& BUTTERFLY GROUP NEWSLETTER ISSUE No.5 SEPTEMBER 2006

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

INTRODUCTION

This is the 5th newsletter of the VC44 Moth & Butterfly Group. In this edition you will find the moth highlights from September 2006 as well as a number of articles which I hope are informative and interesting. September 2006 must go down as one of the best periods of immigration ever recorded in Britain. Throughout the month wave upon wave of migrants from the south arrived, often in unprecedented numbers. However, coastal areas of England got the lion’s share with far smaller numbers reaching . And those that did, it seems, preferred to drop on The Gower rather than push that little bit further into our county. By comparison to The Gower’s impressive lists, we scored poorly. However, we never do well for migrants by comparison with truly coastal counties so by our very modest standards, we did have a record breaking season. As well as the migrants there were also a few notable records of our rarer native , as well as a whole host of sightings of species outside their normal flight times. Some of these will be abnormal late emergences, whilst others will be unusual second broods – it is often impossible to know. I will review these in the next bulletin. Ian Morgan has kindly written a piece on and the related that might be encountered in the county. I also include the results (so far received) of National Moth Night efforts within the county.

Convolvulus Hawk-moth Agrius convolvuli (photo: Julian Wormald) NATIONAL MOTH NIGHT - 23rd SEPTEMBER 2006

The event was held this year on the exact same date as NMN in 2000, which will be interesting to compare when the full national results are in. The weather for much of the country was far from ideal, and Carmarthenshire had wind, rain and thunder to contend with. The official NMN event was held at Keepers in Forest, hosted by Fay Sharpley and Martin Lovell. It was well attended by interested members of the public, and though the moth count was not extraordinary, hopefully it might have inspired interest in some new people. Elsewhere traps were run north of by Melanie Collier, at Pwll and by Ian Morgan, and at Rhydcymerau by Julian Wormald and Martin Lovell. Sam Bosanquet visited several sites in the coastal southwest of the county, while I did Forest, Pembrey Dunes, , and Trawsmawr. Many thanks to everyone for finding the time, and persisting despite the horrible weather.

The actual results were excellent. The total number of species recorded was 81, which comprised 16 species of micro-moth, a butterfly (to MV) and 64 species of macro- moth. Two new species of macro-moth were added to the county list, and there were records of several other scarce species and migrants. Below is a table summarising the results. The totals are not precise, as some sites did not report counts – in those instances I have had to assume 1+ and reflect that in the total.

