SUSSEX GROUP NEWSLETTER Page 16 SUSSEX MOTH GROUP NEWSLETTER November 2011 Sussex Moth Group Committee Chairman Graeme Lyons [email protected] 01273-497506 Webmaster Bob Foreman [email protected] 01444-483745 Secretary Wendy Alexander [email protected] 01424-212894

Treasurer Alice Parfitt [email protected] 01903-740212 Recorder Colin Pratt [email protected] 01273-586780 Newsletter Editor Penny Green [email protected] 01273-497521 Flame Brocade by Graeme Lyons

Indoor Events 2012

7.30pm Woods Mill, Henfield, West Sussex, BN5 9SD.

Wednesday 8th February

Thursday 19th April: AGM Monday 16th July Wednesday 7th November Main Features inside this issue:

Chairman’s report by Graeme Lyons 2 Starting out in mothing by Anne Carey 3 2012—The year of the micro? By Tony Davis 4 Christmas list ideas…. 5 A first for East Sussex by Heather Martin 6 Early Sightings by David Webb 7 Kingstanding moth-trapping by Dennis Dey 8 It’s been an interesting mothing year with a twist in the tail! I hope you managed to make it Count update 9 along to some of the excellent moth field events that were on and that you caught some inter- Pod Lovers by Graeme Lyons 10 esting migrants at the end of the season. We hope that you’re already utilising the new Sussex Moth Group website: www.sussexmothgroup.org.uk if not please check it out soon! Sussex Moth Group’s new website 12 Best wishes, Penny National News 14 Update to ‘A Complete History of the Butterflies & Moths of Sussex’ by Colin Pratt 15 Many thanks to the SxBRC for printing this newsletter. Page 142 SUSSEX MOTH GROUP NEWSLETTER SUSSEXSUSSEX MOTH MOTH GROUP GROUP NE NEWSLETTERWSLETTER PagePage153

E-moth Chairmans report by Graeme Lyons Update Starting to “A out Complete in mothing Historyby Anne of Careythe Butterflies & Moths Well, it had been a less than average mothE- mothyear untilis an theelectronic last month. newsletter Migration from excitement the Moths has Count I startedof Sussex” mothing inby 2010. Colin After R. Pratttoo long out of permanent gainful employment, and too much certainly kicked in and I’ve written a full articleproject, on which our shenanigans. is produced approximatelyOther than that four though times I havea time on my own, the little things in life started to take a much higher priority. These little things personally had a quiet year mothing. Stillyear. not having The last a gardenissue was and sent doing by soemail many in Octoberearly starts 2011. this included micro moths which particularly seem to like hanging around my bathroom. I don’t know year left little room for moth trapping until the later summer. if that reflects badly on my domestic abilities, but, if these little chaps liked it, so be it. Naturally, If you’re not receiving E-moth and would like to, please this led to buying the Concise Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland. That said, the most exciting piece of newscontact is that Butterflythe incredible Conservation Sussex Moth (01929 Group 400209 website or is now live! At the time of writing over 30 peopleinfo@butterfly have registered.-conservation.org It is looking really) with slick; your it’s email a great address. asset The wrong book, it turned out, as I didn’t know the difference between micro and macro moths to the group. Bob’s hard work in putting this together should not be underestimated. Bob has put (nor do the experts, it would seem!) But I was enraptured by Richard Lewington’s illustrations an immense amount of work into this and it really is an exceptional resource. I am sure everyone and, much to the amusement of those closest to me, I bought an actinic moth trap. To say this will join me in saying a big thank you to Bob! has opened doors to me would be an understatement. It has opened up a new world, one that we don’t see while we slumber in our beauty sleep. Waking up in the morning and dreamily re- membering that you put out the moth trap the previous evening is tempered with excitement and dread – will it be packed full of our weird and wonderful night visitors, or will it be empty? I’ll never forget my first moth trapping session - like a small child at Christmas, I awoke with this amazing feeling of excitement. I didn’t have a clue what to expect. And I certainly wasn’t expect- ing a beautiful cock-chafer (apologies to any cereal farmers out there!). The early days saw poor Colin Pratt receiving regular emails from me attached with poorly taken Moth Night 2012 pictures of what could have been a moth, but Colin has always been able to identify them. The help Colin has given to me, and countless others, has been extremely valuable. He has also made After a year off in 2011, National Moth Night will be returning in 2012. The dates to put in your me look at moths more closely than I ever could imagine, in order to identify the subtle (well, for diary are 21st-23rd June 2012. The theme will be the moths of brownfield habitats (such as old me as a beginner) differences between, say, a Heart & Dart and a Heart & Club. I do draw the line The matter of insurance for field events has been resolved. Penny found an insurer who will cater Buyers should have already been informed that a free annual update to the “Complete History” forquarries, all our disused needs at railway a relatively lines, lowreclaimed price. coal tips, gravel and clay workings etc.) and will include at inspecting genitalia though! both daytime searches and the usual night-time recording. Further announcements will follow in containing all of the previous year’s most important butterfly and moth records will be collated IAtropos have beenmagazine, asked to E- mothgive a newsletterpresentation and, about of course, the Sussex on the Moth internet, Group but at theplease next make National a note Macro of Feelingin the sameguilty formatabout persistently and distributed pestering as an the e-mail chap, attachment, and my lack so of thatattempts it can to be identify printed moths off and Moththe dates Recorders now. Moth seminar Night in 2013January will by take Butterfly place onConservation. 8th-10th August They 2013have andasked Moth because Night they 2014 want will myself,added toI remember individual one copies. day endeavouringWould those enthusiaststo identify a who moth have in the been guide. lucky I spent enough pretty to havemuch en- to inspire other groups that are not doing so well. I think that part of this is down to Penny’s excel- fivecountered hours looking a lepidopterous at every single scarcity moth in Sussex in the thisbook, year and therefore on the UK please Moths pass website, the details without on beforesuc- take place on 3rd-5th July 2014. st lent newsletter and all the brilliant articles that we write. We have to keep this up as this gets us cess.December Finally 31 admitting, so that failure, they can I sent be included. the photos It isto intended Colin, who, that of the course, update identified for the lastit immedi- half of this noticed as a group; we are very active across the county and really have lots of stories to tell. I often ately.season So- Ialready went to 48 the pages guide in tolength compare- will my be photoissued within January. Colin’s identified, and wondered how on find thatNational I only ever Moth write about Recorders’ things that have Meeting happened in the last month when it comes around earth I could have missed something so obvious! I could only put it down to moth blindness after to newsletter time. I wonder if I wrote stories more often as they happened, would it be fresher five hours peering at its finer details. The next UK-wide National Moth Recorders’ Meeting will be on Saturday 28th January 2012, at the A reprint will be considered over coming months but is obviously dependent upon sufficient and more representative of the year as a whole? Anyway, in the talk I will discuss the website, the The capture of a Spectacle moth made me laugh. I was sure what it was – even a novice can Birmingham and Midland Institute in central Birmingham. The meeting is open to anyone inter- demand. So, if you missed out this time, please give me advanced notice that you are interested indoor meetings, and the newsletter. I only have twenty minutes, but I can gabble on forever so the probably spot this one. I took the usual all-round photos of it and when I looked at Mr. Lewing- hardested thing in moth is going recording to be andkeeping conservation it slick. Any across ideas the are UK very and welcome. will feature a variety of enjoyable and in buying a set of books from the reprint run to enable this to take place. informative talks (including our very own chairman, Graeme Lyons!) from amateur moth recorders ton’s illustration of this moth, he could have been using this very moth in the trap as the model, Aand recent conservationists chat with Jon including Clifton gave the progressme quite of a surprise.the National He toldMoth me Recording that by April Scheme. 2015, There the manufac- is a £5 so perfect is his eye for detail. ture(per person)of MV bulbs registration is going feeto be for illegal! attendees This (payableis not due on to the the day). 20mgms This ofincludes mercury morning that they and contain after- The Buff Tip is a revelation: how on earth can a moth look like twig and still be able to fly? butnoon actually tea/coffee to the and fact a buffetthat they lunch are all not subsidised very energy from efficient. Butterfly Jon Conservation says he is investing budgets. a Itlot has of beentime andnecessary money to in impose trying toa chargefind a substitute this year as but we as no yet longer he has have found Heritage nothing! Lottery Talking Funding to Jon to I realisedcover The moth trap may have been an extravagance others might think twice about, but for me it has thereholding is asuch way an around event. this Advanced but it involves booking are is essential, rather morbid to book equation your place and someplease apocalyptic contact bulk added a new dimension to my otherwise quite humdrum routine. buying... [email protected] or telephone 01929 400209. Thank you, Messrs Pratt and Lewington, and Sussex Moth Group! PagePage142 SUSSEX MOTH GROUP NEWSLETTER SUSSEXSUSSEX MOTH MOTH GROUP GROUP NE NEWSLETTERWSLETTER PagePage153

