& BUTTERFLY GROUP NEWSLETTER ISSUE No.3 JULY 2006

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

INTRODUCTION

This is the 3rd newsletter of the VC44 Moth & Butterfly Group. In this edition you will find the moth highlights from July 2006 as well as a number of articles which I hope are informative and interesting.

REPORT ON THE FIELD OUTING TO GELLI AUR CP

On 5th July we held our inaugural field meeting on the new Carmarthenshire Moth & Butterfly Group at Gelli Aur Country Park. Despite heavy rain just to the east, we remained dry all evening, and the conditions couldn’t have been better! In attendance were myself, Anna Hobbs, Dai Rees, Arnold Johnson, Melanie Collier, Fay Sharpley, David Groom and Mike Smith. Two MV and several actinic traps were run in the vicinity of the car park, and thanks must go to Mike Smith for arranging electricity access and to Anna for organising the event. 125 species of moth were recorded, and hopefully everyone got to see most things well. Highlights were Leopard Moth Zeuzera pyrina, Lesser Wax Moth Achroia grisella, Golden-rod Pug virgaureata, Muslin Footman Nudaria mundana (6), Double Line Mythimna turca (7) and Beautiful Snout Hypena crassalis.

Leopard Moth Zeuzera pyrina REPORT ON THE FIELD OUTING TO ABERGORLECH

On 31st July we had out second group field trip, this time to Abergorlech (SN5834). The site has great potential and excellent access, so was a really good choice. Unfortunately, the weather which had been brilliant for weeks decided to turn decidedly wet, cooler and windy as July came to an end. I was somewhat worried that the meet would have to be abandoned, but once again we were incredibly fortunate, as evening approached and the rain stopped and the wind died down. So conditions were good, although not nearly as warm as it had been, and we had a good turn out. Present were: JSB, Anna Hobbs, Martin Lovell, Julian Wormald, Arnold Johnson, Fay Sharpley, David Groom, Mike Harrington, Ivy Berkshire and her mother. Two MVs and an actinic were run, and although not a great variety or number of were seen, there were enough to interest everyone. Highlights included an amazing 20 or so Black Arches Lymantria monacha, which only a couple of years ago was a county rarity, but is obviously now thriving. Also seen was a Dotted Carpet Alcis jubata, Marsh Oblique-barred Hypenodes humidalis, Large Emerald Geometra papilionaria and the scarce tortricid Pandemis cinnamomeana.

APPOINTMENT OF CLUB CHAIRPERSON

At an informal meeting of club members on 5th July, it was decided to appoint Anna Hobbs as the acting Chair of the club. Thank you Anna for accepting the position. Hopefully you won’t regret it.

OUT OF COUNTY MOTHING

I know this isn’t VC44, but I just wanted to include a couple of photos of micro moths I saw in VC35 Monmouthshire this month – as they were so pretty! Neither occurs in Carmarthenshire, so a trip to the Wye Valley is the best place to try. If ever anyone tries to claim all moths are drab and boring, or that micros are all impossible… show them these little stunners!

Oecophora bractella Chrysoclysta linneella

THE WORMWOOD absinthii IN VC44

In August 2005, Ian Morgan visited the last remaining patch of wormwood known in VC44, on wasteground at about to be “developed” into a new rugby ground. On the plants he discovered several larvae of The Wormwood Cucullia absinthii – a new species for VC44, as well as being nationally notable. It was decided that efforts needed to be made to save both the moth and the plants. As the moth pupates in the soil, the only practical solution was to take what caterpillars could be found into captivity, move the plants during the winter to a suitable location and then hopefully return the moths to the plants once they were established. JSB visited the site and took 12 larvae “into care”, along with a plant to feed them. All twelve eventually pupated, and their cocoons were kept safe through the winter. Meanwhile some of the plants were replanted at a location at Machynys, south of Llanelli.

On 5th July 2006 the first three larvae emerged successfully. By 10th July a total of seven had emerged, and four more of the chrysalises seemed hopeful. As the Machynys plants may not be fully established after their transposition, it was decided to release the seven adults and the remaining chrysalises by a large wormwood plant in IKMs garden at Pwll that he had taken from the original Llanelli site previously. Hopefully they will have found this favourable, and IKM will be looking out for larvae in the coming weeks. Should any appear, they can then be dispersed to the other wormwood plants. There is also a good amount of mugwort along the coast there, and perhaps the moths will find that to their liking.