No. SCIENTIFIC NAME ENGLISH NAME SITES TOTAL 449 Prays fraxinella Micro 1 1 460 Ypsolopha parenthesella Micro 1 6 464 Pl u t ella xylostella Diamond-backed Moth 1 1 688 Agonopterix heracliana Oecophorid 1 1 Agonopterix nervosa Oecophorid 1 2 706 977 Archips podana Tortricid 1 2 Epiphyas postvittana Tortricid 2 4 998 1038 Acleris laterana Tortricid 2 3 1042 Acleris rhombana Tortricid 2 5 1062 Acleris emargana Tortricid 2 2 1309 Agriphila genic ulea Pyralid 1 1 1344 Eudoni a mercu r ella Pyralid 1 1 1397 Mecyna asinalis Pyralid 1 1 1398 Nomophila no ctu e lla Rush Veneer 10 32 1413 Hypsopygia costalis Gold Triangle 2 2 1425 Galleria mellonella Wax Moth 1 1 1524 Emmelina monodactyla Plume Moth 2 2 1590 Vanessa atalanta Red Admiral 1 1 1702 Idaea biselata Small Fan-footed Wave 2 2 1716 Rhodometra sacr aria Vestal 2 2 1728 Xanthorhoe fluctuata Garden Carpet 1 1 1751 Lampropteryx otregiata Devon Carpet 1 1 1752 Cosmorhoe ocellata Purple Bar 1 1 1755 Eulithis testata Chevron 1 1 1760 Chloroclysta siterata Red-green Carpet 1 1+ 1764 Chloroclysta truncata Common Marbled Carpet 12 33+ 1767 Thera firmata Pine Carpet 1 1 1768 Thera obeliscata Grey Pine Carpet 1 1 1769 Thera britannica Spruce Carpet 3 5+ 1776 Colostygia pectinataria Green Carpet 7 10+ 1777 Hydriomena furcata July Highflyer 1 1 1862 Gymnoscelis rufifasciata Double-striped Pug 1 1 1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 6 6+ 1913 Ennomos alniaria Canary-shouldered Thorn 1 1 1914 Ennomos fuscantaria Dusky Thorn 3 4 1915 Ennomos erosari a September Thorn 1 1 2030 Euproctis similis Yellow-tail 1 2 2085 Agrotis vestigialis Archer's Dart 1 1 2087 Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth 4 10+ 2091 Agrotis ipsilon Dark Sword Grass 5 16+ 2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 3 4 2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing 2 2 2117 Eugnorisma glareosa Autumnal Rustic 7 58+ 2119 Peridroma saucia Pearly Underwing 2 11 2123 Diarsia rubi Small Square-spot 1 1 2126 Xestia c-ni grum Setaceous Hebrew Character 7 17+ 2134 Xestia xanthographa Square-spot Rustic 9 95+ 2195 Mythimna vitellina Delicate 1 1 2198 Mythimna impura Smoky Wainscot 1 1 2199 Mythimna pallens Common Wainscot 1 1 2201 Mythimna litoralis Shore Wainscot 2 2 2202 Mythimna l-album L-album Wainscot 1 2 2230 Aporophyla aust ralis Feathered Brindle 1 1 2232 Aporophyla nigr a Black Rustic 4 4 2236 Lithophane hepatica Pale Pinion 2 3 2240 Lithophane leautieri Blair's Shoulder-knot 2 2 2245 Allophyes oxyacanthae Green-brindled Crescent 3 3 2247 Dichonia aprilina Merveille du Jour 2 3 2252 Polymixis flavicincta Large Ranunculus 1 3 2258 Conistra vaccinii Chestnut 1 1 2262 circel laris Brick 4 5+ 2263 Agrochola lota Red-line Quaker 5 5+ 2265 Agrochola helvola Flounced Chestnut 6 6+ 2267 Agrochola lychnidis Beaded Chestnut 5 8 2270 Omphaloscelis luno sa Lunar Underwing 2 3 2273 Xanthia togata Pink-barred Sallow 10 65+ 2274 Xanthia icteritia Sallow 5 43+ 2297 Amphipyra pyramidea Copper Underwing 2 3 2306 Phlogophora meticulosa Angle Shades 8 38 2353 Luperina testacea Flounced Rustic 1 1 2361 Hydraecia micacea Rosy Rustic 1 2 2364 Gortyna flavago Frosted Orange 3 3+ 2375 Rhizedra lutosa Large Wainscot 2 2 2389 Paradrina clavipalis Pale Mottled Willow 1 1 2394 Stilbia anomala Anomalous 1 1 2400 Helicoverpa armigera Scarce Bordered Straw 2 2 2410 Protodeltote pygarga Marbled White Spot 1 1 2434 Diachrysia chrysitis Burnished Brass 2 2 2441 Autographa gamma Silver Y 7 8+ 2469 Scoliopteryx libatrix Herald 2 2 2477 Hypena proboscidalis Snout 6 14+ 2484 Schrankia costaestrigalis Pinion-streaked Snout 3 4

Sallow Xanthia icteritia

MIGRANT Since this month has been so spectacular for migration and many scarce species have appeared in Carmarthenshire, I thought it a good time to summarise the records of migrant macro-moths and pyralids in the county. Below is a table of those species which are generally migrant in the county. Some have been known to breed, or suspected of it – with early summer migrants producing a second generation. The Turnip Moth Agrotis segetum is included as I believe that most of the records of it relate to migrants. The records of Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum are skewed by the fact that many are from members of the public, who at times have been forthcoming about submitting them and at other times, less so. Clearly dozens, if not hundreds will have been seen this year, but very few have so far been submitted to me. There are, of course, countless other species which migrate, but which also have resident populations here – for example Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba. But I am simply looking here at those species which are wholly or for the greater part considered migrants.

Vestal Rhodometra sacraria

The table below lists the number of records prior to 2006 on the VC44 database (A), then the number of records from January to August 2006 (B), and lastly the number of records for September 2006 (C).