E-moth Chairmans report by Graeme Lyons Update Starting to “A out Complete in mothing Historyby Anne of Careythe Butterflies & Moths Well, it had been a less than average mothE-moth year untilis an theelectronic last month. newsletter Migration from excitement the Moths hasCount I ofstarted Sussex” mothing inby 2010. Colin After R. Pratttoo long out of permanent gainful employment, and too much certainly kicked in and I’ve written a full articleproject, on which our shenanigans. is produced approximatelyOther than that four though times I havea time on my own, the little things in life started to take a much higher priority. These little things personally had a quiet year mothing. Stillyear. not having The last a gardenissue was and sent doing by emailso many in Octoberearly starts 2011. this included micro moths which particularly seem to like hanging around my bathroom. I don’t know year left little room for moth trapping until the later summer. if that reflects badly on my domestic abilities, but, if these little chaps liked it, so be it. Naturally, If you’re not receiving E-moth and would like to, please this led to buying the Concise Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland. That said, the most exciting piece of newscontact is that Butterflythe incredible Conservation Sussex Moth (01929 Group 400209 website or is now live! At the time of writing over 30 peopleinfo@butterfly have registered.-conservation.org It is looking really) with slick; your it’s email a great address. asset The wrong book, it turned out, as I didn’t know the difference between micro and macro moths to the group. Bob’s hard work in putting this together should not be underestimated. Bob has put (nor do the experts, it would seem!) But I was enraptured by Richard Lewington’s illustrations an immense amount of work into this and it really is an exceptional resource. I am sure everyone and, much to the amusement of those closest to me, I bought an actinic moth trap. To say this will join me in saying a big thank you to Bob! has opened doors to me would be an understatement. It has opened up a new world, one that we don’t see while we slumber in our beauty sleep. Waking up in the morning and dreamily re- membering that you put out the moth trap the previous evening is tempered with excitement and dread – will it be packed full of our weird and wonderful night visitors, or will it be empty? I’ll never forget my first moth trapping session - like a small child at Christmas, I awoke with this amazing feeling of excitement. I didn’t have a clue what to expect. And I certainly wasn’t expect- ing a beautiful cock-chafer (apologies to any cereal farmers out there!). The early days saw poor Colin Pratt receiving regular emails from me attached with poorly taken Moth Night 2012 pictures of what could have been a moth, but Colin has always been able to identify them. The help Colin has given to me, and countless others, has been extremely valuable. He has also made After a year off in 2011, National Moth Night will be returning in 2012. The dates to put in your me look at moths more closely than I ever could imagine, in order to identify the subtle (well, for diary are 21st-23rd June 2012. The theme will be the moths of brownfield habitats (such as old me as a beginner) differences between, say, a Heart & Dart and a Heart & Club. I do draw the line The matter of insurance for field events has been resolved. Penny found an insurer who will cater Buyers should have already been informed that a free annual update to the “Complete History” quarries,for all our disused needs at railway a relatively lines, lowreclaimed price. coal tips, gravel and clay workings etc.) and will include at inspecting genitalia though! both daytime searches and the usual night-time recording. Further announcements will follow in containing all of the previous year’s most important butterfly and moth records will be collated AtroposI have beenmagazine, asked to E- mothgive a newsletterpresentation and, about of course, the Sussex on the Moth internet, Group but at theplease next make National a note Macro of Feelingin the sameguilty formatabout persistently and distributed pestering as an the e-mail chap, attachment, and my lack so of thatattempts it can to be identify printed moths off and theMoth dates Recorders now. Moth seminar Night in 2013January will by take Butterfly place onConservation. 8th-10th August They 2013have andasked Moth because Night they 2014 want will myself,added toI remember individual onecopies. day endeavouringWould those enthusiaststo identify a who moth have in the been guide. lucky I spent enough pretty to havemuch en- to inspire other groups that are not doing so well. I think that part of this is down to Penny’s excel- fivecountered hours looking a lepidopterous at every single scarcity moth in Sussex in the thisbook, year and therefore on the UK please Moths pass website, the details without on beforesuc- take place on 3rd-5th July 2014. st lent newsletter and all the brilliant articles that we write. We have to keep this up as this gets us cess.December Finally 31 admitting, so that failure, they can I sent be included. the photos It isto intended Colin, who, that of the course, update identified for the lastit immedi- half of this noticed as a group; we are very active across the county and really have lots of stories to tell. I often ately.season So- Ialready went to 48 the pages guide in tolength compare- will my be photoissued within January. Colin’s identified, and wondered how on find thatNational I only ever Moth write about Recorders’ things that have Meeting happened in the last month when it comes around earth I could have missed something so obvious! I could only put it down to moth blindness after to newsletter time. I wonder if I wrote stories more often as they happened, would it be fresher five hours peering at its finer details. The next UK-wide National Moth Recorders’ Meeting will be on Saturday 28th January 2012, at the A reprint will be considered over coming months but is obviously dependent upon sufficient and more representative of the year as a whole? Anyway, in the talk I will discuss the website, the The capture of a Spectacle moth made me laugh. I was sure what it was – even a novice can Birmingham and Midland Institute in central Birmingham. The meeting is open to anyone inter- demand. So, if you missed out this time, please give me advanced notice that you are interested indoor meetings, and the newsletter. I only have twenty minutes, but I can gabble on forever so the probably spot this one. I took the usual all-round photos of it and when I looked at Mr. Lewing- estedhard thing in moth is going recording to be andkeeping conservation it slick. Any across ideas the are UK very and welcome. will feature a variety of enjoyable and in buying a set of books from the reprint run to enable this to take place. informative talks (including our very own chairman, Graeme Lyons!) from amateur moth recorders ton’s illustration of this moth, he could have been using this very moth in the trap as the model, andA recent conservationists chat with Jon including Clifton gave the progress me quite of a thesurprise. National He toldMoth me Recording that by April Scheme. 2015, There the manufac- is a £5 so perfect is his eye for detail. (perture person)of MV bulbs registration is going feeto be for illegal! attendees This (payableis not due on to the the day). 20mgms This ofincludes mercury morning that they and contain after- The Buff Tip is a revelation: how on earth can a moth look like twig and still be able to fly? noonbut actually tea/coffee to the and fact a buffetthat they lunch are all not subsidised very energy from efficient. Butterfly Jon Conservation says he is investing budgets. a Itlot has of beentime necessaryand money to in impose trying toa charge find a substitutethis year as but we as no yet longer he has have found Heritage nothing! Lottery Talking Funding to Jon to I realisedcover The moth trap may have been an extravagance others might think twice about, but for me it has holdingthere is sucha way an around event. this Advanced but it involves booking are is essential, rather morbid to book equation your place and someplease apocalyptic contact bulk added a new dimension to my otherwise quite humdrum routine. buying... [email protected] or telephone 01929 400209. Thank you, Messrs Pratt and Lewington, and Sussex Moth Group! Page 412 SUSSEX MOTH GROUP NEWSLETTER SUSSEXSUSSEX MOTH MOTH GROUP GROUP NE NEWSLETTERWSLETTER PagePage135