The Wormwood Cucullia absinthii

IDENTIFICATION FORUM: Red Twin-spot Carpet Xanthorhoe spadicearia vs Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet Xanthorhoe ferrugata.

For many years the separation of these two species has caused great problems for recorders. The problem was caused by a misleading piece of information to be found in fieldguides, which has led observers to believe that the presence of a “notch” in the median band is indicative of ferrugata. Both species are very variable, and ferrugata has an uncommon form which has a red-band instead of the typical dark band. The result of the false “notch” theory has been that notched spadicearia have routinely been claimed as the red-banded form of ferrugata. As it happens, in most populations, the red-banded form of ferrugata is far from common. So, given that the notch is a red herring, how can observers tell these two apart? In 90% of cases it is relatively easy, once one knows what to look for.

UPPERSIDE:

X. ferrugata X. spadicearia

If the moth is kind enough to open its wings and lie flat, there are several things to look for. DBTSC tends to have a broader central band, irrespective of colour, that has a deeper “step” to it (where it suddenly broadens, it does so more noticeably). The area beyond the central bar is much less colourful – though, as with all things, be aware of wear. In a typical RTSC there is usually a clearly defined white line along the edges of the central band. The area near the “twin-spots” is richer than in DBTSC, which usually has more isolated “twin-spots”. So what does the infamous red form of ferrugata look like? Well here is one and another spadicearia:

X. ferrugata X. spadicearia

As you can see, it still has the deeper step, the chalkier terminal area, and the isolated spots. The edges of the central band are not so well lined with white as in the spadicearia and the general tones are not as warm. Contrary to popular belief, red form X. ferrugata in south seems to be quite rare.

UNDERSIDE: So, what if the moth is being wholly uncooperative and not opening its wings (which they commonly choose not to do)? Well, fortunately the underside can be as diagnostic as the upper. In DBTSC, the underside is a far more uniform grey, with little contrast. This is true of both the dark form and the red form. However in RTSC, there is a strongly contrasting pattern, with a deep gingery colouration towards the apex of the wing.

X. ferrugata X. spadicearia

IN CONCLUSION: How many of the records on the county database from the last 25 years are likely to have been errors, based on the misleading “notch” theory, is impossible to say. But hopefully with clearer understanding in the future, the picture will be clearer. From my own observations, DBTSC is almost as common as RTSC on the coast, but noticeably scarcer inland. There is some evidence that it becomes moderately common on higher ground, but more analysis of accurate records needs to be made to establish if this is true or not.

A NEW SPECIES FOR EUROPE DISCOVERED IN VC44

To update you all on the ongoing story of the little micro moths I caught at Aberglasney Gardens (along Bishop’s Walk) on 12th May 2006, the current state of play is this: Sjaak Koster, the Dutch expert in the Stathmopodinae, who now has the specimen I took, is fairly sure it is Calicotis crucifera, a species native to New Zealand and Australia that feeds on the sporangia of ferns. As no species of the family Calicotis has previously been reported in Europe, then this exciting discovery is bound to be a new species for VC44, Wales, Britain and Europe! I plan to return to Aberglasney to try and find further evidence of a population. Special thanks to John Langmaid for all his assistance in this matter and for passing on the information from Sjaak.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MONTH: MICROMOTHS All records are mine (JSB) unless noted otherwise.

161 LEOPARD MOTH Zeuzera pyrina As well as the Gelli Aur record mentioned above, one was seen on 1st July at Gelli, Rhydcymerau (SN5739) by Martin Lovell and one was attracted to MV in Forest (SN3803) on 9th July. These are the 6th, 7th and 8th county records.

186 Psyche casta Fifteen larval cases of this bagworm were found by Sam Bosanquet on a BSBI trip to MOD (SN3007) on 23rd July. Only previously recorded at Pembrey (in 2005 and 2006) so this represents a good second site.

