CARMARTHENSHIRE & BUTTERFLY GROUP NEWSLETTER ISSUE No.8 JULY 2007

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

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the 8th Newsletter. What an incredibly awful summer we are having. Not sure that I can remember a day in the last 7 weeks when it hasn’t rained, or been cold, or windy… or raining, cold AND windy. Full marks for effort to those of you who have bothered to put a trap out, and even more kudos to anyone who has trapped out “in the field”.

Some impressive results have been had by day with the micros, in breaks between the showers. Sam Bosanquet in particular has been busy out and about in unexplored areas of the county, proving that there is so much still to be discovered. His tally of good records included three new county records on the same day.

And on the single occasion I put my trap out in the garden this summer, I managed to attract a rather nice migrant (see below), in uninspiring conditions. So there is always hope, no matter how grim the weather.

In this edition I look at the few highlights that we have had since the last bulletin, as well as an article on Crambid grass- that I hope will be of use and interest.

Striped Hawk-moth Hyles livornica RECENT HIGHLIGHTS Records are mine (JSB) if not noted otherwise

25 Ectoedemia intimella New County Record. Swept by day at Drefach (SN3639) by Sam Bosanquet on 19th June. Lives on willow Salix spp. And is one of the more straightforward of this tricky group to identify.

39 Ectoedemia heringi The 2nd County Record. Came to MV at Cynheidre (SN4908) on 10th June. Lives on oak Quercus. Photographed and released.

Ectoedemia heringi

132 Incurvaria praelatella The 3rd County Record. Came to MV at Cynheidre (SN4908) on 10th June. Lives on rosaceous herbs. Photographed and released.

163 FORESTER Adscita statices This lovely day-flying moth was seen on several occasions during June in the Gelli area of Rhydcymerau (SN5739) by both Julian Wormald and Martin Lovell.

199 Psychoides verhuella The 3rd & 4th County Records. Caught by day at Pontnewydd (SN4307) on 8th June. Again caught by day on 17th June, this time by Sam Bosanquet near Talsarn (SN7826). This species lives on ferns, especially hart’s-tongue Phyllitis scolopendrium and is much less common here than its close relative P. filicivora.

217 Nemapogon wolffiella The 2nd County Record. Netted by day by Sam Bosanquet near Talsarn (SN7826) on 17th June, and live specimen confirmed by JSB. A nationally scarce species that lives on fungus (e.g. Hypoxylon multiforme) and dead wood.

266 Bucculatrix nigricomella The 2nd County Record. Came to MV at Cynheidre (SN4908) on 10th June. Lives on oxeye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare. Photographed and released.

357 Phyllonorycter stettinensis Leaf mines found at Drefach (SN3639) by Sam Bosanquet on 19th June. Only the 4th County Record.

373 CURRANT CLEARWING Synanthedon tipuliformis One came briefly to pheromone lures at the regular (only) site, Johnstown Water Meadows (SN4019) on 26th June. This is the 6th time this species has occurred here, and it would be nice to have some sightings from another location. It has not been the “easiest” of months for finding and luring clearwings….

598 Elachista kilmunella New County Record. At least two caught by day on 17th June at Mawnbwll Du Mawr (SN8126) by Sam Bosanquet. Seen, photographed and confirmed by dissection by JSB. Lives on sedge Carex spp. in boggy areas, especially in upland acid heathland.

Elachista kilmunella Pleurota bicostella (SDSB)

654 Pleurota bicostella New County Record. Seen and photographed by day on 17th June at Mawnbwll Du Mawr (SN8126) by Sam Bosanquet. A species associated with heath Erica tetralix and bell heather E. cinerea. Another excellent find by Sam.

735 Monochroa tenebrella Seven were seen by day on 19th June along the Cwmann Railway Line (SN5847) by Sam Bosanquet. This is only the 3rd County Record. Lives on sheep’s sorrel Rumex acetosella.

788 Bryotropha politella New County Record. Caught by day on 17th June at Mawnbwll Du Mawr (SN8126) and at Cwm Holdfast (SN7926) by Sam Bosanquet. Seen, photographed and confirmed by dissection by JSB. This species is very tricky to tell from the closely related B. terrella and B. desertella and records need to be confirmed by dissection, I’m afraid.

