 1 Nantgwyn SN3623 Jon Baker The Fern Horisme tersata is a species that lives on wild clematis, and is scarce in the county (4 previous singles seen). This record at Pembrey Saltings is a new species for the Pembrey list: Pembrey 24/06/2006 1 Burrows SS4299 Jon Baker and Sam Bosanquet

The Fern

Valerian Pug Eupithecia valerianata has for the last few years only been recorded from Pembrey, though there a couple of older records from Rhandirmwyn. This record is a good inland record: 10/06/2006 1 Gellywen SN2723 Jon Baker and Lee Walker

Blomer’s Rivulet Discoloxia blomeri is a scarce species in VC44. There are five previous records in the county from SN51 and SN61. This is new for the 10km square: 17/06/2006 1 Aberglasney Gardens SN5822 Julian Wormald

Blomer’s Rivulet

There are eight previous records of Grass Wave Perconia strigillaria all from Pembrey Forest, and mostly in the last 3 years. Hopefully this species will soon be found at other sites. 02/06/2006 1 Pembrey MOD SN3604 Jon Baker and B. Con. 03/06/2006 1 Pembrey Forest SN3803 Jon Baker and Lee Walker

Grass Wave

Following on from the discovery of a population of Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk- moths Hemaris tityus at Pembrey MOD in 2005, two were seen this year:

02/06/2006 2 Pembrey MOD SN3604 Jon Baker

Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth

Sallow Kitten Furcula furcula seems to be undergoing a slump. In the last few years it had become moderately common – on 3 different nights at Pembrey in 2003 I had over 20 at a trap. But so far there has been only one seen in the county this year. If you know differently, please let me know.

Orange Footman Eilema sororcula was first seen in the county in 2005, in Pembrey Forest (two). A return to the same trap site this year, hoping to prove an ongoing population proved successful:

03/06/2006 2 Pembrey Forest SN3803 Jon Baker and Lee Walker Orange Footman

White Colon Sideridis albicolon is restricted to the Southeast coast of VC44. This is the 6 th record and the 4 th year in a row it has been recorded. 24/06/200 6 2 Pembrey Burrows SS4299 Jon Baker and Sam Bosanquet

There are few records of Dark Brocade Blepharita adusta away from SN74, and this represents the first for SN53: 13/06/2006 1 Mynydd Llanllwni SN5038 Julian Wormald and Martin Lovell

Alder Moth Acronicta alni seems to be having a spectacular year. Many records from across the county, with an amazing 50+ to MV on 8 th June at Nantgwyn.

Light Knot Grass Acronicta menyanthidis has long been on my “pended” list, with three records via Rothamsted from SN74, and a couple of unsupported claims elsewhere. Super news therefore that it was caught twice in June, with photographic support to properly place this upland species on the VC44 list: 13/06/2006 1 Mynydd Llanllwni SN5038 Martin Lovell 29/06/2006 1 Mynydd Pencarreg SN5842 Martin Lovell

MIGRANT NEWS: As mentioned above, June has been a great month for migrants. There have been the regular sightings of Clouded Yellows Colias croceus , Red Admirals Vanessa atalanta , Painted Ladies Vanessa cardui , Silver Ys Autographa gamma and Humming- Hawk-moths Macroglossum stellatarum by day. Large numbers of Diamond-backed Moth Plutella xylostella must in part be attributable to migration. There have been virtually no Rush Veneers Nomophila noctuella or Rusty-dot Pearls Udea ferrugalis – which is perhaps strange, as they are usually very numerous when there is migration afoot. However, there have been some notable migrants:

Pearly Underwing Peridroma saucia . Seventeen previous records, usually from the Autumn. Two have been seen this month: 23/06/200 SN362 6 1 Nantgwyn 3 Jon Baker 24/06/200 14 Job's Well Rd, 6 1 Johnstown SN3919 Jon Baker and Sam Bosanquet Small Mottled Willow Spodoptera exigua . Nine previous records (six of which were in 2003), there have been four records this year so far – curiously all were inland: 17/06/200 SN391 6 1 14 Job's Well Rd, Johnstown 9 Jon Baker 17/06/200 SN582 6 1 Aberglasney Gardens 2 Julian Wormald 17/06/200 SN192 6 1 Penrhiw 4 Melanie Collier 18/06/200 SN391 6 1 14 Job's Well Rd, Johnstown 9 Jon Baker

Bordered Straw Heliothis peltigera . Eight previous records of ones and twos. This June there has been a quite phenomenal invasion. On two visits to Pembrey Dunes at dusk it was the commonest noctuid nectaring at flowers. The numbers below are the tip of the iceberg. Probably hundreds were in the Pembrey area at the time: 17/06/2006 8 Pembrey Burrows SS4199 Jon Baker 14 Job's Well Rd, 18/06/2006 2 Johnstown SN3919 Jon Baker 19/06/2006 3 Pembrey Burrows SS4299 Jon Baker 24/06/200 6 10 Pembrey Burrows SS4299 Jon Baker and Sam Bosanquet 01/07/2006 1 Pembrey Burrows SS4299 Jon Baker

Candidate for moth of the month: Small Marbled Eublemma parva . Found on the outside of my MV in the garden, it made up for me having had to cut short my trapping at Pembrey that night due to drunken teenagers hassling me in the dunes. No previous records for VC44.

17/06/2006 1 14 Job's Well Rd, Johnstown SN3919 Jon Baker Small Marbled

The Ni Moth Trichoplusia ni . Three previous records, two of which were from 2003 at Pembrey. A rather worn, but still thrilling fourth county record came to MV: 24/06/2006 1 Pembrey Burrows SS4299 Jon Baker and Sam Bosanquet

MACRO MOTHS of 2006

So far, to the end of June, 297 species of Macro moth have been recorded in the county. The list below shows the first date of records of each. Where there has yet to be a record of an adult, I have included larval records instead.