by Tony Davis Sussex2012 - TheMoth Year Group’s of the new Micro? website I saw some Yarrow growing on the sea wall and had a quick look to see if there were any Yarrow Pug larvae. No Pug larvae but I quickly found three cases in the seed heads. There are In September we were pleased to launch the Sussex Moth Group’s new website which Bob Fore- Until recent years, most people who developed an interest in moths stuck rigidly to the macro- three species of Coleophora which feed on Yarrow but only one feeds on the seed heads (the man has been working tirelessly on for the past few months. If you’ve not had a chance to have a with just a few mad souls taking on the micros. The publication of Barry Goater’s others feeding on the foliage) so identification as Coleophora argentula was easy. look‘British yet, Pyralid check Moths’it out at inwww.sussexmothgroup.org.uk the mid-1980s encouraged many Here’s people a guide to treat to how this it family works…. as ‘honorary macros’ but further exploration of the micros remained the remit of the tiny minority. The rea- Read the species’ Look at pictures to Before I start writing such a blog, I need to know whether anyone is actually interested in reading sons for this are probably two-fold; the expense of obtaining all the books that are necessary for account taken help identify a fromit! If Colinyou think Pratt’s that a blog like this would be useful to you, please email me at moth, and easily identificationStart typing ofin all the the micro’s and the intimidation of the large number of species involved. book, and add upload your own species name and [email protected] so that I can gauge interest. extra details pictures with the Theyou’ll advent be given of web sites such as UKmoths has started to overcome the problem of having to buy yourself if you uploading func- lotssome of choices.expensive books but the spring of 2012 will see the publication of a book that is likely to like, using the tion to share with causeClick aon revolution the one in micro-moth recording. This is the companion to ‘Waring, Lewington and Christmas List ideas….. wiki-style box. others. Townsend’you’d like referredand it to in the spring newsletter. The bits I’ve seen on one of the author’s com- putertakes looked you to very the impressive and the illustrations by Lewington are guaranteed to be superb so relevant webpage. What are the most Written by moth experts Martin Townsend, Jon Clifton and Brian everyone will no doubt be happily identifying the micros in their traps next year!common species Check out Goodey, this guide brings together information on the identifica- However, many micros rarely visit light and are best recorded by looking for theon early the stages, wing atso this time of year? distribution maps tion of difficult macro-moths, beyond what is currently available in how can we improve recording of these in Sussex? I well remember going out in the field with the for different year moth field guides. The softback guide features 72 larger moth late, great Maitland Emmet and the not late, but equally great, John Langmaid during the 1990s. ranges. Have you species (plus their subspecies and forms) with over 130 colour We, (OK, they!) would record 80 – 100 species in an afternoon and my brain would be bleeding! got a new dot for If you know Check out the the map? illustrations. The ring-bound format and protective covers aid its Ifexactly I was lucky what I would remember how to identify one or two species from each session.latest news So, like and all learning,you’re after the bestthen way to do it is ‘little and often’. I am happy to pass on what knowledgeevents. I have use next to a microscope during dissections. Text and images of touse others the quick (and welcome company in the field) but it is unlikely that many members of the moth confusion species have been laid out together for ease of use and groupfinder will tool. be able to join me very often, particularly if they live in the tundra wastes of East Sus- new keys have been designed to aid identification.Look atOrder a phenology a copy chart based on sex! on the BC website: www.butterfly-conservation.org for £17.00 previous Sussex Technology may offer a solution. If members of the group are interested, I couldWhat set up weather a blog is What phase is the (inc. P&P) records. about what I’ve seen and members could then go out coming your moon in at the way? Pick a town moment? Coleophora argentula And for the fashionable moth-er, check out the Norfolk Moths and look for the same species. Inevitably, each blog entry that’s closest to would only refer to a couple of species so there is no you... T-shirt selection on www.norfolkmoths.org.uk £14.60 plus P&P chance of people getting swamped. An example of the Compare similar sort of thing I would produce is: looking species. You Wednesday 5th October 2011 can help link the And for those counting their pennies…. similar species Popped in to Sidlesham late afternoon to look for the together. larval case of Goniodoma limoniella. This relative of the Coleophoras feeds on Sea Lavender and is easy to find on Hayling Island, just over the border in Hampshire, but has not been seen in Sussex since 1890 (Pratt, C.R. 2011. A Complete History of the Butterflies and Moths of Sussex. Volume 1). Despite some helpful advice If you are able to help out with writing up some species statuses we’ve still got lots to do, thanks to from Ivan Lang, I failed to locate any foodplant so I think a visit next year when it’s in flower is in the writers that have helped us get this far! Please contact me for a batch of 30 species to write order. up, this only takes about 2-3 hours and you’d be really helping us out! All you need is a copy of Colin’s latest tome and a computer. Drop me a line if you can help [email protected] Thanks to John Maskell for this picture! Page 124 SUSSEX MOTH GROUP NEWSLETTER SUSSEXSUSSEX MOTH MOTH GROUP GROUP NE NEWSLETTERWSLETTER PagePage135

