The Larger Moths of Staffordshire

Home , Abraxas grossulariata, Acasis viretata, Acronictinae, Aethalura punctulata, Agriopis, Agriopis aurantiaria

D.W. Emley and R.G. Warren

2001

Biological Recording Scheme

Publication number 16

Published by Staffordshire Ecological Record

Maps were produced using DMAP and are reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey. © Crown copyright NC/01/271.

ISSN : 0309-2100 ISBN : 1 874414 20 3

The Larger Moths of Staffordshire

D.W. Emley & R.G. Warren

Richard Gordon Warren 1912 - 1999...... 2 Foreword ...... 3 Acknowledgements ...... 3 Aim of the Publication ...... 3 Area Covered...... 3 Which are the Larger Moths?...... 4 Finding Moths ...... 4 Searching...... 4 Attracting...... 5 When to look ...... 6 Where to find moths...... 7 Identifying Moths...... 7 Future Recording...... 8 Where to Record...... 8 Rarities and Verification ...... 9 Submission of Records...... 10 Introduction to the Species Accounts...... 10 Sources of the Records...... 10 List of Recorders ...... 11 References ...... 12 The Species Accounts ...... 13 Appendix 1 : Species needing confirmation ...... 124 Appendix 2 : List of plants mentioned in the text...... 125 Appendix 3 : Localities from which records were received...... 126 Appendix 4 : Most widespread species...... 128 Appendix 5 : Most restricted species ...... 129 Appendix 6 : Species no longer with us...... 129 Appendix 7 : Useful Addresses...... 130 Butterfly Conservation ...... 130 North Staffordshire Field Club...... 130 Potteries Museum and Art Gallery...... 130 Staffordshire Ecological Record ...... 130 Staffordshire Invertebrate Group ...... 130 Staffordshire Wildlife Trust ...... 130 Index to English Names ...... 131 Index to Scientific Names ...... 137

Richard Gordon Warren 1912 - 1999

With the death of Richard Warren, Staffordshire has lost one of its best known and most experienced naturalists. Not only was he the leading authority and recorder of the butterflies and moths of the county, he also had a deep knowledge of its caddisflies, damselflies, dragonflies and lacewings as well as its birds and plants. He was, in fact, one of that rare breed of people - an all-round naturalist.

Richard was Chairman of the Entomology Section of the North Staffordshire Field Club from 1951 until his death and was made a Life Vice President of the Club in 1987. He was a founder member of the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and was its Treasurer for many years. He will be forever associated with two of its reserves - Loynton Moss and in particular Burnt Wood.

I was fortunate to learn at the feet of the master. We travelled all over the county and spent many hours watching a blue lamp on a white sheet, often in the middle of nowhere! His dexterity with a net and enthusiasm for his beloved lepidoptera, especially the "micros" never diminished. It was a severe blow to him when his health prevented him from handling the "small fry" as he called them. He was always quick to share his knowledge and he corresponded widely with other lepidopterists throughout the county. He had country-wide connections too and was often contacted by other county recorders and national experts when new atlases etc. were being compiled.

Over the years Richard built up a fine and important collection of both macro and microlepidoptera, which is now housed in the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery and is available for inspection on request.

Like all naturalists Richard enjoyed finding species that were new to the county and, I suspect, dreamed of finding a species new to the British Isles. However, he went even one better than that and found something completely new and, as far as I know, unique to science - a wild hybrid between the Spring Usher and the Dotted Border Agriopis leucophaearia x marginaria. It was one of his proudest achievements.

Sadly, Richard was unable to see his revision of the Larger Moths of Staffordshire in print. It has been my privilege to complete this and to see it through to publication. It is, of course, dedicated to his memory.

David W Emley

Foreword Between 1978 and 1981 Richard published county distribution maps for all the butterflies and larger moths - the so called "macrolepidoptera". He was able to revise the maps for the butterflies in 1984 and, before he died, began a revision of the macrolepidoptera. In my capacity as the new county recorder I was asked by the Natural History Unit at the Potteries Museum to check a draft version of his manuscript. In so doing it quickly became apparent that by including information on preferred habitat, flight times of the adults and foodplants of the larvae and with some rearrangement of the text, the booklet could be of interest to a much wider audience. I also took the opportunity to re-check the records for the past twenty years in order to make the maps and accounts as up-to-date as possible. The eight colour plates illustrate the range of shapes, colours and degree of camouflage to be found in the larger moths and include some of the species more often seen by the casual observer.

Acknowledgements On behalf of Richard and myself, I would like to thank all the recorders whose records have made this publication possible. We are particularly endebted to Helen Ball, Godfrey Blunt, Jon Clifton, Dave Friday, Dave Grundy, Ian Lycett, Dave McDermott, Jan Koryszko, Mark Sutton, Anna Poyser, Craig Slawson, Ken and Wendy Wheatley all of whom responded to a last-minute request for data. Personally I would like to thank Keith Bloor at the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery for the opportunity to work on this publication, Richard Tribbeck for the photograph of Richard Warren, Andy Lawrence for producing the cover and Graham Lees, Phil Lane, Mick and Joy Green for commenting on the script. I particularly thank Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, Butterfly Conservation and the North Staffordshire Field Club whose generosity made this publication possible. Finally I would like to thank my wife Sue for reading through and commenting on the script and for her forbearance over the past year when I spent far too long at the computer.

Aim of the Publication The aim of this publication is to detail the status and distribution of the 543 species of Larger Moths recorded in Staffordshire. Of course this is an impossible task as species are being lost or added to the list all the time and the size of the county is such that it is impossible to cover it thoroughly. However, the information that we present should enable the reader to see which species are common, which are rare, which are widespread and which are local. More importantly the publication will show where the gaps in our knowledge are. It should also help to place in to context any species that might be encountered in the county. Above all, it is hoped that it will encourage readers to send their records in so that our knowledge of the county's lepidoptera can be increased. SJ SK 6 Height in metres over 240m Area Covered 5 120 - 240m In order to maintain continuity of recording area and to help put historical records in to context, this publication covers the 4 boundary of Staffordshire as it was in 1852 (the vice-county of Staffordshire) and as it was prior to the changes of 1974. 3 It thus includes some areas, such as Sandwell Valley and 2 Saltwells, that are no longer within the present county boundary. An account of the vice-county system can be 1 found in Dandy (1969). 0 The county of Staffordshire measures, at the extremities, some 56 miles (90Km) north to south by 38 miles (60Km) east to 9 west. A useful account of the physical and botanical aspects of SO SP the county may be found in Edees (1972) and need not be 8 repeated here. Suffice it to say that, ranging in height up to 789012 1684ft (513m), the county encompasses a wide range of habitat types including limestone dales, gritstone moors, acid heaths Distribution of high ground in VC39 and bogs, deciduous and coniferous woodland, upland and

3 lowland water bodies, and even a small patch of saltmarsh! Given its central position, the county is also home to species that are at either the northern or southern limits of their ranges. The scope for the lepidopterist is indeed extensive.

From a recorder's point of view the county covers all of twenty full 10Km squares with another 19 being partly in another county; 743 tetrads (2x2 Km) or 2970 1Km squares of the Ordnance Survey National Grid. Unlike birdwatchers and botanists, lepidopterists are thin on the ground and so it is not possible to map the distribution on anything finer than a 10Km grid. Nevertheless, the maps do show if a species is widespread or local, northern or southern, eastern or western, whether it is declining or expanding, and where the gaps in our knowledge are. As more records are received then we will be able to refine the maps.

Which are the Larger Moths? If we are to encourage the collection of data then, for the benefit of newcomers, we should say a few words about where, how and when to look for moths. However, first we must define what we mean by the term "Larger Moths".

Moths, like butterflies, are members of the Lepidoptera, the majority of which are characterised by the possession of a coiled proboscis and a body covered in minute plate-like scales. Historically the moths have been split, rather crudely, into two groups - the microlepidoptera (micros) and the macrolepidoptera (macros) - the latter also being known as the Larger Moths. Of the two groups the micros are by far the most numerous with many species being only a few millimetres in size. In contrast the macros are generally much larger and comprise those insects that people generally associate with the term "moth". Micros, because of their small size, lack of available illustrations and general difficulty in identification, have never been as popular with naturalists as have the macros. As to whether a moth belongs to one or the other group is an interesting question, for some micros are larger than some macros and vice versa. Suffice it to say that the macrolepidoptera or larger moths comprise all those species covered and illustrated by both Skinner (1998) and South (1961); it is these species that are the subject of this book.

Finding Moths Some readers may be surprised to discover that there are over 500 species of larger moth, let alone that this number may be found in Staffordshire! In fact, there are in the region of 2500 species of lepidoptera in the British Isles and, of these, only 60 or so are butterflies. Of the moths, some 950 are macros with the remaining 1500 being micros (of which Staffordshire has over 700 species). In a typical well-stocked garden in a leafy suburb one might well expect to record 200 species of macros, if not more.

So, where are they all? We certainly don't see anywhere near this number in the normal course of a day. The answer is, of course, that the majority are nocturnal and spend the daylight hours hiding. We either have to search them out or attract them to us. Let us briefly consider some of the ways in which we can find them.

Searching Although the majority of larger moths are nocturnal, there are a number of day-flying species and it is with these that most people will be familiar. They include, for example, the blue-and-red burnets and Cinnabar moth, the black Chimney-sweeper, and the yellow-and-black Speckled Yellow, as well as familiar migrants such as the Hummingbird Hawk-moth and the Silver Y. They may be looked for in the same places that you would expect to find butterflies e.g. flower-rich meadows, waste ground, embankments etc.

The majority of species rest during the day and, to avoid being detected, have become masters of disguise. Some will rest up amongst foliage, leaf litter, grasses etc. from where they may be disturbed when walking past or they may be actively dislodged by tapping the branches of a tree or bush. Many

4 will rest on tree trunks, fence posts, boulders etc. and, as you would expect, can be very difficult to detect. However it is worth persisting because one soon "gets one's eye in".

Moths, like butterflies, are attracted to flowers. It is therefore worth checking the plants that the butterflies were feeding on during the day; but at night. You may well be surprised at the numbers of individuals and species on your Buddleia, for example. In the spring, sallow catkins are well worth looking at too.

Many moths have familiar caterpillars but many more have rather nondescript larvae or, in some cases, the larvae have never been found in the wild at all. The publication of Porter's book; Caterpillars of the British Isles, means that we now have a ready source of reference for identification. Nevertheless, many caterpillars can only be safely identified by rearing them through to the adult - and there is plenty of literature on this subject; for example Dickson (1976).

Attracting Even employing all the above methods, only a fraction of the moths of an area will be found. We need to make the moths come to us and there are several ways in which we can do this.

Sugaring

Moth hunters have traditionally used a method called "sugaring" to attract moths. This is very simple and can be employed to good effect in the garden. It involves preparing a sweet-tasting concoction, painting this on tree trunks, fence posts etc. and visiting these patches at intervals throughout the night. Every moth hunter has his own recipe for the mixture e.g. black treacle and molasses, but I have found that golden syrup with added sugar and a touch of alcohol (!) works quite well. The moths become almost drunk on the mixture and can then be approached quite closely. Buff Arches on a sugar patch

Light

It is a well-known fact that moths are attracted to light - be it a small flame or a bright bulb and we can employ this attraction to great effect. Almost any source of light will do but there are two considerations. Firstly, the ultra-violet (UV) content of the light source is important as moths are particularly sensitive to this region of the spectrum. Secondly, the attraction to the light is stronger if it is the sole source of illumination i.e. there is a good contrast between the light source and its background. For example, a solitary white street lamp (the orange ones are no good) in a dark country lane will be more attractive than one in a well-lit urban area. However, it is worth noting that not all species are equally attracted to light and, with some, there is even a difference in attraction between the sexes too. It is important to realise, therefore, that a moth trap will not necessarily give a complete list of the species inhabiting a given area so one needs to employ a range of survey techniques. That said, let us briefly consider some of the ways in which we can use light to attract moths.

The simplest source of light is an illuminated window. Moths will often sit on the window or on the adjacent wall. Alternatively, if you have a security light that stays on then it is worth checking the surrounding area at night and first thing in the morning.

Before the advent of modern moth traps, the traditional way of attracting moths, especially in the field, was to use a spirit lamp such as a Tilley Lamp. Today, a butane gas lamp would do just as well. This is still a good method and to make it more effective, the lamp can be suspended in front of a vertical white sheet. The moths will then rest on the sheet where they can be examined.

By far the most effective method is to use a moth trap. The basic principal is to mount a light source within a funnel situated on top of a closed box lined with egg cartons. The moths are attracted to the light and fall through the funnel into the box. Here they hide amongst the egg cartons quite happily until the morning when the catch is examined and the moths released - well away from any waiting birds!

The best light source is a mercury vapour (MV) lamp - as used in the white street lights mentioned earlier. The problem with these is that they require a 240 volt supply and the bulbs become very hot and need to be protected from the rain. However, these lamps can, in some circumstances, attract vast numbers of moths in a night. They also emit UV so it is important to take sensible precautions, and not to look at the bulb directly. The Robinson trap, illustrated opposite, is the most common moth trap of this type. It can be used in the field but requires a portable generator or access to a mains supply.

An alternative is to use the blue fluorescent lamps Robinson Moth Trap that are incorporated into the insect killers that you see in butcher's shops and bakeries. It's not the bulb that kills the insects but a wire grill in front of it. These tubes, known as Actinic tubes, emit quite a lot of UV but they are not as bright as the MV lamps. The advantage of them is that they will run off a normal 12 volt car or motorbike battery as well as off the mains. This means that they are portable! They also will not disturb the neighbours! On any one night they will not attract the numbers of moths that a MV lamp would but, over a period, they will eventually attract the same species. Such a trap - known as a Heath trap - is illustrated opposite.

Note, however, that not all the moths attracted to the light will end up in the trap. It is common for moths to dive for the shadows or to land on the ground around the trap rather than fly straight to the bulb. To overcome this, the trap can be placed on a white sheet and the moths examined as they land. From personal experience I have also found that the Robinson-type trap attracts fewer geometer or "carpet-type" moths than the Heath trap. Heath Moth Trap Be warned; moth trapping can become addictive! There is always a sense of excitement when emptying the trap for you never know what is going to be inside. Most of the time the moths are fairly predictable but now and again there is always a surprise, especially when trapping in a new area. Moth trapping provides hours of harmless fun while at the same time providing valuable data.

When to look Moths can be found in any month of the year but, as can be seen from the graph below, the peak is from June to August. For someone taking an interest for the first time, the sight of a trap full of moths in, say, July can be quite daunting. It is better to start off in the spring or late autumn when numbers are more manageable.

Not all nights are equally good for moths. For example, a warm sunny day with a cloudless sky might be good for butterflies and day-flying moths but it is generally followed by a cold evening when few

6 moths will fly. The best nights tend to be cloudy, mild, and preferably muggy. Unfortunately we tend to get too few of these!

Moths do not fly throughout the night but have definite periods and peaks of activity. Some species fly only at dusk for instance, when there is usually quite a lot of activity. Peak numbers probably occur shortly after dusk and then tail off until renewed activity starts at dawn. Richard and I always used to pack up at around 1am, generally because of lack of activity on the part of the moths or lack of sleep on our part!

Where to find moths Moths can be found in every corner of the county but, as you look at the maps, you will see that some species are found throughout the county whereas others occur in only one or two squares. Why a certain species occurs where it does can be an intriguing question. The answer is partly tied up with the availability and distribution of its foodplant, but that is not the entire answer.

Take the Grey Mountain Carpet for example. It feeds on heather; a not uncommon plant in the county. However, the heather must be growing above 300m so that restricts the available habitat to the heather moorland in the far north. We are, in fact, at the southern limit of its range. In contrast, the Foxglove Pug feeds only on foxglove and, as that is a widespread plant, so too is the moth.

Being restricted to a single foodplant can have its disadvantages. The Clouded Magpie and the Dusky Lemon Sallow both feed on elms - a tree that was not uncommon in the past. However, since the Dutch elm disease wiped out most of our elms, the moths have become much scarcer and, in the extreme, could disappear altogether.

Some distributions are harder to explain. Why, for example, does the Scorched Carpet, which feeds on spindle, occur at sites where spindle has not been found? The Juniper Pug feeds, not surprisingly, on juniper. However, Edees' Flora shows that wild juniper does not occur in the county, yet the moth is quite widespread. The answer, of course, is that the species has taken to feeding on garden cultivars and it is we who have aided its spread through the county. The same can be said of the Juniper Carpet, Freyer's Pug and Blair's Shoulder-knot.

Many species are found all over the county and these are usually non-specialist moths, feeding on a wide variety of common plants or "weeds". Others, like the Grey Mountain Carpet mentioned earlier, feed on common plants but only in certain habitats. The Bulrush Wainscot feeds in the stems of reed mace and, as this plant is found in marshy areas and reed beds, so too is the moth. Likewise, the Barred Red, Pine Carpet and Spruce Carpet feed on conifers and so are usually found in and around pine woods.

This restriction to habitat and foodplant can be of use when you are puzzling over the identification of a new or rare species of moth. If you are not sure of your identification, ask yourself if the habitat and foodplant availability are right for the species in question before claiming it.

Identifying Moths There is not room in a booklet such as this to cover the topic of identification. There are a few books on that subject but none of them illustrate all the moths in their typical resting positions. Instead they are presented as set specimens i.e. with their wings out-stretched. This is unfortunate as many species

7 have characteristic resting positions and can look quite different from illustrations of the set specimen. Below are a few of the recommended books on the subject.

Richard South's Moths of the British Isles, first published in 1939 was, until 1984, the only book to illustrate all the macrolepidoptera in colour. It is out of print but second-hand copies can be found. However, go for the early editions if possible as the plates are clearer.

In 1984 Bernard Skinner published his Moths of the British Isles. In it he presented coloured photographs of all the macros, again as set specimens. The quality of the plates is outstanding and, together with text, makes it the current moth-hunter's "Bible".

For the more serious moth-hunter there is the eleven volume series The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland. This is the last word on moth identification, distribution, and biology. All the available parts can be purchased in paperback to keep the cost down but it is not yet complete.

For those wanting background information there is Mark Young's very readable Natural History of Moths.

Future Recording

Where to Record

Basically, ANY data is welcome! Entomologists are so thin on the ground that records of invertebrates generally are much sought after. It is therefore vitally important that any records are passed on to the Staffordshire Ecological Record - see later.

No matter where you record, the chances are that you will either add new species to the 10Km square list or update existing records. The map below shows the number of species recorded in each 10Km square. There are some squares such as SJ81, SK03, SK11 and SK12, for example, that are obviously under-recorded. However, it must be realised that the records for the well-recorded squares are often based on just a single locality i.e. one site within 100 square kilometres! If we are to produce more refined distribution maps then we at least need data from each tetrad (2 X 2km).

That said, there are some sites that are more in need of recording than others. This is where the Staffordshire Invertebrate Group (see Appendix 7 for address) can help. They will be able to direct you to reserves, SSSIs etc. for which data is urgently required.

It shouldn't be necessary to point out that you must obtain the landowner's permission before visiting a site but it is worth mentioning that you should inform neighbouring properties and the police if you intend to run a trap. After all, a group of people sitting around a lamp in the dark is going to raise the suspicions of the un-initiated!!

Finally, just to reiterate, even if you only record from your garden, the data is useful - please send it in.

Rarities and Verification

Richard has left an invaluable legacy; it is now up to us to build on this. Interest in moths has increased over the past 15 years or so following the publication of Bernard Skinner's book. The quality of the illustrations is such that many newcomers no longer feel the need to kill specimens for reference, opting sometimes for photographs instead. Whilst this attitude is to be applauded, it must be realised that it is not always possible to identify a moth by comparing it to an illustration. For example, there are a number of species (especially those with melanic varieties) that cannot always be identified without recourse to dissection of the genitalia. There are also rare species that look very similar to much commoner species. In such cases either dissection or comparison with a series of mounted specimens is then necessary to aid identification. In addition, moths, unlike birds and plants, can exhibit so much variation that two members of the same species can, in the extreme, look like quite different species. This range of variation cannot possibly be fully covered in books.

So, before submitting a record of a rarity, ask yourself a few questions:

• Is the species being claimed within the known range? Check the national map in the Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland or refer to Skinner. If your species is normally only found in the far south, far north or on the coast, then look at it again.

• Is the habitat where you found the species in keeping with its known preferences? If your specimen was caught on a lowland sandy heath and the species you're claiming is normally only found on the limestone then you may well be wrong.

• Is the foodplant of the species found in the locality? Moths do fly so it is not impossible for a species to be found in an area where its foodplant does not exist but it is something to take into account.

• Have you eliminated the possibility of it being a commoner species? Don't forget that many moths are extremely variable and Skinner and South only illustrate a few examples of the complete range. There are some common species that still need genitalia examination e.g. Common Rustic complex, Grey and Dark Daggers.

• As well as comparing the specimen to a photograph, have you checked with the full description given in the Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland? Whilst photographs are good they can't always bring out the subtleties needed to confirm identification.

• Above all do not try and make a moth fit the illustration. If you are not sure and don't want to take a specimen, then let it go. A wrong identification is worse than no record at all.

Problems such as those outlined above make the vetting of records not supported by voucher specimens, problematical. It is vital that workers in the future should be able to rely on the data that we provide so the following procedure will be adopted:

• where a species is quite distinct and within its expected range and habitat then there will be no problem in accepting the record;

• new county records must be supported by either a voucher specimen, photograph or some corroboration by a second party;

• where a moth is rare, similar to another, outside its normal range, or one of a difficult group, then some kind of supporting evidence will be needed before the record can be accepted;

• many moths have characteristic larvae and records of these are welcomed, but please include details of the plant on which they were found.

Submission of Records

Records can be sent to me c/o Staffordshire Ecological Record (see Appendix 7) or by email at [email protected]. They can be submitted in any format but computer files would be especially welcome. If you can submit them as a spreadsheet then so much the better. Whatever method you choose please include the Bradley and Fletcher code number, English name, locality, grid reference, date and name of recorder. If you are submitting records from several 10Km squares then please put the records on separate sheets if possible as data and correspondence is filed by 10Km square. Photographs, digital images or specimens can be sent to me for confirmation too c/o Natural History Unit, Potteries Museum and Art Gallery (see Appendix 7).

Introduction to the Species Accounts

This publication covers the period up to the end of 1999 with a few additions from 2000. As in earlier volumes of the Atlas of Lepidoptera of Staffordshire, there is a distribution map for most species. The historical records were presented in detail in the first edition but some are also included here when a species is rare or where they illustrate the changing fortunes of the species concerned. An assessment of the status of the species at the present time is given, while notes on preferred habitat, larval foodplants, and flight times of the adults have been added.

Where applicable, the reader's attention is drawn to the possibility of confusion with similar species or the need for dissection in order to secure an identification.

The map opposite shows the locations of some of the more frequently mentioned sites.