14 Hepialus humuli Ghost Moth 05/06/2006 16 Hepialus hecta Gold Swift 24/06/2006 17 Hepialus lupulinus Common Swift 06/06/2006 18 Hepialus fusconebulosa Map-winged Swift 10/06/2006 169 Zygaena filipendulae Six-spot Burnet 30/06/2006 170 Zygaena trifolii Five-spot Burnet 22/06/2006 1636 Lasiocampa trifolii Grass Eggar 24/06/2006 (larval) 1638 Macrothylacia rubi Fox Moth 01/06/2006 1640 Euthrix potatoria Drinker 14/06/2006 1643 Saturnia pavonia Emperor Moth 21/04/2006 1645 Falcaria lacertinaria Scalloped Hook-tip 05/06/2006 1646 Watsonalla binaria Hook-tip 04/06/2006 1648 Drepana falcataria Pebble Hook-tip 08/05/2006 1651 Cilix glaucata Chinese Character 10/05/2006 1652 Thyatira batis Peach Blossom 04/05/2006 1653 Habrosyne pyritoides Buff Arches 17/06/2006 1654 Tethea ocularis Figure of Eighty 08/06/2006 1655 Tethea or Poplar Lutestring 23/06/2006 1657 Ochropacha duplaris Common Lutestring 14/05/2006 1659 Achlya flavicornis Yellow Horned 28/03/2006 1660 Polyploca ridens Frosted Green 24/04/2006 1663 Alsophila aescularia March Moth 14/03/2006 1665 Pseudoterpna pruinata Grass Emerald 24/06/2006 1669 Hemithea aestivaria Common Emerald 17/06/2006 1674 Jodis lactearia Little Emerald 02/06/2006 1682 Timandra comae Blood-vein 10/06/2006 1690 Scopula imitaria Small Blood-vein 17/06/2006 1691 Scopula emutaria Rosy Wave 24/06/2006 1693 Scopula floslactata Cream Wave 03/05/2006 1713 Idaea aversata Riband Wave 22/06/2006 1719 Orthonama vittata Oblique Carpet 10/06/2006 1722 Xanthorhoe designata Flame Carpet 07/05/2006 1724 Xanthorhoe spadicearia Red Twin-spot Carpet 04/05/2006 Dark-barred Twin-spot 1725 Xanthorhoe ferrugata Carpet 03/05/2006 1727 Xanthorhoe montanata Silver-ground Carpet 02/06/2006 1728 Xanthorhoe fluctuata Garden Carpet 09/05/2006 1732 Scotopteryx chenopodiata Shaded Broad-bar 24/06/2006 1733 Scotopteryx mucronata Lead Belle 13/06/2006 1737 Epirrhoe tristata Small Argent and Sable 27/06/2006 1738 Epirrhoe alternata Common Carpet 10/05/2006 1739 Epirrhoe rivata Wood Carpet 19/06/2006 1742 Camptogramma bilineata Yellow Shell 01/06/2006 1746 Anticlea badiata Shoulder Stripe 02/04/2006 1747 Anticlea derivata Streamer 19/04/2006 1748 Mesoleuca albicillata Beautiful Carpet 17/06/2006 1750 Lampropteryx suffumata Water Carpet 24/04/2006 1751 Lampropteryx otregiata Devon Carpet 14/05/2006 1752 Cosmorhoe ocellata Purple-bar 10/05/2006 1756 Eulithis populata Northern Spinach 28/06/2006 1758 Eulithis pyraliata Barred Straw 17/06/2006 1759 Ecliptopera silaceata Small Phoenix 26/04/2006 1760 Chloroclysta siterata Red-green Carpet 22/04/2006 1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 23/05/2006 1765 Cidaria fulvata Barred Yellow 24/06/2006 1768 Thera obeliscata Grey Pine Carpet 25/05/2006 1769 Thera britannica Spruce Carpet 06/05/2006 1773 Electrophaes corylata Broken-barred Carpet 10/05/2006 1775 Colostygia multistrigaria Mottled Grey 28/03/2006 1776 Colostygia pectinataria