No. Scientific Name: English Name: A B C 1395 Udea ferrugalis Rusty-dot Pearl 125 18 8 1398 Nomophila noctuella Rush Veneer 173 25 39 1403 Diasemiopsis ramburialis Pyralid 2 none none 1408 Palpita vitrealis Pyralid none none 2 Pyralid 1454.5 Dioryctria sylvestrella none 1 none 1716 Rhodometra sacraria Vestal 28 1 13 1720 Orthonama obstipata Gem 19 1 1 1972 Agrius convolvuli Convolvulus Hawk-moth 10 none 4 1973 Acherontia atropos Death's-head Hawk-moth 2 none none 1984 Macroglossum stellatarum Humming-bird Hawk- 50 12 2 moth

1990 Hyles livornica Striped Hawk-moth 4 none none 2087 Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth 104 4 19 2091 Agrotis ipsilon Dark Sword Grass 185 4 21 2119 Peridroma saucia Pearly Underwing 17 2 11 2195 Mythimna vitellina Delicate 2 none 6 2203 Mythimna unipuncta White-speck 16 none 1 2385 Spodoptera exigua Small Mottled Willow 9 6 none 2400 Helicoverpa armigera Scarce Bordered Straw 3 4 17 2403 Heliothis peltigera Bordered Straw 7 9 1 2408 Eublemma parva Small Marbled none 1 none 2432 Trichoplusia ni Ni Moth 3 1 none 2441 Autographa gamma Silver Y 564 90 43

ANALYSIS: Some species have not had a spectacular year – Rusty-dot Pearl for example has arrived in only moderate numbers and White-speck has been surprisingly scarce both locally and nationally. Though we didn’t record any Striped Hawk-moths, they were seen in other parts of Britain, including Wales. We were just unlucky it seems. The really impressive numbers were those of Scarce Bordered Straw, Pearly Underwing, Vestal and Delicate. See the main reports below for a summary of each of those. Looking at the historic timing of migration waves, it is quite amazing to find that it seems to happen every 3 years. 2003 was the last good year, and before that 2000, 1997, 1994 and 1991 all showed peaks of migrant activity. Sad to think it might be 2009 before we get this excitement again, but I suppose that if it did happen every year….. well, it wouldn’t be all that exciting!

Scarce Bordered Straw Helicoverpa armigera

ELMS –A POTENTIAL RESOURCE FOR UNCOMMON LEPIDOPTERA IN CARMARTHENSHIRE?

I have been very encouraged in the last ten years or so to see a massive recovery of trees in the county. As all will recall, Dutch elm disease ravaged the clonal populations of English and Dutch elms (and, to a far lesser extent, wych elms) in the late 1970s, with the gaunt dead trees forming a memorable landscape feature in hedgerows and spinnies in the early years of the next decade. Of course, the trees continued to send forth suckering growths, which sometimes grew to 20ft or so, but usually DED would strike again and kill these nascent trees. However, more recently, this has not happened and the English elms Ulmus procera, that are so characteristic of the coastal flats of SE Carmarthenshire, now reach 50ft; likewise the hybrid elms U. x hollandica (again in coastal flatlands, but also in inland hedgerows in the Tywi Valley etc) are doing well. The wych elms U. glabra too, continue to quietly thrive in their habitat of `cwm`, copse and hedgerow. We have perhaps tended – because of the gloomy prognosis for elms – to subconsciously forget about the butterfly and moth assemblage associated with these trees. It was some casual but focussed recent recording by Neil Matthew that reminded me of this point. Neil, in some very useful lunchtime recording in the area of mid-Carmarthenshire, has turned up a fair crop of White-letter Hairstreak Strymondia w-album records, from elms near Cilsan SN597226, Birdshill SN603228, New Inn SN635246 and Penrock SN615233 and 613236. Neil will be publishing a full account of his discoveries in a forthcoming Llanelli Naturalists Newsletter, but he has kindly offered the following hints for those who wish to search for this species next season: “All observations were made between 13 and 25 July 2006. Territorial and honeydew-drinking males and -laying females were noted, mostly at the top of the canopy, but sometimes low down and occasionally in transit. They became progressively more difficult to see as season went on. I deliberately didn’t look in woodland situations to avoid confusion with Purple Hairstreaks…” There are older vc44 records from (where it was seen `in considerable numbers` in 1947); Cynwyl Elfed (1952) and more recent ones by Mark Williams (1975-6) from the western outskirts of Llanelli – at Pwll and Stradey Woods. Rather embarrassingly, one of the Pwll records is from Ffordd-y-Wagen, which lies at the bottom of my garden (I have elms in nearby hedges too!)….so, no excuse for me next summer! The species is also known from the Pont Ynyswen near Brechfa, but recent records from this area are needed. Neil Matthew was also the finder of White-letter Hairstreaks at a lovely, base-enriched `cwm` (also home to Clouded Magpies Abraxas sylvata) at Coed Penrhiwiau NE of Ffairfach, Llandeilo SN660237 on 24 July 1990, where the host trees are wych elms. Julian Friese also had one at this locality in 1992. Another species – this time a moth - to look out for is the Lunar-spotted Pinion Cosmia pyralina, for which there a few recent records from the Vale of Glamorgan and older ones from Swansea-Neath; the other species of pinion must offer lesser hopes of discovery. The Clouded Magpie Abraxas sylvata is always a pleasure to find, and I was pleased to stumble across a daytime individual in herbage north of Gelli Aur this July; unsurprisingly, there was a wych elm nearby. As this latter tree occurs, albeit rather sparingly, throughout the county in the more base-rich parts of `cwms`, it is likely that the Clouded Magpie is equally widespread, if scarce; the current known distribution is probably just an artefact of recording effort. I append below a rough guide to elms, with localities/districts that may be of use to those recording butterflies or moths.

