MONMOUTHSHIRE MOTH & BUTTERFLY GROUP
NEWSLETTER No 88 December 2012.
A monthly newsletter covering Gwent and Monmouthshire Vice County 35
Editor: Martin Anthoney
Review of the Year 2012
And the year started so well……2012 started as 2011 finished, producing one of the warmest and driest winters and early springs on record, with only two or three days of snow in early February. This unseasonal weather produced many very early emergences, with 3 butterflies and 12 macro moths having their earliest ever dates, and a total of 11 butterfly and 41 macro-moth species being seen by the end of March, also a new record. With talk of drought and footpaths firm and easy to walk, little did we know of the deluge that awaited us during the rest of the year. The rot set in during April, with days which were cool with heavy showers or longer periods of rain, frequently clearing to cold, clear nights, poor for both butterflies and moths. It reflected the weather accurately that no new butterfly species were added to the 2012 list during April.
A misbehaving Jet Stream ensured that the pattern of well-above-average rainfall and below-average temperatures continued throughout the year, with summer limited to the last twelve days of May, when a short- lived heatwave took temperatures up to 29oC, and a few clusters of two to three warm days during late July and early August. With the wettest summer in Britain for 100 years followed by widespread flooding in the autumn, it is no surprise 2012 was a poor year for butterflies and moths. Despite frequent strong winds, conditions were rarely favourable for immigrants to supplement our home-grown lepidoptera , though an influx during the weekend of 18th-21st August brought welcome additions to the species list and a boost to the numbers of some common species.
By early December, 381 species of macromoth have been recorded for Gwent in 2012 compared to 436 in 2011. The corresponding butterfly figures are 33 species for 2012 compared to 37 species in 2011. The most apt word I have heard to describe the 2012 lepidoptera year is “rotten”. Certainly, I have been recording butterflies and moths for fifty years now and I cannot recall a poorer year. Still, it is nearly over now and we can only hope for a better 2013. The worry, though, is what cumulative adverse effects is our sequence of poor summers having on lepidoptera?
Butterflies January and February produced a number of sightings of Red Admiral and Small Tortoiseshell, and by the end of March the butterfly count had risen to eleven species. The less said about April the better, with no new additions. The first Grizzled and Dingy Skippers appeared in the second week of May, but numbers increased only slowly to reach a peak in the mini-heatwave at the end of May. The same warm spell also saw numbers peak at reasonable levels for Marsh Fritillary, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Small Heath, but few Green Hairstreak were reported and Common Blue was scarce throughout the year.
Over the summer months numbers of most species were low, and not helped by the Forestry Commission cutting many miles of forest ride verges at the height of the Meadow Brown/ Ringlet/ Skipper season, decimating the butterfly population using them. A mere two White Admiral records heightens the fears of losing this fine butterfly from the county, but Silver-washed Fritillary had a reasonable season despite the weather.
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Late July and August provided a few crumbs of comfort. The discovery of two more Essex Skipper colonies at the new Gwent Wildlife Trust reserve, Barecroft Common, and near Llandegfedd Reservoir shows this species is continuing its slow expansion since it was first found in the county in 2000.
Essex Skipper
A few Painted Ladies were sighted in the south and east of the county following the immigration at the end of August, but more spectacular was the abundance of Small Tortoiseshell, with counts of over sixty per hundred metres in parts of the coastal belt. In contrast, Peacocks were few and far between. Late August and early September also produced several second generation records of Brown Argus in sheltered sites near the coast.
Butterflies decreased through October and virtually disappeared by November and December – hardly a surprise in view of the weather. Next spring cannot come soon enough…….
Moths Similar to the butterflies, many of the spring species appeared in the first three months of 2012. The highlights were probably two more Small Brindled Beauties, which reappeared in 2011 after an absence of thirty years, and Dotted Chestnut which seems to be increasing its range. In April, larval searches confirmed Silurian breeding in the central section of the Hatterall Ridge where a new second colony had been discovered in July 2011.
Like their butterfly counterparts, day-flying moths had a poor year. Though six Drab Loopers were seen at MoD Caerwent in the second week of May, they could not be found at six of the nine sites where they were flying in 2011. One bonus was the reappearance of Forester moths at a known site after no sightings in the county for eight years.