283 Caloptilia betulicola Barry Stewart recorded this species on the BSBI meet at Glynhir Mansion (SN6315) on 25th July. There is one previous county record of this tricky species, from 1988.

326 Phyllonorycter blancardella An adult caught by Sam Bosanquet on 23rd July at Pendine (SN3007) is only the 5th county record, and a new site. Feeds on apple (Malus spp.)

371 LUNAR HORNET MOTH Sesia bembeciformis Clearwings are often tricky to find even with lures, so happening across one is something to be really thrilled about. With just two previous county records, neither of which is wholly satisfactory, Simeon Jones had a really good find of a Lunar Hornet in his garden (SN2124) on 19th July. This species lives, as a larva, in the lower trunks of sallows, willows and occasionally poplars. When I had a note from Simeon saying he had a “hornet moth” in his garden, I was worried that the record would not come to anything – as it needed a specimen or photograph to determine which species it was. Thankfully the moth had behaved well and allowed a photo to be taken, and I was able to identify it as S. bembeciformis. I then received another report of a “hornet moth”, this time, trapped in the window of the village shop at on 22nd. Seen well by David Groom, Faye Sharpley and Heinz Cooper, it was almost certainly another Lunar Hornet. Unfortunately it was not photographed, but such a record shows that rare things can turn up in the unlikeliest of places.

Lunar Hornet Moth Sesia bembeciformis Photo courtesy of Simeon Jones 472 Digitivalva pulicariae There are just three previous county records, but July produced three more, all from different locations. 15th July at Pembrey Burrows (SS4299), 21st July in (SN3919) and 25th July at Glynhir Mansion (SN6315) – this last record being from Barry Stewart. Feeds on common fleabane Pulicaria dysenterica.

483 Epermenia chaerophyllella There are only two previous records of this rather distinctive moth on the county database – both from Carmarthen (SN3919). One to MV in Pembrey Forest (SN3803) on 24th July is therefore the 3rd county record. Feeds on a wide variety of umbellifers, such as hogweed and parsnip sativa, so must be more common and widespread than these few records suggest.

Epermenia chaerophyllella

536 betulella Twice recorded at Pembrey Forest (SN3803) on 3rd and 9th July, these represent the 2nd and 3rd county records. Feeds, unsurprisingly, on birch Betula.

Coleophora betulella 547 Coleophora discordella The 4th and 5th county records were seen at Pendine (SN2707) on 23rd July (Sam Bosanquet) and at Pembrey (SN3803) on 24th July. Feeds on bird’s-foot trefoil Lotus spp.

563 Coleophora argentula Caught at Pembrey (SN3803) on 3rd July, this is the 3rd county record. Feeds on yarrow and sneezewort .

582 Coleophora glaucicolella Also caught at Pembrey (SN3803) on 3rd July, and also the 3rd county record. This one feeds on rush Juncus spp.

641 Batia lambdella A new species for the county. One was netted at dusk on 15th July at Pembrey Burrows (SS4299). It lives on the dead wood of gorse Ulex, of which there is a good amount bordering the “saltmarsh road” at this site.

676 pulcherimella Twice recorded in 1975 at Carmel, and then at Pembrey Burrows in 2004 – seen again at Pembrey Burrows (SS4299) on 23rd July. Probably feeds on carrot Daucus at this site.

Depressaria pulcherimella

678 Depressaria sordidatella Also seen at Pembrey Burrows (SS4299), this time on 26th July, this was a new VC species. The larvae feed on chervil or hemlock Conium maculatum.

694 Agonopterix nanatella With two previous records, both from Pembrey Burrows last year, a third from the same area (SS4299) on 15th July shows an ongoing population at the site. Feeds on carline thistle Carlina vulgaris, which is moderately common at this site.

714 Agonopterix yeatiana All five previous county records of this species are either from Carmarthen (SN3919), Pembrey Burrows (SS4199) or Pembrey Forest (SN3803). Recorded on 15th and 23rd at Pembrey Burrows (SS4299). Another carrot Daucus feeder.