Lunar-spotted Pinion Cosmia pyralina

A Guide to Carmarthenshire Elms Wych elm – the only undoubtably native elm. Tends to grow in the less acidic wooded valleys, as hedgerow or copse trees. Quite a rounded tree, with largish leaves with pointed tips. No suckers and no corky growths on twigs. English elm Ulmus procera. The characteristic hedgerow elm of the coastal flats: around Bynea-Llanelli-; more scattered elsewhere. Good stands near the entrance to Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Penclacwydd. Upright (`procera` means`lofty`),and with a dominant trunk, at least initially. Smallish rough leaves that turn a muddy yellow in autumn. Prolific suckerer. Dutch elm Ulmus x hollandica. Again coastal flats, but also old estate hedgerows inland. Fan-shaped in outline, with corky growths on twigs. Colours yellow in autumn. Ulmus x vegeta (glabra x minor) is similar in outline, but lacks corky growths – scattered but especially near the coast. Other elms more rarely occur or are planted e.g. along the dual carriageway just west of Carmarthen; also, some peculiar elms of uncertain are found around Llansteffan.

Ian Morgan

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

63 Stigmella lemniscella The 3rd county record was of an untenanted leaf-mine found on elm Ulmus, north of Pont-ar-gothi (SN525241) on 16th September.

296 Calybites phasianipennella A new species for the county. Came to MV in Carmarthen (SN3919) on 11th September. Photographed and specimen kept. Lives on dock Rumex, knotgrass Polygonum and loosestrife Lysamachia.

671 Depressaria ultimella Another new species for the county. Came to MV light on 2nd September at Nantgwyn (SN3623). Photographed and dissected to confirm. This species lives on fool’s-water- cress Apium nodiflorum or water-dropwort Oenanthe spp.

Depressaria ultimella

814 Scrobipalpa ocellatella Also new to the county, this was caught at Pembrey Burrows (SS4199) on 10th September. Photographed and dissected to confirm identity. Lives on sea beet Beta vulgaris ssp. maritimus.

1395 RUSTY-DOT PEARL Udea ferrugalis Just 8 records of nine moths throughout the month. This species has not been seen in particularly impressive numbers, unlike other migrants. Recorded in SN20, SN30, SN31 and SN32.

1397 Mecyna asinalis Two records of this pyralid, which had been recorded twice before in the county – once as larval feeding and once as an adult. Sam Bosanquet had one to MV light at Telpyn Point (SN1807) on National Moth Night, 23rd September. I then had one to MV in Pembrey Forest (SN4001) on 25th September. Lives on wild madder Rubia peregrina. Both photographed.