Green Carpet 10/05/2006 1777 Hydriomena furcata July Highflyer 28/06/2006 1778 Hydrimoena impluviata May Highflyer 14/05/2006 1779 Hydriomena ruberata Ruddy Highflyer 16/05/2006 1782 Horisme tersata Fern 24/06/2006 1789 Rheumaptera undulata Scallop Shell 24/06/2006 1799 Operophtera brumata Winter Moth 03/01/2005 1802 Perizoma affinitata Rivulet 04/06/2006 1803 Perizoma alchemillata Small Rivulet 30/06/2006 1807 Perizoma albulata Grass Rivulet 25/05/2006 1808 Perizoma flavofasciata Sandy Carpet 07/06/2006 1816 Eupithecia linariata Toadflax Pug 19/06/2006 1817 Eupithecia pulchellata Foxglove Pug 04/06/2006 1819 Eupithecia exiguata Mottled Pug 10/05/2006 1821 Eupithecia valerianata Valerian Pug 10/06/2006 1825 Eupithecia centaureata Lime-speck Pug 01/06/2006 1827 Eupithecia intricata Freyer's Pug 06/06/2006 1832 Eupithecia assimilata Currant Pug 05/05/2006 1834 Eupithecia vulgata Common Pug 08/05/2006 1835 Eupithecia tripunctaria White-spotted Pug 14/05/2006 1837 Eupithecia subfuscata Grey Pug 29/04/2006 1840 Eupithecia subumbrata Shaded Pug 25/05/2006 1844 Eupithecia indigata Ochreous Pug 26/05/2006 1846 Eupithecia nanata Narrow-winged Pug 27/06/2006 1849 Eupithecia fraxinata Ash Pug 01/06/2006 1852 Eupithecia abbreviata Brindled Pug 18/04/2006 1853 Eupithecia dodoneata Oak-tree Pug 27/04/2006 1857 Eupithecia tantillaria Dwarf Pug 10/05/2006 1858 Chloroclystis v-ata V-Pug 10/05/2006 1860 Pasiphila rectangulata Green Pug 24/06/2006 1862 Gymnoscelis rufifasciata Double-striped Pug 24/04/2006 1867 Aplocera plagiata Treble-bar 25/05/2006 1872 Discoloxia blomeri Blomer's Rivulet 17/06/2006 1873 Venusia cambrica Welsh Wave 24/06/2006 1874 Euchoeca nebulata Dingy Shell 05/06/2006 1875 Asthena albulata Small White Wave 13/05/2006 1876 Hydrelia flammeolaria Small Yellow Wave 10/06/2006 1877 Hydrelia sylvata Waved Carpet 05/06/2006 1879 Lobophora halterata Seraphim 14/05/2006 1881 Trichopteryx carpinata Early Tooth-striped 11/04/2006 1882 Pterapherapteryx sexalata Small Seraphim 07/06/2006 1883 Acasis viretata Yellow-barred Brindle 10/05/2006 1885 sylvata Clouded Magpie 08/06/2006 1887 Lomaspilis marginata Clouded Border 09/05/2006 1888 Ligdia adustata Scorched Carpet 03/05/2006 1890 Macaria alternata Sharp-angled Peacock 25/05/2006 1893 Macaria liturata Tawny-barred Angle 11/05/2006 1894 Chiasmia clathrata Latticed Heath 26/05/2006 1902 Petrophora chlorosata Brown Silver-line 10/05/2006 1903 Plagodis pulveraria Barred Umber 10/05/2006 1904 Plagodis dolabraria Scorched Wing 14/05/2006 1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 04/05/2006 1909 Pseudopanthera macularia Speckled Yellow 07/05/2006 1917 Selenia dentaria Early Thorn 02/04/2006 1918 Selenia lunularia Lunar Thorn 10/05/2006 1919 Selenia tetralunaria Purple Thorn 24/04/2006 1920 Odontopera bidentata Scalloped 10/05/2006 1922 Ourapteryx sambucaria Swallow-tailed Moth 24/06/2006 1926 Apocheima pilosaria Pale Brindled