The nomenclature used is that of Bradley (1998) and the numbering system used therein is followed here. For those unfamiliar with this list, each species is assigned a unique number making it easy to know which species is being referred to regardless of any changes in Scientific or English name. However, there are occasions when a species is moved to another genus or family and, because the unique number moves with the species, the numbering system can get "out of order".

The macrolepidoptera or ‘Larger Moths’ comprise nos. 14-18, 161-171, 370 - 382, 1631 - 2492 in that list. The index and maps also use this numbering system.

Sources of the Records

The names and initials of recorders, together with the source of their records, is given in the table below. We have also given the recorder's period of activity so that the date of their records can be assessed when met with in the species accounts.

1. The Victoria County History, 1908 (cited as VCH) 2. The entomological reports in the Transactions of the North Staffordshire Field Club.

3. A list which incorporates 1 and 2 by the late H.W. Daltry. 4. The notebooks and records of John and William Hill of Leek. 5. The journals of the South Staffordshire Naturalists' Society. 6. Records submitted to the Biological Records Centre. 7. Annual Reports of the Alvecote Pools Nature Reserve. 8. Sphingidae only; Tutt. British Lepidoptera, Vol. III, 1902 and Vol. IV, 1904. 9. List of species of the Walsall area 1955-65 by E.A.B. Stanton. 10. Records from Kinver and Cannock Chase by L.J. Evans of the Birmingham Natural History Society. 11. Records from the south of the county via of Craig Slawson of EcoRecord; they include many records from the Walsall Moth Group lead by Dave Grundy. 12. Reports from Saltwells LNR. 13. Derbyshire Entomological Society Journal. 14. Records from Burnt Wood and other localities extracted from the notebooks and collections of H. Burrows by E.H. Fielding - Manchester Entomological Society, H.L. Burrows Memorial Number, 1974. 15. Records from the Walsall Moth Group

# Records submitted direct to RGW or DWE.

List of Recorders The following are referred to directly in the species accounts.

Recorder(s) When active Source ADP Anna Poyser 1980- # BB B. Bryan 1940s 2,3 BC Bevan Craddock 1980 - # BKH Brian Holdsworth 1980 - # BLS B.L. Statham 1986 13 CC C. Clarke 1934-37 2,3 CY Craig Yates 1979 - # DAD Tony Dawson 1970 - 2,6,# DG Dave Grundy 1990- 11, 12, 15 # DMcD Dave McDermott 1999- # DNF Dave Friday 1997 - #, 12 DW Dave Westwood 1999 # DWE Dave Emley 1974 - 2,6,# DW-J Dai Wynne-Jones 1989 # EABS E.A.B. Stanton 1955-65 9 EB Edwin Brown 1869 in VCH 1,8 EDB E.D. Bostock 1883-1920 1,2,3 ESL E.S. Lewis 1922-38 2,3 FAN Frank Noble 1980- # FCW F.C. Woodforde 1890-1920 1,2,3 G&EB Godfrey & Edwin Blunt 1980 - #, 5 GBB Gerald Burgess 1980 - # G&MA George & Maurice Arnold 1959 - 7 GR Gareth Robinson 1995- 11 G&SM Graham & Sheila Moss 1980 - # HB Helen Ball 1997- # Hill J. & W. Hill 1897-1946 2,4 HLB H.L. Burrows 1926-68 2,3,14 HWD H. W. Daltry 1924-50 2,3 IOJ Ivan Jones 1980 - # IL Ian Lycett 1990- 11

IP Ian Popple 1980s- # JAH John Herbert 1970 - 2,6,# JC Jon Clifton 1999 # JCL J.C. Lidgate 1998 # JH James Hulley 1990 - # JJB J.J. Bowley 1990- 11 JK Jan Koryszko 1980- # JM John Martin 1990 - # JRBM J.R.B. Masefield 2,8,# J S-H J. Stevenon-Hough 1990- 11 K&WW Ken & Wendy Wheatley 1990 - # LAC L.A. Carr 1910-25 2,3 LCR L.C. Round 1996 - # LS L. Southall 1990- 11 LW L. Watson 1954-58 2,# MCB Mike Brian 1980 - # MD Michael Dixon 1980 - # MRW Mark Webb 1990- # MS Mark Sutton 1994- # MW Maurice Waterhouse 1971 - 2,# PKD Pete Dedicoat 1980- # PS Penny Smith 1982 # R&AN Bob & Alicia Normand 1980-90 # RF R. Freer 1878-1911 1,2,3 RGW Richard Warren SC Steve Cooper 1980- # SF Steve Finch 1980-87 # SSNS South Staffs Naturalists 5 TECP T.E.C. Parker 1969 - 5,6,# TH Tim Hextell 1990- 11 TGB Tim Beynon 1996 - #, 12 TGE T.G. Edwards c. 1930 2,3 TS T. Smith 1917-27 2,3 TWD T.W. Daltry 1872-1904 1,2,3

The following have also contributed records for the book: J. Ackers, Mike Bloxham, A. Brown, M. Caddick, A.K. Dolphin, Ray Gillibrand, D. Haslam, Robert Heath, V. Jones, Andy Leake, Graeme Lyons, J. Maiden, P. Morris, Nigel Packer, C.R. Parry, R.C. Parsons, S. Phipps, Kevin Reiling, P.R. Robinson, Pete Shirley, C. Slawson, Q. Willets and E. Wooley.

References

Agassiz, D. et al (1981); An Identification Guide to British Pugs. British Entomological and Natural History Society. Bradley, J.D. (1998); Checklist of Lepidoptera Recorded from the British Isles. Anthony Rowe, Chippenham. ISBN 0 9532508 0 6 Dandy, J.E. (1969), Watsonian Vice-counties of Great Britain. Ray Society. Dickson, R. (1976), A Lepidopterist's Handbook. Amateur Entomologist Society. Edees, E (1972), Flora of Staffordshire. David and Charles. Heath, J., Emmet, A.M. et al (1976-) The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland. Harley Books, Essex. Porter, J. (1997); Colour Identification Guide to Caterpillars of the British Isles. Viking. Skinner, B. (1998); Colour Identification Guide to the Moths of the British Isles. 2nd Ed. Viking. South, R. (1961); The Moths of the British Isles. 2 vols. Warne, London. Young, M. (1997); The Natural History of Moths. Poyser.

The Species Accounts KEY : pre 1960 1960-1979 1980-2000 z

HEPIALIDAE

14 Ghost Swift Hepialus humuli humuli Linnaeus 14 : Ghost Swift SJ SK 6 Habit Frequents waste ground and grassy places where the larvae live in 5 the roots of a variety of herbaceous plants and grasses. During June 4 and July the white males may be seen in the early evening 3 2

"swinging" to and fro over the vegetation as if hanging by a thread, 1

while the yellow females fly in relatively straight lines towards 0

9 them. SO SP 8 789012 Status Common generally.

15 Orange Swift Hepialus sylvina Linnaeus 15 : Orange Swift SJ SK 6 Habit Typically found in woods and on heaths where the larvae live in the 5 4

roots of a variety of herbaceous plants, including bracken. The 3

adults fly from dusk onwards in late July and August - much later in 2 the year than the other swifts. 1 0 9 Status Locally common. SO SP 8 789012

16 : Gold Swift SJ SK 16 Gold Swift Hepialus hecta Linnaeus 6 5 Habit Found on heaths and in woods where the larvae live in the roots of a 4 3

variety of herbaceous plants, including bracken. Adults fly from 2 dusk onwards in June and July when the males can be seen 1 "dancing" above the bracken fronds in the manner of a Ghost Moth. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Common. 789012

17 : Common Swift SJ SK 17 Common Swift Hepialus lupulinus Linnaeus 6 5 Habit Found in a variety of habitats where the larvae live in the roots of a 4 wide variety of plants, including grasses, and sometimes be a pest. 3 2

The adults fly from dusk onwards between late May and July. 1

0 Status Generally common. 9 SO SP 8 789012

18 : Map-winged Swift 18 Map-winged Swift Hepialus fusconebulosa DeGeer SJ SK 6

5 Habit Typically inhabits hill slopes, heaths and woodland edges where the 4 larvae feed on the roots of bracken. Adults fly from dusk onwards 3 in June and July 2 1 0

Status Locally common, especially in the north of the county. 9 SO SP 8 789012 13

COSSIDAE : Zeuzerinae

161 Leopard Moth Zeuzera pyrina Linnaeus 161 : Leopard Moth SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rare, Yoxall (EB); Burton, Rolleston; Stafford, Hanley; Cheadle; 5 4

Handsworth; Stone (VCH); Rugeley, 1903 (RF); Oakamoor, 1921; 3

Leek, 1928 (Hill); Madeley, 1928 (HWD); Hanley, 1933, 1946 2 (BB); Stone, 1950 (PCD); Walsall (EABS). 1 1960-79 near Tamworth, 1974 & 1978 (G&MA). 0 9 SO SP 8 Habit Larvae feed for one or two years in the stems of a variety of trees 789012 and shrubs in woods, heaths and mature gardens. The adults are on the wing in July and August. Status Most records are of single examples at light but six in one night at Needwood Forest, 1997 (MRW) was unusual.

COSSIDAE : Cossinae

162 Goat Moth Cossus cossus Linnaeus 162 : Goat Moth SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Not common, larvae in ash and willow trees (VCH); 50 Eccleshall 5 4

(FW Dutton); Oulton, near Stone (JRBM). 3

1980-99 More recently recorded at Ashley Heath 10/6/83 (IOJ); Stone in 2 1996 & 1997 (CY). 1 0 9 Habit The larvae feed for three to four years inside the trunks of a variety SO SP 8 of species of tree, with heavy infestations causing damage. The 789012 adults fly in June and July and are occasionally found at rest on trunks or fences. Status This is a species of southern England which accounts for its scarcity here.

ZYGAENIDAE : Procridinae

163 Forester Adscita statices Linnaeus 163 : The Forester SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rare and local, Madeley; Dovedale (VCH); Consall, 1918 (Hill); 5 4

one on canal side, Barton-under-Needwood, 1945 (CC). 3

2 Habit The larvae feed on common sorrel in damp meadows, rides and 1 clearings in woods and on limestone hills. The adults fly during the 0 9 day in June and July SO SP 8 Status Despite its foodplant and habitat being quite common, it may well 789012 be absent now. It is much commoner in southern England.

164 Cistus Forester Adscita geryon Hηbner 164 : Cistus Forester SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rare, Staffordshire side of Dovedale (VCH); Dovedale (HWD, 5 4

RGW). 3

1980-99 Still at Dovedale (CY) 2 1 Habit The larvae feed on rock-rose in limestone areas while the adults fly 0 9 during the daytime from late May to July. SO SP 8 Status Seems to be restricted to Dovedale, though should occur in adjacent 789012 dales.

ZYGAENIDAE : Zygaeninae

169 Six-spot Burnet Zygaena filipendulae stephensi Dupont 169 : Six-spot Burnet SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rare, railway cutting near Madeley; Cannock Chase, Grindon; 5 4

Dovedale, Burton (VCH); Norbury (ESL); Madeley, occasional, 3

1946 common (HWD); Churnet Valley, Trentham. 2 1 Habit The larvae feed on bird's-foot trefoil while the adults fly during the 0 9 day from mid-June to August. SO SP 8 Status Having been rare in the early years of the century it is now locally 789012 abundant, especially on waste ground and along railway embankments.

170 Five-spot Burnet Zygaena trifolii decreta Verity 170 : Five-spot Burnet SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rare and local, Cannock Chase (VCH); Cannock Chase (RGW). 5 4

1980-99 Recent records from the south of the county probably refer to the 3

next species as it is extinct in neighbouring Worcestershire and 2 Warwickshire. 1 0 9 Status This is a difficult species to separate from Z. lonicerae and it may SO SP 8 well now be absent from much of the county having been replaced 789012 by the next species. It is a species of southern and western England.

171 Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet 171 : Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet SJ SK Zygaena lonicerae latomarginata Tutt 6 5 4 pre 1960 Canal bank Cheswardine, rare (VCH). 3

2 Habit The larvae feed on meadow vetchling and red clover growing in 1 rough meadows, embankments, limestone meadows etc. The 0 9 familiar adults fly during the day from June to July. SO SP 8 Status Despite the statement in VCH it is now the commonest of the 789012 burnets in the county.

SESIIDAE : Sesiinae

370 Hornet Moth Sesia apifomis Clerck 370 : Hornet Moth SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rare, Stoke-on-Trent, Cheadle, Warslow (VCH). 5 4

1960-79 Several in a school playground at Newcastle, approx 1980 (JM). 3

1980-99 Normacot 21/7/1995 (JK). 2 1 Habit The larvae live for several years in the bark of various species of 0 9 poplar. The adults are on the wing from mid-June to mid-July. SO SP 8 Status This is a southern and eastern species so we are just on the edge of 789012 its range.

371 Lunar Hornet Sesia bembeciformis Hηbner 371 : Lunar Hornet SJ SK 6 pre 1960 General (VCH); Rugeley (RF); Burnt Wood (HLB). 5 4

1960-79 Downs Banks, Barlaston, many larval borings in stems of sallows; 3

High Onn Wood (RGW); Chartley Moss (H. Harrison). 2 1980-99 One at Parkhall in July 1991 (JK). 1 0 9 Habit The larvae bore into the trunks of various willow species where they SO SP 8 live for several years. The adults fly during the day in July. 789012

Status It remains scarce and of irregular occurrence with us with only one post 1980 record.

SESIIDAE : Paranthreninae

Clearwings

These are some of the most sought after moths. Resembling species of wasp, the adults are day-fliers but are seldom seen, so masking their true distribution. They are more likely to turn up in static traps such as the malaise traps normally used for catching diptera and hymenoptera as used successfully by Mike Brian (MCB) at Sandon.

373 Currant Clearwing Synanthedon tipuliformis Clerck 373 : Currant Clearwing SJ SK 6 pre 1960 General in gardens where currants grown (VCH); perhaps scarcer 5 4

than formerly, "no sign of it in a big plantation of currants in my 3

garden at Madeley in 26 years" (HWD); Rugeley (RF); one in 2 garden, Newcastle, 1953 (JE). 1 1980-99 Sandon 1991 (MCB); Meir 1999 (JK) 0 9 SO SP 8 Habit The larvae bore into the shoots of black and red currant. The adults 789012 are day-fliers with an emergence peak in mid-June. Status Scarce.

374 Yellow-legged Clearwing Synanthedon vespiformis Linnaeus 374 : Yellow-legged Clearwing SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Burnt Wood, 1917 (FCW); 1934 (HLB); Madeley, 2 bred 1931 5 4

(HWD). 3

1980-99 The most recent record is of four in a malaise trap at Sandon Park 2 1992 (MCB). 1 0 9 Habit The larvae tend to prefer fresh stumps of oak. The adults have a SO SP 8 long emergence period stretching from late May to August. 789012 Status As with all clearwings, the paucity of records does not necessarily reflect its true status.

375 White-barred Clearwing Synanthedon spheciformis D& S. 375 : White-barred Clearwing SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Plentiful some years, Burnt Wood, Craddock’s Moss (VCH); 5 Cannock Chase (TS); Chartley Moss (RGW). 4 3

1980-99 The most recent record comes from Highgate Common, 1995 2 (S.Lane) 1 0 9 Habit The larvae live in the trunks of birch and alder and the day-flying SO SP 8 adults emerge from mid-May to mid-June. 789012 Status A rare species with us and a local species over central and southern England. The map shows that it has withdrawn from its few northern localities within the county.

376 Welsh Clearwing Synanthedon ichneumoniformis D& S 376 : Welsh Clearwing

SJ SK pre 1960 Cannock Chase, 1913; larvae common, 1920 (HC Hayward). 6 5 4

Habit The larvae feed in birch trunks while the day-flying adults are on the 3

wing from mid-May to mid-June. 2 Status These remain the only county records. Nationally the species is now 1 only known from Scotland and southern Ireland so it is unlikely to 0 9 turn up again. SO SP 8 789012 16

379 Red-belted Clearwing Synanthedon myopaeformis Borkhausen 379 : Red-belted Clearwing SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Walsall (EABS). 5 4

Habit The larvae feed in the trunks of apple and less often pear, hawthorn 2 etc. The adults fly in June and July. 1 0 9 Status This remains the only record. We are on the edge of its range which SO SP 8 is to the south and east. 789012

380 Red-tipped Clearwing Synanthedon formicaeformis Esper 380 : Red-tipped Clearwing SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Burton, 1943 (CC); Walsall, 1949, 2 on raspberry flowers (JS 5 4

Sharpe). 3

2 Habit The larvae feed on willows and the adults emerge from May to July. 1 0 9 Status No recent records and so must now be absent. Its distribution is SO SP 8 mainly to the south and east. 789012

381 Large Red-belted Clearwing Synanthedon culiciformis Linnaeus 381 : Large Red-belted Clearwing SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Plentiful some years in Burnt Wood; Cannock Chase; Hawksmoor, 5 4

Burnt and Maer Woods (HWD) 3

1960-79 Swynnerton, Burnt Wood (RGW) 2 1980-99 Kinver Edge. 1 0 9 Habit The larvae burrow into birch and alder while the adults fly during SO SP 8 the day in May. 789012

Status They are best looked for in heathy areas and open woodland where birch is plentiful.

382 Six-belted Clearwing Bembecia ichneumoniformis D & S 382 : Six-belted Clearwing SJ SK 6 1980-99 Rowley Regis 25/7/93 (G&EB), Wyrley Common 21/6/1995 (JK). 5 4 3

Habit The larvae feed in the roots of bird's-foot trefoil while the adults fly 2 from mid-June to August. 1 0 9 Status We are on the edge of its range which extends to all counties to the SO SP 8 south and west. 789012

LASIOCAMPIDAE

1631 December Moth Poecilocampa populi Linnaeus 1631 : December Moth SJ SK 6 Habit The larvae feed on a variety of trees while the adults emerge in 5 November and December. 4 3

2 Status Generally distributed in woodland and along hedgrerows etc. and is 1 not uncommon. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1632 Pale Eggar Trichiura crataegi Linnaeus 1632 : Pale Eggar SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rare, 2 taken at gas lamp at Stone; Burton (VCH). 5 4

Habit The larvae feed on a wide variety of trees and shrubs while the 2 adults are on the wing in August and September. 1 Status Local and largely western in distribution and absent from the north 0 9 and south of the county. Recorded from ten 10Km squares since SO SP 8 1960, usually single specimens coming to light. 789012

1633 Small Eggar Eriogaster lanestris Linnaeus 1633 : Small Eggar SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Needwood Forest; common at Burton (VCH); between Newcastle 5 4

and Market Drayton (FCW); Cannock Chase (RF). 3

2 Habit The larvae feed chiefly on hawthorn and the adults fly in February 1 and March. 0 9 Status There are no recent records; this species has declined all over the SO SP 8 country and may well be extinct in Staffordshire. 789012

1634 The Lackey Malacosoma neustria Linnaeus 1634 : The Lackey SJ SK 6 One at Kinver Edge 24/7/1980 (FAN); Bunkers Hill Wood 15/7/97 (DNF). 5 4

Habit The larvae feed on a wide variety of trees and shrubs, living in a 2 communal silken web. The adults fly in July and August. 1 Status Rare; this is a familiar species in southern England but we are on the 0 9 edge of its range. SO SP 8 789012

1637 Oak Eggar Lasiocampa quercus quercus Linnaeus 1637 : Oak Eggar SJ SK 6 Examples of this species occurring in the south of the county are probably 5 4 referable to the nominate subspecies which is single brooded while those in the 3 north, especially on the Moorlands where it is common, belong to the 2 Northern Eggar L. quercus f. callunae Palmer 1 0 9 Habit The familiar hairy larvae of subspecies callunae feed on bilberry SO SP 8 and heather while those of the nominate subspecies feed on a wide 789012 variety of trees and shrubs. The adults can be found on the wing from May to August and are a familiar sight dashing over the heather on sunny days Status Local but not uncommon.

1638 Fox Moth Macrothylacia rubi Linnaeus 1638 : Fox Moth SJ SK 6 Habit The hairy larvae feed on a variety of heathland and moorland plants; 5 the males fly wildly in search of females over the heather in the 4 3

afternoon and evening during May and June. 2 1 Status Locally common on heaths and moors. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1640 Drinker Euthrix potatoria Linnaeus 1640 : Drinker SJ SK 6 Habit A species of marshes and rough grassy areas where the familiar 5 4

hairy larvae feed on coarse grasses and sedges while the adults fly in 3

July and August, coming frequently and energetically to light! 2 1 Status There are no records from Leek and the northern area and the only 0 9 record for the Churnet Valley is from Denstone; otherwise common SO SP 8 throughout. 789012

1641 Small Lappet Phyllodesma ilicifolia Linnaeus 1641 : Small Lappet SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Cannock Chase: first authentic British record, Atkinson, 17. v. 1851; 5 4

later by Partridge, Weaver and the Brothers Bonney, and on 3

17.v.1896 by R. Freer. A further example was taken at Cannock just 2 before 1939 - South, Moths of the British Isles, revised edition 1961, 1 p. 28. For a full account of this species on Cannock Chase, see Tutt, 0 9 British Lepidoptera iii p. 197. SO SP 8 789012 Status It is now extinct in the county. Apart from Cannock Chase, the Small Lappet has been found in very few places; the last confirmed British sighting being in 1965.

1642 Lappet Gastropacha quercifolia Linnaeus 1642 : The Lappet SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Larvae taken near Rugeley (VCH). Tutt (British Lepidoptera) 5 4

quotes a record by C.G. Barrett for South Staffordshire. 3

1980-99 Occasional specimens taken at Himley Hall 1980-83 (GB). 2 1 Habit The larvae of this spectacular species feed mainly on hawthorn and 0 9 blackthorn, the adults flying in June and July. SO SP 8 Status It occurs south of a line between the Wash and the Severn and thus 789012 we are on the northern edge of its range.

SATURNIIDAE

1643 Emperor Saturnia pavonia Linnaeus 1643 : Emperor Moth SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Common on heaths throughout the county (VCH). 5 4

Habit The colourful larvae feed on Calluna, Erica and Salix. The adults 2 are well-known day-fliers from April to June. 1 Status The comment in VCH is substantially true at the present time, 0 9 although the species has disappeared from some localities where it SO SP 8 was formerly known. Essentially a moorland insect, but may be 789012 seen in the more open parts of woods where there is heather or bilberry, and larvae have been found on Spiraea at Cheddleton (LW, 1956).

ENDROMIDAE

1644 Kentish Glory Endromis versicolora Linnaeus (no map) pre 1960 Used to be taken in Burnt Wood (VCH).

Status Undoubtedly now extinct in the county.