1001 Lozotaeniodes formosanus Several came to MV trap on 10th June at Llanelli (SN4901), caught by Ian Morgan and identified by JSB. This species is associated with Scots pine Pinus sylvestris and although it is moderately regular in Pembrey Forest, this is only the first (or possibly second) time it has turned up at another site.

1182 Epiblema turbidana New County Record. Caught by day at Pontnewydd (SN4307) on 8th June. This “lumbering” tortricid lives on butterbur Petasites hybridus and possibly winter heliotrope P. fragrans. Photographed and released.

1292 Calamatropha paludella Caught at Pwll (SN4601) by Ian Morgan on 9th June and confirmed from the specimen by JSB, this constitutes the 2nd County Record of this species. See the main article on Crambids below for more information.

1381 Anania funebris A surprise find in 2005 at Betws (SN6412) by Barry Stewart, Ian Morgan has now found a 2nd population. Several seen by day on 12th June in the area southeast of Garn- big (SN5815), near Carmel. Photographed by JSB. This species lives on goldenrod Solidago virgaurea and it is well worth searching for it at other locations along the limestone ridge.

Anania funebris

1502 Platyptilia isodactylus The 3rd County Record at MV at Cynheidre (SN4908) on 10th June. Photographed and released. 1739 WOOD CARPET Epirrhoe rivata Very few records of this species, which can be tricky to separate from Common Carpet E. alternata, have been made away from Pembrey, where it is uncommon but frequent. So a record on 19th June, by day, along the Cwmann Railway Line (SN5847) by Sam Bosanquet is a very good inland record from a new 10km square. Photographic proof is preferred of claims from new sites.

2017 SMALL CHOCOLATE-TIP Clostera pigra Larvae found on young aspen Populus tremula at Butterfly Conservation’s Caeau Ffos Fach NR (SN5711) from 24th May onward, by Martin Warren et al . Nearly all records in the county have been from Pembrey, so it is good to know that there are inland populations too.

2038 MUSLIN FOOTMAN Nudaria mundana A thorough search of the toilets at Gelli Aur CP (SN5919) by Ian Morgan on 26th June has turned this species up again. So far the only current population of it in the county.

2250 DARK BROCADE Blepharita adusta Martin Lovell scored the 7th County Record on 16th June at Banc Melyn, Brechfa Forest (SN5440), a new 10km square for this scarce species.

2327 CLOUDED BRINDLE Apamea epomidion The 7th County Record was caught at MV at Cynheidre (SN4908) on 10th June. Lives on various grasses and is surprisingly uncommon in the county.

2396 ROSY MARBLED Elaphria venustula Star moth of the year so far was this totally unexpected find, coming to MV at Erw Las, Llwynhendy on 12th June. Caught by Ian Morgan, it was identified (and photographed and released) by JSB. This species’ distribution is confined to the southeast of England and I have yet to find any previous Welsh records apart from one in 1886 at Port Talbot, Glamorgan (Barry Stewart, pers. comm.). Goes to show that mothing is totally unpredictable.

Rosy Marbled Elaphria venustula THE CRAMBIDS OF CARMARTHENSHIRE A Review – by Jon Baker

In what I hope will be the first in a series, I am taking a looking here at a family of micro- moths, starting with the (Pyralidae), the grass-moths. Some of the most abundant species in Britain, they are common at light traps, and swarm at dusk in grasslands. Walking through any grassy environment on a summer’s evening you are bound to kick up hundreds of these slender little whitish moths. Many of them are surprisingly easy to identify if one takes the time to look closely.

I’ve only looked at those species which have occurred in Carmarthenshire so far. There is always the outside chance that other species might be discovered, so if something really doesn’t fit with anything listed below, I will need to see it. There are also a number of other pyralids which superficially resemble crambids – notably Anerastia lotella (which occurs at Pembrey), so do not treat the following as an exhaustive guide.