Beauty 18/01/2006 1927 Lycia hirtaria Brindled Beauty 14/04/2006 1930 Biston strataria Oak Beauty 19/03/2006 1931 Biston betularia Peppered Moth 14/05/2006 1932 Agriopis leucophaearia Spring Usher 19/02/2006 1934 Agriopis marginaria Dotted Border 06/03/2006 1935 Erannis defoliaria Mottled Umber 02/01/2006 1936 Menophra abruptaria Waved Umber 05/05/2006 1937 Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty 07/06/2006 1940 Deileptenia ribeata Satin Beauty 28/06/2006 1941 Alcis repandata Mottled Beauty 03/06/2006 1945 Cleorodes lichenaria Brussels Lace 18/06/2006 1947 Ectropis bistortata Engrailed 28/03/2006 1949 Paradarisa consonaria Square Spot 27/04/2006 1951 Aethalura punctulata Grey 24/04/2006 1952 Ematurga atomaria Common Heath 25/05/2006 1954 Bupalus piniaria Bordered White 28/06/2006 1955 Cabera pusaria Common White Wave 09/05/2006 1956 Cabera exanthemata Common Wave 10/05/2006 1957 Lomographa bimaculata White-pinion Spotted 10/05/2006 1958 Lomographa temerata Clouded Silver 10/05/2006 1960 Theria primaria Early Moth 10/02/2006 1961 Campaea margaritata Light Emerald 10/06/2006 1962 Hylaea fasciaria Barred Red 22/06/2006 1968 Semiaspilates ochrearia Yellow Belle 25/05/2006 1970 Perconia strigillaria Grass Wave 02/06/2006 1976 Sphinx ligustri Privet Hawk-moth 06/06/2006 1980 Smerinthus ocellata Eyed Hawk-moth 03/06/2006 1981 Laothoe populi Poplar Hawk-moth 10/05/2006 1982 Hemaris tityus Narrow-b Bee Hawk-moth 02/06/2006 1984 Macroglossum stellatarum Humming-bird Hawk-moth 16/06/2006 1991 Deilephila elpenor Elephant Hawk-moth 26/05/2006 1992 Deilephila porcellus Small Elephant Hawk-moth 03/06/2006 1994 Phalera bucephala Buff-tip 01/06/2006 1995 Cerura vinula Puss Moth 03/05/2006 1996 Furcula bicuspis Kitten 20/05/2006 1997 Furcula furcula Sallow Kitten 24/06/2006 1999 Stauropus fagi Lobster Moth 05/06/2006 2000 Notodonta dromedarius Iron Prominent 16/05/2006 2003 Notodonta ziczac Pebble Prominent 27/04/2006 2005 Peridea anceps Great Prominent 28/04/2006 2006 Pheosia gnoma Lesser Swallow Prominent 04/05/2006 2007 Pheosia tremula Swallow Prominent 12/05/2006 2008 Ptilodon capucina Coxcomb Prominent 10/05/2006 2011 Pterostoma palpina Pale Prominent 10/05/2006 2014 Drymonia dodonaea Marbled Brown 10/05/2006 2015 Drymonia ruficornis Lunar Marbled Brown 24/04/2006 2028 Calliteara pudibunda Pale Tussock 09/05/2006 2030 Euproctis similis Yellow-tail 22/06/2006 (larval) 2035 Thumatha senex Round-winged Muslin 19/06/2006 2037 Miltochrista miniata Rosy Footman 24/06/2006 2039 Atolmis rubricollis Red-necked Footman 29/05/2006 2040 Cybosia mesomella Four-dotted Footman 14/06/2006 2043 Eilema sororcula Orange Footman 03/06/2006 2044 Eilema griseola Dingy Footman 28/06/2006 2047 Eilema complana Scarce Footman 28/06/2006 2057 Arctia caja Garden Tiger 28/06/2006 2060 lubricipeda White Ermine 11/05/2006 2061 Spilosoma luteum Buff Ermine 05/05/2006 2063 Diaphora mendica Muslin Moth 