1398 RUSH VENEER Nomophila noctuella 39 records from all across the county. Often only small numbers were seen but at least 200 were counted on 10th September in Pembrey Forest (SN3703) by day, when one was being “kicked up” every yard or so, whilst walking in grassland.

1408 Palpita vitrealis Long anticipated, this pretty migrant species finally turned up, twice this month – new to the county list. The first was found at the floodlights of (SN3510) on 11th September. Photographed. Martin Lovell then had one on 13th September at Rhydcymerau (SN5739).

Palpita vitrealis

1425 WAX MOTH Galleria melonella The 2nd county record was caught in an actinic trap in Llanelli (SN4901) by Ian Morgan on National Moth Night, 23rd September. Most peculiarly the previous county record was also on National Moth Night, in 2005 – though that was at the beginning of July. A pest of bee-hives and nests.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MONTH: MACROMOTHS

1716 VESTAL Rhodometra sacraria Thirteen records of 18 moths. With just 29 previous records, this is by far the commonest that this species has ever been encountered here. 00/09/2006 1 Ffaldybrenin Toilets SN6344 Bronwen Berkshire 05/09/2006 5 Llansteffan Castle SN3510 Jon Baker 05/09/2006 1 Pembrey Burrows SS4199 Jon Baker 11/09/2006 1 Llansteffan Castle SN3510 Jon Baker 11/09/2006 1 Tyrwaun, Pwll SN4601 Ian Morgan 13/09/2006 1 Rhydcymerau SN5739 Martin Lovell 14/09/2006 1 14 Job's Well Rd, Johnstown SN3919 Jon Baker 14/09/2006 2 Llanelli, North Dock SS4999 Simeon Jones 23/09/2006 1 Nantgwyn SN3623 Jon Baker 23/09/2006 1 Pembrey Forest, fen SN4001 Jon Baker 25/09/2006 1 Pembrey Burrows SS4299 Jon Baker 25/09/2006 1 Pembrey Forest, fen SN4001 Jon Baker 26/09/2006 1 Tyrwaun, Pwll SN4601 Ian Morgan

1720 GEM Orthonama obstipata The second of the year and the 21st county record. 05/09/2006 1 14 Job's Well Rd, Johnstown SN3919 Jon Baker

Gem Orthonama obstipata

1767 PINE CARPET Thera firmata There are only 8 previous county records, nearly all from Pembrey, so this series gives hope that the species is spreading. 22/09/2006 1 Pembrey Forest, fen SN4001 Jon Baker 23/09/2006 1 Llansteffan Castle SN3510 Jon Baker 25/09/2006 10 Pembrey Forest, fen SN4001 Jon Baker 28/09/2006 1 Rhydcymerau SN5739 Julian Wormald

Pine Carpet Thera firmata

1972 CONVOLVULUS HAWK-MOTH Agrius convolvuli There are 10 previous county records. I am very frustrated that my name doesn’t feature below! I did try virtually every night, but there we are….. 18/09/2006 1 Rhydcymerau SN5739 Julian Wormald 22/09/2006 2 Rhydcymerau SN5739 Julian Wormald 28/09/2006 1 Rhydcymerau SN5739 Julian Wormald 29/09/2006 1 Gelli Aur CP, weather station SN5919 J K Williams

2087 TURNIP MOTH Agrotis segetum Nineteen records of nearly 100 moths. This species is quite clearly a migrant in the county. There are very few records that I would ascribe to a resident population. I counted at least 55 on ivy blossom around Llansteffan headland and Wharley Point on 24th September.

2091 DARK SWORD-GRASS Agrotis ipsilon Twenty-one records of around 70 moths. Mainly coastal, but some finding their way inland. 24 counted on ivy blossom around Llansteffan headland and Wharley Point on 24th September.