The notes on identification included below are merely tips and are not meant as absolute or comprehensive. The excellent British Pyralid Moths – a guide to their identification by Barry Goater is an essential purchase if anyone wants to take up recording of this family. But the following information and photos should hopefully prove useful too. I’m very grateful to all the skilled photographers who filled in the gaps where I haven’t got photos of my own.

The first thing to note with this group is that some of the species are incredibly common, and where they occur can often be super-abundant. Therefore, when faced with an unknown crambid you should first consider which of the very common species it is, and only when you have ruled those out, look at other possibilities.

The 6 VERY common species are, in order of ubiquity:

Agriphila straminella Chrysoteuchia culmella tristella lathoniellus Crambus perlella

The following 7 species are much scarcer and can be classed as local:

Catoptria pinella Agriphila selasella Catoptria margaritella Agriphila geniculea Agriphila inquinatella Agriphila latistria phragmitella

All other species listed below are classed as county rarities.

I’ve also noted whether the species is Simple, Relatively Simple, Moderately Tricky or Tricky to identify correctly.

1290 Chilo phragmitella National Status: Southern England and Wales. Very rarely in Scotland. Locally common. Foodplant: Common reed or reed sweet-grass . Habitat: Reed-beds. Main Flight Period: June and July County Status: Very Local. All records from the south-east corner of the county around Pembrey and Llanelli. VC44 Records prior to 2007: 22 10km squares prior to 2007: 4 (SN30, SN40, SS49, SS59)

Identification: Relatively simple. Much larger than others in the family, and broader winged. The smaller male is darker, whilst the larger female is straw coloured, with a pointier wing and white hindwings. Note the very long palps. Females can be confused with other pyralid moths – i.e. Donacaula forficella, so take care. Photograph or specimen would be required from any new area of the county. Wingspan male 24-32mm, female 30-40mm.

Chilo phragmitella

1292 Calamatropha paludella National Status: Scattered populations in south-east England. Rarely seen elsewhere. Very local. Foodplant: Reedmace Typha latifolia or rarely T. angustifolia. Habitat: Extensive fens, marshes or gravel-pits. Main Flight Period: July and August. County Status: Very Rare and local. VC44 Records prior to 2007: 1 – 29th June 2005 @ Penclacwydd SS5398 by Barry Stewart. 10km squares prior to 2007: 1 (SS59)

Identification: Moderately tricky. Large, and somewhat similar to Chilo phragmitella, Males are slightly darker than females, and both sexes have very white hindwings. The upper wing is rather plain pale brown, with an obscure spot centrally and vague streaking along the outer veins. Any claim in the county needs to be fully supported by photos or a specimen. Wingspan 23-29mm.

Calamatropha paludella Photos courtesy of Dave Wilton & Dave Grundy 1293 Chrysoteuchia culmella National Status: Throughout Britain. Common to abundant. Foodplant: Various grasses. Habitat: Widespread. Main Flight Period: June and July County Status: Very Common if not abundant. VC44 Records prior to 2007: 227 10km squares prior to 2007: 25 (SN10, SN20, SN22, SN30, SN31, SN32, SN33, SN40, SN41, SN42, SN43, SN44, SN50, SN51, SN52, SN53, SN54, SN61, SN63, SN64, SN73, SN74, SN82, SS49, SS59)

Identification: Relatively simple. A small crambid with an obvious angulated sub-terminal line and a slightly streaky brown appearance. A paler form has two angulated lines. Note also the little black dots in the tornal area. Wingspan 20-24mm.

Chrysoteuchia culmella photographs courtesy of Julian Wormald.

1294 Crambus pascuella National Status: Throughout Britain. Common to Very Common. Foodplant: Various grasses. Habitat: Pastures, woodland rides, marshes and bogs. Main Flight Period: June to August. County Status: Common. VC44 Records prior to 2007: 113 10km squares prior to 2007: 25 (SN10, SN20, SN30, SN31, SN32, SN33, SN40, SN41, SN42, SN43, SN44, SN50, SN51, SN52, SN53, SN61, SN63, SN64, SN71, SN72, SN73, SN74, SN82, SS49, SS59)

Identification: Simple. The broad white longitudinal streak is characteristic. C. uliginosellus is smaller and much paler, with the streak spurred on the dorsal side, and fully touching the costa for half the wing-length. Wingspan 22-25mm.