DREPANIDAE : Drepaninae

1645 Scalloped Hook-tip Falcaria lacertinaria Linnaeus 1645 : Scalloped Hook-tip SJ SK 6 Habit The larvae feed on the upperside of birch leaves while the adults are 5 4

on the wing in May and June and again from late July to August. 3

2 Status Locally common in areas where birch is plentiful. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1646 Oak Hook-tip Watsonalla binaria Hufnagel 1646 : Oak Hook-tip SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Burnt Wood 1902 (VCH). 5 4

Habit The larvae feed on oak while the adults fly in May and June and 2 again from late-July to August. 1 0 9 Status This species only became established in Staffordshire during the last SO SP 8 50 years. It now occurs in most large oak woods but less so in the 789012 extreme north.

1647 Barred Hook-tip Watsonalla cultraria Fabricius 1647 : Barred Hook-tip SJ SK 6 1960-79 Keele 1979 (DWE) 5 4

1980-99 Small colony at Himley Hall 1980-83 (GB); Baggeridge CP 30/4/90 3

(LCR). 2 1 Habit The foodplant is beech and it is on the wing in May and June and 0 9 again from late-July to August. SO SP 8 789012 Status It is a moth of south-east England but is now established in the Northampton area and the Wyre Forest and in the southern part of Staffordshire, so may be spreading northwards.

Caution May be overlooked for Oak Hook-tip - as was the 1979 record!!

1648 Pebble Hook-tip Drepana falcataria falcataria Linnaeus 1648 : Pebble Hook-tip SJ SK 6 Habit The larvae feed chiefly on birch and alder while the adults fly in 5 4

May and June and again from late-July to August. 3

2 Status Occurs in most woods where birch is plentiful. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1651 Chinese Character Cilix glaucata Scopoli 1651 : Chinese Character SJ SK 6 Habit The larvae feed on various trees of the Rosaceae e.g. hawthorn, 5 4

blackthorn. The odd-looking adults fly in May and June and again in 3

August. 2 1 Status Generally common in hedgerows. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

DREPANIDAE : Thyatirinae

1652 Peach-blossom Thyatira batis Linnaeus 1652 : Peach-blossom SJ SK 6 Habit A woodland species whose larvae feed on blackberry. The attractive 5 4

adults fly in June and July. 3

2 Status Distributed throughout the county but not common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1653 Buff Arches Habrosyne pyritoides Hufnagel 1653 : Buff Arches SJ SK 6 Habit A species of open woodland and bushy places. The larvae are on 5 4

blackberry and raspberry while the adults fly in June and July. 3

2 Status Local in the north of the county, commoner in the south. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1654 1654 : Figure of Eighty Figure of Eighty Tethea ocularis octogesimea Hηbner SJ SK 6 Habit A species of woodland, suburban habitats etc. The larvae feed on 5 4

poplars; the adults are on the wing from May to July. 3

2 Status The first record for the county was of two at sugar, Madeley, 1945 1 (HWD). It is now appearing frequently in moth traps and is 0 9 apparently established throughout the county wherever poplars SO SP 8 grow. 789012

1657 Common Lutestring Ochropacha duplaris Linnaeus 1657 : Common Lutestring SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Not uncommon; Cannock Chase, Burnt Wood, Madeley, Cheadle, 5 4

Henhurst (VCH); Craddock's Moss, Madeley, always the dark form 3

(HWD); Whiston (TS) 2 1 Habit A woodland species. The larvae feed on birch and the adults fly 0 9 from June to August. SO SP 8 Status RGW had specimens of the typical form from Balterley Heath and 789012 Swynnerton, but the melanic form appears to be generally dominant in Staffordshire. Common in most places on birch; an interesting record is from a suburban garden at Tamworth (W.J. Atkins, 1975).

1658 Oak Lutestring Cymatophorima diluta hartwiegi Reisser 1658 : Oak Lutestring SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rare; Burnt Wood, Henhurst (VCH); Burnt Wood, 1933 (TGE); 5 4

1960-79 Shugborough, 1973 (RGW). 3

1980-99 Kinver Edge (FAN). 2 1 Habit The larvae feed on oak while the adults fly from August to October. 0 9 Status Rare, but probably still present where oak woods have survived. SO SP 8 789012

1659 Yellow Horned Achyla flavicornis galbanus Tutt 1659 : Yellow Horned SJ SK 6 Habit A typical moth of heathy areas where the adults rest in the daytime 5 4

on the stems of birch - the larval foodplant. The adults fly in March 3

and April. 2 1 Status In most heathy places in north-west Staffordshire as well the 0 9 Churnet Valley and Cannock Chase. Also in birch woods e.g. Burnt SO SP 8 Wood, Needwood Forest, Trentham. Seems to have become less 789012 common since 1960.

1660 Frosted Green Polyploca ridens Fabricius 1660 : Frosted Green SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rare; Swynnerton, Trentham (VCH); Bishops Wood (ESL); Burnt 5 Wood (HLB). 4 3

1980-99 Bagots Wood (JAH); Kinver Edge 1981, 1983 (FAN); Bunkers Hill 2

Wood (DNF). 1 0 9 Habit The larvae feed on oak in mature woodland and the adults fly in SO SP April and May. 8 789012

Status Scarce generally.

GEOMETRIDAE : Archiearinae 1661 : Orange Underwing SJ SK 1661 Orange Underwing Archiearis parthenias Linnaeus 6 5 Habit A species of birch woodland, the adults flying during the day in 4 March and April. It requires tall trees and is not seen in birch scrub 3 2

unless there are taller trees nearby. 1

0 Status Common in many areas where birch is plentiful, from the Churnet 9 SO SP Valley in the north to Hopwas Wood in the south, also the Kinver 8 789012 area.

1662 : Light Orange Underwing 1662 Light Orange Underwing Archiearis notha Hηbner SJ SK 6

5 pre 1960 Burnt Wood, 1954 (RGW) 4 1980-99 Recently at Saltwells LNR 28/4/96 (TGB). 3 2 Habit Habits similar to Orange Underwing A. parthenias but it feeds on 1 0

aspen instead of birch. It flies only on sunny days in early April. 9 SO SP 8 Status Rare. 789012

GEOMETRIDAE : Oenochrominae 1663 : March Moth SJ SK 6 1663 March Moth Alsophila aescularia Denis & Schiffermηller 5 4 Habit The larvae feed on a variety of trees while the males fly in March 3 and April. The females are wingless. 2 1

0 Status Common in woodland and hedgerows throughout the county. 9 SO SP 8 789012 22

GEOMETRIDAE : Geometrinae

1665 Grass Emerald Pseudoterpna pruinata atropunctaria Walker 1665 : Grass Emerald SJ SK 6 Habit A heathland and marshland species, the larvae feeding on gorse and 5 4

broom, the adults flying from June to August. 3

2 Status Local and uncommon. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1666 Large Emerald Geometra papilionaria Linnaeus 1666 : Large Emerald SJ SK 6 Habit The larvae feed mainly on birch. The attractive adults, which 5 4

emerge from June to August, are frequentlty attracted to light. 3

2 Status In most places where birch is growing. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1667 Blotched Emerald Comibaena bajularia Denis & Schiffermηller 1667 : Blotched Emerald SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Burnt Wood (HLB, RGW); Wetley Moor, 1923 (RGW); Chorlton 5 4

Moss, 1939 (Miss L. Poole). 3

2 Habit Larvae feed on oak and the adults fly in June and July. 1 Status Scarce in oakwoods, occasionally as a vagrant elsewhere. Recorded 0 9 in six 10Km squares since 1980. The Wetley Moor record is not as SO SP 8 improbable as it appears; there is a small oak wood within ½ mile of 789012 the site of capture.

1669 Common Emerald Hemithea aestivaria Hηbner 1669 : Common Emerald SJ SK 6 Habit A species of wood margins and hedgerows where it feeds on various 5 4

trees and shrubs. The adults fly from late June to July. 3

2 Status Not uncommon in southern and lowland parts of the county, absent 1 from the higher ground in the north. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1673 Small Emerald Hemiostola chrysoprasaria Esper 1673 : Small Emerald SJ SK 6 A single record from Norton, Stourbridge on 30/7/2000 (DNF). 5 4 3

Status Although this record is not supported by a voucher specimen, the 2 species has been recorded in Warwickshire and is not uncommon in 1 parts of neighbouring Worcestershire. It is also fairly recognisable. 0 9 It is more common on the chalk grasslands of the south of England SO SP 8 where it feeds on Traveller's Joy. 789012

1674 Little Emerald Jodis lactearia Linnaeus 1674 : Little Emerald SJ SK 6 Habit Larvae feed on a variety of trees and bushes; the adults fly from 5 4

June to August. 3

2 Status Generally common, appears to have withdrawn from the north-east 1 of the county. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012 GEOMETRIDAE : Sterrhinae

1677 Birch Mocha Cyclophora albipunctata Hufnagel 1677 : Birch Mocha SJ SK 6 Habit A species of woodland and heathland and, as the name suggests, the 5 4

larvae feed on birch. The adults fly in May and June. 3

Status The predominant form at Burnt Wood was var. subroseata 2 Woodforde, the type being rarely seen. The last year in which the 1 species was plentiful there was 1933, after this there was a decline 0 9 and none have been seen since c. 1946. It is to be feared that SO SP 8 subroseata, a form unknown elsewhere, is now extinct. 789012

The type, or a form approaching it, still exists at Chartley Moss and an example was taken at light on Cannock Chase in 1972 (DAD). More recently it has been found on Highgate Common and Kinver Edge.

1679 False Mocha Cyclophora porata Linnaeus 1679 : False Mocha SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Not common Burnt Wood; Swynnerton (VCH) 5 4

Habit The larvae feed on oak while the adults fly in May and June and 2 possibly in August and September. 1 Status Rare and probably absent. However, there was an unconfimed 0 9 sighting on Cannock Chase in the 1970's. We are on the northern SO SP 8 edge of its range. 789012

1680 Maiden’s Blush Cyclophora punctaria Linnaeus 1680 : Maiden’s Blush SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Burnt Wood; Cannock Chase (VCH). 5 4 3

Habit A species of oak woods, the attractive adults fly in May and June 2 and possibly in August. 1 Status Still present in the above localities but seems to have withdrawn 0 9 from its eastern sites. More frequent in the south. SO SP 8 789012

1681 Clay Triple-lines Cyclophora linearia Hηbner 1681 : Clay Triple-lines SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Near Lichfield, 1909 (LAC); Cannock Chase, 1910 (EDB) 5 4

1960-79 Cannock Chase 1972 (DAD). 3

2 Habit A beech-feeder; the adults flying in June and July. 1 Status Rare. In beech woods; the recent Cannock Chase record is 0 9 interesting, suggesting that extensive planting of beech may result in SO SP 8 this species spreading into the county. 789012

1682 Blood-vein Timandra comae Schmidt 1682 : Blood-vein SJ SK 6 Habit The larvae are found anywhere with an abundance of weeds e.g. 5 4

docks, sorrel and knotgrass; the adults emerging in May and June 3

and again in August and September. 2 1 Status More frequent in early 1950’s, then becoming scarcer again. A 0 9 lowland species, well established in the south but recorded no SO SP 8 farther north than Denstone in the Churnet Valley. 789012

1690 Small Blood-vein Scopula imitaria Hηbner 1690 : Small Blood-vein SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Madeley, Rugeley, Burton (VCH). Burnt Wood (HLB); Trentham, 5 4

very occasionally (RGW); Wigginton (S. Swain) 3

1960-79 Loynton Moss (DAD) 2 1 Habit Inhabits waste ground where it feeds on a variety of low plants, 0 9 especially privet. The adults fly in July and August. SO SP 8 Status Scarce; absent from the far north of the county. 789012

1692 Lesser Cream Wave Scopula immutata Linnaeus 1692 : Lesser Cream Wave SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Chartley Moss (VCH). 5 4

1980-99 Recent records from Baggeridge CP 29/7/94 (K&WW) and 3

Highgate Common. 2 1 Habit A species of damp meadows and marshes where the larvae feed on 0 9 meadowsweet and common valerian. The adults fly in July and SO SP 8 August. 789012 Status Rare. Caution Care is needed to separate this species from the commoner Cream Wave S. floslactata.

1693 Cream Wave Scopula floslactata floslactata Haworth 1693 : Cream Wave SJ SK 6 Habit Larvae feed on various weedy plants e.g. knotgrass, dandelion, dock 5 4

and adults fly in May and June. 3

2 Status Common very locally e.g. Burnt Wood, Maer and Needwood 1 Forest; also recorded, much less frequently, from Trentham, the 0 9 Churnet Valley and the Cannock Chase area and in woods in the SO SP 8 south. 789012

1694 Smoky Wave Scopula ternata Schrank pre 1960 Maer Woods; Swynnerton; near Cheadle; Dovedale; Chartley Moss 1694 : Smoky Wave SJ SK (VCH); common on heathy ground (HWD). 6 5 4

Habit A species of heaths and mosses, the larvae feeding on heather and 3

bilberry and the adults flying in June and July. 2 1 Status Daltry's statement above is true of the area around Madeley, where 0 9 Chorlton Moss is another locality, but not of the county as a whole. SO SP 8 The species is, in fact, extremely local, and apparently absent from 789012 some areas where one would expect to find it. RGW had seen it on some heathy ground at the edge of Bagots Wood, but not at Burnt Wood, nor is it recorded from Cannock Chase.

There is a record from the Leek Moors 1983 (LW, RGW). While heaths and mosses are the typical habitat, in Dovedale it occurs on a rough grassy slope with gorse bushes. Caution The Common Wave Cabera exanthemata is similar.

1702 Small Fan-footed Wave Idaea biselata Hufnagel 1702 : Small Fan-footed Wave SJ SK 6 Habit The larvae feed on common dandelion, knotgrass etc. while the 5 4

adults fly from June to August. 3

2 Status Common in woods and hedgerows. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1705 : Dwarf Cream Wave SJ SK 1705 Dwarf Cream Wave Idaea fuscovenosa Goeze 6 5 pre 1960 Forton (ESL) 4 1980-99 Recently recorded at Saltwells LNR and Sandwell Valley 3 2

Habit Inhabits various weedy places where the larvae feed on a variety of 0 common plants e.g. dandelion and bramble. The adults fly in June 9 SO SP and July. 8 Status Not uncommon in the south of the county. 789012

1707 Small Dusty Wave Idaea seriata Schrank 1707 : Small Dusty Wave SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rugeley (RF); Forton (ESL). 5 4

1960-79 Cannock Chase; Chartley Moss; Trentham. 3

2 Habit A species of hedges, waste ground, gardens etc. where it feeds on 1 ivy and other plants. The adults fly in June and July and again in 0 9 August and September. SO SP 8 Status Not common, but seems to have been reported more frequently from 789012 1968 onwards and commonly in the south and east.

1708 Single-dotted Wave Idaea dimidiata Hufnagel 1708 : Single-dotted Wave SJ SK 6 Habit The larvae feed on cow parsley in woods, damp meadows, ditches 5 4

etc., while the adults fly from June to August. 3

2 Status Common only in the lowlands, not recorded in the north-east. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012 1709 Satin Wave Idaea subsericeata Haworth 1709 : Satin Wave SJ SK pre 1960 Local, Dovedale (VCH); Cannock Chase (RF). 6 1981-99 Cannock Chase 1983 (R&AN); Kinver Edge; Saltwells LNR; 5 Norton nr. Stourbridge, Bunkers Hill Wood 1998 (DNF) 4 3 2

Habit A species of woodland rides, downland, grassy places etc. where the 1

larvae feed on common "weeds" and the adults fly in July and 0 August. 9 SO SP Status Uncommon and local. 8 789012

1711 Treble Brown Spot Idaea trigeminata Haworth 1711 : Treble Brown Spot SJ SK 6 1981-99 Kinver Edge, 1982; Saltwells LNR 1996; Norton near Stourbridge 5 4

(DNF). 3

2 Habit The larvae feed on common "weeds" such as knotgrass and 1 dandelion growing in woodland edges, hedges, downland etc. The 0 9 adults fly in June and July. SO SP 8 Status Rare. We are on the northern edge of its range. 789012

1712 Small Scallop Idaea emarginata Linnaeus 1712 : Small Scallop SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rare, Madeley; Burton (VCH) 5 4 1960-79 Cannock Chase (DAD). 3

2 Habit A species of fenland, damp woodland and other marshy places 1 where its foodplant - bedstraw - grows. The adults fly in July and 0 9 August. SO SP 8 789012 Status Local.

1713 Riband Wave Idaea aversata Linnaeus 1713 : Riband Wave SJ SK 6 Habit The larvae feed on low plants such as bedstraw and chickweed 5 4

while the adults fly from June to August. 3

2 Status Common everywhere except on the high moors; both plain and 1 banded forms occur together throughout; the latter being the 0 9 commoner of the two forms. SO SP 8 789012

1715 Plain Wave Idaea straminata Borkhausen 1715 : Plain Wave SJ SK 6 Habit A species of woods and heaths where the larvae feed on plants such 5 4

as dandelion and knotgrass and the adults fly in July. 3

Status Local in woods. 2 1 Caution Care is needed to separate this species from the plain form of the 0 9 much commoner Riband Wave I. aversata. SO SP 8 789012

1716 Vestal Rhodometra sacraria Linnaeus 1716 : Vestal SJ SK 6 pre 1960 First recorded in the county at Burnt Wood at light 20-23 September 5 4

1947 (HLB). 3

2 Status An immigrant, usually to the south of England only, but now 1 recorded from many parts of the British Isles. 1983 was a 0 9 particularly good year in the county. SO SP 8 789012

GEOMETRIDAE : Larentiinae

1719 Oblique Carpet Orthonama vittata Borkhausen 1719 : Oblique Carpet SJ SK 6 Habit A species of fens and marshes where it feeds on various bedstraws 5 4

and flies in May and June and again in August and September. 3

2 Status Local in marshy places; restricted to the north-west of the county. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1720 The Gem Orthonama obstipata Fabricius 1720 : The Gem SJ SK 6 pre 1960 One at gas light in Trent Vale (VCH); Burnt Wood, 1955 (HLB) 5 4

1980-99 Stone 28/9/95 and 18/8/96 (CY); Rushall 7/6/96 (DG); Rough Wood 3

4/8/96 (DNF). 2 1 Status A casual immigrant. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1722 Flame Carpet Xanthorhoe designata Hufnagel 1722 : Flame Carpet SJ SK 6 Habit A species of damp woodland and hedgerows feeding on various 5 4

crucifers and flying in May and June and again in August. 3

2 Status Distributed throughout the county and common except on the 1 moors. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1723 Red Carpet Xanthorhoe decoloraria decoloraria Esper 1723 : Red Carpet SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Morridge, 1898, North Hillswood (Hill). These specimens are in the 5 4

Hill collection in the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery; Manifold 3

Valley, near Ecton (HWD), 2 1980-99 Gib Tor (DWE), Calton near Waterhouses 20/7/1994 (ADP), 1 Bottom Houses (HB). 0 9 SO SP 8 Habit The larvae feed on lady's-mantle and the adults fly in July and 789012 August. They can be found resting on walls and rock faces during the day. Status Very scarce in the Moorlands.

1724 Red Twin-spot Carpet Xanthorhoe spadicearia D&S 1724 : Red Twin-spot Carpet SJ SK 6 1960-79 Trentham; Allimore Green (RGW); Chartley Moss (B Statham); 5 Loynton Moss (DAD). 4 3

2 Habit The larvae feed on a variety of plants including bedstraws. The 1 adults fly in May and June and possibly again in August and 0 9 September. SO SP 8 Status Common on the limestone, otherwise local and infrequent. 789012 Caution Care needed to separate this from the much commoner Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet X. ferrugata.

1725 Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet Xanthorhoe ferrugata Clerck 1725 : Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet SJ SK 6 Habit The larvae feed on a variety of plants including bedstraws. The 5 4

adults fly in May and June and possibly again in August and 3

September. 2 1 Status Common in the lowlands, absent from the Churnet Valley and the 0 9 north. SO SP 8 789012

1726 Large Twin-spot Carpet Xanthorhoe quadrifasciata Clerck 1726 : Large Twin-spot Carpet SJ SK 6 1981-99 First county record at Kinver Edge, 1984 (FAN); also at Stone 5 4

25/7/89 (CY); Wolverhampton July 1990 (IL); Baggeridge CP 3

29/7/94 (K&WW), 7/7/95 (IL). 2 1 Habit A woodland species. The larvae feed on a variety of plants including 0 9 bedstraws; the adults fly in June and July. SO SP 8 789012 Status Rare; apart from the Stone example it is restricted to the far south of the county.

1727 Silver-ground Carpet Xanthorhoe montanata montanata D&S 1727 : Silver-ground Carpet SJ SK 6 Habit The larvae feed on bedstraw and primrose. The adults fly from May 5 4

to July and are frequently disturbed during the day. 3

2 Status Common everywhere. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1728 Garden Carpet Xanthorhoe fluctuata fluctuata Linnaeus 1728 : Garden Carpet SJ SK 6 Habit The larvae feed on various crucifers, especially garlic mustard. The 5 4

adults can be found from April through to October. 3

2 Status Especially common in gardens, but also general in woods and 1 hedgerows. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1731 Chalk Carpet Scotopteryx bipunctaria cretata Prout 1731 : Chalk Carpet SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Common on limestone in the north of the county (VCH). 5 4

Habit A species of limestone grassland where the larvae feed on various 2 trefoils and clovers and the adults fly in July and August. 1 0 9 Status Very local on the limestone. Unusually recorded at Coombes Valley SO SP 8 where two examples came to light, 23 & 26 August 1971 (MW). 789012 The nearest limestone is 8 km. distant and the insects were probably windblown.

1732 Shaded Broad-bar Scotopteryx chenopodiata Linnaeus 1732 : Shaded Broad-bar SJ SK 6 Habit The larvae feed on vetches and clovers on waste ground, 5 4

embankments, old railway lines etc. The adults fly in July and 3

August and are easily disturbed during the day. 2 1 Status Common and especially abundant on the limestone. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1733 Lead Belle Scotopteryx mucronata umbrifera Heydemann 1733 : Lead Belle SJ SK 6 Habit A species of heaths and moors, the larvae feeding on gorse and 5 4

broom, while the adults fly in June. 3

2 Status Probably widespread on gorse. 1 0 9 Caution This is very difficult to separate from the July Belle and in many SO SP 8 cases needs genitalia examination to be certain. 789012

1734 July Belle Scotopteryx luridata plumbaria Fabricius 1734 : July Belle SJ SK 6 Habit A species of heaths and moors, the larvae feeding on gorse and 5 4

broom, while the adults fly in late-June to July. 3

2 Status Probably common wherever gorse is plentiful, often in the same 1 place as S. mucronata but appearing later. Only records which could 0 9 be confirmed have been shown on the map. SO SP 8 789012

1737 Small Argent and Sable Epirrhoe tristata Linnaeus 1737 : Small Argent and Sable SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Not common, Chartley, Leek; common, Rugeley (VCH) 5 4 3

Habit A species of dry banks and rough pastures among heath bedstraw - 2 its foodplant. The adults fly in late-May and June. 1 0 9 Status This species was formerly common in the Churnet Valley and the SO SP 8 fringes of the moors, from North Hillswood down to Alton but after 789012 1950 it became increasingly scarce, and the last confirmed county record was at Kingsley Banks in 1960.