One macro-moth was added to the county list in 2012. In July, Brussels Lace, (Cleorodes lichenaria), a lichen feeder which occurs in surrounding counties but mysteriously had never occurred in Gwent, finally turned up to light on the coast at Newport Wetlands Reserve. A second species caught at the same location, Birch Mocha, was almost as good as a new species since the only previous record was 1892, and there were several interesting records of infrequent species. After the first county record last year, another L-album Wainscot supports the hypothesis that it is now resident in Gwent, and Brown-tail for a third successive year confirms its resident status. Two White Satin in Newport and an Annulet in Risca were each the first county record for five years. Surprisingly, a Dark Spectacle at Ochrwyth was only the fourth county record in thirty years and a Privet Hawk caterpillar in September was the first record of this species for forty years.
Small Ranunculus is a species which is spreading rapidly in the UK. August larval searches on prickly lettuce were successful at Caldicot and Chepstow, so the species is now known to be established all along the
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Severn estuary from Gloucester to Cardiff. Interestingly, we were unable to find any larvae on clumps of the foodplant around Monmouth.
2012 was a poor year for immigration. An early Humming-bird Hawk on 11th March raised hopes, but it was five months before the second and only other sighting of the year. A Bordered Straw at Risca on16th June, White-point on 11th July in Newport and Vestal at Rogerstone on 21st August were the only significant immigrant records.
The micro-moths fared as badly as their big(?) brothers. In May a few Eucosma aspidiscana flying in an area with plenty of goldenrod (Solidago) at Slade Wood constituted a new species for VC35. An Acleris specimen photographed at Undy in July was either Acleris kochiella or Acleris logiana, either of which would be new to the county, while in August Assara terebrella at Penallt and Sitochroa palealis at Lamby Tip, Cardiff, provided two new Pyralids for VC35 in just over a week.
Martin Anthoney
Gwent Distribution Maps Accompanying this newsletter is a file containing the distribution maps for Gwent butterflies. Plotted on a 2km basis, black squares indicate records for 2000 onwards, whereas open squares indicate sites where pre- 2000 records exist but no post-2000 records. Historical records which were too vague to be assigned at the 2km level have been omitted. Corresponding macro-moth records will follow in batches with next year’s newsletters. Martin Anthoney
Monmouthshire Moth & Butterfly Group 2012 AGM
Report of our AGM held on 16th November 2012 at the Three Salmons Hotel, Usk. It had been eight years since the last AGM!
Nine members attended the AGM and there were six apologies. The turnout was slightly better than that for the Police Commissioners elections which took place the day before! The meeting was also competing with the Wales v Samoa rugby match, something we were glad we missed. Martin sends out the Silurian newsletter to 80 people by e-mail and Kevin sends out 6 by post. The National Library of Wales (Aberystwyth) had contacted Martin and he had sent them the complete set of Silurians and added them to the normal e-mail distribution list. Kevin thanked Martin for all his work as County Lepidoptera Recorder and for his excellent production of the Silurian. The meeting gave Martin a round of applause as appreciation.
Finance: – Sheila Dupé presented the accounts. Income since 2003 was £1069.63. This included £500 from the Dr Neil Horton legacy, income from 3 paid surveys, donations and £67 in interest. Expenditure was £450 for a Silurian moth larval survey, £223 postage for the newsletter, £50 room hire for the AGM and £10 donation to Glamorgan Moth Recording Group in lieu of David Slade’s speaker’s expenses. The balance is £330.81. Kevin said that although we had a healthy bank balance, we have not done any paid survey work for many years and we needed to look at some income generation. He suggested that we produce some sweat-shirts and T-shirts with the Silurian logo for sale to members. He agreed to look into this and to ask for pre-orders in the Silurian. Election of Officers: – all officers were willing to carry on (unless anybody else wanted to stand!) and they were all re-elected unopposed.