Crambus pascuella Photo2 courtesy of Julian Wormald 1297 Crambus uliginosellus National Status: England and Wales, and southern Scotland. Very local. Foodplant: Deer-grass Scirpus cespitosus and other grasses. Habitat: Wet bogs. Main Flight Period: June and July. County Status: Extremely local. Rare and/or under-recorded. VC44 Records prior to 2007: 2 10km squares prior to 2007: 2 (SN31 – Cors Goch, Llanllwch and SN40 - nr Cencoed-uchaf SN4803)

Identification: Relatively simple. Very pale, even in flight. Most similar to the common C. pascuella, see above. Always be wary of worn individuals. Unlikely to be found away from damp bogs. Photo or specimen required for acceptance from new sites. Wingspan 18-23mm.

Crambus uliginosellus Photo courtesy of Jens Christian Schou/Biopix

1300 Crambus pratella National Status: England and Wales, and southern Scotland. Very local. Foodplant: Various grasses. Habitat: Dry grassy pastures with short turf. Main Flight Period: June and July. County Status: Extremely local. Rare and/or under-recorded. VC44 Records prior to 2007: 1 – 28th July 2001 @ Pembrey Burrows (SS4199) 10km squares prior to 2007: 1 (SS49)

Identification: Tricky. Wingspan 22-25mm. Very similar to C. lathoniellus. However in lathoniellus the median longitudinal streak is narrower and the anterior edge is straight, not angulated as it is in pratella. The apex of the wing is more acutely pronounced with a far more obvious triangular white patch within the apical area. It is also a slightly larger species. Any claim of this species in the county needs to be fully documented with good photographs or specimens.

Crambus pratella Photo courtesy of Dave Slade 1301 Crambus lathoniellus National Status: Throughout Britain. Very Common to Abundant. Foodplant: Various grasses. Habitat: Widespread. Main Flight Period: May to August. County Status: Very Common. VC44 Records prior to 2007: 113 10km squares prior to 2007: 17 (SN22, SN30, SN31, SN32, SN40, SN41, SN42, SN43, SN44, SN51, SN53, SN61, SN63, SN64, SN74, SS49, SS59)

Identification: Relatively simple. The clean white longitudinal median streak from the base is slender and notched. The only likely confusion species is C. pratella, but in that species, the longitudinal streak is closer to the costa, running parallel with it, the apex of the wing is more acute and the white patch inside the apical area is far more acutely triangular. Wingspan 18-22mm.

Crambus lathoniellus

1302 Crambus perlella National Status: Throughout Britain. Very Common to Abundant. Foodplant: Various grasses. Habitat: Widespread. Main Flight Period: July and August. County Status: Very Common. VC44 Records prior to 2007: 106 10km squares prior to 2007: 13 (SN20, SN30, SN31, SN32, SN40, SN41, SN50, SN52, SN61, SN64, SN74, SS49, SS59)

Identification: Simple. Occurs in two forms – a large pale, near unmarked form and the commoner (at least here) f. warringtoniellus. The plain form is just that, very plain and pearly. The other form has a darker ground colour with pale along the costa and longitudinal veins, creating a streaked appearance. Wingspan 22-29mm.

Crambus perlella f. warringtoniellus Photos courtesy of Leon Truscott & Julian Wormald 1303 Agriphila selasella National Status: England, Wales and southern Scotland. Local. Foodplant: Various grasses including common saltmarsh-grass , small cord-grass Spartina maritima and sheep’s-fescue . Habitat: Primarily saltmarshes, but also fens, marshes and woodland borders. Main Flight Period: July and August. County Status: Local. Mainly coastal. VC44 Records prior to 2007: 49 (of which over half are from SS49/SS59) 10km squares prior to 2007: 11 (SN10, SN20, SN30, SN31, SN40, SN42, SN50, SN52, SN74, SS49, SS59)

Identification: Moderately tricky. Much more “clean cut” than the far commoner tristella. The longitudinal streak is whiter (though it can seem very white in some tristella) and does not reach the terminal cilia. The wing shape is very “square”, with the termen being straight and at a right angle to the costa. The overall appearance is smoother and tidier than in tristella. Wingspan 22-30mm.