Agonopterix yeatiana

727a Metzneria aprilella First recorded in the county in 2005 at Pembrey Burrows, it was once again seen there on 1st July (SS4299). Feeds on greater knapweed Centaurea scabiosa. Can’t say I’ve seen a lot of this in that area, so maybe they wander from nearby.

731 Eulamprotes atrella Continuing a run of records since it was first discovered in the county in 2000, it was caught in Pembrey Forest (SN3803) on 24th and Pembrey Burrows (SS4299) on 26th. These being the 5th and 6th county records. Feeds on St John’s-wort Hypericum spp.

736 Monochroa lucidella Two more records, both from Pembrey Burrows (SS4299) on 1st and 15th continue to suggest this species is expanding its range, given that it was not recorded here before 2005 and there have now been 6 records.

760 Exotelia dodecella A species that lives on Scots pine Pinus sylvestris. It was recorded in 2003 at Pembrey Forest by Andrew Graham. One caught in Brechfa (SN5232) on 6th July is therefore the 2nd VC record.

782 Bryotropha senectella The 3rd county record was confirmed by dissection on one caught at Pembrey Burrows (SS4299) on 23rd July. Lives as a larva on mosses.

786 Bryotropha desertella Though Sam and I had provisionally recorded this at Pembrey in 1999, one caught at Pembrey Burrows (SS4299) on 23rd July was confirmed by dissection as new to the county. The Bryotropha group are very tricky, and unfortunately need to be dissected to confirm a new species such as this. Lives as a larva on mosses.

827 Caryocolum alsinella The fourth county record was from the same site as all previous records, Pembrey Burrows (SS4299) on 15th July, and confirmed by dissection. Another very tricky group of moths. This species feeds on little mouse-ear Cerastium semidecandrum.

835 Caryocolum blandulella A seemingly rare species in Britain, and until found at Pembrey in 2005, was only known from sand-dunes in Kent and Hampshire. Recorded again at Pembrey Burrows (SS4299) on 26th July, and confirmed by dissection. As with the previous species feeds on little mouse-ear Cerastium semidecandrum.

Caryocolum blandulella

847 Syncopachma taeniolella First discovered in the county at Pembrey in 2005, one was caught at Pembrey Burrows (SS4299) on 23rd July. Feeds on common bird’s-foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus and clovers Trifolium spp.

853 Anacampsis populella Previously there were just three recent records from Pembrey of this species that lives on Aspen Populus tremula and willow Salix spp. Recorded by Sam Bosanquet on 23rd July at Pendine (SN3007 and SN2707).

856 Anarsia spartiella Following on from last month’s 2nd county record, the 3rd and 4th were seen at Pembrey Forest (SN3803) on 3rd July, and at Brechfa Forest (SN5232) on 6th July.

878 Batrachedra preangusta There are two previous county records of this distinctive species that lives on poplar Populus and willow Salix. . Recorded by Sam Bosanquet on 23rd July at Pendine (SN3007 and SN2707).

887 Mompha lacteella Three previous county records. Was recorded twice, in Carmarthen (SN3919) on 3rd July and at Pembrey Forest (SN3803) on the same date. Lives on willowherb Epilobium spp.

Mompha lacteella

959 Cochylidia rupicola The 5th county record was of one netted at dusk in Pembrey Forest (SN3803) on 3rd July. Feeds on hemp agrimony Eupatorium cannabinum, which is abundant at the site.

1068 Celypha rivulana The 3rd county record was of two at Cae Blaen Dyffryn SSSI (SN6044) on 3rd July (Barry Stewart).

1212 SPOTTED SHOOT MOTH Rhyacionia pinivorana The 2nd county record, following one in 2003. Two came to light in Brechfa Forest (SN5232) on 6th July. Feeds on Scots pine Pinus sylvestris.

1316 Catoptria falsella The 4th county record came to light on 24th July in Pembrey Forest (SN3803), where two of the previous records were also seen. Lives on acrocarpous mosses such as Tortula muralis.

1367 Pyrausta cingulata The 5th county record was of two at light in Pembrey Burrows (SS4299) on 15th July. This species feeds on thyme Thymus polytrichus.

1426 LESSER WAX MOTH Achroia grisella Came to light at Gelli Aur CP (SN5919) on 5th July. Surely overlooked, this is only the 3rd site this species has been found at. It is a pest of beehives and is probably much commoner than the current data suggests.