1738 Common Carpet Epirrhoe alternata alternata Mηller 1738 : Common Carpet SJ SK 6 Habit The larvae feed on various species of bedstraw while the very 5 4

variable adults are on the wing in May and June and occasionally in 3

August and September. 2 1 Status Common everywhere and very variable. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1739 Wood Carpet Epirrhoe rivata Hηbner 1739 : Wood Carpet SJ SK 6 Habit A species of woodland edge and hedgerows where the larvae feed 5 4

on bedstraws and the adults fly from June to August. 3

2 Status Perhaps more frequent than records suggest owing to the problems 1 with identification. 0 9 Caution Care is needed in separating this species for the much commoner, SO SP 8 and very variable, Common Carpet E. alternata. 789012

1740 1740 : Galium Carpet Galium Carpet Epirrhoe galiata Denis & Schiffermηller SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Local and rare, Dovedale; Cheadle (VCH). Waterhouses (HWD); 5 4

Whiston (TS); Cheddleton (Hill) 3

1980-99 Castern Wood 14/7/80 (RGW); occurs commonly at light at the 2 Coombes Valley (MW). 1 0 9 Habit A species of moorland where the larvae feed on bedstraws and the SO SP 8 adults fly from May to July. 789012

Status Local on the moors, extending at one time to Stockton Brook and Bagnall and also on the limestone but not found elsewhere in the county.

1742 Yellow Shell Camptogramma bilineata bilineata Linnaeus 1742 : Yellow Shell SJ SK 6 Habit Found in a wide variety of habitats, the larvae feed on various 5 4

"weedy" plants while the attractive adults, which are readily 3

disturbed during the day, fly from mid-June to mid-August. 2 Status Common in the lowlands, less frequent in the Churnet Valley, 1 absent from the moorlands. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1743 Yellow-ringed Carpet Entephria flavicinctata flavicinctata Hηbner 1743 : Yellow-ringed Carpet SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rare; Dovedale (VCH). 5 4

Status No recent records so must be considered extinct in the county. 2 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1744 Grey Mountain Carpet Entephria caesiata Denis & Schiffermηller 1744 : Grey Mountain Carpet SJ SK 6 Leek Moors, The Cloud, Ipstones Edge; a species of gritstone moors, but 5 4 occasionally on northern fringes of Churnet Valley, as at Belmont, 1926 3

(RGW) and Coombes Valley, 1972, at light (MW). 2 1 Habit A gritstone moor species rarely seen below 1000ft. The larvae feed 0 9 on heather, heath and bilberry and the adults fly in July and August. SO SP 8 They can be found resting on rock faces and walls during the day. 789012

Status Local and uncommon.

1745 The Mallow Larentia clavaria Haworth 1745 : The Mallow SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Local, Madeley; Burton (VCH); Forton (ESL) 5 4

Habit A species of waste ground, verges, gardens etc. The larvae feed on 2 common mallow and the adults fly in September and October. 1 0 9 Status Rare. Recent sightings need confirmation SO SP 8 789012 Caution Possible confusion with Shaded Broad-bar Scotopteryx chenopodiata.

1746 Shoulder Stripe Anticlea badiata Denis & Schiffermηller 1746 : Shoulder Stripe SJ SK 6 Habit Found in many habitats where its foodplant - wild rose - grows. The 5 4

attractive and variable adults fly in March and April. 3

2 Status Common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1747 Streamer Anticlea derivata Denis & Schiffermηller 1747 : The Streamer SJ SK 6 Habit The larvae feed on wild rose and the adults fly in April and early- 5 4

May. 3

2 Status Uncommon; more a species of southern England. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1748 Beautiful Carpet Mesoleuca albicillata Linnaeus 1748 : Beautiful Carpet SJ SK 6 Habit A woodland species feeding on bramble and raspberry and flying in 5 4

June and July. 3

2 Status Local and uncommon. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1749 Dark Spinach Pelurga comitata Linnaeus 1749 : Dark Spinach SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Burton, Shobnall (VCH); Leek (hill); Trentham (RGW). 5 4

Habit A species of waste ground etc. where it feeds on goosefoot and 2 orache and flies in July and August. 1 0 9 Status Uncommon but much more widespread in the south. Has occurred SO SP 8 in nine 10Km squares since 1960. 789012

1750 Water Carpet Lampropteryx suffumata Denis & Schiffermηller 1750 : Water Carpet SJ SK 6 Habit Found in woodland rides, embankments, bushy places etc. where the 5 4

larvae feed on bedstraws, especially goosegrass. The adults fly in 3

April and May. 2 1 Status Locally common 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1752 Purple Bar Cosmorhoe ocellata Linnaeus 1752 : Purple Bar SJ SK 6 Habit Found in a variety of habitats where the larvae feed on bedstraws 5 4

and the adults are on the wing from late May to early July. 3

2 Status Widespread but not very common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1753 Striped Twin-spot Carpet Nebula salicata latentaria Curtis 1753 : Striped Twin-spot Carpet SJ SK 6 pre 1960 On the moors near Leek (VCH). Whiston, 1913 (FMB Carr); 5 4

Manifold Valley, 1923 (Hill); Roaches, 1940 & 1946 (RGW). 3

2 Habit Predominantly a moorland species but also found in open woodland 1 and waysides. The larvae feed on bedstraws and the adults fly from 0 9 mid-May to mid-July. SO SP 8 789012 Status Rare; not recorded in past 50 years.

1754 The Phoenix Eulithis prunata Linnaeus 1754 : The Phoenix SJ SK 6 Habit A species of gardens and allotments where the larvae feed on 5 currant and gooseberry while the adults fly in July and August. 4 3

2 Status Scarce and local. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1755 The Chevron Eulithis testata Linnaeus 1755 : The Chevron SJ SK 6 Habit A species of heaths and moors, feeding on willow and birch and 5 flying in late July and August. 4 3

2 Status Common generally on heaths and on the northern moors where the 1 predominant form is dark purplish; in the lowlands where the 0 9 species occurs among sallow in wet places examples are more SO SP 8 orange. Now much less common. 789012

1756 Northern Spinach Eulithis populata Linnaeus 1756 : Northern Spinach SJ SK 6 Habit On the moorlands it feeds mainly on bilberry but it occurs in many 5 4

places where that plant is not found and then it may feed on willow. 3

The adults fly in July and August. 2 1 Status Common generally but abundant at times on the moors. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1757 Spinach Eulithis mellinata Fabricius 1757 : The Spinach SJ SK 6 Habit A species of gardens and waysides where its foodplant - currant - 5 4

grows. The adults fly from June to August. 3

2 Status Not common. 1 0 9 Caution Confusion is possible with the commoner Barred Straw. SO SP 8 789012

1758 Barred Straw Eulithis pyraliata Denis & Schiffermηller 1758 : Barred Straw SJ SK 6 Habit The larvae feed on currant and the adults fly from late June to 5 4

August. 3

2 Status Rather common and widespread. 1 0 9 Caution Confusion with the Spinach is possible. SO SP 8 789012

1759 Small Phoenix Ecliptopera silaceata Denis & Schiffermηller 1759 : Small Phoenix SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Not common, Madeley, Dovedale, Henhurst, Burton (VCH). 5 4

Habit Found in a variety of habitats where the larvae feed on various 2 willowherbs while the adults fly in May and June. 1 0 9 Status Has become more common and widespread, no doubt with the SO SP 8 spread of rosebay willowherb, on which the larvae feeds. 789012

1760 Red-green Carpet Chloroclysta siterata Hufnagel 1760 : Red-green Carpet SJ SK 6 Habit Principally a woodland species feeding on oak, rowan etc., The 5 adults fly in September and October and again in April and May 4 3

after hibernation. 2 1 Status Uncommon, occasional examples coming to light. More 0 9 widespread, having occurred in ten 10Km squares in the past 20 SO SP 8 years. The distribution is oddly disjunct with pockets in the north- 789012 west and the far south and nothing in-between.

1761 Autumn Green Carpet Chloroclysta miata Linnaeus 1761 : Autumn Green Carpet SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Dovedale (VCH); Burnt Wood (HLB) 5 4

1980-99 Recently recorded at Saltwells LNR 1992 (DNF); Calton 1992 3

(ADP). 2 1 Habit Inhabits woodland and bushy places and moorland where it feeds on 0 9 various trees and flies in September and October and, after SO SP 8 hibernation, in March and April. 789012 Status Rare, reported from only two 10Km squares in the past 20 years. The Saltwells record is an oddity - quite removed from the species' normal range.

1762 Dark Marbled Carpet Chloroclysta citrata citrata Linnaeus 1762 : Dark Marbled Carpet SJ SK 6 Habit Inhabits woodland and moorland where it feeds on willow, birch 5 4

and bilberry. It is on the wing in July and August. 3

2 Status A very common species. The melanic form is dominant but on the 1 moors we get the very pretty typical form. 0 9 SO SP 8 Caution Care is needed in separating the melanic form from the melanic 789012 form of the Common Marbled Carpet C. truncata.

1764 Common Marbled Carpet Chloroclysta truncata Hufnagel 1764 : Common Marbled Carpet SJ SK 6 Habit Feeds on a variety of plants in many different habitats. The adults 5 4

have two broods; one flying in May and June, the other from August 3

to October. 2 1 Status Common generally; it is very variable, but blackish forms 0 9 predominate. SO SP 8 789012 Caution See C. citrata above.

1765 Barred Yellow Cidaria fulvata Forster 1765 : Barred Yellow SJ SK 6 Habit The larvae of this attractive moth feed on wild rose while the adults 5 fly in June and July. 4 3

2 Status Common in hedgerows. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1766 Blue-bordered Carpet Plemyria rubiginata rubiginata D & S 1766 : Blue-bordered Carpet SJ SK 6 Habit A species of woodland, hedges, orchards and marshy places where it 5 feeds on alder and blackthorn and flies in June/July to August. 4 3

2 Status Locally common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1767 Pine Carpet Thera firmata Hηbner 1767 : Pine Carpet SJ SK 6 Habit A species of conifer plantations. It flies from July to November; the 5 4

larvae feeding on pine. 3

2 Status Less common than the next species and seems now to be restricted 1 to the south. 0 9 SO SP 8 Caution Beware of reddish forms of Grey Pine Carpet T. obeliscata. 789012

1768 1768 : Grey Pine Carpet Grey Pine Carpet Thera obeliscata Hηbner SJ SK 6 Habit A species of conifer forests where it feeds on spruce and Scots pine. 5 4

The variable adults fly from May to July and again from September 3

to October. 2 1 Status Common. Found away from coniferous woodlands so may feed on 0 9 garden conifers too. SO SP 8 789012

1769 Spruce Carpet Thera britannica Turner 1769 : Spruce Carpet SJ SK 6 Habit A species of conifer forests where it feeds on spruce and other Picea 5 4

species. The adults fly from May to July and again from September 3

to October. 2 1 Status First identified at Trent Vale in 1979 (DWE) and has since spread to 0 9 fourteen 10Km squares. SO SP 8 789012 Caution Confusion with the commoner Grey Pine Carpet T. obeliscata possible.

1771 Juniper Carpet Thera juniperata juniperata Linnaeus 1771 : Juniper Carpet SJ SK 6 Habit The larvae feed on juniper while the adults fly from October to 5 November. 4 3

2 Status A recent introduction, first recorded in 1982 at Wolverhampton 1 (SSNS), becoming more common. Its typical habitat does not occur 0 9 in the county so its presence appears to be due to it spreading on SO SP 8 juniper growing in gardens. 789012

1773 Broken-barred Carpet Electrophaes corylata Thunberg 1773 : Broken-barred Carpet SJ SK 6 Habit A species of woodlands and bushy places where it feeds on various 5 trees and shrubs and flies in May and June. 4 3

2 Status Very common in some years e.g. 1930, 1976, now less common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1774 Beech-green Carpet Colostygia olivata Denis & Schiffermηller 1774 : Beech-green Carpet SJ SK 6 Pre 1960 Rare in Dovedale 1886 (VCH); Whiston Eaves, 1928 (TS). 5 4

Habit A species of woodlands on limestone where it feeds on bedstraw 2 and flies in July and August. 1 0 9 Status Rare; no recent records and may well be absent. SO SP 8 789012

1775 Mottled Grey Colostygia multistrigaria Haworth 1775 : Mottled Grey SJ SK 6 Habit Found in grasslands, woodland, heaths and moors where it feeds on 5 4

bedstraws and flies in March and April. 3

2 Status Locally common, especially in hedge banks among heath bedstraw. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1776 Green Carpet Colostygia pectinataria Knoch 1776 : Green Carpet SJ SK 6 Habit Found in a variety of habitats where it feeds on bedstraws. The 5 4

attractive adults from May to July and may be found at rest on tree 3

trunks, or dislodged from foliage. 2 1 Status Common generally. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1777 July Highflyer Hydriomena furcata Thunberg 1777 : July Highflyer SJ SK 6 Habit Inhabits a wide variety of habitats from moorland to lowland, 5 feeding on willows, bilberry and heather. Adults fly in July and 4 3

August and are extremely variable, often looking like totally 2 different species; those living on the moorland being quite 1 distinctive. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Common throughout the county and sometimes abundant on the 789012 moors.

Caution The variability of this species can cause problems when trying to identify the next two members of the genus.

1778 May Highflyer Hydriomena impluviata Denis & Schifferm ller 1778 : May Highflyer η SJ SK 6 Habit The larvae feed on alder and the adults are on the wing from late 5 4

May to early June. 3

2 Status Locally common; its distribution being governed by its foodplant. 1 0 9 Caution Care needed to separate this from July and Ruddy Highflyers. SO SP 8 789012

1779 Ruddy Highflyer Hydriomena ruberata Freyer 1779 : Ruddy Highflyer SJ SK 6 Habit A species of open woodland, moors and heaths where it feeds on 5 4

willows and flies in May and June. 3

2 Status Local and uncommon. 1 0 9 Caution Care needed to separate this from May Highflyer and reddish forms SO SP 8 of July Highflyer. 789012

1784 Pretty Chalk Carpet Melanthia procellata Denis & Schiffermηller 1784 : Pretty Chalk Carpet SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Very rare, two at Trentham in successive years (VCH). 5 4

1980-99 Kinver Edge 1984 (FAN); Himley Hall 1983. 3

2 Habit The larvae feed on traveller's-joy while the adults fly from late June 1 to early August. 0 9 Status Rare. Found only in a few places in the south-west of the county. SO SP 8 Warren suggested that the VCH records were in error because 789012 traveller's-joy did not occur at Trentham.

1787 Argent & Sable Rheumaptera hastata hastata Linnaeus 1787 : Argent & Sable SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Fairly common some years, Bishop's and Burnt Woods, Craddock's 5 4

Moss, Hanchurch, Rugeley (VCH). Maer Woods (HWD); Loynton 3

Moss (ESL). 2 1 Habit The larvae feed on birch while the adults are on the wing in May 0 9 and June. SO SP 8 Status Not uncommon, though declining, in birch woodland e.g. Cannock 789012 Chase, Chartley Moss, Consall, Coombes Valley, Needwood Forest, Swynnerton, Creswell Piece, Trentham, Highgate Common and Burnt Wood.

1788 Scarce Tissue Rheumaptera cervinalis Scopoli 1788 : Scarce Tissue SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rugeley, Burton (VCH). Leek (Hill); Cheddleton (LW); Madeley 5 (HWD); Trentham, 1948 4 3

1960-99 Trentham 1977 and 1983 (RGW). 2 1 Habit The larvae feed on Berberis spp. while the adults are on the wing in 0 9 May and June. SO SP 8 Status Rare, but may occasionally becomes established on Berberis in 789012 gardens and shrubberies.

1789 Scallop Shell Rheumaptera undulata Linnaeus 1789 : Scallop Shell SJ SK 6 Habit The larvae can be found in two different habitats: in woods where 5 4

bilberry is present (e.g. Bishops Wood, Burnt Wood, Maer) and in 3

fens and marshes where they feed on sallow (e.g. Balterley Heath, 2 Chartley Moss, Loynton Moss, Modershall and Trentham). The 1 adults fly in June and July. 0 9 Status Local. SO SP 8 789012

1790 The Tissue Triphosa dubitata Linnaeus 1790 : The Tissue SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Not common, Madeley (VCH); in limestone caves, Grindon and 5 4

Dovedale; Burnt Woods at sallow, Rugeley; Burton; Cheddleton 3

(Hill); Madeley (HWD); Forton (ESL). 2 1980-99 Burnt Wood, Coombes Valley, Knypersley, Swynnerton, Trentham; 1 common some years at heather bloom (RGW). 0 9 SO SP 8 Habit A species of limestone hills, woodland and heathland. The larvae 789012 are said to feed on buckthorn and alder buckthorn but there must be another foodplant as these two plants are not found in some of the localities where the moth has been recorded. The adults fly in August and September and again in April and May after hibernation - sometimes in caves as mentioned above. Status Local and uncommon.

1791 Brown Scallop Philereme vetulata Denis & Schiffermηller 1791 : Brown Scallop SJ SK 6 1980-99 Dovedale, 1986 (BLS) 5 4

Habit A species of limestone grassland, feeding on buckthorn and flying in 2 July. 1 0 9 Status Rare - a single record. It is commoner in the south and east of SO SP 8 England 789012

1792 Dark Umber Philereme transversata britannica Lempke 1792 : Dark Umber SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rare, Dovedale (VCH) 5 4

1980-99 Manifold Valley 9/7/89 (CY). 3

2 Habit A species of limestone hills and grassland, the larvae feeding on 1 buckthorn and the adults flying in July. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Rare; more a species of southern England. 789012

1794 Sharp-angled Carpet Euphyia unangulata Haworth 1794 : Sharp-angled Carpet SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Near Lichfield, 1909 (LAC); the only record. 5 4 3

Habit A species of woods and hedges, feeding on stitchwort and 2 chickweed and flying in July and August. 1 0 9 Status Probably extinct in the county. This is a southern species. SO SP 8 789012 Epirrita spp. Species of this genus can be difficult to identify, especially when melanic forms are not uncommon. Worn specimens especially require genitalia examination.

1795 : November Moth

1795 November Moth Epirrita dilutata Denis & Schiffermηller SJ SK 6 Habit The larvae feed on a variety of plants, the adults fly in October and 5 4

November. 3

Status Found throughout the county, the commonest of the genus. 2 Caution Melanic forms occur which can cause confusion with other Epirrita 1 species. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1796 Pale November Moth Epirrita christyi Allen 1796 : Pale November Moth SJ SK 6 Habit The larvae feed on a variety of plants while the adults fly in October 5 4

and November. 3

2 Status Confused because of difficulty in identification but probably 1 generally distributed. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1797 Autumnal Moth Epirrita autumnata Borkhausen 1797 : Autumnal Moth SJ SK 6 Habit The larvae feed on birch and alder while the adults fly in September 5 4

and October. 3

2 Status Generally distributed but level uncertain because of difficulties in 1 identification. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1798 Small Autumnal Carpet Epirrita filigrammaria Herrich-Sch≅ffer 1798 : Small Autumnal Carpet SJ SK 6 Habit A moorland species. The larvae feed on heather and bilberry while 5 4

the adults fly in August and September. 3

2 Status Local and uncommon; found only on the moors e.g. Roaches, The 1 Cloud, Ipstones Edge and occasionally Cannock Chase and Ashley 0 9 Heath. SO SP 8 789012 Caution Flight period and habitat help to eliminate the three other Epirrita species.

1799 Winter Moth Operophtera brumata Linnaeus 1799 : Winter Moth SJ SK 6 Habit The larvae feed on many species of tree and shrub and are an 5 important food source for nesting birds. The females are wingless 4 3

and the males fly from late autumn and throughout the winter. 2 1 Status One of our commonest moths. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1800 Northern Winter Moth Operophtera fagata Scharfenberg 1800 : Northern Winter Moth SJ SK 6 Habit The larvae feed on birch, hawthorn, blackthorn etc. The females are 5 wingless and the males fly from late autumn and throughout the 4 3

winter. 2 1 Status Common but rather more local than O. brumata in the north; absent 0 9 or scarce in the south of the county. SO SP 8 789012

1801 Barred Carpet Perizoma taeniata Stephens 1801 : Barred Carpet SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Dovedale (VCH). 5 4

1960-79 Only recorded from Dovedale (HWD, RGW). 3

2 Habit A species of damp woodland where the larvae are thought to feed on 1 mosses. The adults fly from late June to August. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status A scarce and very local insect. 789012

1802 The Rivulet Perizoma affinitata Stephens 1802 : The Rivulet SJ SK 6 Habit A species of woods and verges; the larvae feed in the seed heads of 5 4

red campion while the adults fly from May to early July. 3

2 Status Locally common; absent from the moorlands. 1 0 9 Caution Similar to the Small Rivulet below. SO SP 8 789012

1803 Small Rivulet Perizoma alchemillata Linnaeus 1803 : Small Rivulet SJ SK 6 Habit A species of woodland, waste ground etc. The larvae feed in the 5 4

seed heads of hemp-nettles and the adults are on the wing in June 3

and July. 2 1 Status Common and widespread. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1804 Barred Rivulet Perizoma bifasciata Haworth 1804 : Barred Rivulet SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Trentham, single examples at light, 1953 and 1970 (RGW). 5 4

1980-99 Kidsgrove 22/8/93 (MS); The Gorge 28/7/95 (IL). 3

2 Habit A species of rough grassland, waste ground, commons etc. The 1 larvae feed in the seed heads of red bartsia while the adults fly in 0 9 July and August. SO SP 8 789012 Status Rare.

1807 Grass Rivulet Perizoma albulata albulata Denis & Schiffermηller 1807 : Grass Rivulet SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Common where its foodplant, yellow rattle, grows (VCH). 5 4

1980-99 Baggeridge CP 23/5/93 (K&WW) and 1996 (DW). 3

2 Habit The larvae feed on yellow rattle while the adults fly from late May 1 to early July. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Once common, now very rare in Staffordshire. 789012

1808 Sandy Carpet Perizoma flavofasciata Thunberg 1808 : Sandy Carpet SJ SK 6 Habit A species of woodland, road verges, waste ground etc. where the 5 4

larvae feed in the seed heads of red campion and the adults fly in 3

June and July. 2 1 Status Widespread but local and less common than The Rivulet P. 0 9 affinitata. SO SP 8 789012

1809 Twin-spot Carpet Perizoma didymata didymata Linnaeus 1809 : Twin-spot Carpet SJ SK 6 Habit A species of woodland, moorland, road verges etc. The larvae feed 5 4

on various plants and the adults, which are readily disturbed during 3

the day, fly from June to August. 2 1 Status Common; particularly abundant on the moors; apparently more local 0 9 in the lowlands. SO SP 8 789012 The Pugs

A large number of the moths belonging to the genus Eupithecia are notoriously difficult to identify. Worn specimens especially often require examination of the genitalia to ascertain identity. Aggasiz et al (1981) is probably the best reference. As well as comparing the adult to the illustrations, one should read the description as well as taking into account the general distribution, habitat and the availablity of the foodplant of the larvae before coming to a conclusion. Identification of living specimens is not always possible.