Agriphila selasella

1304 Agriphila straminella National Status: Throughout Britain. Abundant. Foodplant: Various grasses, especially smaller species such as sheep’s-fescue Festuca ovina. Habitat: All habitats. Main Flight Period: June to August. County Status: Abundant. VC44 Records prior to 2007: 237 10km squares prior to 2007: 25 (SN10, SN20, SN21, SN30, SN31, SN32, SN33, SN40, SN41, SN43, SN50, SN51, SN52, SN53, SN54, SN61, SN62, SN63, SN64, SN71, SN74, SN82, SN84, SS49, SS59)

Identification: Simple. A small, very dull and common species. The wings are fairly unmarked, though darker in the costal half, and with a line of interneural dots along the base of the terminal cilia. Wingspan 16-20mm.

Agriphila straminella 1305 Agriphila tristella National Status: Throughout Britain. Abundant. Foodplant: Various grasses. Habitat: All habitats. Main Flight Period: July to September. County Status: Moderately Abundant. VC44 Records prior to 2007: 167 10km squares prior to 2007: 19 (SN10, SN20, SN21, SN30, SN31, SN32, SN40, SN41, SN51, SN52, SN53, SN54, SN61, SN62, SN63, SN64, SN74, SS49, SS59)

Identification: Relatively simple. The longitudinal streak can appear very white though more commonly cream, and reaches the termen - but note that it does not continue through the terminal cilia as in A. latistria, which is always a much cleaner and better defined streak. This has a more rounded apex than the squared appearance of selasella. See above for other differences from that. Wingspan 25-30mm.

Agriphila tristella

1306 Agriphila inquinatella National Status: Throughout Britain, but local. More common in the south and east. Foodplant: Various grasses, especially smaller species such as sheep’s-fescue Festuca ovina. Habitat: Grassland on light, dry soils, grassy shingle, sandy heaths and dunes, calcareous fields and downs. Main Flight Period: July to September. County Status: Rare and local VC44 Records prior to 2007: 22, of which 13 are from Rhandirmwyn in SN74. 10km squares prior to 2007: 7 (SN30, SN40, SN50, SN51, SN64, SN74, SS59)

Identification: Tricky. Can be confused with A. geniculea and the much rarer Pediasia aridella, see below. Overall a rather grubby looking crambid. The dark central dash in the wing is usually the most obvious feature. Wingspan 23-29mm.

Agriphila inquinatella Photo courtesy of Keith Tailby 1307 Agriphila latistria National Status: Mainly southern Britain, primarily coastal and local. Foodplant: Various grasses especially Bromus spp. Habitat: Coastal sandhills, dry heaths and more rarely woodland rides in sandy districts. Main Flight Period: July and August. County Status: Local and primarily coastal. Inland records should be thoroughly proven. VC44 Records prior to 2007: 20, of which 14 are from Pembrey, and most of the others are also from the south- east coastal area. 10km squares prior to 2007: 6 (SN30, SN40, SN51, SN61, SS49, SS59)

Identification: Relatively simple. The clean white longitudinal streak does not narrow and continues all the way through to the terminal cilia. Wingspan 22-27mm.

Agriphila latistria

1309 Agriphila geniculea National Status: England, Wales and southern Scotland. Locally abundant. Foodplant: Various grasses. Habitat: Coastal sandhills and inland on dry pastures. Main Flight Period: July to October. County Status: Local and primarily coastal. Inland records should be thoroughly proven. VC44 Records prior to 2007: 40, although 11 of these are from Rhandirmwyn in SN74 and virtually all the others are from the Pembrey and Llanelli coastal area. 10km squares prior to 2007: 6 (SN30, SN40, SN51, SN61, SS49, SS59)

Identification: Tricky. Can be confused with A. inquinatella. The two cross-lines in this species are usually far more evident than in inquinatella and acutely elbowed. Wingspan 20-26mm.