1454a Dioryctria sylvestrella One came to MV on 3rd July in Pembrey Forest (SN3803). A monstrously huge Dioryctria, this one was actually larger even than the given measurements in the literature. This represents a new species for VC44, and may in fact be the first Welsh record of this recent addition to the British list. Probably a migrant from Europe.

Dioryctria sylvestrella

1455 Dioryctria simplicella Not as exciting as the previous one, but still the 5th county record following the four records in 2003 at Pembrey. This one was also there on 3rd July (SN3803).

1507 Stenoptilia zophodactylus Only seen for the first time in 2005 at Pembrey, there have been a few records of this plume this month. Seen again at Pembrey, but also found on 23rd July at Ginst Point (SN3207) by Sam Bosanquet. Feeds on common centaury Centaurium erythraea.

BUTTERFLY NEWS

It seems to be a good summer by recent standards for our butterflies. Hopefully the continued warm, dry weather will help some of those species which have been in serious trouble of late to recover a little. Martin Lovell has asked me to include the following note in this newsletter:

Butterfly Conservation – Butterfly and Moth Update

For those among us who want to know more about the past and present status of our breeding butterflies, a new publication is available. This is The State of Butterflies in Britain and Ireland, which includes plenty of distribution maps, charts and tables illustrating the distribution and population trends of all species. It is available for £12 (plus £2.50 p&p) from Pisces Publications (01635 550380) or online at www.naturebureau.co.uk/shop.

Over 1.6 million new butterfly distribution records covering the period 2000-04 were added to existing data on the UK database, of which more than 88,000 came from Wales. This sounds like (and is) a lot, but sadly it is fewer than the number of records Wales produced in the preceding five-year period. Let’s see if we in Carmarthenshire can help buck the trend. I can provide recording forms to anyone who wants them.

A report on the state of Britain’s larger moths was launched earlier this year by Sir David Attenborough, to considerable media and press interest. Three years’ research determined the population trends of hundreds of common and widespread moth species, and it won’t come as a surprise to many long-established moth recorders that some two-thirds of all species had declined – many at alarming rates – and that the total number of moths in Britain has decreased by one-third since the late 1960s.

MARTIN LOVELL, VC44 Butterfly Recorder, July 2006

Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MONTH: MACROMOTHS

1654 FIGURE OF EIGHTY Tethea occularis Continuing the series of recent records indicative of this species becoming commoner and more widespread: 03/07/2006 1 Pembrey Forest SN3803 Jon Baker

1694 SMOKY WAVE Scopula ternata A late received record from G Lyons who carried out some trapping on RSPB reserves in the north-east of the county, this represents the 9th county record of a scarce and local species: 30/06/2006 n/c Rhydygroes SN7747 Graeme Lyons

1716 VESTAL Rhodometra sacraria One kicked up by day from grassland was the only record, 29th county record. 23/07/2006 1 Green Castle Woods SN3916 Jon Baker

1718 OBLIQUE STRIPED Phibalapteryx virgata A good series of records of this local species. The first county record was at Pembrey in 1987. There were no further records until 2004, since when it has been seen regularly at Pembrey Burrows. These are the 8th to 11th county records: 01/07/2006 2 Pembrey Burrows SS4299 Jon Baker 15/07/2006 2 Pembrey Burrows SS4299 Jon Baker & Lee Walker 23/07/2006 1 Pembrey Burrows SS4299 Jon Baker 26/07/2006 1 Pembrey Burrows SS4299 Jon Baker

Oblique Striped Phibilapteryx virgata

1720 GEM Orthonama obstipata The 20th county record of this pretty little migrant. 25/07/2006 1 Glynhir Mansion SN6315 Barry Stewart/BSBI

Gem Orthonama obstipata Photo courtesy of Barry Stewart

1737 SMALL ARGENT & SABLE Epirrhoe tristata All previous county records are quite rightly from upland areas, where the moth lives on heath bedstraw Galium saxitilis. This record from my garden in Carmarthen proves that almost anything can turn up on the right winds. It was in the company of several other species only normally found on higher ground, so they had all presumably arrived on a north-east wind. 03/07/2006 1 14 Job's Well Rd, Johnstown SN3919 Jon Baker