06/05/2006 2064 Phragmatobia fuliginosa Ruby Tiger 10/05/2006 2068 Callimorpha dominula Scarlet Tiger 24/06/2006 2069 Tyria jacobaeae Cinnabar 25/05/2006 2077 Nola cucullatella Short-cloaked Moth 28/06/2006 2078 Nola confusalis Least Black Arches 04/05/2006 2087 Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth 15/06/2006 2088 Agrotis clavis Heart and Club 19/06/2006 2089 Agrotis exclamationis Heart and Dart 26/05/2006 2093 Agrotis ripae Sand Dart 17/06/2006 2098 Axylia putris Flame 04/06/2006 2102 Ochropleura plecta Flame Shoulder 05/05/2006 2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 20/05/2006 2112 Noctua interjecta Least Yellow Underwing 24/06/2006 2114 Graphiphora augur Double Dart 16/06/2006 2118 Lycophotia porphyrea True Lover's Knot 29/06/2006 2119 Peridroma saucia Pearly Underwing 23/06/2006 2120 Diarsia mendica Ingrailed Clay 08/06/2006 2122 Diarsia brunnea Purple Clay 23/06/2006 2123 Diarsia rubi Small Square-spot 25/05/2006 Setaceous Hebrew 2126 Xestia c-nigrum Character 26/05/2006 2127 Xestia ditrapezium Triple-spotted Clay 17/06/2006 2128 Xestia triangulum Double Square-spot 10/06/2006 2138 Anaplectoides prasina Green Arches 08/06/2006 2139 Cerastis rubricosa Red Chestnut 06/04/2006 2140 Cerastis leucographa White-marked 22/04/2006 2147 Hada plebeja Shears 01/06/2006 2150 Polia nebulosa Grey Arches 10/06/2006 2152 Sideridis albicolon White Colon 24/06/2006 2154 Mamestra brassicae Cabbage Moth 27/06/2006 2155 Melanchra persicariae Dot Moth 10/06/2006 2158 Lacanobia thalassina Pale-shouldered Brocade 11/05/2006 2159 Lacanobia suasa Dog's Tooth 26/05/2006 2160 Lacanobia oleracea Bright-line Brown-eye 02/06/2006 2163 Melanchra pisi Broom Moth 04/06/2006 2164 Hecatera bicolorata Broad-barred White 19/06/2006 2166 Hadena rivularis Campion 02/06/2006 2173 Hadena bicruris Lychnis 11/05/2006 2179 Panolis flammea Pine Beauty 24/04/2006 2182 Orthosia cruda Small Quaker 02/04/2006 2184 Orthosia opima Northern Drab 23/04/2006 2186 Orthosia gracilis Powdered Quaker 22/04/2006 2187 Orthosia cerasi Common Quaker 02/04/2006 2188 Orthosia incerta Clouded Drab 29/03/2006 2189 Orthosia munda Twin-spotted Quaker 13/04/2006 2190 Orthosia gothica Hebrew Character 14/03/2006 2191 Mythimna turca Double Line 10/06/2006 2193 Mythimna ferrago Clay 17/06/2006 2197 Mythimna straminea Southern Wainscot 24/06/2006 2198 Mythimna impura Smoky Wainscot 19/06/2006 2199 Mythimna pallens Common Wainscot 14/06/2006 2201 Mythimna litoralis Shore Wainscot 24/06/2006 2204 Mythimna obsoleta Obscure Wainscot 24/06/2006 2205 Mythimna comma Shoulder-striped Wainscot 01/06/2006 2216 Cucullia umbratica Shark 19/06/2006 2221 Shargacucullia verbasci Mullein 11/05/2006 2236 Lithophane hepatica Pale Pinion 22/04/2006 2237 Lithophane ornitopus Grey Shoulder-knot 02/04/2006 2241 Xylena vetusta Red Sword-grass 28/03/2006 2243 Xylocampa areola Early Grey 02/04/2006 2250 Blepharita adusta Dark Brocade 