by Tony Davis Sussex2012 - TheMoth Year Group’s of the new Micro? website I saw some Yarrow growing on the sea wall and had a quick look to see if there were any Yarrow Pug larvae. No Pug larvae but I quickly found three Coleophora cases in the seed heads. There are In September we were pleased to launch the Sussex Moth Group’s new website which Bob Fore- Until recent years, most people who developed an interest in moths stuck rigidly to the macro- three species of Coleophora which feed on Yarrow but only one feeds on the seed heads (the man has been working tirelessly on for the past few months. If you’ve not had a chance to have a lepidoptera with just a few mad souls taking on the micros. The publication of Barry Goater’s others feeding on the foliage) so identification as Coleophora argentula was easy. look‘British yet, Pyralid check Moths’it out at inwww.sussexmothgroup.org.uk the mid-1980s encouraged many Here’s people a guide to treat to how this it family works…. as ‘honorary macros’ but further exploration of the micros remained the remit of the tiny minority. The rea- Read the species’ Look at pictures to Before I start writing such a blog, I need to know whether anyone is actually interested in reading sons for this are probably two-fold; the expense of obtaining all the books that are necessary for account taken help identify a fromit! If Colinyou think Pratt’s that a blog like this would be useful to you, please email me at moth, and easily identificationStart typing ofin all the the micro’s and the intimidation of the large number of species involved. book, and add upload your own species name and [email protected] so that I can gauge interest. extra details pictures with the Theyou’ll advent be given of web sites such as UKmoths has started to overcome the problem of having to buy yourself if you uploading func- lotssome of choices.expensive books but the spring of 2012 will see the publication of a book that is likely to like, using the tion to share with causeClick aon revolution the one in micro-moth recording. This is the companion to ‘Waring, Lewington and Christmas List ideas….. wiki-style box. others. Townsend’you’d like referredand it to in the spring newsletter. The bits I’ve seen on one of the author’s com- putertakes looked you to very the impressive and the illustrations by Lewington are guaranteed to be superb so relevant webpage. What are the most Written by moth experts Martin Townsend, Jon Clifton and Brian everyone will no doubt be happily identifying the micros in their traps next year!common species Check out Goodey, this guide brings together information on the identifica- However, many micros rarely visit light and are best recorded by looking for theon early the stages, wing atso this time of year? distribution maps tion of difficult macro-moths, beyond what is currently available in how can we improve recording of these in Sussex? I well remember going out in the field with the for different year moth field guides. The softback guide features 72 larger moth late, great Maitland Emmet and the not late, but equally great, John Langmaid during the 1990s. ranges. Have you species (plus their subspecies and forms) with over 130 colour We, (OK, they!) would record 80 – 100 species in an afternoon and my brain would be bleeding! got a new dot for If you know Check out the the map? illustrations. The ring-bound format and protective covers aid its Ifexactly I was lucky what I would remember how to identify one or two species from each session.latest news So, like and all learning,you’re after the bestthen way to do it is ‘little and often’. I am happy to pass on what knowledgeevents. I have use next to a microscope during dissections. Text and images of touse others the quick (and welcome company in the field) but it is unlikely that many members of the moth confusion species have been laid out together for ease of use and groupfinder will tool. be able to join me very often, particularly if they live in the tundra wastes of East Sus- new keys have been designed to aid identification.Look atOrder a phenology a copy chart based on sex! on the BC website: www.butterfly-conservation.org for £17.00 previous Sussex Technology may offer a solution. If members of the group are interested, I couldWhat set upweather a blog is What phase is the (inc. P&P) records. about what I’ve seen and members could then go out coming your moon in at the way? Pick a town moment? Coleophora argentula And for the fashionable moth-er, check out the Norfolk Moths and look for the same species. Inevitably, each blog entry that’s closest to would only refer to a couple of species so there is no you... T-shirt selection on www.norfolkmoths.org.uk £14.60 plus P&P chance of people getting swamped. An example of the Compare similar sort of thing I would produce is: looking species. You Wednesday 5th October 2011 can help link the And for those counting their pennies…. similar species Popped in to Sidlesham late afternoon to look for the together. larval case of Goniodoma limoniella. This relative of the Coleophoras feeds on Sea Lavender and is easy to find on Hayling Island, just over the border in Hampshire, but has not been seen in Sussex since 1890 (Pratt, C.R. 2011. A Complete History of the Butterflies and Moths of Sussex. Volume 1). Despite some helpful advice If you are able to help out with writing up some species statuses we’ve still got lots to do, thanks to from Ivan Lang, I failed to locate any foodplant so I think a visit next year when it’s in flower is in the writers that have helped us get this far! Please contact me for a batch of 30 species to write order. up, this only takes about 2-3 hours and you’d be really helping us out! All you need is a copy of Colin’s latest tome and a computer. Drop me a line if you can help [email protected] Thanks to John Maskell for this picture! Page 610 SUSSEX MOTH GROUP NEWSLETTER SUSSEX MOTH GROUP NEWSLETTER PagePage117