1811 Slender Pug Eupithecia tenuiata Hηbner 1811 : Slender Pug SJ SK 6 Habit A species of damp woodland, marshes and fens e.g Burnt Wood, 5 4

Loynton Moss, Chartley Moss. The larvae feed on sallow and the 3

adults fly in June and July. 2 1 Status Local. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1813 Haworth’s Pug Eupithecia haworthiata Doubleday 1813 : Haworth's Pug SJ SK 6 pre 1960 One at Burton (VCH) 5 1980-99 Stafford 1991 (DH) 4 3

2 Habit The larvae feed on the seeds of traveller's-joy; the adults flying in 1 June and July. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Rare. It is commonest in the chalk areas of southern England. 789012

1814 Lead-coloured Pug Eupithecia plumbeolata Haworth 1814 : Lead-coloured Pug SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Bishop’s and Burnt Woods, Cannock Chase, Swynnerton (VCH); 5 4

Burnt Wood, larvae, 1950 (HLB). 3

2 Habit A woodland species; the larvae feed in flowers of common cow- 1 wheat, while the adults fly from late May to late June. 0 9 Status Rare; no recent records. SO SP 8 789012

1816 Toadflax Pug Eupithecia linariata Denis & Schiffermηller 1816 : Toadflax Pug SJ SK 6 Habit A species of waste ground, railway lines, roadsides etc. The larvae 5 4

feed in the flowers and seed heads of toadflax. The adults fly in July 3

and August. 2 1 Status Uncommon, its distribution being tied up with its foodplant. 0 9 SO SP 8 Caution Can be confused with the similar, but larger, Foxglove Pug E. 789012 pulchellata.

1817 Foxglove Pug Eupithecia pulchellata pulchellata Stephens 1817 : Foxglove Pug SJ SK 6 Habit The larvae feed in the flowers of foxglove. The adults are on the 5 4

wing in May and June. 3

2 Status Common, probably wherever foxgloves are plentiful. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1819 1819 : Mottled Pug Mottled Pug Eupithecia exiguata exiguata Hηbner SJ SK 6 Habit A species of woods and hedges. The larvae feed on various trees and 5 4

shrubs and the adults fly in May and June. 3

2 Status Fairly common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1821 Valerian Pug Eupithecia valerianata Hηbner 1821 : Valerian Pug SJ SK 6 pre 1960 One near Madeley, 1907 (VCH) 5 4

1960-79 Eccleshall in 1978 (G&SM) 3

1980-99 Saltwells LNR (TGB) in 1985 and Stone in 1992 (CY) 2 1 Habit A species of damp woodland, fens and marshes. The larvae feed on 0 9 common valerian while the adults fly in June and July. SO SP 8 789012 Status Scarce.

Caution Confusion possible with Slender, Haworth's and Lead-coloured Pugs.

1822 Marsh Pug Eupithecia pygmaeata Hηbner 1822 : Marsh Pug SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Burnt Wood, Chorlton Moss (VCH). Madeley, Dovedale (HWD). 5 4

1960-79 Cannock Chase, Manifold Valley (RGW). 3

2 Habit A fenland species feeding on field mouse-ear and flying in May and 1 June. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Local and uncommon. 789012

1823 Netted Pug Eupithecia venosata venosata Fabricius 1823 : Netted Pug SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Ashley, Rugeley, Shobnall (VCH); Leek (Hill, LW); Forton (ESL). 5 4

1980-99 Recently found at Ashley 1980 (IOJ); Saltwells LNR (DNF) and 3

The Gorge LNR 24/6/95 (IL) 2 1 Habit The larvae feed on the seed capsules of bladder campion while the 0 9 adults fly in May and June. SO SP 8 789012 Status Scarce. The foodplant is not that common in the county.

1825 Lime-speck Pug Eupithecia centaureata Denis & Schiffermηller 1825 : Lime-speck Pug SJ SK 6 Habit The larvae are polyphagous and the distinctive adults can be found 5 4

from May to October. 3

2 Status General and not uncommon. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1826 Triple-spotted Pug Eupithecia trisignaria Herrich-Sch≅ffer 1826 : Triple-spotted Pug SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Loynton Moss 1930's (ESL). 5 4

1980-99 Handsworth Wood 15/8/87 (R&AN). 3

2 Habit A species of woodland, marshes, road verges etc. where the larvae 1 feed on angelica and hogweed and the adults fly in June and July. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Rare, only one recent record; and that in a suburban garden! 789012

1827 Freyer’s Pug Eupithecia intricata arceuthata Freyer 1827 : Freyer's Pug SJ SK 6 1980-99 Handsworth Wood, 23/6/1987 (R&AN); Compton Park (GB); 5 4

Pattingham 1988 (PKD); Wombourne 1989 (LCR); Stone 1994 3

(CY); The Gorge LNR 2/6/95 (IL); Rushall 1996 (GR). 2 1 Habit The larvae feed on juniper and the adults fly in May and June. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Like the Juniper Pug and Juniper Carpet, this species is spreading on 789012 garden juniper and cupressus from a strong base in the south.

1828 Satyr Pug Eupithecia satyrata callunaria Doubleday 1828 : Satyr Pug SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Burnt Wood, Cannock Chase (VCH); Manifold Valley (HWD) and 5 4

Cannock Chase (RGW). 3

1980-99 Kinver Edge 4/6/80, 12/7/81 (FAN). 2 1 Habit This subspecies inhabits heaths and moorland where the larvae feed 0 9 on a variety of plant species. The adults fly in May and June. SO SP 8 789012 Status Scarce. The subspecies satyrata is apparently absent. Only two confirmed sightings within the last 50 years.

Caution Check for Golden-rod Pug which is similar and more widespread.

1830 Wormwood Pug Eupithecia absinthiata Clerck 1830 : Wormwood Pug SJ SK 6 Habit A species of woodland, waste ground and gardens. The larvae feed 5 4

on mugwort as well as other Asteraceae such as goldenrod, ragwort 3

and yarrow. The adults fly in June and July. 2 Status Probably widespread. 1 0 9 Caution This is the commonest brown pug with a black discal spot and pale SO SP 8 tornal spot. Ling Pug is smaller and greyer and a species of heaths 789012 and moors while Currant is smaller with broader forewings and small, cream sub-terminal spots.

1831 Ling Pug Eupithecia absinthiata f. goossensiata Mabille 1831 : Ling Pug SJ SK 6 Habit A moorland and heathland species feeding on heather flowers and 5 4

flying in June and July. 3

2 Status Common on heaths and moors, becoming scarcer recently. 1 0 9 Note Ling Pug is now considered to be a heathland form of Wormwood SO SP 8 Pug. 789012

1832 Currant Pug Eupithecia assimilata Doubleday 1832 : Currant Pug SJ SK 6 Habit A species of gardens, allotments and waste ground. The larvae feed 5 4

on currant and wild hop while the adults fly in May and June and 3

occasionally in August. 2 1 Status Unclear because of identification problems. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1834 Common Pug Eupithecia vulgata vulgata Haworth 1834 : Common Pug SJ SK 6 Habit The larvae feed on a variety of plants in a variety of habitats. The 5 4

adults fly in May and June and again in August. 3

2 Status Very common everywhere. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1835 White-spotted Pug Eupithecia tripunctaria Herrich-Sch≅ffer 1835 : White-spotted Pug SJ SK 6 Habit This species inhabits woodlands, verges, marshes where it feeds on 5 4

either elder flowers or angelica. Adults can be encountered from 3

May through to September. 2 1 Status Locally common. 0 9 SO SP 8 Caution Melanic forms occur which can cause confusion with melanic Grey 789012 and Golden-rod Pugs. Genitalia examination is then required.

1837 Grey Pug Eupithecia subfuscata Haworth 1837 : Grey Pug SJ SK 6 Habit Occurs in many habitats where it feeds on a variety of plants. The 5 4

adults fly in May and June. 3

2 Status Very common everywhere. 1 0 9 Caution The melanic variety obscurissima can cause confusion with other SO SP 8 melanics and needs genitalia examination to confirm identity. 789012

1838 Tawny Speckled Pug Eupithecia icterata subfulvata Haworth 1838 : Tawny Speckled Pug SJ SK 6 Habit A species of waste ground, grassland and road verges. The larvae 5 4

feed on yarrow and the distinctive adults fly in July and August. 3

2 Status Rather common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1839 Bordered Pug Eupithecia succenturiata Linnaeus 1839 : Bordered Pug SJ SK 6 Habit The larvae feed on the leaves of mugwort on commons, road verges 5 4

and waste ground. The distinctive adults fly in July and August. 3

2 Status Generally distributed. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012 1842 Plain Pug Eupithecia simpliciata Haworth (No map)

Pre 1960 Common (VCH)

Status Rare and probably no longer occurs in the county (though there are two unconfirmed records). The complete absence of any further records raises doubt as to whether the statement in VCH is correct though it is not a difficult species to identify.

1843 Thyme Pug Eupithecia distinctaria constrictata Guenee 1843 : Thyme Pug SJ SK 6 1980-99 Dovedale, June 1982 (MJ Sterling); subsequently Manifold Valley 5 4

25/6/85 (RGW). 3

2 Habit A species of limestone hills where wild thyme, its foodplant, grows. 1 The adults fly in June and July. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Local, restricted to the limestone. 789012

1844 Ochreous Pug Eupithecia indigata Hηbner 1844 : Ochreous Pug SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Cheddleton Heath, Hulme End (Hill); Maer Wood (HWD); 5 4

Aqualate (ESL) 3

1980-99 In conifer plantations at Burnt Wood, Cannock Chase and 2 Swynnerton (RGW); Hopwas Wood; Kinver Edge (FAN). 1 0 9 Habit A species of pine woodland where the larvae feed on pine and the SO SP 8 adults fly in April and May. 789012 Status Local, probably in all pine forests.

1846 Narrow-winged Pug Eupithecia nanata angusta Prout 1846 : Narrow-winged Pug SJ SK 6 Habit A species of heaths and moors with adults flying in May and June 5 4

and again in July and August. The larvae feed on heather. 3

2 Status Common where it occurs. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012 Angle-barred Pug/Ash Pug

There have been a number of changes of name concerning these two species and the position is not at all clear. The current thinking is that British examples of Ash Pug (E. fraxinata Crewe), along with Tamarisk Pug (E. tamariscata Freyer), are forms or races of Angle-barred Pug (E. innotata).

1848 Angle-barred Pug Eupithecia innotata Hufnagel 1848 : Angle-barred Pug SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Madeley, Rugeley; Burton; Handsworth (VCH). 5 4

1980-99 Recent records from the south of the county e.g. Saltwells LNR. 3

2 Habit The larvae feed on ash and the adults fly in May and June and again 1 in August. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Uncommon; it occurs just over the border at Woore so may well be 789012 present in neighbouring squares.

1851 Golden-rod Pug Eupithecia virgaureata Doubleday 1851 : Golden-rod Pug SJ SK 6 Habit The larvae feed on goldenrod and ragwort on waste ground, 5 4

grassland, woodland etc. The adults fly in May and June and again 3

in August. 2 1 Status Widespread and not uncommon. 0 9 SO SP 8 Caution Melanics are common so there is a risk of confusion with melanic 789012 forms of the Grey Pug which will need genitalia examination to be certain.

1852 Brindled Pug Eupithecia abbreviata Stephens 1852 : Brindled Pug SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rather common in oak woods (HWD) 5 4 3

Habit A woodland species flying in April and May and feeding on oak. 2 1 Status Common in oak woods. 0 9 SO SP 8 Caution There is a possibility of confusion with the smaller Oak-tree Pug. 789012 The melanic form ab. hirschkei (Bast.) is frequent and could be confused with melanics of other species.

1853 Oak-tree Pug Eupithecia dodoneata Guenee 1853 : Oak-tree Pug SJ SK 6 1960-79 Burnt Wood, 14/5/1977 (RGW). 5 4

1980-99 Keele (DWE); Ashley Heath 15/5/89 (IOJ); Stone (CY); Saltwells 3

LNR 1997; Bunkers Hill Wood (DNF). 2 1 Habit A species of open woodland, copses and hedges, feeding on 0 9 hawthorns and oak and flying in May and June. SO SP 8 789012 Status Local and uncommon.

1854 Juniper Pug Eupithecia pusillata pusillata Denis & Schiffermηller 1854 : Juniper Pug SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Madeley; Burton (VCH); The Madeley record is by (TWD) from 5 4

juniper growing in vicarage garden (HWD); Larvae every year at 3

Rugeley (RF). 2 1 1980-99 Trentham, frequent at light, also at Brocton (RGW) and other places 0 9 in gardens. SO SP 8 789012 Habit In the county the species feeds on garden juniper or Cupressus. The adults fly in August and September. Status Not uncommon in gardens where its foodplant is grown.

1856 Larch Pug Eupithecia lariciata Freyer 1856 : Larch Pug SJ SK 6 Habit The larvae feed on larch while the adults are on the wing in May 5 and June. 4 3

2 Status Common in larch woods. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1857 Dwarf Pug Eupithecia tantillaria Boisduval 1857 : Dwarf Pug SJ SK 6 Habit A species of conifer forests where it feeds on Norway spruce and 5 flies in May and June. 4 3

2 Status Has become more widespread with the planting of spruce. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1858 V-Pug Chloroclystis v-ata Haworth 1858 : V-Pug SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Madeley, first record 1930; Maer Woods (HWD); Burnt Wood 5 (HLB, RGW); Forton (ESL). 4 3

2 Habit The larvae feed on a variety of plants and the adults fly in May and 1 June and again in late July and August. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Has spread rapidly since 1930 and now occurs throughout the 789012 county.

1859 Sloe Pug Chloroclystis chloerata Mabille 1859 : Sloe Pug SJ SK 6 1980-99 Recent records from Georges Hayes 1988 (IP) and Stone (CY). 5 4

Habit A species of hedgerows, woods, copses etc. where its foodplant - 2 blackthorn - grows. The adults fly in May and June. 1 0 9 Status Unknown in England until 1971, this species has slowly spread SO SP 8 northwards. It may now be more widespread than records suggest. 789012

Caution Confusion is possible with Green Pug.

1860 Green Pug Chloroclystis rectangulata Linnaeus 1860 : Green Pug SJ SK 6 Habit A species of woods, gardens, commons etc. where the larvae feed 5 4

on blackthorn, apple, cherry etc. The adults fly in June and July. 3

2 Status Common in orchards and gardens. 1 0 9 Caution The melanic form can be dominant in some areas. There is risk of SO SP 8 confusion with Sloe and Bilberry Pug but habitat alone should help 789012 eliminate the latter.

1861 Bilberry Pug Chloroclystis debiliata Hηbner 1861 : Bilberry Pug SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Common near Cheadle and where bilberry grows (VCH). 5 4

Habit A species of bilberry woods, the adults flying in June and July. 2 1 Status Very local, only where there is a dense growth of bilberry in oak 0 9 woods e.g. Burnt Wood, Maer Woods, Dimmingsdale (RGW); not SO SP 8 seen at Swynnerton since oak woods felled. 789012

Caution Could be confused with worn Green or Sloe Pugs.

1862 Double-striped Pug Gymnoscelis rufifasciata Haworth 1862 : Double-striped Pug SJ SK 6 Habit Found in a wide variety of habitats where the larvae feed on a range 5 of plants. The adults fly in April and May and again in July and 4 3

August. 2 1 Status Locally common. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1863 Dentated Pug Anticollix sparsata Treitschke 1863 : Dentated Pug SJ SK 6 The species was discovered in 1970s at Loynton Moss by A. Plant. Moths bred 5 4

(1975) were of a distinctive form, blacker than those from other parts of 3

England. Larvae were found again on 16/8/86. 2 1 Habit A species of damp woodland, fens and similar places where its 0 9 foodplant - yellow loosestrife - grows. The adults fly in June and SO SP 8 July. 789012

Status The above colony has now died out and the species appears to be extinct in the county.

1864 The Streak Chesias legatella Denis & Schiffermηller 1864 : The Streak SJ SK 6 Habit A species of grassland, commons, heaths and moors where broom, 5 4

its foodplant, grows. The adults fly in September and October. 3

2 Status Common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1865 Broom-tip Chesias rufata rufata Fabricius 1865 : Broom-tip SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rare, Chorlton Moss; one at light Burton (VCH). Pipe Gate (FCW). 5 4

Habit A species of grassland, commons, disused railway lines, heaths and 2 moors where broom, its foodplant, grows. The adults fly from April 1 to July. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Occasional, only found in three 10Km squares since 1980. 789012

1866 Manchester Treble-bar Carsia sororiata anglica Prout 1866 : Manchester Treble-bar SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Common on mosses on cranberry (TWD). 5 4 1960-79 Chorlton Moss (RGW); Cannock Chase (DAD). 3

1980-99 Chartley Moss 2 1 Habit A species of damp heathland, mosses and moorland. It feeds on 0 9 bilberry, cranberry, cowberry etc. SO SP 8 Status Very local and apparently absent from some mosses where 789012 cranberry still grows. Mainly a northern species, Staffordshire being close to the southern edge of its range. Probably now extinct at Chorlton Moss.

1867 Treble-bar Aplocera plagiata platiata Linnaeus 1867 : Treble-bar SJ SK 6 Habit A species of limestone grassland, woodland and moorland. It feeds 5 on St. John's-wort and flies in July and August. 4 3

2 Status Commonest on the limestone but occurs in other places where its 1 foodplant grows. 0 9 SO SP 8 Caution See following species 789012

1868 Lesser Treble-bar Aplocera efformata Guenee 1868 : Lesser Treble Bar SJ SK 6 1980-99 Ashley Heath 28/8/1983 (IOJ); Doxey Marshes 19/8/84 (SF); Tipton 5 4

1984 (AW); Trentham 23/9/1994 (RGW). 3

2 Habit A species of limestone grassland, woodland and moorland. It feeds 1 on St. John's-wort and flies in July and August. 0 9 Status Rare. Mainly a southern species. SO SP 8 789012 Caution Great care needed to separate this from the commoner Treble-bar.

1870 Chimney Sweeper Odezia atrata Linnaeus 1870 : Chimney Sweeper SJ SK 6 Habit Chiefly a species of the limestone where it feeds on pignut and flies 5 4

during the day in June and July. 3

2 Status Locally abundant in meadows and pastures, especially on the 1 limestone and in the Churnet Valley; less common in the south and 0 9 west. SO SP 8 789012

1872 Blomer's Rivulet Discoloxia blomeri Curtis 1872 : Blomer's Rivulet SJ SK pre 1960 Very local and rare; Stone; Dovedale; Shobnall, Needwood Forest 6 (VCH). Manifold Valley (Hill); Hawksmoor (HN Michaelis). 5 4 3

1980-99 Still occurs in Dovedale and Needwood Forest (RGW). Also at 2 Offley Marsh 1988 (CY). 1 0 9 Habit A woodland species feeding on wych elm and flying from late May SO SP 8 to early July. 789012 Status Local and scarce.

1873 Welsh Wave Venusia cambrica Curtis 1873 : Welsh Wave SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Common in woods around Cheadle and Leek (VCH). Lud's Church 5 4

(Hill); Burnt Wood, Maer Woods (HWD, RGW). 3

2 Habit A woodland species feeding on rowan and flying from June to 1 August. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status A characteristic species of the Churnet Valley, locally common in 789012 wooded areas where rowan is plentiful. The Saltwells record is at odds with the main distribution.

1874 Dingy Shell Euchoeca nebulata Scopoli 1874 : Dingy Shell SJ SK 6 Habit Inhabits damp woodland, fens and marshes where alder, its 5 foodplant, grows. The adults fly in June and July. 4 3

2 Status Locally common in woods and by streams where alder is plentiful. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1875 Small White Wave Asthena albulata Hufnagel 1875 : Small White Wave SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Fairly common (VCH). Walton’s Wood (TWD); Burnt Wood 5 (FCW, RGW); 4 3

1960-79 Needwood Forest (RGW); Cannock Chase (RF, DAD); Bagots 2 Wood (JAH). 1 1980-99 Belvide Reservoir 1999 (DMcD). 0 9 SO SP 8 Habit Feeds on hazel and other trees and flies from May to July. 789012

Status Very local and uncommon in woods; certainly not as common as VCH suggests.

1876 Small Yellow Wave Hydrelia flammeolaria Hufnagel 1876 : Small Yellow Wave SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Local, Burnt Wood, Cannock Chase (VCH). 5 4

Habit A woodland species feeding on alder and flying in June and July. 2 1 Status Local and uncommon, though has increased over past 20 years. 0 9 Found in 21 10Km squares since 1960 and in 13 post 1980. SO SP 8 789012

1877 Waved Carpet Hydrelia sylvata Denis & Schiffermηller 1877 : Waved Carpet SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Not common, Bishop’s Woods, Madeley, Dovedale, Rushton; 5 4

Henhurst, Cannock Chase (VCH); Whitmore, 1898 (RF); Dovedale, 3

1930. 2 1960-79 Burnt Wood, not seen since 1964 (RGW). 1 0 9 Habit A woodland species feeding on a variety of trees and flying in June SO SP 8 and July. 789012

Status Scarce, if not now absent.

1879 The Seraphim Lobophora halterata Hufnagel 1879 : The Seraphim SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Norbury (ESL). 5 4

1960-79 Became scarcer at Burnt Wood from 1960 onwards, last seen there 3

1967 (RGW). 2 1 Habit A woodland species feeding on aspen and other poplars. It flies in 0 9 May and June SO SP 8 789012 Status Once only occasionally recorded, now more frequent. It has a distinct southern and western distribution.

1881 Early Tooth-striped Trichopteryx carpinata Borkhausen 1881 : Early Tooth-striped SJ SK 6 Habit A woodland species; the larvae feed on birch, alder, willow, 5 honeysuckle and the adults, which are often seen resting on tree 4 3

trunks, fly in April and May. 2 1 Status Local; absent from the Churnet Valley and higher ground to the 0 9 north-east. SO SP 8 789012

1882 Small Seraphim Pteraphapteryx sexalata Retzius 1882 : Small Seraphim SJ SK 6 1980-99 Sandwell Valley 6/8/1999 (DG). 5 4

Habit A species of marshy fields, damp woodland and fens. The adults fly 2 in May and June with a second brood in southern areas in July and 1 August. The larvae feed on Sallow. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Rare. This is the only record but it has been recorded in 789012 neighbouring counties.