Agriphila geniculea 1313 Catoptria pinella National Status: Widespread, local and generally uncommon. Foodplant: Cottongrass Eriophorum spp., tufted hair-grass caespitosa and other grasses. Habitat: Heathy woodlands and boggy ground. Main Flight Period: July to September. County Status: Local, but not scarce. Wanders and can occur anywhere. VC44 Records prior to 2007: 56 10km squares prior to 2007: 13 (SN10, SN30, SN32, SN40, SN51, SN52, SN53, SN54, SN61, SN63, SN74, SS49, SS59)

Identification: Simple. See picture. Wingspan 20-26mm.

Catoptria pinella

1314 Catoptria margaritella National Status: Has a northern and western distribution. Locally common. Foodplant: Various grasses. Habitat: Boggy heaths and moors. Main Flight Period: July and August County Status: Local, in appropriate habitat. VC44 Records prior to 2007: 31, although 13 of those are from Rhandirmwyn in SN74 10km squares prior to 2007: 11 (SN31, SN32, SN33, SN40, SN51, SN53, SN54, SN61, SN62, SN63, SN74)

Identification: Simple. Like C. pinella, but with the white areas not divided into two, and therefore creating a single white longitudinal streak. The ginger ground colour is plainer, without the indication of an angulate subterminal fascia. Wingspan 20-24mm.

Catoptria margaritella Photo courtesy of Ben Smart 1316 Catoptria falsella National Status: Local throughout, but commoner in southern England. Foodplant: Various mosses on old walls. Habitat: Various. Main Flight Period: July and August County Status: Rare. VC44 Records prior to 2007: 6 - 3 times in Pembrey Forest (SN30), and 3 times in the Brechfa area. 10km squares prior to 2007: 3 (SN30, SN53, SN54)

Identification: Simple. See picture below. Wingspan 18-24mm. I would still prefer a photo or specimen of records from new areas of the county.

Catoptria falsella

1324 Pediasia aridella National Status: Local along the coasts of southern Britain, primarily southern England. Foodplant: Various grasses, primarily common saltmarsh-grass Puccinellia maritima. Habitat: Dry margins of saltings. Main Flight Period: June to August County Status: Rare and likely to be very local. VC44 Records prior to 2007: 1 - at Penclacwydd saltmarsh (SS5398, 18th July 2004, Barry Stewart). 10km squares prior to 2007: 1 (SS59)

Identification: Tricky. Very unlikely to be encountered anywhere but in the correct habitat. This species is somewhat like A. inquinatella and A. geniculea. The blackish streak from the base to half way is important to look for. Any claim of this species in the county will need a specimen or good photos to be accepted.

Pediasia aridella Photo courtesy of Barry Stewart And Finally…. One to look for is Crambus hamella. This species has yet to be seen in the county, but it is a definite possibility. Flying from July to August on dry heaths, it most resembles a large C. lathoniellus, although the longitudinal streak is broader and not divided into two. Any claim would have to be fully supported by a good photo or specimen, but certainly worth keeping an eye out for. There are also a couple of other rare possibilities, especially in coastal habitat.

Hopefully the above will encourage a few more of you to dip your toes into the world on micros. They really aren’t as daunting as their reputation suggests. And I am always available to offer advice and help out with identification and verification.

Many thanks to all those who helped out with photos of those species I haven’t yet shot and to Sam Bosanquet for his advice.

JSB, July 2007

The main reference for this article has been the excellent and invaluable:

B. Goater. BRITISH PYRALID MOTHS. A GUIDE TO THEIR IDENTIFICATION. Harley Books (1986). ISBN 0 946589 08 9

Thank you: Thanks to all contributors to this bulletin – Lee Walker, Martin Lovell, Julian Wormald, Sam Bosanquet, Simeon Jones, Tony Lewis, Belinda Thorogood, Colin Jones, Martin Warren, Keith Williams and Ian Morgan.

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

01267 221681 [email protected]