2119 PEARLY UNDERWING Peridroma saucia Prior to 2006 there were 17 previous records. With two earlier in this year, and these eleven records of over 30 individuals, this species has never been so numerous here. 17/09/2006 5 Pembrey Forest, North SN3704 Jon Baker 23/09/2006 10 Marros Village SN2008 Sam Bosanquet 23/09/2006 1 Nantgwyn SN3623 Jon Baker 24/09/2006 1 Scot's Bay, Llansteffan SN3409 Jon Baker 25/09/2006 2 Mynydd SN5038 Julian Wormald 25/09/2006 1 Pembrey Burrows SS4299 Jon Baker 25/09/2006 1 Pembrey Burrows SS4199 Jon Baker 26/09/2006 1 Dolwen Point, SN2307 Sam Bosanquet 26/09/2006 7 Lane above Pendine SN2309 Sam Bosanquet 26/09/2006 1 Castle SN3010 Sam Bosanquet 26/09/2006 1 Marros Village SN2008 Sam Bosanquet

2195 DELICATE Mythimna vitellina Hard to believe that it was only a year ago that this species was added to the county list, when two were caught in September 2005. An amazing series of records this month. Third through eighth records. 02/09/2006 1 Rhydcymerau SN5739 Julian Wormald 05/09/2006 1 Pembrey Burrows SS4199 Jon Baker 11/09/2006 1 Tyrwaun, Pwll SN4601 Ian Morgan 20/09/2006 1 Rhydcymerau SN5739 Martin Lovell 23/09/2006 1 Pembrey Forest, fen SN4001 Jon Baker 26/09/2006 1 Tyrwaun, Pwll SN4601 Ian Morgan

Delicate Mythimna vitellina

2202 L-ALBUM WAINSCOT Mythimna l-album The star moths of the month. With just one previous record known of from south Wales (Glamorgan 2004), this was an unexpected find for Sam Bosanquet on National Moth Night. That he found two, and subsequently I found two more the next night further along the coast, and then Sam scored a 5th, is quite amazing. All but one of the records were at ivy blossom. This species has colonized the south coast of England over the last 50 years, and although the possibility that all these were migrants cannot be ruled out, it would seem likely from the pattern (and the lack of synchronous records from the Gower) that there is a population now along the western coast of VC44. 23/09/2006 2 Telpyn Point SN1807 Sam Bosanquet 24/09/2006 2 Scot's Bay, Llansteffan SN3409 Jon Baker 26/09/2006 1 Dolwen Point, Pendine SN2307 Sam Bosanquet

2203 WHITE-SPECK Mythimna unipuncta Bucking the trend, this species did not turn up in abundance, with this single individual found at Llansteffan Castle floodlights being the only one seen so far in 2006. 05/09/2006 1 Llansteffan Castle SN3510 Jon Baker

White-speck Mythimna unipuncta

2230 FEATHERED BRINDLE Aporophyla australis My star moth of National Moth Night, was this Nationally Notable B species, new to VC44. Came to an actinic trap in the dunes at Pembrey. There are populations on The Gower, but it is quite likely this species is resident at Pembrey Burrows, as the habitat is suitable. Hopefully more records will follow. 23/09/2006 1 Pembrey Burrows SS4199 Jon Baker

Feathered Brindle Aporophyla australis

2240 BLAIR’S SHOULDER-KNOT Lithophane leautieri Continues to only occur in small numbers in the south of the county. Hopefully will spread and become commoner. Nine previous records. 23/09/2006 1 Denham Ave, Llanelli SN4901 Ian Morgan 23/09/2006 n/c Tyrwaun, Pwll SN4601 Ian Morgan

2252 LARGE RANUNCULUS Polymixis flavicincta With only 7 previous records, all from the south-east of Carmarthenshire, these records could show a significant increase and spread of this attractive species. 20/09/2006 3 Tyrwaun, Pwll SN4601 Ian Morgan 23/09/2006 3 Denham Ave, Llanelli SN4901 Ian Morgan 24/09/2006 1 Llansteffan Headland SN3510 Jon Baker 25/09/2006 1 Pembrey Burrows SS4299 Jon Baker 25/09/2006 2 Tyrwaun, Pwll SN4601 Ian Morgan 26/09/2006 1 SN3010 Sam Bosanquet 26/09/2006 1 Tyrwaun, Pwll SN4601 Ian Morgan

2369 BULRUSH WAINSCOT Nonagria typhae The 20th record of a seldom encountered species, which is recorded less than annually in the county. 04/09/2006 1 Pembrey Burrows SS4199 Jon Baker