1883 Yellow-barred Brindle Acasis viretata Hηbner 1883 : Yellow-barred Brindle SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Burnt Wood, Bishops Wood; Madeley (HWD); 5 4

1961-79 Maer Woods (RGW) 3

2 Habit A species of woods, copses and hedgerows. The larvae feed on a 1 variety of plants including holly, privet, ivy and guelder rose. The 0 9 adults fly in May and June. SO SP 8 789012 Status Very local, but more widespread in the 1990's.

GEOMETRIDAE : Ennominae

1884 The Magpie Abraxas grossulariata Linnaeus 1884 : The Magpie SJ SK 6 Habit A familiar species in gardens and allotments where the distinctive 5 4

larvae feed on, amongst other plants, currant and gooseberry. The 3

adults fly in July and August. 2 1 Status Common in many gardens and in hedgerows throughout the county 0 9 except in the moorlands. SO SP 8 789012

1885 Clouded Magpie Abraxas sylvata Scopoli 1885 : Clouded Magpie SJ SK 6 Habit A woodland species feeding on wych elm and flying in June and 5 July. 4 3

Status Locally common in woods in the northern half of the county where 2 there is wych elm; still present in Coombes Valley and other parts of 1 the Churnet area, but not in its former abundance and likely to be 0 9 further reduced by the incidence of Dutch elm disease which began SO SP 8 to appear there in 1977. Not recorded for twenty years at many of its 789012 former locations.

1887 Clouded Border Lomaspilis marginata Linnaeus 1887 : Clouded Border SJ SK 6 Habit Found in a variety of habitats from woods to heaths. It feeds on 5 sallow and poplar and flies in June and July. Often disturbed during 4 the day. 3 2

Status Generally common. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1888 Scorched Carpet Ligdia adustata Denis & Schiffermηller 1888 : Scorched Carpet SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Very rare; one at Madeley (VCH). Dovedale, 21/6/1923 (Hill) 5 4

1980-99 Kinver Edge 28/5/82 (FAN); The Gorge LNR 24/7/95 (IL); 3

Highgate Common 17/8/96 (K&WW); Clewley Coppice 20/5/98 2 (IL); Belvide Reservoir 1999 (DMcD). 1 0 9 Habit A species of woods, hedges and copses where the larvae feed on SO SP 8 spindle. The adults fly in May and June and again in August. 789012

Status Rare; its foodplant, spindle, is rare in the county also. Interestingly the foodplant appears to be absent from the above sites but there is a distinct grouping of sightings. Perhaps it is feeding on some other foodplant.

1889 Peacock Moth Macaria notata Linnaeus 1889 : Peacock Moth SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Local, Burnt Wood, Swynnerton, very abundant some years (VCH); 5 4

Maer (HWD). 3

1960-79 Cannock Chase (DAD); 2 1980-99 Burnt Wood (still present 1991); Sandwell Valley 1982 (R&AN); 1 Scot Hay 24/8/83 (GBB). 0 9 SO SP 8 Habit A woodland species that flies in May and June, (there was an 789012 example of a second brood in1976) and whose larvae feed on birch.

Status Scarce and local. The origin of the Scot Hay specimen is a mystery. The nearest known locality is Maer Hills but it hasn't been seen there for many years. No longer as abundant at Burnt Wood as VCH says.

1893 Tawny-barred Angle Macaria liturata Clerck 1893 : Tawny-barred Angle SJ SK 6 Habit A species of conifer forests where it feeds on Scots pine and spruce 5 4

and flies in May and June and again in August and September. 3

2 Status Widespread in conifer plantations; the melanistic aberration 1 nigrofulvata is frequent. However, it also occurs in gardens so may 0 9 feed on garden conifers too. SO SP 8 789012 1894 Below 1897

1896 Below 1897

1897 V-Moth Macaria wauaria Linnaeus 1897 : V-Moth SJ SK 6 Habit A species of gardens, allotments and anywhere its foodplants - 5 4

gooseberry and currant - grow. Adults are on the wing in July and 3

August. 2 1 Status Widespread but not common; usually in gardens but I have seen it in 0 9 Dovedale where the larva probably fed on mountain currant Ribes SO SP 8 alpina (RGW). Seems to be absent from much of the southern half 789012 of the county.

1894 Latticed Heath Chiasmia clathrata clathrata Linnaeus 1894 : Latticed Heath SJ SK 6 Habit A species of waste ground, embankments, old railway lines etc. 5 where it feeds on various clovers and trefoils. Adults fly both in the 4 3

sunshine and also at night in May and June and again from July to 2 September. 1 0 9 Status Originally found on waste ground and railway embankments in the SO SP 8 extreme south and east, it has since spread to the north of the 789012 county.

1896 Rannoch Looper Itame brunneata Thunberg 1896 : Rannoch Looper SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Burnt Wood, 4 males, 18, 19/6/1920 (C.N. Hughes & F.C. Reid). 5 4

Probably immigrants (vide Ford, E.B. “Moths”, New Naturalist 3

Series, 1955 p. 157). 2 1 Status Rare immigrant; no recent records. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1902 Brown Silver-line Petrophora chlorosata Scopoli 1902 : Brown Silver-line SJ SK 6 Habit Found in woodlands and heaths where the larvae feed on bracken, 5 4

one of the few species that do so. The adults fly in May and June. 3

2 Status Abundant amongst bracken. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1903 Barred Umber Plagodis pulveraria Linnaeus 1903 : Barred Umber SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Occasional and local, Burnt Wood, Henhurst (VCH). 5 4

Habit A species of woodland e.g. Coombes Valley, Burnt Wood, Bagots 2 Wood, flying in May and June and feeding on birch and sallow. 1 0 9 Status Scarce. SO SP 8 789012

1904 Scorched Wing Plagodis dolabraria Linnaeus 1904 : Scorched Wing SJ SK 6 Habit A species of woodland, flying in May and June and feeding on oak, 5 4

birch and sallow. 3

2 Status Generally distributed but not common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1906 Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis luteolata Linnaeus 1906 : Brimstone Moth SJ SK 6 Habit A species of hedgerows where it feeds on hawthorn, blackthorn etc. 5 4

The adults fly in June and July but in good years can be found from 3

April to October. 2 1 Status Common everywhere except on the moorlands. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1907 Bordered Beauty Epione repandaria Hufnagel 1907 : Bordered Beauty SJ SK 6 Habit Found in damp woodland, fens and marshy places where the larvae 5 4

feed on sallow. The adults fly from July to September. 3

2 Status Generally local and uncommon. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1909 Speckled Yellow Pseudopanthera macularia Linnaeus 1909 : Speckled Yellow SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rare and local; Dovedale, Dydon Wood (VCH). 5 4

Habit Typically a species of the limestone but can turn up in other 2 habitats. The larvae feed on wood sage and the adults fly in the 1 daytime in May and June. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Abundant on the limestone but rarely seen elsewhere; other records 789012 include Cannock Chase (DAD), Coombes Valley 1975 (MW) and Saltwells LNR.

1910 Lilac Beauty Apeira syringaria Linnaeus 1910 : Lilac Beauty SJ SK 6 Habit Found in woodland rides and on heaths where it feeds on 5 4

honeysuckle, wild privet and ash. The adults fly in June and July. 3

2 Status Uncommon. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1912 August Thorn Ennomos quercinaria Hufnagel 1912 : August Thorn SJ SK 6 Habit A species of woods, parks and gardens. The larvae feed on various 5 trees and the adults fly in August and September. 4 3

2 Status Much less frequent in Staffordshire than the other three species of 1 Ennomos but more frequent in the south. 0 9 SO SP 8 Caution Care is needed to separate this species from September and Dusky 789012 Thorns.

1913 Canary-shouldered Thorn Ennomos alniaria Linnaeus 1913 : Canary-shouldered Thorn SJ SK 6 Habit A species of woods, parks and gardens. The larvae feed on various 5 trees and the adults fly from August to October. 4 3 2

Status Common in most places, coming frequently to light. 1

0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1914 Dusky Thorn Ennomos fuscantaria Haworth 1914 : Dusky Thorn SJ SK 6 pre 1960 One at Madeley; Stone, Stoke, Burton (VCH). 5 4

Habit A species of woods and parks where it feeds on ash and flies from 2 August to October. 1 0 9 Status Probably in most places where ash is plentiful and certainly more SO SP 8 common than VCH suggests. 789012

1915 September Thorn Ennomos erosaria Denis & Schiffermηller 1915 : September Thorn SJ SK 6 Habit A species of woods, parks and gardens. The larvae feed on various 5 4

trees and the adults fly from August to October. 3

2 Status Locally not uncommon. 1 0 9 Caution Care needed to separate this from August Thorn. SO SP 8 789012

1917 Early Thorn Selenia dentaria Fabricius 1917 : Early Thorn SJ SK 6 Habit Found all over and feeds on many plants. The adults fly in April and 5 4

May and again in September and October; the two broods looking 3

quite different. 2 1 Status Common generally. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1918 Lunar Thorn Selenia lunularia Hηbner 1918 : Lunar Thorn SJ SK 6 pre 1960 General in southern half of the county (VCH). Madeley (TWD); 5 4

Cannock Chase (CGB); Burnt Wood (FCW); Rugeley (RF); 3

Loynton Moss (ESL). 2 1960-79 Denstone (not infrequent at light at Denstone College); Wigginton 1 (S. Swain); Bagots Wood (JAH). 0 9 SO SP 8 Habit A woodland species flying in May and June and feeding on various 789012 trees. Status Local and scarce in lowland Staffordshire, absent from the north and seems to have withdrawn from the west of the county.

Caution Similar to the commoner Purple Thorn.

1919 Purple Thorn Selenia tetralunaria Hufnagel 1919 : Purple Thorn SJ SK 6 Habit A species of woods, commons and heaths where it feeds on various 5 4

trees and flies in April and May and again in July and August. 3

2 Status Local and uncommon; absent from the north and east of the county. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1920 Scalloped Hazel Odontopera bidentata Clerck 1920 : Scalloped Hazel SJ SK 6 Habit Generally distributed; feeds on most broad-leaved and coniferous 5 4

trees and flies in May and June. 3

2 Status Generally common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1921 Scalloped Oak Crocallis elinguaria Linnaeus 1921 : Scalloped Oak SJ SK 6 Habit Generally distributed feeding on most species of tree and flying in 5 4

July and August. 3

2 Status Common generally. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1922 Swallow-tailed Moth Ourapteryx sambucaria Linnaeus 1922 : Swallow-tailed Moth SJ SK 6 Habit Occurs in woods, gardens, parks etc. The larvae feed on ivy and 5 4

various tree species while the adults fly in June and July. 3

2 Status Common, frequently attracted to light. (RGW used to call it the 1 "chip shop moth" on account of it often being seen at their lighted 0 9 windows!) SO SP 8 789012

1923 Feathered Thorn Colotois pennaria Linnaeus 1923 : Feathered Thorn SJ SK 6 Habit Occurs in woods and on commons and heaths where the larvae feed 5 4

on many tree species. The adults fly from September to November. 3

2 Status Common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1924 Orange Moth Angerona prunaria Linnaeus 1924 : Orange Moth SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Local Swynnerton, Burnt Wood (VCH). Burnt Wood, common 5 4

locally 1933, becoming scarcer and not seen since 1954. 3

2 Habit A species of woods and heaths where the larvae feed on various 1 trees and shrubs while the adults fly in June and July. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status A species of southern England which is probably now extinct in the 789012 county. However, it still occurs in the Wyre Forest which is not far from the southern tip of the county.

1925 Small Brindled Beauty Apocheima hispidaria D& S 1925 : Small Brindled Beauty SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rare, Bishops Woods in March 1895 (VCH) 5 4

1980-99 More recent records from Woore (BKH); Chillington 1/3/84 3

(R&AN) and Saltwells LNR 1993 (DNF). 2 1 Habit Found in woodland, it feeds on oak and males fly in February and 0 9 March. Females are wingless. SO SP 8 789012 Status Scarce; possibly in other oak woods in the south of the county.

1926 Pale Brindled Beauty Apocheima pilosaria Denis & Schiffermηller 1926 : Pale Brindled Beauty SJ SK 6 Habit Generally distributed and feeding on many plants. The females are 5 4

wingless and the males fly from January to March. 3

2 Status Common; the melanic variety monacharia is frequent in the north. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1927 : Brindled Beauty

1927 Brindled Beauty Lycia hirtaria Clerck SJ SK 6 5

Habit Generally distributed and feeding on many tree species. The adults 4

fly from March to April. 3 2 Status Not uncommon. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1930 Oak Beauty Biston strataria Hufnagel 1930 : Oak Beauty SJ SK 6 Habit Feeds mainly on oak but also on rosaceae eg. bramble, blackthorn 5 and rose. Flies in March and April and is attracted to light. 4 3

Status Local in oak woods. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1931 Peppered Moth Biston betularia Linnaeus 1931 : Peppered Moth SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Var. carbonaria more abundant than the type (TWD); Cheadle 1885 5 4

(JRBM); black variety only at Rugeley (RF); Leek 1899 (Hill). 3

2 Habit Found throughout on a range of trees and shrubs. Adults fly from 1 May to August. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status The black variety continued to dominate up to the 1970s after which 789012 the proportion of the typical form in moth traps has progressively increased to the extent that it is once more dominant.

1932 Spring Usher Agriopis leucophaearia Denis & Schiffermηller 1932 : Spring Usher SJ SK 6 Habit A woodland species feeding on oak. The female is wingless, the 5 4

male flies in February and March. This is the lepidopterist's 3

"Cuckoo" being the harbinger of spring. 2 1 Status Locally common in oak woods. A wild hybrid male. A. 0 9 leucophaearia x marginaria. Trentham, 24/3/1956 (RGW) was a SO SP 8 unique occurrence. 789012

1933 1933 : Scarce Umber Scarce Umber Agriopis aurantiaria Hηbner SJ SK 6 Habit A woodland species feeding on various trees. The female is 5 4

wingless and the male flies in October and November. 3

2 Status Generally common, despite its name 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1934 Dotted Border Agriopis marginaria Fabricius 1934 : Dotted Border SJ SK 6 Habit Widespread and polyphagous. The female is wingless and the male 5 flies from February to April. It is commonly seen on sallow catkins 4 3

at night. 2 1 Status Common; the blackish var. fuscata is frequent. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1935 Mottled Umber Erannis defoliaria Clerck 1935 : Mottled Umber SJ SK 6 Habit Widespread and polyphagous, sometimes causing local defoliation 5 of trees. The female is wingless and the male flies from October to 4 3

November (December). 2 1 Status Generally abundant. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1936 Waved Umber Menophra abruptaria Thunberg 1936 : Waved Umber SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rare, Madeley; Burton; Handsworth (VCH). 5 4 3

Habit Found in woods, parks and gardens where it feeds on privet and 2 lilac. On the wing in May and June. 1 0 9 Status Local and uncommon but recorded from sixteen 10Km squares SO SP 8 since 1960. 789012

1937 Willow Beauty Peribatodes rhomboidaria Denis & Schiffermηller 1937 : Willow Beauty SJ SK 6 Habit Widespread and polyphagous. Flies in July and August. 5 4

Status Common, except in the moorlands. Melanic forms are frequent. 2 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1940 Satin Beauty Deileptenia ribeata Clerck 1940 : Satin Beauty SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Burnt Wood (HWD, HLB). 5 4

1960-79 Cannock Chase, Maer (RGW) 3

1980-99 Recently in the south e.g. Kinver Edge 1980 (FAN); Saltwells LNR 2 23/8/1992 1 0 9 Habit In spruce plantations, the adults fly from June to August SO SP 8 789012 Status Rare.

1941 Mottled Beauty Alcis repandata repandata Linnaeus 1941 : Mottled Beauty SJ SK 6 Habit In woodland, both coniferous and broad-leaved. Larvae are 5 4

polyphagous and the adults fly in June and July. 3

2 Status Common; melanic forms are frequent. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1943 Great Oak Beauty Hypomecis roboraria Denis & Schiffermηller 1943 : Great Oak Beauty SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Cannock Chase (South, Moths of the British Isles, Vol. II, p. 298). 5 4

1980-99 Chillington 6/7/86 (R & AN). 3

2 Habit An old oak wood species. On the wing in June and July. 1 0 9 Status Rare. No further records. SO SP 8 789012

1944 Pale Oak Beauty Hypomecis punctinalis Scopoli 1944 : Pale Oak Beauty SJ SK 6 1980-99 Burnt Wood 28/6/1993 (CY); Wyrley Common 1997 (DG). 5 4 3

Habit A woodland species feeding on oak and birch and flying from May 2 to July. 1 0 9 Status Rare. SO SP 8 789012

1945 Brussels Lace Cleorodes lichenaria Hufnagel 1945 : Brussels Lace SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Henhurst (VCH) 5 4

1980-99 Saltwells LNR 1993-96 (DNF); Bunkers Hill Wood July 1998 3

(DNF). 2 1 Habit A species of woodland where the larvae feed on lichens growing on 0 9 tree trunks. Adults fly from May to July. SO SP 8 Status Rare; a species of south-western England and Wales; thinly 789012 scattered elsewhere.

Early/Small Engrailed These next two species are very difficult, if not impossible, to separate either as living specimens or by dissection of the genitalia. Date of capture is important as is comparison with a series of reliably identified specimens. On continental Europe Early Engrailed is considered to be conspecific with Small Engrailed but we have retained them as two species here.

1947 Early Engrailed Ectropis bistortata Goeze 1947 : Early Engrailed SJ SK 6 Habit A species of wooded area where it feeds on various tree species. The 5 4

adults are double-brooded, flying in March and April and again in 3

July and August. 2 1 Status Common, more local than Small Engrailed E. crepuscularia. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1948 1948 : Small Engrailed Small Engrailed Ectropis crepuscularia Denis & Schiffermηller SJ SK 6 Habit A species of wooded area where it feeds on various tree species. The 5 4

adults are single-brooded, flying in May and June. 3

2 Status Common in most woods. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1950 Brindled White-spot Parectropis similaria Hufnagel 1950 : Brindled White-spot SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Burnt Wood (FCW, EDB, HLB, RGW) and once at Swynnerton 5 (RGW). 4 3

1980-99 Kinver Edge 1980 and 1981 (FAN). 2 1 Habit A woodland species feeding on oak and birch and flying in May and 0 9 June. SO SP 8 789012 Status Rare; only two recent records. A southern species.

1951 Grey Birch Aethalura punctulata Denis & Schiffermηller 1951 : Grey Birch SJ SK 6 Habit A woodland species feeding on birch and flying in May and June. 5 4

Status Prior to 1940, Cannock Chase and Burnt Wood were the chief 2 localities; also Loynton Moss (ESL). Since 1945 it has been found 1 in many other woods, including Needwood Forest, Trentham and 0 9 Chartley Moss; in the Churnet Valley the first record was an SO SP 8 example at light at Cheddleton Heath in 1959. Further spread has 789012

occurred since 1970, the moth having been seen in a number of localities where it was not formerly present, notably Hawksmoor and Downs Banks, Barlaston, and in 1977 at Consall and Dydon Wood. Now common in most birch woodland.

1952 Common Heath Ematurga atomaria atomaria Linnaeus 1952 : Common Heath SJ SK 6 Habit A species of heaths and moors where it feeds on heather, heath and 5 4

clovers. Adults fly during the day in May and June. 3

2 Status Very common on heaths and moors, absent from the agricultural 1 lowlands. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1954 Bordered White Bupalus piniaria Linnaeus 1954 : Bordered White SJ SK 6 Habit Found in all pine woods it is the “pine looper” of the forester, 5 4

occasionally reaching pest proportions. Adults fly in May and June, 3

often in "clouds" around the tops of pine trees. Two forms, the 2 northern with white males and the southern with yellow males, 1 overlap in Staffordshire, producing a mixed population 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Abundant. 789012

1955 Common White Wave Cabera pusaria Linnaeus 1955 : Common White Wave SJ SK 6 Habit A species of woodland and hedgerows, feeding on various trees and 5 flying from May to July. 4 3 2

Status Very common everywhere; the melanic variety heyeraria Herrich- 1 Sch≅ffer has been recorded at Trentham, 1951 (RGW) and Trent 0 9 Vale, 1977 (DWE). SO SP 8 789012

1956 Common Wave Cabera exanthemata Scopoli 1956 : Common Wave SJ SK 6 Habit Inhabits damp woodland, carr etc. where the larvae feed on sallows. 5 4

The adults fly from May to July. 3

2 Status Generally common. 1 0 9 Caution Smoky Wave Scopula ternata can look similar. SO SP 8 789012

1957 White-pinion Spotted Lomographa bimaculata Fabricius 1957 : White-pinion Spotted SJ SK 6 1980-99 First recorded at Kinver Edge 4/6/1982 (FAN) and Sandwell Valley 5 4

9/6/1983 (R&AN), reaching Castern Wood in the far north of the 3

county in 1986. 2 1 Habit Inhabits woods and hedges where it feeds on hawthorn and 0 9 blackthorn. Adults fly in May and June. SO SP 8 Status Uncommon, spreading from the south. Now recorded from fourteen 789012 10Km squares.

1958 Clouded Silver Lomographa temerata Denis & Schiffermηller 1958 : Clouded Silver SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Henhurst (VCH). Early records come from Burnt Wood (HLB, 5 4

TGE); Madeley, Maer Woods, Dovedale (HWD); Forton (ESL). 3

From 1933 onwards it was found to be much more frequent at Burnt 2 Wood (RGW). In the Churnet Valley, first records Hawksmoor, 1 1939 (RGW); Consall & Oakamoor 1942 (Hill). 0 9 SO SP 8 Habit In woods, hedges and on commons where it feeds on hawthorn, 789012 blackthorn etc. It flies in May and June.

Status Now widespread and often common.

1960 Early Moth Theria primaria Haworth 1960 : Early Moth SJ SK 6 Habit Occurs in woodland edges and hedgerows. It feeds on hawthorn and 5 4

blackthorn and is one of the few species to fly in January and 3

February. Females are wingless. 2 1 Status Common on hawthorn hedges; no doubt more widespread than the 0 9 map shows. SO SP 8 789012

1961 : Light Emerald

1961 Light Emerald Campaea margaritata Linnaeus SJ SK 6 Habit A woodland species feeding on various species of tree. The adults, 5 4

which fly in July and August, soon lose their delicate green colour. 3 2 Status Generally common in woods. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1962 Barred Red Hylaea fasciaria Linnaeus 1962 : Barred Red SJ SK 6 Habit Found in conifer forests and is on the wing from June to August. 5 4 3

Status General in coniferous woodlands and in gardens close by. 2 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1964 The Annulet Gnophos obsuratus Denis & Schifferm ller 1964 : The Annulet η SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Dovedale, first recorded in 1918 (Hill); also by HWD & RGW. 5 4

Later recorded at Forton (ESL). 3

1980-99 Kinver Edge August 1981 (FAN); Wednesbury August 1984 (AW). 2 1 Habit Typical habitat is moorland and limestone grassland where it feeds 0 9 on heather, bird's-foot-trefoil and rock-rose. It flies in July and SO SP 8 August. 789012 Status Rare. Interestingly the Wednesbury record was from a disused steelworks site.