Pod Lovers by Graeme Lyons A First for East Sussex by Heather Martin they have happily been for centuries?tapping the bush with my net in the hope it would fly out again. Then, How often do you get to shout ‘Crimson Speckled!!!’? Not very. How often do you initiate a proc- suddenly, I realised I was staring face to face with a Crimson Speck- My favourite flower is the Dog – Rosa canina. Its sturdy, arching, thorn-covered branches th ess that results in over 25 national publications reporting on a moth that you found? Again, I don’t On the 26 June this year I recordedled!!! I another squealed first “Crimson for the Speckled!!!”county. I was Michael standing almost in one ran of ourthrough wood- clamber over and tangle through hedgerows and low-growing trees. When the pale pink blooms think that is likely to happen again anytime soon. Not only that, we actually recorded on tape the land clearings when a tiny, darkthe brown hedge. It was landed my natural on my historyshirt. I couldhighlight have of swiped the year it andoff but such I was a unfurl to exude a delicate, sweet perfume, I know summer has truly arrived. As I stood at the edge exact moment when we discovered all those Flame Brocades! So what on Earth is going on? I’ll tell curious…….it turned out to be strangePlatyrhinus way resinosus to discoveror itScarce too. You Fungus couldn’t Weevil. make it up. of our main woodland ride in May admiring the season’s first , my attention was drawn to a you... small, dark fly resting on one of the heart-shaped petals but when it took off and flew in the un- What else is waiting to be discovered?Upon returning to the office, Michael told a few people at Butterfly mistakeable...A couple of manner months of ago a moth Michael to relocate Blencowe on approached another flower, me to I potted see if I thewanted insect. to Tiny,get involved brown within a Conservation about our discoveries and before you know it they were anpodcast indistinct on wildlife. pale dorsal Having spot a popular– it looked blog very that similar has a tosimilar other approach micro moths to how I had we already wanted recorded. the pod- running with the stories and the press were showing some interest. On Mycast camera to sound struggled was a good to focus starting on a point. subject We with wanted a wingspan something of little that more is lively, than funny, 12mm not but at I allperse- twee, Thursday night it was in the Littlehampton Gazette. On Friday it was in vereda little because sarcastic unable and full to of dissect cultural a moth, references. a clear The photograph third member was my of theonly trio hope is Mat of successful Davidson. identi- He is at least 25 publications, including the Guardian, it was on Radio 4, fication.relatively I newreturned to natural the insect history to itsbut fragrant he is a geniusplatform. with music, computers, special effects and jingle Radio 5, BBC News, ITV News and the Crimson Speckled even got a writing (check out our theme tune!). mention on Autumnwatch. It even went international, featuring on Back at home after lengthy searches through websites and much peering and pondering, an e-mail websites in Africa, Italy and New Zealand and the great Fred Dineage fromSo we Mark decided Parsons that finallythe podcast confirmed would my be sighting about half as indoors and morosa half outdoors– new to and East we Sussex. would How pick himself commented on the beauty of the Crimson Speckled. exciting!a theme eachBut why month. am IMoths credited being with something the initial thatrecord both of Michaelthis moth and in myI had county? in common Why hasn’tand given any-