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Any other business: – Kevin asked if anybody knew of a free or cheaper venue for our next AGM. Magor Marsh was suggested, but Kevin wanted somewhere more central to the county. Goytre Village Hall was suggested. Kevin asked for suggestions for a National Moth Night event and it was agreed to trap at Magor Marsh if this fitted in with the yet-to-be-announced theme for NMN 2013. Fiona asked if there could be more informal moth trapping sessions for members to attend. Problems with this were parking, weather and short notice. Bob Roome suggested Llandegfedd Reservoir as a location. Roger suggested contacting the Local BAP officers to ask for locations.
David Slade (SEWBREC), Glamorgan County Lepidoptera Recorder, then gave a talk on The Smaller Moths of South East Wales. Unfortunately, due to software incompatibility problems, David was unable to show his prepared photos and distribution maps. However, he was still able to give a fascinating presentation using photos and maps on Martin’s laptop. He certainly wetted the appetite for searching for several micro moth species in Monmouthshire. There is a link to David’s intended presentation on the Gwent Mothing website http://gwentmothing.blogspot.co.uk
There followed a short presentation on Some Distribution Maps of Lepidoptera in Monmouthshire by Martin Anthoney, County Macro-Lepidoptera Recorder for Monmouthshire. Martin’s presentation highlighted the need for some targeted recording in the county to infill some blank squares with few or no records of Lepidoptera. One area which stood out was the River Monnow area in the north-east of the county and the Blackrock area in the south-east.
Martin said that he intended to publish up-to-date distribution maps in the next few issues of the Silurian. The format would be six maps per sheet of A4. Kevin suggested that they could all be put on the Gwent Mothing website for people to view and down-load. Gwent Mothing Blog website:- http://gwentmothing.blogspot.co.uk Unfortunately,due to unforeseen circumstances Richard Clarke, who set up the website, was unable to attend the meeting. Kevin said that he had been sceptical about Blogs at first, but he had really enjoyed posting on the Blog. It had given him a renewed interest in photographing moths. Roger pointed out that posting records on the Blog was no substitute for sending records to the county recorder. Kevin Dupé
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Recent Highlights
Low pressure weather systems are very aptly named “depressions”, if only for the state of mind they induce. October and November produced an almost unending state of depression, with cold, windy and extremely wet weather. Apart from one or two mild nights, the numbers of moths and butterflies reported were miniscule, and one can only fear for the effect countrywide flooding will have on next year’s supply of lepidoptera. Most butterflies, moths and their early stages have not evolved to live underwater.
8th Oct Clouded Magpie (by almost a month a new county latest date), Large Ranunculus and Frosted Orange to light at Risca. (Martin Anthoney)
20th Oct Figure of Eight at Undy. A much decreased species, now mostly confined to the coastal area. (Keith Jones)
Figure of Eight
21st Oct Merveille du Jour to light at Newport (Melbourne Way) (Roger James)
13th Nov December Moth and Pale November Moth at Risca (Martin Anthoney)
14th Nov Streak to light at Risca. This seems to be a very under-recorded species. Of only eleven county records since 2000, six have been from this site. (Martin Anthoney)
20th Nov Pale Brindled Beauty, Mottled Umber and Brick to light at Rassau. (Rodney Morris) Pale Brindled Beauty, though normally an early spring species, is turning up with increasing frequency in November and December.
21st Nov Scarce Umber to light at Risca. (Martin Anthoney)
22nd Nov Sprawler, Satellite and Cypress Carpet amongst an impressive twenty macro species to light at Melbourne Way, Newport. (Roger James)
Newport Report Again a very poor couple of months blighted by unsuitable weather. The highlight for me was on 22nd November when I recorded twenty species including the latest date on record for Brimstone Moth in Newport. 1st Oct St Brides Large Wainscot
3rd Oct Melbourne Way Green-brindled Crescent
17th Oct Melbourne Way Black Rustic, Yellow-line Quaker
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21st Oct Melbourne Way Merveille du Jour, Feathered Thorn
7th Nov Melbourne Way Mottled Umber
22nd Nov Melbourne Way Sprawler – only the second Newport site from which this species has been recorded, the first being my old house at Summerhill Ave.