1969 Grey Scalloped Bar Dyscia fagaria Thunberg 1969 : Grey Scalloped Bar SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rare; one at Whitmore; Cannock Chase; Leek; Oakamoor (VCH); 5 4

Wetley Moor, 1933; The Cloud (RGW). 3

2 Habit Found on moorland where it flies from June to July and feeds on 1 heather and heath. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status This species has not been recorded recently and is feared to be 789012 extinct in the county.

1970 Grass Wave Perconia strigillaria Hηbner 1970 : Grass Wave SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Abundant (VCH); Much less frequent (HWD) 5 4

1960-79 Swynnerton, common some years but wide fluctuations, last seen 3

1970 and habitat much altered (RGW). Chartley Moss, Cannock 2 Chase, Bishops Wood (JT Wattison). 1 0 9 Habit A species of heaths, moors and woods. It feeds on heather, heath, SO SP 8 gorse and broom and flies in June and July. 789012

Status Local and uncommon.

SPHINGIDAE : Sphinginae

1972 Convolvulus Hawk-moth Agrius convolvuli Linnaeus 1972 : Convolvulus Hawk-moth SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Various occasions in Potteries (BB); Oakamoor, 1923 (TS); 5 Aqualate, 1929 (ESL); Stone, 1949 (PCD). 4 3

1960-79 Stone and Blurton, 1971. 2 1980-99 Leek, Hill Ridware 1991; Wombourne 1993; Saltwells LNR 1995; 1 Burton 1999 (T. Brint). 0 9 SO SP 8 Status A scarce immigrant. 789012

1973 Death’s-head Hawk-moth Acherontia atropos Linnaeus 1973 : Death’s-head Hawk-moth SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Very general; no less than 200 larvae brought to an entomologist in 5 the county in 1900 (VCH). Burton; Madeley, Uttoxeter (TWD); 4 3

Rugeley (RF); Stone, Cheadle (JRBM); Oulton (Blagg); Stafford 2 (Douglas) in Tutt 1902,1904. 1 Cannock Chase; Oakamoor, 1920, 1947 (per HWD); 3 larvae on 0 9 jasmine at Cannock (per JRBM); Meir Heath, 1946 (BB); Leek, SO SP 8 1954 (LW); Leek Brook, 1956. 789012 1960-79 Dilhorne, 1967; larvae in potato field at Hopton, 1976. 1980-99 Penn, Wolverhampton 7/7/1995; Stone 1988 (CY).

Status Scarce immigrant. Would appear to have been more common in the past.

1976 Privet Hawk-moth Sphinx ligustri Linnaeus 1976 : Privet Hawk-moth SJ SK 6 pre 1960 South Staffs. about 1920 (Rev. W.L. Freer, Entomologist 1937). 5 4

1980-99 One at Madeley 17/7/81 (JK). 3

2 Status The status of this species in Staffordshire is doubtful. Occasional 1 records may be either vagrants or escapes. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012 SPHINGIDAE : Smerinthinae

1979 Lime Hawk-moth Mimas tiliae Linnaeus 1979 : Lime Hawk-moth SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Very rare (VCH). South Staffs. (Rev. W.L. Freer, Entomologist, 5 1937); Willenhall (I.D.W. Knowles, Entomologist, 1936); Forton, 4 larvae and pupae 1941 (ESL); larvae at Lichfield, 1946; Stone, 3 2

1952. 1

0 Habit Found in various habitats. It feeds on lime and elm and flies in May 9 SO SP and June. 8 789012

Status The few pre-1960 records show that it was once scarce but it is now widespread and not uncommon, except in the higher ground to the north-east.

1980 Eyed Hawk-moth Smerinthus ocellata Linnaeus 1980 : Eyed Hawk-moth SJ SK 6 Habit Found in various habitats, feeding mainly on willows. On the wing 5 4

from May to July. 3

2 Status General, larvae often found on willows; frequently occurs on waste 1 ground in Stoke-on-Trent (RGW). 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1981 Poplar Hawk-moth Laothoe populi Linnaeus 1981 : Poplar Hawk-moth SJ SK 6 Habit Generally distributed, feeding mainly on willows and poplars. On 5 4

the wing from May to July 3

2 Status Our commonest hawk-moth. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 SPHINGIDAE : Macroglossinae 789012

1982 Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth Hemaris tityus Linnaeus 1982 : Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Craddock's Moss (VCH); Burnt Wood, 1935 (RGW). 5 4

Status As there are no further records it must be considered extinct in the 2 county. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1984 Humming-Bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Linnaeus 1984 : Humming-Bird Hawk-moth SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Cheadle, (JRBM); Burton, abundant some years (Payne); North 5 4

Staffs., rare, not uncommon some seasons (TWD); Wednesfield; 3

Rugeley, Cannock Chase (RF); Tixall, plentiful 1893 (EDB); 2 Birchwood (Rea); Lichfield (Redmayne). Leek, fairly common, 1 1899 (Hill); Coombes Valley, 1959. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Generally distributed. In years when there is an influx of migrants, 789012 as in 1947 and 1976 it is occasionally recorded in following years suggesting that the moth may sometimes hibernate successfully.

1985 Oleander Hawk-moth Daphnis nerii Linnaeus 1985 : Oleander Hawk-moth SJ SK 6 pre 1960 One at Burton; 1888; one at Hanley, 1896 (VCH). 5 4

Status A rare migrant; no further records. 2 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1987 Bedstraw Hawk-moth Hyles gallii Rottemburg 1987 : Bedstraw Hawk-moth SJ SK 6 pre 1960 One at Handsworth, 1888 (VCH); Rugeley (Bonney) in Tutt 1902, 5 4

1904. One larva found at Bucknall, 1955. 3

1960-79 Several larvae, Stoke-on-Trent and district 1972, feeding on 2 willowherb Epilobium spp.; further larvae 1973, Hanley, Walsall 1 and near Tamworth. 0 9 SO SP 8 1888, 1955 and 1972 are noted as the three years in which there have been 789012 major immigrations of this species to the British Isles.

Status Scarce immigrant.

1990 Striped Hawk-moth Hyles livornica Esper 1990 : Striped Hawk-moth SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Twice at Wolstanton 1897 and 1900; one at Mayfield 1904 (VCH). 5 Wolverhampton (Morris) in Tutt 1902, 1904. Larva at Lichfield, 4 3

1922 (LAC); Newcastle, 1931; Hanley, 1946; Leek, 1949 (LW); 2 Burton, 1949. 1 0 9 Status A rare immigrant; no further records. SO SP 8 789012

1991 Elephant Hawk-moth Deilephila elpenor Linnaeus 1991 : Elephant Hawk-moth SJ SK 6 Habit Widely distributed, the familiar larvae feed on willowherb, bedstraw 5 and Fuschia. The adults fly from May to July and come readily to 4 3

light. 2

1 Status Sometimes commonly found as larvae, but a season of abundance is 0 9 often followed by a period of scarcity, probably controlled by SO SP ichneumon parasites. 8 789012

1992 Small Elephant Hawk-moth Deilephila porcellus Linnaeus 1992 : Small Elephant Hawk-moth SJ SK 6 Habit Could be found anywhere. It feeds on bedstraw and flies from May 5 4

to July. 3

2 Status Uncommon. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

1993 Silver-Striped Hawk-moth Hippotion celerio Linnaeus (No map) pre 1960 Rugeley 1853, Burton 1880 (VCH). Colton, 1885 (W. Buckley, Ent. Mon. Mag., 1885).

Status A rare immigrant; no further records.

NOTODONTIDAE : Notodontinae

1994 Below 2019

1995 Puss Moth Cerura vinula Linnaeus 1995 : Puss Moth SJ SK 6 Habit Widely distributed. The familiar larvae feed on willows and poplars 5 4

while the lesser-known adults fly from May to July. 3

2 Status Much less common, 1950-70, but since then becoming more 1 frequent again. Any willow with leaves that have been stripped to 0 9 their veins is woth searching for this species. SO SP 8 789012

1996 Alder Kitten Furcula bicuspis Borkhausen 1996 : Alder Kitten SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Not common, Chorlton Moss, Cannock Chase, Rolleston (VCH). 5 4

Habit A woodland species feeding on alder and birch and flying from May 2 to July. 1 0 9 Status Local and uncommon; occasionally coming to light. Reported from SO SP 8 seventeen 10Km squares since 1960. 789012

1997 Sallow Kitten Furcula furcula Clerck 1997 : Sallow Kitten SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Occasional, Burnt Wood, Madeley, Burton (VCH). 5 4

Habit Widely distributed. It feeds on sallow and flies from May to July. 2 1 Status Uncommon but the most widespread of the three Furculas being 0 9 reported from twenty-two 10Km squares since 1960. SO SP 8 789012 Caution Confusion with Poplar Kitten possible.

1998 Poplar Kitten Furcula bifida Brahm 1998 : Poplar Kitten SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Occasional; Stoke, Stone, Burnt Wood, Cannock Chase, Burton 5 4

(VCH). 3

2 Habit Rarely seen away from its foodplants - poplar and aspen. On the 1 wing from May to July. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status The least common of the Furculas having been reported from only 789012 six 10Km squares since 1960.

2000 Iron Prominent Notodonta dromedarius Linnaeus 2000 : Iron Prominent SJ SK 6 Habit Found in many habitats. The larvae feed on birch, alder etc. and the 5 4

adults fly in June and July. 3

2 Status Common generally. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2003 Pebble Prominent Notodonta ziczac Linnaeus 2003 : Pebble Prominent SJ SK 6 Habit Found in many habitats. The larvae feed on willows and poplars and 5 4

the adults fly in May and June and again in August. 3

2 Status Widespread, comes readily to light. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2005 Below 2019

2006 Lesser Swallow Prominent Pheosia gnoma Fabricius 2006 : Lesser Swallow Prominent SJ SK 6 Habit Widespread wherever birch, its foodplant, occurs. On the wing in 5 May and June and again in August. 4 3

2 Status Frequent at light wherever birch is plentiful. 1 0 9 Caution Confusion with Swallow Prominent possible. SO SP 8 789012

2007 : Swallow Prominent

2007 Swallow Prominent Pheosia tremula Clerck SJ SK 6 Habit Widespread wherever poplar and aspen, its foodplants, are found. 5 Adults fly in May and June and again in August. 4 3

Status Not as common as Lesser Swallow Prominent. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2008 Coxcomb Prominent Ptilodon capucina Linnaeus 2008 : Coxcomb Prominent SJ SK 6 Habit Found in a variety of habitats where it feeds on a variety of trees. On 5 4

the wing in May and June and again in August and September. 3

2 Status Common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2010 Scarce Prominent Odontosia carmelita Esper (No map) pre 1960 Rugeley (VCH). Dr. Freer wrote (Trans. North Staffs. Field. Club 39 (1904) 70) that he took this on some park palings in 1878 or 1879. There is a specimen in his collection, now at the Potteries Museum, Hanley, but unfortunately without data.

Status There have been no further records and it must be considered extinct in the county. However, it is quite possible that this species may have existed on Cannock Chase in the past.

2011 Pale Prominent Pterostoma palpina Clerck 2011 : Pale Prominent SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Chorlton Moss, Stone, Burnt Wood, Cannock Chase; Burton 5 4

(VCH). 3

2 Habit Found in a variety of habitats where it feeds on willows and poplars. 1 Adults fly in May and June. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Much more frequent and widespread now than would appear from 789012 the few old records.

2012 White Prominent Leucodonta bicoloria Denis & Schiffermηller 2012 : White Prominent SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Burnt Wood, 8 specimens (Zoologist, 1861 and Newman, British 5 4

Moths, p. 228). The first recorded occurrence of this species in 3

Great Britain (VCH). 2 1 Further specimens were taken by Chappell and others in 1864; these 0 9 were the last of the species to be found at Burnt Wood, or for that SO SP 8 matter in England apart from a single immigrant example. 789012

2014 Marbled Brown Drymonia dodonaea Denis & Schiffermηller 2014 : Marbled Brown SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Abbots Bromley (Bradbury, S. (1880) Entomologist 13, p163). 5 Burnt Wood (TGE, HLB, RGW); Trentham (RGW); 4 1960-79 Bagots Wood (JAH); Needwood Forest, common at light 1976. 3 2 1

Habit An oak wood species flying in May and June. 0 9 SO SP Status Local and common. Found in only nine 10Km squares since 1960 8 but common where it is found. 789012

2015 Lunar Marbled Brown Drymonia ruficornis Hufnagel 2015 : Lunar Marbled Brown SJ SK 6 pre 1960 One Swynnerton (VCH). One, Whiston Eaves in an oak wood, 1920 5 4

(TS); Burnt Wood (HLB); 3

1960-79 Trentham (RGW); Bagots Wood (JAH). 2 1 Habit An oak wood species flying in April and May. 0 9 Status Local and uncommon, certainly scarcer than the last species but SO SP 8 more widespread, having been found in sixteen 10Km squares since 789012 1960.

NOTODONTIDAE : Pygaerinae

2019 Chocolate-tip Clostera curtula Linnaeus 2019 : Chocolate-tip SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Burton (VCH) 5 4

1980-99 Kinver Edge 26/5/81 (FAN); Pattingham 31/8/86 (PKD); 3

Baggeridge CP 1996 (DW). 2 1 Habit A species of deciduous woodland where it feeds on willow and 0 9 poplars and flies in April and May and again in August. SO SP 8 Status Rare; this is more a southern species. 789012

NOTODONTIDAE : Phalerinae

1994 Buff-tip Phalera bucephala Linnaeus 1994 : The Buff-tip SJ SK 6 Habit Found in woodlands where it feeds on many trees and flies in June 5 4

and July. 3

2 Status Perhaps less common than formerly, but still widespread. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012 NOTODONTIDAE : Heterocampinae

2005 Great Prominent Peridea anceps Goeze 2005 : Great Prominent SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rare; Swynnerton, Burnt Wood (VCH). Last recorded at 5 4

Swynnerton, 1939 (Miss. L. Poole). 3

1960-79 Still present at Burnt Wood, 1974 (RGW); Bagots Wood (JAH). 2 1980-99 Keele 1980 (DWE); Kinver Edge, 24/5/97 (G&EB) 1 0 9 Habit A species of mature woodland feeding on oak and flying from April SO SP 8 to June. 789012 Status An odd species. It can remain undetected at a site for years then, for no apparent reason, becomes common for a couple of years before reverting to its scarce state.

NOTODONTIDAE : Dilobinae 2020 : Figure of Eight SJ SK 6 2020 Figure of Eight Diloba caeruleocephala Linnaeus 5 4 Habit Inhabits woods and hedgerows feeding on hawthorn, blackthorn etc. 3 2

Flies in October and November. 1 Status Not uncommon. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

LYMANTRIIDAE

2026 Vapourer Orgyia antiqua Linnaeus 2026 : The Vapourer SJ SK 6 Habit Found everywhere, especially in suburban areas. The distinctive 5 4

larvae feed on most deciduous trees. The females are wingless while 3

males fly in the sunshine from July to September. 2 1 Status Common in the lowlands, but now scarce or absent in the 0 9 moorlands. SO SP 8 789012

2028 Pale Tussock Calliteara pudibunda Linnaeus 2028 : Pale Tussock SJ SK 6 Habit Found in many habitats where it feeds on various deciduous trees. 5 4

Adults are on the wing in May and June. 3

2 Status Not uncommon. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2029 Brown-tail Euproctis chrysorrhoea Linnaeus 2029 : Brown-tail SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Several, Rugeley, 1892-93; at electric light, Stoke Station, 1905 5 4

(VCH). 3

1980-99 One at Himley Hall in 1984 (GB). 2 1 Status This species reaches pest proportions in the south of England but we 0 9 are on the far northern edge of its range. The latter may well be a SO SP 8 vagrant. 789012

2030 Yellow-tail Euproctis similis Fuessly 2030 : Yellow-tail SJ SK 6 Habit Found in many habitats. The larvae feed on various deciduous trees 5 and adults are on the wing in July and August. 4 3

2 Status Common except in the moorlands. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2031 White Satin Leucoma salicis Linnaeus 2031 : White Satin SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Burton (VCH). Coombes Valley, a larva on poplar, 1930 (RGW). 5 All other records are of single examples at light e.g. Burnt Wood 4 3

(HLB). 2 1960-79 Bagots Wood (JAH); Newcastle, 1977 (JH); Keele, 1978 (DWE). 1 0 9 Habit A species of gardens, allotments, waste ground where it feeds on SO SP 8 willow and poplars and flies in July and August. 789012 Status Scarce, but increasing, having been found in thirteen 10Km squares since 1960.

2033 Black Arches Lymantria monacha Linnaeus 2033 : Black Arches SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Unconfirmed record for the county by Garner 1884. 5 4

1960-79 Yarnfield August 1979 (CY). 3

1980-99 Saltwells LNR in 1995; Kinver Edge 26/7/97 (GB); Bunkers Hill 2 Wood 18/8/98 (DNF). 1 0 9 Habit Inhabits woodland where it feeds on oak and flies in June and July. SO SP 8 789012 Status Rare. It is at the most northerly edge of its range.

ARCTIIDAE : Lithosiinae

2035 Round-winged Muslin Thumatha senex Hηbner 2035 : Round-winged Muslin SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Forton (ESL); Copmere (HLB) 5 4

1980-99 Loynton Moss, Bishops Offley; Saltwells LNR 1995. 3

2 Habit Occurs in fens and marshes where it feeds on lichens and mosses 1 and flies in July and August. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Very local. 789012

2038 Muslin Footman Nudaria mundana Linnaeus 2038 : Muslin Footman SJ SK 6 Habit Found in many habitats where it feeds on lichens growing on walls, 5 fences etc. Flies from June to early August. 4 3

2 Status Not uncommon in the moorlands and on the limestone; seems to 1 have withdrawn from the lowlands. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2039 Red-necked Footman Atolmis rubricollis Linnaeus 2039 : Red-necked Footman SJ SK 6 1960-79 Cannock Chase (DAD) 5 1980-99 Kinver Edge 4/6/80 (FAN); Stone 23/7/85 (CY) 4 3

2 Habit Inhabits both deciduous and conferous woodland where it feeds on 1 lichens and mosses on tree trunks. It flies in June and July. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Rare. 789012

2040 Four-dotted Footman Cybosia mesomella Linnaeus 2040 : Four-dotted Footman SJ SK 6 Habit Occurs on heaths, mosses and in open woodland where it feeds on 5 4

lichens and flies from June to August. 3

2 Status Very local on heaths and mosses e.g., Cannock Chase,Chartley, 1 Burnt Wood, Highgate Common, but common where it occurs. One 0 9 at light at Blythe Bridge Mill (JAH) was unusual. SO SP 8 789012

2047 Scarce Footman Eilema complana Linnaeus 2047 : Scarce Footman SJ SK 6 Habit Occurs on heathland and in woodland. It feeds on lichens and flies 5 4

in July and August. 3

2 Status Seems to be commoner in the south of the county and spreading. 1 Rare elsewhere. 0 9 SO SP 8 Caution Care needed to separate this species from the commoner Common 789012 Footman.

2049 Buff Footman Eilema depressa Esper 2049 : Buff Footman SJ SK 6 1980-99 The Gorge LNR 28/7/95 (IL); Bunkers Hill Wood 14/7/97 (DNF); 5 4

Alton 1998 (JCL). 3

2 Habit Feeds on lichens growing on trees in woodland and scrubby 1 downland. It flies in July and August. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Rare; mainly a southern species. 789012

2050 Common Footman Eilema lurideola Zincken 2050 : Common Footman SJ SK 6 Habit Found in many habitats where it feeds on lichens and flies in July 5 4

and August. 3

2 Status Not uncommon at light. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012 2051 Large Footman Lithosia quadra Linnaeus (No map)

Pre 1960 At light, Stoke Station (Shaw); probably early 20th century.

Status Extinct in the county

ARCTIIDAE : Arctiinae

2054 Crimson Speckled Utetheisa pulchella Linnaeus (No map) pre 1960 One taken in a meadow near Walton’s Wood, Madeley, 25/6/1892 (VCH).

Status A rare immigrant. No further records.

2056 Wood Tiger Parasemia plantaginis plantaginis Linnaeus 2056 : Wood Tiger SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Local but occurring in many districts (VCH). 5 4 3

Habit Inhabits moorland, limestone grassland and open woodland. Larvae 2 feed on various plants and adults fly during the day from June to 1 August. 0 9 Status Local, sometimes not uncommon, but decreasing. Leek moors and SO SP 8 northern part of Churnet Valley and Manifold Valley. No recent 789012 records from Burnt Wood, Maer, Swynnerton, Dovedale and Chartley Moss. Only two post 1980 records; from Cannock Chase and Wetton Mill.

2057 Garden Tiger Arctia caja Linnaeus 2057 : Garden Tiger SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Common in the south of the county but rarer further north and 5 doubtful if it occurs in the extreme north of the county (VCH). 4 3

Madeley; occasional in the Potteries (HWD). 2

1 Habit The familiar hairy larvae feed on many plants. Adults fly in July and 0 9 August. SO SP 8 789012 Status Has become much more common and widespread, extending to the Churnet Valley and the Leek moors.

2059 Clouded Buff Diacrisia sannio Linnaeus 2059 : Clouded Buff SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Not uncommon on most mosses (VCH). 5 1960-79 Burnt Wood (HWD, HLB, RGW); Chartley Moss (RGW); Cannock 4 3

Chase (DAD, RGW). 2 1 Habit Mainly a heathland species feeding on a variety of plants and flying 0 9 June and July. Easily disturbed during the day. SO SP 8 Status Scarce. Has disappeared from a number of places where it was 789012 formerly known, probably because of drainage. Still at Cannock Chase (DWE).

2060 White Ermine Spilosoma lubricipeda Linnaeus 2060 : White Ermine SJ SK 6 Habit Found in most habitats where it feeds on many plants and flies from 5 4

May to July. 3

2 Status Common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2061 Buff Ermine Spilosoma luteum Hufnagel 2061 : Buff Ermine SJ SK 6 Habit Occurs in most habitats and feeds on many plant species. It flies 5 from May to July 4 3 2

Status Common. 1

0 9 SO SP 8 789012 2062 Water Ermine Spilosoma urticae Esper (No map) pre 1960 Larvae found once near Burton (VCH).

Status Extinct in the county.