onethe timefound of it year, before? and the possibility of a rare migrant moth, we chose to cover that topic first. We Speckled Crimson were hoping for a Death’s-head Hawk-moth. We ran two traps at Michael’s house and pretty much Lampronia morosa is a member of the or Yucca moth family which contains some of I urge you to have a listen to the podcast. We don’t have an agenda really, other than to have a the first moth we came across was a Scarce Bordered Straw. the oldest of all moths, most with larvae feeding only on specific parts of one or a few closely re- good laugh and make something that people will engage with.Lampronia It is currently morosa found here: lated plants. It belongs to the genusWe thenLampronia decided– tento leave species the listed traps by for UK a whileMoths, and seven head in down Colin to http://thenaturalhistoryofsussex.blogspot.com/2011/10/episode-one-farewell-and-adieu.html Pratt’s ‘A Complete History of thethe Butterflies coast to doand some Moths torching. of Sussex’. Bear I inhave mind discovered that we are that recording detail is limited to the insect’s size, appearanceall the time.and the It didn’t fact it take is considered long before uncommon we caught in another woodland Flame or scrub habitat. The eggs are believedBrocade to be (Michael laid inside had the caught flowers one of two several nights species prior atof hisRosa home).. Late instar larvae feed within young roseThen shoots, we saw pupation another, occurring and another in the and feeding another. gallery Numbers followed soon by Early Sightings by David Webb Flame Brocade Flame the emergence of the adult in earlywent summer. up into So,double in common figures. withMat’s several editing other on this micro section moths of theI have I found that the early warm spell in March and April brought some earlier than usual moth sightings. observed in our wood, only limitedpodcast study is has perhaps been carriedfor me theout funnieston this species and most nationally. exciting part of it. The first was the sighting of a Humming-bird Hawk-moth flying around the heathers in my garden at Three grown men reduced to excited squealing children. At one Drab colouration combined with minute size does not tend to attract attention or encourage en- Partridge Green (TQ191192) on 24th March. It stayed around Partridge Green for a week, being point I even got hit in the face by a Flame Brocade. thusiasm. Wild roses grow in profusion along field edges and roadside verges in Sussex, but if I seen most often along the South Downs Way off Lock Lane in Partridge Green flying up and down initially mistook the moth for a smallI don’t fly think so might we really many understood others whose the priority significance is an appreciationof this find at of the nettles. Then it disappeared, the next sighting not to be until 25th July. the blooms. Even if it is spotted, theobtaining time but a clearly I’ll get focusedto that later. photograph We headed using back a pocket to the camera traps in or mobile phone on such a minute thesubject morning is not and easy we and were with all no glad popular to see field our firstguide ever available Ni Moth at and On the 13th April, 27 Brimstone moths came to my light trap, the most seen at any one time. On presenta handful against of other which interesting to check migrants. the image, The identification next night over is not 20 goingFlame to Brocades be straightforward. were seen and Add to 18th April a Double-striped Pug appeared, not usually out until May and also on the same night a thisdiscussions the possibility began tothat be the had moth, regarding like many whether micros, this iswas so ansimilar established to other breeding family members colony or it not. neces- It Maiden’s Blush, again, usually a May moth. The biggest surprise however was the capture of a Coro- sitatescould be dissection but I’m cautious to tell them about apart saying and it it is is for little sure wonder until we there have are solid few evidence. people who specialise in net on 24th April not usually seen until June, a very early sighting for me of this species. On 9th May the identification of these tiny . It seems a rare thing that such a discovery was actually recorded live as it happened. I usually find Michael knew a chap that lived nearby so we took four traps down the following night and had a Common Wainscot and three Yellow Underwings appeared earlier than their usual June appear- listening back to TV and radio interviews makes me cringe but I actually enjoyed this. As one friend Ianother also believe go. The the wind chance really of beingpicked in up the and right it was place looking at the a right little time unsuitable. plays a Thesignificant next morning part in thewe ance. Has any one else found that many moths have appeared earlier than usual this year and can it recordingwent to empty of creatures the traps who and tend was to surprised have secretive to find lifequite cycles, a haul, developing albeit mostly inside outside plants, the rotting traps. besaid put ‘it down sounds to verythe reallynatural warm and springwas like we three had? friends having a laugh down the pub’. Someone else woodThere orwere under about bark six for Vestals, example, another away six from Flame prying Brocades, eyes. To two witness Convolvulus them emerging Hawk-moths, and flying another as said ‘better than Autumnwatch’. Anyway, it looks that 2011 is going to be the best moth migration adultsNi Moth, in theirtwo Scarcenatural Bordered environment Straws involves and sitting perfect in thesynchronisation grass a beautiful of timing!Palpita vitrealis which was year since 2006 in some counties. Does this mean I will finally get to see a Clifden Nonpareil? By the a new one for me. After we had packed up I was trying to take a photo of the vitrealis when it flew How many small, dark-coloured, indistinctly patterned insects are classified as ‘rare’, ‘scarce’ or time you read this it will probably all be over for another year but I hope you managed to see a nice off! Disaster. It flew over a wall and seemed to go down in a hedge. I legged it round and started ‘uncommon’ when they might possibly just be ‘under-recorded’ living out their lives undetected as rare migrant or two. Page 106 SUSSEX MOTH GROUP NEWSLETTER SUSSEX MOTH GROUP NEWSLETTER PagePage117