13/06/2006 2256 Eupisilia transversa Satellite 14/03/2006 2258 Conistra vaccinii Chestnut 18/01/2006 2271 Xanthia citrago Orange Sallow 14/05/2006(L) 2278 Acronicta megacephala Poplar Grey 07/06/2006 2280 Acronicta leporina Miller 05/06/2006 2281 Acronicta alni Alder Moth 04/06/2006 2283 Acronicta tridens Dark Dagger 08/06/2006 2284 Acronicta psi Grey Dagger 02/06/2006 2286 Acronicta menyanthidis Light Knot Grass 13/06/2006 2289 Acronicta rumicis Knot Grass 12/05/2006 2291 Craniophora ligustri Coronet 14/05/2006 2293 Cryphia domestica Marbled Beauty 30/06/2006 2302 Rusina ferruginea Brown Rustic 01/06/2006 2305 Euplexia lucipara Small Angle Shades 02/06/2006 2306 Phlogophora meticulosa Angle Shades 12/02/2006 2321 Apamea monoglypha Dark Arches 02/06/2006 2322 Apamea lithoxylaea Light Arches 17/06/2006 2326 Apamea crenata Clouded-bordered Brindle 26/05/2006 2330 Apamea remissa Dusky Brocade 17/06/2006 2334 Apamea sordens Rustic Shoulder-knot 01/06/2006 2337 Oligia strigilis Marbled Minor 01/06/2006 2338 Oligia versicolor Rufous Minor 06/06/2006 2339 Oligia latruncula Tawny Marbled Minor 02/06/2006 2340 Oligia fasciuncula Middle-barred Minor 01/06/2006 2343 Mesapamea agg. Common Rustic. agg 27/06/2006 2345 Photedes minima Small Dotted Buff 21/06/2006 2380 Charanyca trigrammica Treble Lines 26/05/2006 2381 Hoplodrina alsines Uncertain 17/06/2006 2382 Hoplodrina blanda Rustic 28/06/2006 2385 Spodoptera exigua Small Mottled Willow 17/06/2006 2387 Caradrina morpheus Mottled Rustic 17/06/2006 2389 Paradrina clavipalis Pale Mottled Willow 24/06/2006 2391 Chilodes maritimus Silky Wainscot 24/06/2006 2397 Panemeria tenebrata Small Yellow Underwing 25/05/2006 2399 Pyrrhia umbra Bordered Sallow 07/06/2006 2403 Heliothis peltigera Bordered Straw 27/05/2006 2408 Eublemma parva Small Marbled 17/06/2006 2410 Protodeltote pygarga Marbled White Spot 03/06/2006 2412 Deltote uncula Silver Hook 03/06/2006 2422 Pseudoips prasinana Green Silver Lines 04/06/2006 2423 Nycteola revayana Oak Nycteoline 10/06/2006 2425 Colocasia coryli Nut-tree Tussock 26/04/2006 2432 Trichoplusia ni Ni Moth 24/06/2006 2434 Diachrysia chrysitis Burnished Brass 17/06/2006 2439 Plusia festucae Gold Spot 07/06/2006 2441 Autographa gamma Silver Y 08/05/2006 2442 Autographa pulchrina Beautiful Golden Y 06/06/2006 2443 Autographa jota Plain Golden Y 23/06/2006 2449 Abrostola triplasia Dark Spectacle 16/05/2006 2450 Abrostola tripartita Spectacle 11/05/2006 2462 Callistege mi Mother Shipton 25/05/2006 2463 Euclidia glyphica Burnet Companion 06/06/2006 2466 Lygephila pastinum Blackneck 28/06/2006 2469 Scoliopteryx libatrix Herald 24/04/2006 2470 Phytometra viridaria Small Purple-barred 25/05/2006 2474 Rivula sericealis Straw Dot 10/06/2006 2476 Hypena crassalis Beautiful Snout 08/06/2006 2477 Hypena proboscidalis Snout 17/06/2006 2489 Zanclognatha tarsipennalis Fan-foot 22/06/2006 2492 Herminia grisealis Small Fan-foot 06/06/2006