2400 SCARCE BORDERED STRAW Helicoverpa armigera The 8th through 24th county records. It got to the point that if I didn’t see this species I was surprised! Perhaps needs to be renamed. 04/09/2006 1 14 Job's Well Rd, Johnstown SN3919 Jon Baker 05/09/2006 1 Llansteffan Castle SN3510 Jon Baker 11/09/2006 1 14 Job's Well Rd, Johnstown SN3919 Jon Baker 11/09/2006 3 Llansteffan Castle SN3510 Jon Baker 11/09/2006 1 Pembrey Forest SN3803 Jon Baker 13/09/2006 2 Rhydcymerau SN5739 Martin Lovell 17/09/2006 3 Pembrey Forest, North SN3704 Jon Baker 18/09/2006 1 14 Job's Well Rd, Johnstown SN3919 Jon Baker 19/09/2006 1 Llansteffan Castle SN3510 Jon Baker 20/09/2006 1 Tyrwaun, Pwll SN4601 Ian Morgan 22/09/2006 1 14 Job's Well Rd, Johnstown SN3919 Jon Baker 22/09/2006 1 Pembrey Forest, fen SN4001 Jon Baker 23/09/2006 1 Llansteffan Castle SN3510 Jon Baker 23/09/2006 1 Pembrey Forest, fen SN4001 Jon Baker 24/09/2006 2 Llansteffan Castle SN3510 Jon Baker 25/09/2006 1 Mynydd Llanllwni SN5038 Julian Wormald 26/09/2006 1 Tyrwaun, Pwll SN4601 Ian Morgan

2403 BORDERED STRAW Heliothis peltigera Now overtaken by its “scarce” relative, this was the 18th county record, seen in the middle of the day at the top of the beach, probably having just arrived. 10/09/2006 1 Pembrey Forest, beach SN3801 Jon Baker

THE YEAR SO FAR IN VC44: FIRST DATES

26 new species were added to the county macro year list in September. This takes the 2006 total up to 422 species. The following additional species, with first dates, have been recorded: 1767 Thera firmata Pine Carpet 22/09/2006 1795a Epirrita spp November Moth spp 29/09/2006 1912 Ennomos quercinaria August Thorn 17/09/2006 1915 Ennomos erosaria September Thorn 23/09/2006 1972 Agrius convolvuli Convolvulus Hawk-moth 18/09/2006 2117 Eugnorisma glareosa Autumnal Rustic 01/09/2006 2195 Mythimna vite llina Delicate 02/09/2006 2202 Mythimna l-album L-album Wainscot 23/09/2006 2203 Mythimna unipuncta White-speck 05/09/2006 2230 Aporophyla australis pascuea Feathered Brindle 23/09/2006 2232 Aporophyla ni gra Black Rustic 14/09/2006 2240 Lithophane leautieri Blair's Shoulder-knot 23/09/2006 2245 Allophyes oxyacanthae Green-brindled Crescent 17/09/2006 2247 Dichonia aprilina Merveille du Jour 23/09/2006 2248 Dryobotodes eremita Brindled Green 12/09/2006 2252 Polymixis flavicincta Large Ranunculus 20/09/2006 2262 Agrochola circellaris Brick 13/09/2006 2263 Agrochola lota Red-line Quaker 17/09/2006 2265 Agrochola helvola Flounced Chestnut 17/09/2006 2267 Agrochola lychnidis Beaded Chestnut 15/09/2006 2270 Omphaloscelis lunosa Lunar Underwing 22/09/2006 2273 Xanthia togata Pink-barred Sallow 03/09/2006 2274 Xanthia icteritia Sallow 11/09/2006 2364 Gortyna flavago Frosted Orange 01/09/2006 2369 Nonagria typhae Bulrush Wainscot 04/09/2006 2375 Rhizedra lutosa Large Wainscot 14/09/2006

Large Ranunculus Polymixis flavicincta Thank you: Thanks to all contributors to this bulletin –Sam Bosanquet, Melanie Collier, Martin Lovell, Julian Wormald, Fay Sharpley, Ian Morgan, Ivy Berkshire, Bronwen Berkshire, J K Williams, Simeon Jones and the Carmarthen Moth Group.

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

01267 221681 [email protected]