1781 SMALL WAVED UMBER Horisme vitalbata This was the 6th county record of this species which lives on traveller’s-joy vitalba and is therefore as scarce as the plant in the county. 23/07/2006 1 Pembrey Burrows SS4299 Jon Baker

Small Waved Umber Horisme vitalbata

1813 HAWORTH’S PUG Eupithecia haworthiata Also a clematis species, there were two records of this little pug. The 2nd record for my garden makes me suspect it may live on cultivated clematis. 01/07/2006 2 Pembrey Burrows SS4299 Jon Baker 04/07/2006 1 14 Job's Well Rd, Johnstown SN3919 Jon Baker

1828 SATYR PUG Eupithecia satyrata The first of two pugs which Barry Stewart added to the VC44 list this summer. This species is notoriously very local in its distribution, even though its larval food preferences are quite diverse. 03/07/2006 1 Cae Blaen Dyffryn SSSI SN6044 Barry Stewart

Satyr Pug Eupithecia satyrata Sloe Pug Pasiphila chloerata Photos courtesy of Barry Stewart/Kath Pryce 1859 SLOE PUG Pasiphila chloerata Late news from June of this species, which is new to VC44. It has a very limited distribution in Wales, having been slowly spreading westward for the last couple of decades. It seems it has now reached us, and I hope this will be just the first of many records of this little pug. Note the pink upper abdominal colouration in this fresh specimen (never present in the closely related Green Pug Pasiphila rectangulata). 17/06/2006 3 Pwll SN4701 Barry Stewart, K. Pryce et al.

1885 CLOUDED MAGPIE Abraxas sylvata A scarce species in the county with 23 previous records, associated with elms Ulmus spp. The Carmarthen record was well away from its usual range, blown in from the east. The count at Glynhir is especially good, showing that this species can be locally common. 03/07/2006 1 14 Job's Well Rd, Johnstown SN3919 Jon Baker 05/07/2006 1 Gelli Aur CP SN5919 Jon Baker et al. 25/07/2006 30 Glynhir Mansion SN6315 Barry Stewart/ BSBI

1984 HUMMING-BIRD HAWK-MOTH Macroglossum stellatarum Several casual records were received of this migrant species, suggesting it is moderately widespread and common this year.

2038 MUSLIN FOOTMAN Nudaria mundana When I took over the county recorder position, this was one of the species which I pended to my “amber list”, given that there were two records, neither of which was supported by hard evidence, and there is the potential for confusion with the far commoner Round-winged Muslin Thumatha senex. So these 3rd and 4th county records which I was able to confirm place this species firmly back on the county list. 03/07/2006 1 Gelli Aur CP SN5919 Ian Morgan 05/07/2006 6 Gelli Aur CP SN5919 Jon Baker et al.

Muslin Footman Nudaria mundana

2051 FOUR-SPOTTED FOOTMAN Lithosia quadra A typical record from Pembrey, where this species is resident, but also a wanderer in my garden trap. 09/07/2006 1 14 Job's Well Rd, Johnstown SN3919 Jon Baker 24/07/2006 3 Pembrey Forest SN3803 Jon Baker

2059 CLOUDED BUFF Diacrisia sannio A late report from the end of June of one seen in the north-east. This is a very local species in VC44, only recorded from SN74. It would be great to hear of it from elsewhere. I did try at Mynydd with no success. 29/06/2006 1 Dinas SN7846 Graeme Lyons

2091 DARK SWORD-GRASS Agrotis ipsilon The usual common migrants, such as this one, have been in short supply this year. These are the only records I have received so far: 09/07/2006 1 Pembrey Forest SN3803 Jon Baker 26/07/2006 1 Pembrey Burrows SS4299 Jon Baker

2152 WHITE COLON Sideridis albicolon Another record from its stronghold. The 7th county record. 15/07/2006 1 Pembrey Burrows SS4299 Jon Baker & Lee Walker