THE MOUSE MOTH Amphipyra tragopoginis

The Mouse Moth is a species which seems to be undergoing a marked and worrying decline. Though it is said to fly in all sorts of habitats, and the larvae are said to feed on a wide range of wild and cultivated plants, its current status in the county seems to be poor.

So named because it often runs around on the ground when exposed to light, it flies in a single brood between July and September (Earliest date of sighting in the county is the 20 th July). A medium sized noctuid, it is a somewhat drab brown with a darker orbicular stigma and a pair of darker spots in the reniform stigma. There are 30 records on the county database, fifteen from the 70s and 80s and fourteen from 1991 to 1996. Thereafter there has just been a single record in 2001 of a single to MV in Pembrey Burrows. Many of the records are from Pembrey and other coastal areas in the southeast of the county, though it has also been recorded inland at a number of sites. The fact that so much trapping has been carried out in the last 5 years at Pembrey without this moth appearing is fairly strong evidence that the population there has crashed for some reason.

I would obviously like to hear of any records of this species I am not aware of, and should anyone record it this year in VC44, then please do let me know.

10km squares from which it has been recorded (most recent year of record): SN23 (1981), SN30 (1991), SN31 (1992), SN40 (1994), SN44 (1989), SN61 (1996), SN74 (1984), SS49 (2001) and SS59 (1995).

WHITE WAVES

“White waves” can be a tricky group, and not just for beginners. Plate 6 of Skinner can be quite a daunting proposition to a beginner, but once one realises that the great majority of species there are unlikely to be seen, the situation becomes a lot easier.

Of the “white waves” that occur in Carmarthenshire only a few are really a problem. Clouded Silver Lomographa temerata and White-pinion Spotted Lomographa bimaculata are instantly recognisable, as are well-marked Single-dotted Wave Idaea dimidiata . But many of the others are not.

These are the “white waves” currently on the VC44 list ( approximate number of records):

Riband Wave (400) Common White Wave (350) Common Wave (300) Clouded Silver (270) Small Fan-footed Wave (250) White-pinion Spotted (120) Single-dotted Wave (110) Cream Wave (100) Small White Wave (60) Lesser Cream Wave (40) Rosy Wave (14) coastal only. Satin Wave (12) Very local. Smoky Wave (8) Unlikely away from uplands. Mullein Wave (1) One coastal record. PLAIN WAVE (c20 pended) Also worth considering is a faded Little Emerald Jodis lactearia , which can often appear white.

The species which causes the most confusion amongst beginners is Small Fan-footed Wave Idaea biselata , which when worn can be “turned into” just about any other Idaea sp . When faced with a small wave – firstly rule out Small White Wave Asthena albulata , and then thoroughly consider Small fan-footed Wave.

Small Fan-footed Wave

I will now look briefly at some species pairs, Common White vs Common and Riband vs Plain .

1955 Common White Wave Cabera pusaria A large wave. Clean white, curved leading edge to broad, rounded wings. Three grey cross lines, the outer two of which are distinctively straight. 1956 Common Wave Cabera exanthemata A large wave. Similar size and shape to C. pusaria , but the ground colour is less white, the cross lines are yellower and are distinctly bowed.

1713 Riband Wave Idaea aversata Form remutata does not have the central ribbon. It is therefore a moderately large wave with a straight leading-edge (costa) to the wing, a creamy tone produced by fine speckling and the three cross lines well spaced. The key feature often quoted in literature that differentiates this from Plain Wave, is the inward kink where the outer line meets the costa, but this is not wholly accurate. Though many Riband Waves do indeed show this obvious kink, as this first example shows, some do not. Therefore simply lacking the kink is not grounds alone for thinking you have a Plain Wave, and further features need to be examined.

This second photo however, is a less kinked version – and I have seen them with even less of a kink than this. Note also the placement of the forewing spot and its variable proximity to the middle line: 1715 Plain Wave Idaea straminata Plain Wave, is a species which is currently residing on the amber “pended” list in VC44. As such, anyone thinking they have seen it in the county must provide an adequate photograph or specimen to me, for the record to be accepted. I haven’t a photo of Plain Wave to illustrate the difference, as I haven’t seen one for about 8 years (i.e. since moving to Wales). However, key features to look for are: a much “plainer” appearance – hence the name, due to less irroration across the wing (speckling). It has a silky appearance to the wing and the cross lines are less distinct – though wear is obviously a factor. As I say, if you think you have a Plain Wave, which is not impossible, then please do get a quality photo of it if you can. There is every reason to believe this species will find its proper place on the VC44 list in the near future.

Thank you: Thanks to all contributors to this bulletin – Sam Bosanquet, Lee Walker, Melanie Collier, Martin Lovell, Julian Wormald, Martin White, Russel Hobson, Hilton Marlton, Anna Hobbs, and anyone I forgot to mention – sorry.

JON BAKER Moth Recorder for VC44 Carms 14 Job’s Well Rd CARMARTHEN SA31 3HG

01267 221681 [email protected]