Pod Lovers by Graeme Lyons A First for East Sussex by Heather Martin they have happily been for centuries?tapping the bush with my net in the hope it would fly out again. Then, How often do you get to shout ‘Crimson Speckled!!!’? Not very. How often do you initiate a proc- suddenly, I realised I was staring face to face with a Crimson Speck- My favourite flower is the Dog Rose – Rosa canina. Its sturdy, arching, thorn-covered branches th ess that results in over 25 national publications reporting on a moth that you found? Again, I don’t On the 26 June this year I recordedled!!! I anothersquealed first “Crimson for the Speckled!!!”county. I was Michael standing almost in one ran of throughour wood- clamber over and tangle through hedgerows and low-growing trees. When the pale pink blooms think that is likely to happen again anytime soon. Not only that, we actually recorded on tape the land clearings when a tiny, darkthe brown hedge. insect It was landed my natural on my historyshirt. I couldhighlight have of swiped the year it andoff but such I was a unfurl to exude a delicate, sweet perfume, I know summer has truly arrived. As I stood at the edge exact moment when we discovered all those Flame Brocades! So what on Earth is going on? I’ll tell curious…….it turned out to be strangePlatyrhinus way resinosus to discoveror itScarce too. You Fungus couldn’t Weevil. make it up. of our main woodland ride in May admiring the season’s first roses, my attention was drawn to a you... small, dark fly resting on one of the heart-shaped petals but when it took off and flew in the un- What else is waiting to be discovered?Upon returning to the office, Michael told a few people at Butterfly ...Amistakeable couple of manner months of ago a moth Michael to relocate Blencowe on approached another flower, me to I potted see if I thewanted insect. to Tiny,get involved brown within a Conservation about our discoveries and before you know it they were podcastan indistinct on wildlife. pale dorsal Having spot a popular– it looked blog very that similar has a tosimilar other approach micro moths to how I had we already wanted recorded. the pod- running with the stories and the press were showing some interest. On castMy camera to sound struggled was a good to focus starting on apoint. subject We with wanted a wingspan something of little that more is lively, than funny, 12mm not but at I allperse- twee, Thursday night it was in the Littlehampton Gazette. On Friday it was in avered little because sarcastic unable and full to of dissect cultural a moth,references. a clear The photograph third member was myof theonly trio hope is Mat of successful Davidson. identi- He is at least 25 publications, including the Guardian, it was on Radio 4, relativelyfication. I newreturned to natural the insect history to itsbut fragrant he is a geniusplatform. with music, computers, special effects and jingle Radio 5, BBC News, ITV News and the Crimson Speckled even got a writing (check out our theme tune!). mention on Autumnwatch. It even went international, featuring on Back at home after lengthy searches through websites and much peering and pondering, an e-mail websites in Africa, Italy and New Zealand and the great Fred Dineage Sofrom we Mark decided Parsons that thefinally podcast confirmed would my be sighting about half as Lampronia indoors and morosa half outdoors– new to and East we Sussex. would How pick himself commented on the beauty of the Crimson Speckled. aexciting! theme eachBut why month. am IMoths credited being with something the initial thatrecord both of Michaelthis moth and in myI had county? in common Why hasn’tand given any-

theone timefound of it year, before? and the possibility of a rare migrant moth, we chose to cover that topic first. We Speckled Crimson were hoping for a Death’s-head Hawk-moth. We ran two traps at Michael’s house and pretty much Lampronia morosa is a member of the Prodoxidae or Yucca moth family which contains some of I urge you to have a listen to the podcast. We don’t have an agenda really, other than to have a the first moth we came across was a Scarce Bordered Straw. the oldest of all moths, most with larvae feeding only on specific parts of one or a few closely re- good laugh and make something that people will engage with.Lampronia It is currently morosa found here: lated plants. It belongs to the genusWe thenLampronia decided– tento leave species the listed traps by for UK a whileMoths, and seven head in down Colin to http://thenaturalhistoryofsussex.blogspot.com/2011/10/episode-one-farewell-and-adieu.html Pratt’s ‘A Complete History of thethe Butterflies coast to do and some Moths torching. of Sussex’. Bear I inhave mind discovered that we are that recording detail is limited to the insect’s size, appearanceall the time.and the It didn’t fact it take is considered long before uncommon we caught in another woodland Flame or scrub habitat. The eggs are believedBrocade to be (Michael laid inside had the caught flowers one of two several nights species prior atof hisRosa home).. Late instar larvae feed within young roseThen shoots, we saw pupation another, occurring and another in the and feeding another. gallery Numbers followed soon by Early Sightings by David Webb Flame Brocade Flame the emergence of the adult in earlywent summer. up into So,double in common figures. withMat’s several editing other on this micro section moths of theI have I found that the early warm spell in March and April brought some earlier than usual moth sightings. observed in our wood, only limitedpodcast study is has perhaps been carriedfor me theout funnieston this species and most nationally. exciting part of it. The first was the sighting of a Humming-bird Hawk-moth flying around the heathers in my garden at Three grown men reduced to excited squealing children. At one Drab colouration combined with minute size does not tend to attract attention or encourage en- Partridge Green (TQ191192) on 24th March. It stayed around Partridge Green for a week, being point I even got hit in the face by a Flame Brocade. thusiasm. Wild roses grow in profusion along field edges and roadside verges in Sussex, but if I seen most often along the South Downs Way off Lock Lane in Partridge Green flying up and down initially mistook the moth for a smallI don’t fly think so might we really many understood others whose the priority significance is an appreciationof this find at of the nettles. Then it disappeared, the next sighting not to be until 25th July. the blooms. Even if it is spotted, theobtaining time but a clearly I’ll get focusedto that later. photograph We headed using back a pocket to the camera traps in or mobile phone on such a minute thesubject morning is not and easy we and were with all no glad popular to see field our firstguide ever available Ni Moth at and On the 13th April, 27 Brimstone moths came to my light trap, the most seen at any one time. On apresent handful against of other which interesting to check migrants. the image, The identification next night over is not 20 goingFlame to Brocades be straightforward. were seen and Add to 18th April a Double-striped Pug appeared, not usually out until May and also on the same night a discussionsthis the possibility began tothat be the had moth, regarding like many whether micros, this iswas so ansimilar established to other breeding family members colony or it not. neces- It Maiden’s Blush, again, usually a May moth. The biggest surprise however was the capture of a Coro- couldsitates be dissection but I’m cautious to tell them about apart saying and it it is is for little sure wonder until we there have are solid few evidence. people who specialise in net on 24th April not usually seen until June, a very early sighting for me of this species. On 9th May the identification of these tiny insects. It seems a rare thing that such a discovery was actually recorded live as it happened. I usually find Michael knew a chap that lived nearby so we took four traps down the following night and had a Common Wainscot and three Yellow Underwings appeared earlier than their usual June appear- listening back to TV and radio interviews makes me cringe but I actually enjoyed this. As one friend anotherI also believe go. The the wind chance really of beingpicked in up the and right it was place looking at the a right little time unsuitable. plays a Thesignificant next morning part in thewe ance. Has any one else found that many moths have appeared earlier than usual this year and can it wentrecording to empty of creatures the traps who and tend was to surprised have secretive to find lifequite cycles, a haul, developing albeit mostly inside outside plants, the rotting traps. besaid put ‘it down sounds to very the reallynatural warm and springwas like we three had? friends having a laugh down the pub’. Someone else Therewood orwere under about bark six for Vestals, example, another away six from Flame prying Brocades, eyes. To two witness Convolvulus them emerging Hawk-moths, and flying another as said ‘better than Autumnwatch’. Anyway, it looks that 2011 is going to be the best moth migration Niadults Moth, in theirtwo Scarce natural Bordered environment Straws involves and sitting perfect in the synchronisation grass a beautiful of timing!Palpita vitrealis which was year since 2006 in some counties. Does this mean I will finally get to see a Clifden Nonpareil? By the a new one for me. After we had packed up I was trying to take a photo of the vitrealis when it flew How many small, dark-coloured, indistinctly patterned insects are classified as ‘rare’, ‘scarce’ or time you read this it will probably all be over for another year but I hope you managed to see a nice off! Disaster. It flew over a wall and seemed to go down in a hedge. I legged it round and started ‘uncommon’ when they might possibly just be ‘under-recorded’ living out their lives undetected as rare migrant or two. Page 8 SUSSEX MOTH GROUP NEWSLETTER SUSSEX MOTH GROUP NEWSLETTER Page 9