2314 DINGY SHEARS Parastichtis ypsillon There were just 8 previous county records, all by Barry Stewart and all in SS59 at Llanelli. So this was a pleasing addition to my garden list: 04/07/2006 1 14 Job's Well Rd, Johnstown SN3919 Jon Baker

Dingy Shears Parastichtis ypsillon

2327 CLOUDED BRINDLE Apamea epomidion Four previous county records all since 2003. This species may have been overlooked, but is certainly not common in the county. 16/06/2006 1 Pwll SN4701 Barry Stewart et al 12/07/2006 1 Mynydd Llanllwni SN5038 Jon Baker 2336 DOUBLE LOBED Apamea ophiogramma With just six acceptable previous county records, this species remains a local and rarely seen moth. This was the first record at Pembrey. 03/07/2006 1 Pembrey Forest SN3803 Jon Baker

Double Lobed Apamea ophiogramma

2343 COMMON/LESSER COMMON RUSTIC Mesapamea secalis/didyma With all previous county records of this pair lumped into the Mesapamea agg. I decided this year to see if I could confirm them both through dissection. It turns out from my investigations that they are indeed both common (in my garden and at Pembrey, at least). As the books suggest, it seems that small dark examples with the chalky reniform mark are invariably M. didyma.

2370 TWIN-SPOTTED WAINSCOT Archanara geminipuncta Sixteen previous records, all but one coming from coastal south-east Carmarthenshire. 23/07/2006 3 Pembrey Burrows SS4299 Jon Baker 26/07/2006 5 Pembrey Burrows SS4299 Jon Baker

2371 BROWN-VEINED WAINSCOT Archanara dissoluta Fifteen previous records, all from south-east coastal Carmarthenshire. 15/07/2006 1 Pembrey Burrows SS4299 Jon Baker & Lee Walker 23/07/2006 8 Pembrey Burrows SS4299 Jon Baker 26/07/2006 9 Pembrey Burrows SS4299 Jon Baker

2400 SCARCE BORDERED STRAW Helicoverpa armigera Three previous county records (a single in 1988 and a single and two in 2003).

26/07/2006 1 Pembrey Burrows SS4299 Jon Baker

Scarce Bordered Straw Helicoverpa armigera

2403 BORDERED STRAW Heliothis peltigera Yet more records of this, in a record-breaking year. The individual on 26th was so fresh that it almost certainly is a locally emerged offspring of the migrants that were seen at Pembrey earlier in the summer.

01/07/2006 1 Pembrey Burrows SS4299 Jon Baker

26/07/2006 1 Pembrey Burrows SS4299 Jon Baker

2435 SCARCE BURNISHED BRASS Diachrysia chryson There are 22 acceptable previous records on the county database, all from four squares in the south-east (SS49, SS59, SN30 and SN40). So the one in my garden is a good record – and reward for my cultivating a little patch of hemp agrimony specifically for it! 09/07/2006 2 Pembrey Forest SN3803 Jon Baker 24/07/2006 2 Pembrey Forest SN3803 Jon Baker 26/07/2006 1 14 Job's Well Rd, Johnstown SN3919 Jon Baker

2470 SMALL PURPLE-BARRED Phytometra viridaria Twelve previous county records, virtually all from Pembrey and most since 2002. This certainly seems to be the most important site for the species. 15/07/2006 1 Pembrey Burrows SS4299 Jon Baker & Lee Walker 23/07/2006 1 Pembrey Burrows SS4299 Jon Baker 26/07/2006 3 Pembrey Burrows SS4299 Jon Baker

2473 BEAUTIFUL HOOK-TIP Laspeyria flexula There is just one previous record of this species from 1983 (SN74), which may be expanding its range westward. Hopefully it will become a regular sighting here, as it does live up to its name. 25/07/2006 1 Glynhir Mansion SN6315 Barry Stewart/BSBI

Beautiful Hook-tip Laspeyria flexula

THE YEAR SO FAR IN VC44: FIRST DATES

To the end of July, I have received records of 379 macro moth species. I won’t repeat the list from the last bulletin, but the following additional species, with first dates, have been recorded:

No. Common Name First sighting of year 161 Leopard Moth 01/07/2006 371 Lunar Hornet Moth 19/07/2006 1634 Lackey 01/07/2006 1637 Oak Eggar 20/07/2006 1666 Large Emerald 03/07/2006 1681 Clay Triple-lines 03/07/2006 1692 Lesser Cream Wave 03/07/2006 1694 Smoky Wave 30/06/2006 1702 Small Fan-footed Wave 06/07/2006 1708 Single-dotted Wave 03/07/2006 1716 Vestal 23/07/2006 1718 Oblique Striped 01/07/2006 1720 Gem 25/07/2006 1734 July Belle 13/06/2007 1740 Galium Carpet 06/07/2006 1754 Phoenix 05/07/2006 1755 Chevron 22/07/2006 1762 Dark Marbled Carpet 21/07/2006 1766 Blue-bordered Carpet 25/07/2006 1781 Small Waved Umber 23/07/2006 1794 Sharp-angled Carpet 09/07/2006 1809 Twin-spot Carpet 07/07/2006 1811 Slender Pug 24/07/2006 1813 Haworth's Pug 01/07/2006 1826 Triple-spotted Pug 03/07/2006 1828 Satyr Pug 03/07/2006 1830 Wormwood Pug 05/07/2006 1831 Ling Pug 03/07/2006 1838 Tawny Speckled Pug 12/07/2006 1851 Golden-rod Pug 05/07/2006 1856 Larch Pug 06/07/2006 1859 Sloe Pug 17/06/2006 1861 Bilberry Pug 06/07/2006 1884 Magpie 15/07/2006 1907 Bordered Beauty 24/07/2006 1910 Lilac Beauty 03/07/2006 1921 Scalloped Oak 21/07/2006 1942 Dotted Carpet 31/07/2006 2030 Yellow-tail 09/07/2006 2033 Black Arches 25/07/2006 2038 Muslin Footman 03/07/2006 2049 Buff Footman 03/07/2006 2050 Common Footman 03/07/2006 2051 Four-spotted Footman 09/07/2006 2059 Clouded Buff 29/06/2006 2081 White-line Dart 15/07/2006 2091 Dark Sword Grass 09/07/2006 2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart 21/07/2006 2109 Lesser Yellow Underwing 01/07/2006 2110 Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing 15/07/2006 2111 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing 20/07/2006 2130 Dotted Clay 12/07/2006 2133 Six-striped Rustic 15/07/2006 2136 Gothic 04/07/2006 2176 Antler Moth 12/07/2006 2192 Brown-line Bright-eye 01/07/2006 2196 Striped Wainscot 01/07/2006 2211 Wormwood 05/07/2006 2225 Minor Shoulder-knot 03/07/2006 2295 Marbled Green 21/07/2006 2298 Svensson's Copper Underwing 25/07/2006 2311 Double Kidney 03/07/2006 2314 Dingy Shears 04/07/2006 2318 Dun-bar 14/07/2006 2335 Slender Brindle 15/07/2006 2336 Double Lobed 03/07/2006 2341 Cloaked Minor 03/07/2006 2342 Rosy Minor 15/07/2006 2343 Lesser Common Rustic 09/07/2006 2360 Ear Moth 15/07/2006 2361 Rosy Rustic 25/07/2006 2368 Crescent 25/07/2006 2370 Twin-spotted Wainscot 23/07/2006 2371 Brown-veined Wainscot 15/07/2006 2379 Small Rufous 14/07/2006 2400 Scarce Bordered Straw 26/07/2006 2421 Scarce Silver Lines 03/07/2006 2435 Scarce Burnished Brass 09/07/2006 2444 Gold Spangle 01/07/2006 2473 Beautiful Hook-tip 25/07/2006 2484 Pinion-streaked Snout 16/07/2006 2485 Marsh Oblique-barred 14/07/2006

Thank you: Thanks to all contributors to this bulletin – Barry Stewart, Sam Bosanquet, Simeon Jones, Lee Walker, Melanie Collier, Kath Pryce, Martin Lovell, Julian Wormald, Anna Hobbs, Dai Rees, Ian Morgan and Graeme Lyons. Sorry if I forgot anyone!

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

01267 221681 [email protected]