At this time of year I take the opportunity to thank all who have contributed to my Newport reports and look forward to your records for 2013. Whilst we have had one of the poorest years ever and may look back to balmy summers with fondness, we must remember that as recorders we can only note the lepidoptera that actually occur. I would suggest a motto from Cicero for all moth-ers: “dum spiro, spero” (while I breathe I hope!)
My thanks as always to the recorders: Melbourne Way Roger James St Brides Diana Westmoreland and John Morgan.
Roger James
Dates for your Diary 2013
Sunday 27th January 2013 Habitat management in Blackrock Quarry, Clydach Work task at Blackrock Quarry, Clydach, in conjunction with Usk Conservation and Environment Group, clearing cotoneaster from this important lepidoptera site with superb views. Tools provided, but bring lunch, drinks etc. Meet at 10am at the lay-by adjacent to the old lime kilns (SO215125). [ Head east along the A465 Heads of the Valleys road from the Brynmawr roundabout. After 1½ miles take the left turn for Clydach Village. Continue along Main Road through Clydach village and the lay- by is then on your right.] Contact: Martin Anthoney, 01633 612272
Saturday 9th February Gwent Biodiversity Recorders Forum at Greenmeadow Farm, Torfaen. If you are interested in attending and have not received notification, please contact SEWBReC at 02920 641110 or [email protected]
Sunday 10th March 2013 Habitat management at Hendre Wood. Meet at Old Lodge entrance at Hendre Woods (S0 462146), on the B4233 Rockfield Road from Monmouth, at 11:00 - 15:00. Bring lunch, warm drinks, appropriate clothing, footwear and hand tools. The task will be clearing cut rideside vegetation to encourage germination of Wood Spurge, larval foodplant of Drab Looper.
Saturday 13th April, 2013 onwards Surveys for Silurian Moth Larvae, Monmouthshire Butterfly Conservation (Wales) will be carrying out further surveys for caterpillars of the Silurian Moth at its two known UK sites: Cwmtillery and Hatterrall Ridge (Black Mountains). This will involve using torches to search the moorland vegetation for larvae feeding on Bilberry shoots. We will meet at dusk and walk from nearest parking places to the survey sites (often a steep climb) where we will spend around two hours searching for larvae. Warm and waterproof clothing are essential as well as a good torch; a warm drink is also a good idea. Dates are liable to change depending on weather and will be finalised nearer the time. If you are interested please contact George Tordoff (01792 642972) or
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Friday 28th June – Tuesday 2nd July, 2013 Silurian Moth Trapping, Black Mountains Dave Grundy (West Midlands) will be organising several nights of moth trapping for Silurians on the Hatterrall Ridge, Black Mountains. Trapping will require staying out all night as Silurians do not come to light until late in the night. The ridge is very exposed and warm and waterproof clothing are essential. A vehicle may be available to transport equipment and trappers to the ridge; if not then a steep climb will be required from a car park in the valley. Dates are liable to change depending on weather and will be finalised nearer the time. If you are interested, please contact Dave Grundy via email
Thursday 8th Aug to Sat 10th Aug National Moth Night 2013. Moth trapping sessions will be organised, date(s) and venue(s) to be announced.
Saturday 19th October Butterfly Conservation (S Wales Branch) AGM and Members’ Day.
Next Issue of The Silurian The first issue of the Silurian newsletter for 2013 will appear in February or March, depending on records submitted. In the meantime, season’s greetings to everyone.
MMBG – Contact Names and Addresses.
Secretary: Kevin Dupé Chairman: Roger James 44 Gaer Park Lane 44 Melbourne Way Newport Newport NP20 3NE NP20 3RF
Phone 01633 216599 Phone 01633 263374 e-mail [email protected] e-mail [email protected] or in case of problems [email protected]
Treasurer: Sheila Dupé 18 Haisbro Avenue Newport NP19 7HY Phone 01633 256475
Newsletter Editor & Recorder for Recorder for Micro Moths Butterflies & Macro Moths Sam Bosanquet Martin Anthoney Dingestow Court 23 Malvern Close Monmouth Risca Monmouthshire Newport NP25 4DY NP11 6QY Phone 01633 612272 e-mail [email protected] e-mail [email protected]
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