Kingstanding Moth-trapping by Dennis Dey Moths Count update (taken from the Moths Count newsletter)

Steve Wheatley called to say that he was going to do some more moth-trapping up at his site at The climax of the first four years of the Kingstanding on the Ashdown Forest. Could I make it, he asked? No contest! This was to be our Moths Count project was undoubtedly the ninth session there since we started in July 2004. publication of the Provisional Atlas of the UK’s Larger Moths. The first print run sold When I arrived Keith Alexander and two other members were already there. Four traps were set out in a matter of weeks. However, it is up; two in the bunker area, as last year, and two out on the open heath. Soon after dark we heard back in print and available NOW! This a Nightjar churring as the traps were lit. That done, you’ve guessed it, we went to the gatehouse landmark production is a compilation of for the traditional tea and biscuits (thank you Steve). years of recording and survey effort by the We didn’t have a target species, although I hoped for Barred Chestnut - the one we failed to get in UK moth recording community. It is a August 2009. We missed it again and this time I reckon we were too early. It was an almost perfect great achievement to be able to publish night again, as it was last year. We were taken up to the traps by car this time...so easy! the first up-to-date maps in 30 years for 868 macro-moth species. The maps for the By the time we left at around 02:00 or so we counted 93 species of macros, 15 pyralids and Steve Geometridae (over 300 species) are the identified 12 species of micros but there were many more of the latter. As last year, there is never first ever to be published for the UK! an expert micro-lepidopterist like John Radford around when you need one! Moths of interest were:- True-lovers Knot (48), Antler (6), Beautiful Yellow Underwing (7) - a very pretty little moth - Small The maps were generated from the Na- Seraphim, Plain Wave, Ear Moth (7), Satin Lutestring (3), Sallow Kitten (2), Chevron (3), Double- tional Moth Recording Scheme (NMRS) kidney (1), Scalloped Shell (1), Small Rivulet (1), Large Emerald (1), Sharp-angled Carpet (1), Sus- database which, at the time, held 11.3 pected (1), Olive (1), Grass Emerald (1), Hedge Rustic (1), Treble-bar (1) - big and boldly marked, million moth records from all UK vice- and Lesser Treble-bar (23 at least). counties plus the Channel Islands and Isle of Man. We hope that it is exciting and Steve had pointed out to me an aberration of the latter moth, something that Colin Pratt was in- rewarding, as well as useful, for individual terested in, but we failed to make a count. Sorry Colin, can’t get the staff! moth recorders to see their records in a Only three species of Hawk-moths came, but included the only resident species we didn’t catch national context. last year in July - a single Pine Hawk-moth.

Back at the gatehouse, Steve and I released a Large Skipper that had become tangled up in spider A note from Penny Green, SxBRC: webs. It had come to a lit window. How long it had been there we don’t know, but it wasn’t there when we’d set out earlier. We managed to digitise and send off 260,000 macro moth records for Sussex. If you’ve noticed that your records aren’t in the atlas, or on our new Sussex Moth Group website, then please do Another enjoyable night up on the Ashdown Forest and I’d like to thank Steve and Keith for coming drop me a line as it means that they’re not in the Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre database. We along. welcome all records, whether they’re in notebooks, on spreadsheets or in MapMate, and we wel- come all historic records. Don’t worry if you’ve not got around to sending your records to Colin previously, I’ll filter back all moth records sent in to the SxBRC to Colin at the end of the year, and I’m not suggesting that you send them to me only, Colin should always be the first port of call. It would be great to get your records into the system so that when the Atlas ‘proper’ is published we will have a complete picture for Sussex. I’d be very happy to hear from you: c/o Woods Mill, Henfield, West Sussex, BN5 9SD. [email protected] or 01273 497521.

Pine Hawk-moth by Dave Green