2063 Muslin Moth Diaphora mendica Clerck 2063 : Muslin Moth SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Near Marchington (VCH). 5 4

Habit A species of open woodland, gardens and downland. Larvae feed on 2 common "weeds" while the adults fly in May and June. 1 Status Local and much commoner since VCH. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2064 Ruby Tiger Phragmatobia fuliginosa fuliginosa Linnaeus 2064 : Ruby Tiger SJ SK 6 Habit Occurs in a variety of habitats. Larvae feed on many plants while 5 4

adults fly from April to June. 3

2 Status Uncommon. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2068 Scarlet Tiger Callimorpha dominula Linnaeus (No map) pre 1960 H.B.D. Kettlewell in Proc. S. Lond. Ent. Nat. Hist. Soc., 1942-43, Part 1:11, gives two references to this species in Staffordshire: Four specimens, Mill Dale, North Staffs., 1914 Vauncy Harper Crewe. Larvae fairly common on nettle, Himley Wood, S. Staffs., Major Blackstone of Hove.

Status As neither of the above records has been confirmed, the status of this species in the county must remain in doubt.

2069 Cinnabar Tyria jacobaeae Linnaeus 2069 : The Cinnabar SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Larvae Cannock Chase; in garden at Burton, once (VCH). One at 5 4

Rugeley, 1917 (RF); Madeley, Maer (HWD); Forton (ESL). 3

2 Habit A day-flying species better known as the orange-and-black striped 1 larvae that feed on ragwort. Adults fly in June and July. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status As the few early records show it was once scarce but is now 789012 common in many places. This must be due to the "explosion" of ragwort in recent years.

CTENUCHIDAE : Euchromiinae

2072 Basker Euchromia lethe Fabricius (no map)

One bred from a cocoon found in a crate of bananas, Stone, 1958 (RGW)

NOLIDAE : Nolinae

2077 Short-cloaked Moth Nola cucullatella Linnaeus 2077 : Short-cloaked Moth SJ SK 6 Habit A species of woods and hedgerows. It feeds on rosaceous trees eg 5 4

hawthorn, and flies in June and July. 3

2 Status Not uncommon. 1 0 9 Caution Because of it small size, it may be overlooked for a "micro" SO SP 8 789012

2078 Least Black Arches Nola confusalis Herrich-Sch≅ffer 2078 : Least Black Arches SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Bishops Wood & Burnt Wood; Burton; Maer (HWD). 5 4

1960-79 Cannock Chase (DAD). 3

1980-99 Still at Burnt Wood and Maer (though scarce at both sites); 2 Saltwells LNR and Kinver Edge 1 0 9 Habit Occurs in woodland where it feeds on lichens and flies in May and SO SP 8 June. 789012

Status Local and uncommon.

NOCTUIDAE : Noctuinae

2081 White-line Dart Euxoa tritici Linnaeus 2081 : White-line Dart SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Madeley, Maer (HWD) 5 4 1960-79 Trent Vale (DWE); Tamworth (WJ Atkins). 3

2 Habit Though more commonly a coastal species, in the county it is found 1 on heaths and in gardens. The larvae are polyphagous while the 0 9 adults fly from June to August. SO SP 8 789012 Status Uncommon.

2082 Garden Dart Euxoa nigricans Linnaeus 2082 : Garden Dart SJ SK 6 Habit Inhabits waste ground and gardens where it is polyphagous. Adults 5 fly in July and August. 4 3

2 Status Uncommon. The dark variety is commonest. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 Caution Could be confused with White-line Dart which itself is very 789012 variable.

2084 Light Feathered Rustic Agrotis cinerea Denis & Schiffermηller 2084 : Light Feathered Rustic SJ SK 6 1980-99 Dovedale, 4 on 25/6/1982 (M J Sterling); Waterhouses, 24/5/1993 5 4

(ADP) 3

2 Habit A species of limestone grassland. It feeds on thyme and flies in May 1 and June. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Local and uncommon. 789012

2085 Archer's Dart Agrotis vestigialis Hufnagel 2085 : Archer's Dart SJ SK 6 1980-99 Kinver Edge 27/6/82, 13/7/82 (FAN) 5 4 3

Habit Widely distributed around the coast but very local inland on heaths 2 and breckland. Adults fly from July to September and larvae feed on 1 grasses and common "weeds". 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Rare. 789012

2087 Turnip Moth Agrotis segetum Denis & Schiffermηller 2087 : Turnip Moth SJ SK 6 Habit Larvae live underground on the roots and lower stems of root 5 4

vegetables causing economic damage. Adults fly in May and June 3

and again in August and September. 2 1 Status Common, but much less so than Heart and Dart A. exclamationis. It 0 9 does not reach the levels that it does in East Anglia where it is more SO SP 8 of a pest. 789012

2088 Heart and Club Agrotis clavis Hufnagel 2088 : Heart and Club SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rare, Swynnerton (VCH). 5 4

1980-99 Recorded at Stone 7/7/1989 (CY); Wombourne 15/6/1994 3

(K&WW); Saltwells LNR 1992-95 (DNF) 2 1 Habit A species of waste ground that feeds on roots of common "weeds". 0 9 Adults fly in June and July. SO SP 8 789012 Status Rare. We are on the edge of its range.

Caution Can be difficult to pick out in a trap full of Heart and Darts and Turnip Moths.

2089 Heart and Dart Agrotis exclamationis Linnaeus 2089 : Heart and Dart SJ SK 6 Habit A common and widespread species whose larvae (known as 5 cutworms) feed on the roots of many wild and cultivated plants. On 4 3

the wing from May to August. 2 1 Status Common, often abundant, throughout the county with trap catches 0 9 of many hundreds per night in some areas. SO SP 8 789012

2090 Crescent Dart Agrotis trux lunigera Stephens 2090 : Crescent Dart SJ SK 6 1980-99 Himley Hall, 20/7/1981 (SSNS) and more recently at Norton, 5 Stourbridge 24/7/2000 (DNF). 4 3

2 Status Rare vagrant. This is a strictly coastal species so these two records 1 are quite exceptional but may indicate that the species is more 0 9 mobile than once thought. SO SP 8 789012

2091 Dark Sword-grass Agrotis ipsilon Hufnagel 2091 : Dark Sword-grass SJ SK 6 Habit Comes readily to light. Most records occur between March and 5 4

November. Like other cutworms it is a pest in parts of its continental 3

range. 2 1 Status Mainly an immigrant. Sometimes common but not every year. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart Agrotis puta puta Hηbner 2092 : Shuttle-shaped Dart SJ SK 6 Pre 1960 Not recorded in VCH. Forton (ESL); Trentham, Wall Grange 5 4

(RGW). 3

2 Habit Occurs on waste ground and in gardens. It feeds on many "weeds" 1 and adults fly from May to October, there being several overlapping 0 9 broods. SO SP 8 789012 Status As the few early records show it was formerly local and uncommon but then increased and, by 1976, had become widespread and frequent.

2098 The Flame Axylia putris Linnaeus 2098 : The Flame SJ SK 6 Habit Found in many habitats and feeds on common "weeds". Adults fly 5 4

in June and July. 3

2 Status Widespread but most frequent in the south of the county. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2102 Flame Shoulder Ochropleura plecta Linnaeus 2102 : Flame Shoulder SJ SK 6 Habit Feeds on common "weeds" in many habitats. Flies in May and June 5 4

and again in August and September. 3

2 Status Common generally. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2104 Northern Rustic Standfussiana lucernea Linnaeus 2104 : Northern Rustic SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Dovedale, one bred from pupa found under a stone, 1931 (HWD). 5 1980-99 Ecton 20/8/84 (R&AN). 4 3

2 Status Only the one recent record; but then few lepidopterists visit this area 1 with a moth trap. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2105 Dotted Rustic Rhyacia simulans Hufnagel 2105 : Dotted Rustic SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Reported from the county in Newman's British Moths p 336 (VCH). 5 4

Habit Moths emerge in June and July. Some aestivate before reappearing 2 from late August to October. Larvae are unknown in the wild. 1 0 9 Status There was only one ancient record of this species in Staffordshire SO SP 8 until 1981, when it was reported in moth traps in several places. For 789012 a few years following it was frequent and widespread but has since become scarce once more.

2107 Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba Linnaeus 2107 : Large Yellow Underwing SJ SK 6 pre 1960 An hermaphrodite variety was taken by EWH Blagg and FCW in 5 4

Dovedale, 1893 (VCH). 3

2 Habit Found in all habitats. The cutworm larvae feed on roots of plants 1 and grasses. Adults fly from June to September. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Generally the commonest of moths with trap catches in four figures 789012 some nights.

2109 Lesser Yellow Underwing Noctua comes Hηbner 2109 : Lesser Yellow Underwing SJ SK 6 Habit Found in most habitats, the larvae feeding on many tree species. On 5 4

the wing from July to September. 3

2 Status Generally common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2110 Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing Noctua fimbriata Schreber 2110 : Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing SJ SK 6 Habit Found in most habitats, the larvae feeding on many tree species. On 5 4

the wing from July to September. 3

2 Status Widely distributed but never common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2111 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing 2111 : Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing SJ SK Noctua janthe Borkhausen 6 5 4

Habit Found in most habitats, the larvae feeding on many tree species. On 3

the wing from July to September. 2 1 Status Generally distributed and rather common. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2112 Least Yellow Underwing Noctua interjecta caliginosa Schawerda. 2112 : Least Yellow Underwing SJ SK 6 Habit A species of waste ground, lanes, hedgerows etc. feeding on many 5 grasses and plants. On the wing from July to August. 4 3

2 Status Local and not generally common; sometimes flying rapidly over 1 hedgerows in the afternoon. Absent from the north-east of the 0 9 county. SO SP 8 789012

2113 Stout Dart Spaelotis ravida Denis & Schiffermηller 2113 : Stout Dart SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Burnt Wood; rare Burton (VCH). Burton, 1941 (CC). 5 4

1960-79 Wilnecote near Tamworth, 1965 (G&MA); Wigginton 1973 (S. 3

Swain). 2 1980-99 Chillington 28/7/84 (R&AN); Caverswall 1984 (SC). 1 0 9 Habit A species of grasslands, fens and marshes. It flies from July to SO SP 8 September. Its foodplant is unknown. 789012

Status Rare.

2114 Double Dart Graphiphora augur Fabricius 2114 : Double Dart SJ SK 6 Habit Found in woodland,on commons, etc. Feeds on blackthorn, sallow 5 4

etc. and flies in June and July. 3

2 Status Common and widespread. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2117 Autumnal Rustic Eugnorisma glareosa Esper 2117 : Autumnal Rustic SJ SK 6 Habit Found along woodland edges as well as on heaths and moors. It 5 feeds on various plants and grasses and flies in August and 4 3

September. 2 1 Status Rather common, especially in wooded areas, throughout the county. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2118 True Lover’s Knot Lycophotia porphyrea Denis & Schiffermηller 2118 : True Lover’s Knot SJ SK 6 Habit Typically on heaths, moors and mosses where it feeds on Erica and 5 4

Calluna. On the wing from June to August. 3

2 Status Common. Occasionally comes to light in places far from heather. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2119 Pearly Underwing Peridroma saucia Hηbner 2119 : Pearly Underwing SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rare, Burnt Wood; Chorlton Moss; Rugeley; Swynnerton, Clayton; 5 4

Burton (VCH). Fairly common, Madeley, Burnt Wood (HWD); 3

Whiston Eaves (TS); North Hillswood (Hill); Stone, 1958 (RGW). 2 1 Status Scarce immigrant, more frequent since 1960. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2120 Ingrailed Clay Diarsia mendica mendica Fabricius 2120 : Ingrailed Clay SJ SK 6 Habit Found from lowland to moorland. It feeds on various plants and 5 4

flies from June to August. 3

2 Status Generally common. Examples of this species in the moorlands 1 seem to be smaller in size and appear later in the year than those in 0 9 the lowlands. SO SP 8 789012

2121 Barred Chestnut Diarsia dahlii Hηbner 2121 : Barred Chestnut SJ SK 6 Habit Found on heaths, moors and in woodland. It feeds on docks, 5 4

plantains and willows etc. It flies in August and September. 3

Status Local and scarce. 2 1 Caution Could be confused with the commoner, and very variable, Ingrailed 0 9 Clay. SO SP 8 789012

2122 2122 : Purple Clay Purple Clay Diarsia brunnea Denis & Schiffermηller SJ SK 6 Habit Occurs in deciduous woodland where it feeds on sallow, bilberry 5 4

etc. It flies from June to August. 3

2 Status Local and not common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2123 Small Square-spot Diarsia rubi Vieweg 2123 : Small Square-spot SJ SK 6 Habit Occurs in many habitats where it feeds on a variety of plants. Flies 5 in May and June and again in August and September. 4 3 2

Status Common in both broods. 1

0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2126 Setaceous Hebrew Character Xestia c-nigrum Linnaeus 2126 : Setaceous Hebrew Character SJ SK 6 Habit Occurs in woods, marshes, cultivated ground etc. It is polyphagous 5 4

and flies in May and July and August to October. 3

2 Status Common some years, scarce or absent in others. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2127 Triple-spotted Clay Xestia ditrapezium Denis & Schiffermηller 2127 : Triple-spotted Clay SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Trentham, first seen 1956, then regularly for a time (RGW). 5 4

Habit Found in deciduous woodland where it feeds on sallow, 2 honeysuckle, birch etc. and flies from June to August. 1 0 9 Status Apparently established for a time, becoming scarce again since SO SP 8 1979. 789012

Caution Confusion with the commoner Double Square-spot is possible.

2128 Double Square-spot Xestia triangulum Hufnagel 2128 : Double Square-spot SJ SK 6 Habit Found in wooded areas where it feeds on many plants and shrubs. It 5 4

flies in June and July. 3

2 Status Rather common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2130 Dotted Clay Xestia baja Denis & Schiffermηller 2130 : Dotted Clay SJ SK 6 Habit Inhabits heaths and woods. The larvae are polyphagous; adults fly in 5 4

July and August. 3

2 Status Generally common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2132 Neglected Rustic Xestia castanea Esper 2132 : Neglected Rustic SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Often plentiful on heaths, very variable in colour; Swynnerton, 5 Burnt Wood; yellow var. xanthe taken in Burnt Wood by FCW 4 3

(Transactions of North Staffs. Field Club, 1900, 64), specimens in 2 RCK Coll. Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.) (VCH). Cheddleton Heath; Burnt 1 Wood, Cannock Chase, pinkish-grey and red forms predominate. 0 9 SO SP 8 Habit A species of heaths and moors, flying in August and September and 789012 feeding on Erica and Calluna.

Status Much scarcer than formerly, having withdrawn from many of its northern haunts.

2133 Six-striped Rustic Xestia sexstrigata Haworth 2133 : Six-striped Rustic SJ SK 6 Habit Polyphagous in most habitats. Flies in July and August. 5 4

Status Common and general. 2 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2134 Square-spot Rustic Xestia xanthographa Denis & Schiffermηller 2134 : Square-spot Rustic SJ SK 6 Habit Found in most habitats. Larvae feed on grasses and low plants. On 5 4

the wing from August to September. 3

2 Status Very common and variable, dark forms most frequent. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2135 Heath Rustic Xestia agathina agathina Duponchel 2135 : Heath Rustic SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Not recorded in VCH. 5 4

Habit A heathland species feeding on heather and flying in September. 2 1 Status Very local on heaths including Coombes Valley (MW), Cannock 0 9 Chase, Swynnerton (DAD), Wetley Moor (1994); Highgate SO SP 8 Common; Chasewater 12/9/99 (DG) 789012

2136 The Gothic Naenia typica Linnaeus 2136 : The Gothic SJ SK 6 Habit A polyphagous species of waste ground and gardens flying in June 5 4

and July. 3

2 Status Common. More frequent in lowland and southern Staffordshire. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2137 Great Brocade Eurois occulta Linnaeus 2137 : Great Brocade SJ SK 6 pre 1960 One taken in Bagots Park 1905 5 4

1980-99 Five on successive nights Scot Hay from 2/8/82 (GBB); Eccleshall 3

28/7/82 (G&SM); Penkridge 31/7/82 (BC); The Gorge LNR 5/8/95 2 (IL). 1 0 9 Habit As a resident it inhabits wet mountains and moorland but it does SO SP 8 occur as a migrant, which is no doubt what the latter records are. 789012

Status Very rare migrant.

2138 Green Arches Anaplectoides prasina Denis & Schifferm ller 2138 : Green Arches η SJ SK 6 Habit A species of deciduous woodland feeding mainly on bilberry and 5 4

honeysuckle. On the wing in June and July. 3

2 Status Local and not common, examples of a melanic form occur. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2139 Red Chestnut Cerastis rubricosa Denis & Schiffermηller 2139 : Red Chestnut SJ SK 6 Habit A woodland and moorland species feeding on various low plants. 5 4

Adults fly in March and April and are common on sallow catkins at 3

night. 2 1 Status Common, throughout the county. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

NOCTUIDAE : Hadeninae

2142 Beautiful Yellow Underwing Anarta myrtilli Linnaeus 2142 : Beautiful Yellow Underwing SJ SK 6 Habit A species of heaths and moors, feeding on Erica and Calluna and 5 4

flying in the sunshine in July and August. 3

2 Status Local but common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2145 The Nutmeg Discestra trifolii Hufnagel 2145 : The Nutmeg SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Larvae occasionally at Rugeley; common at Burton (VCH). 5 4

Habit Occurs on waste and cultivated ground where it feeds on goosefoot 2 and orache and flies in June and July. 1 0 9 Status Scarce; more frequent in south of county. SO SP 8 789012 Caution Similar to the commoner Cabbage Moth Mamestra brassicae.

2147 The Shears Hada plebeja Linnaeus 2147 : The Shears SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Not common, Burnt Wood, Madeley, Rugeley; common at Burton 5 4

(VCH). 3

2 Habit Found from woodland to moorland as well as on the limestone. It 1 feeds on hawkweeds, dandelions etc. and flies in June and July. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Occasional but more widely reported in 1996. 789012

2149 Silvery Arches Polia trimaculosa Esper 2149 : Silvery Arches SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Common at sugar, Burnt Wood, Cannock Chase (VCH). Once, 5 Dimmingsdale, 1900 (Hill). Very scarce in Burnt Wood, 1924-50 4 3

(HWD); Swynnerton, 1927. 2 1960-79 Swynnerton again in 1966 (RGW); Bagots Wood (JAH). 1 1980-99 Cannock Chase 1986 (R&AN); Bunkers Hill Wood 1997 - 98 0 9 (DNF); Saltwells NR 1994 - 97. SO SP 8 789012 Habit On woodland and heathland, feeding mainly on birch and flying in June and July.

Status Local and rare; found more recently in the south of the county.

2150 Grey Arches Polia nebulosa Hufnagel 2150 : Grey Arches SJ SK 6 Habit Occurs in most habitats, particularly woodland, feeding on various 5 4

herbaceous plants. Flies in June and July. 3

2 Status Common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2153 Bordered Gothic Heliophobus reticulata marginosa Haworth 2153 : Bordered Gothic SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Burnt Wood, Swynnerton, Henhurst (VCH). Rugeley, 1901, 1910 5 (RF). 4 3 Status No recent records so must be considered extinct in the county. 2 1

9 SO SP 8 789012

2154 Cabbage Moth Mamestra brassicae Linnaeus 2154 : Cabbage Moth SJ SK 6 Habit On waste and cultivated ground. Feeds on many plants especially 5 brassicas. Flies from May to August in several overlapping broods. 4 3 2

Status Common and general. 1

0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2155 Dot Moth Melanchra persicariae Linnaeus 2155 : Dot Moth SJ SK 6 Habit On waste and cultivated ground. Feeds on many wild and cultivated 5 4

plants and flies in July and August. 3

2 Status Common; less frequent in the north. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2163 Broom Moth Melanchra pisi Linnaeus 2163 : Broom Moth SJ SK 6 Habit A species of open country, feeding on many plants, including 5 broom, and flying from mid-May to July. 4 3

2 Status Common and general. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2156 Beautiful Brocade Lacanobia contigua Denis & Schiffermηller 2156 : Beautiful Brocade SJ SK 6 Pre 1960 Fairly common on Cannock Chase (VCH). One on Cannock Chase 5 4

in 1956 (RGW) 3

1980-99 Cannock Chase 8/6/84 (R&AN); Kinver Edge 16/5/82 (FAN); 2 Himley Hall (GB). 1 0 9 Habit Flies in June and July on heathland and in woodland. Larvae SO SP 8 polyphagous. 789012

Status Local and rare.

2157 Light Brocade Lacanobia w-latinum Hufnagel 2157 : Light Brocade SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rare Burnt Wood (VCH). 5 4

1980-99 Cannock Chase (DAD) and 1986 (R & AN); Kinver Edge 11/6/82 3

(FAN) and 24/5/97 (GB); Saltwells LNR 1996; Norton 1996 (DNF). 2 1 Habit A species of mainly open ground feeding on various plants e.g. 0 9 broom, knotgrass. Flies from May to July. SO SP 8 789012 Status Rare.

Caution Care needed to separate this species from the common Dusky Brocade Apamea remissa.

2158 Pale-shouldered Brocade Lacanobia thalassina Hufnagel 2158 : Pale-shouldered Brocade SJ SK 6 Habit A woodland species feeding on oak, hawthorn, honeysuckle etc. 5 Flies in May and June. 4 3

2 Status Common throughout. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2159 Dog’s Tooth Lacanobia suasa Denis & Schiffermηller 2159 : Dog’s Tooth SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Not common Whitmore, Madeley, Rugeley (scarce), Henhurst, 5 4

Burton (VCH). Forton (ESL); Burton, 1941 (CC). 3

1960-79 Cannock Chase, Swynnerton (DAD); Wolverhampton. 2 1980-99 At Handsworth Wood on 21st and 26/6/98 (R&AN). 1 0 9 Habit A species of waste ground and moorland feeding on herbaceous SO SP 8 plants and flying from May to September in overlapping broods. 789012

Status Rare.

Caution Is similar to the much commoner Pale-shouldered Brocade and Dusky Brocade.

2160 Bright-line Brown-eye Lacanobia oleracea Linnaeus 2160 : Bright-line Brown-eye SJ SK 6 Habit A species of open country and gardens. It is polyphagous but can be 5 a pest on commercial tomatoes. Flies from May to July. 4 3

2 Status Generally common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012 87

2162 Glaucous Shears Papestra biren Goeze 2162 : Glaucous Shears SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Not common Burnt Wood, Cannock Chase, Swynnerton, Leek 5 4

(VCH). Wall Grange (TS); still present there in 1964 (RGW). 3

1980-99 Scarce now at Burnt Wood and Maer; most frequent on the Leek 2 moors and the Cloud; one at Stone (CY) and one on Cannock Chase 1 8/6/84 (R&AN). 0 9 SO SP 8 Habit Essentially a moorland species feeding on many species of plant. 789012 Flies in May and June. Status Local and uncommon, absent from the south and east.

2163 After 2155

2164 Broad-barred White Aetheria bicolorata Hufnagel 2164 : Broad-barred White SJ SK 6 Habit Inhabits waste ground and limestone downland. Feeds on 5 4

hawkweeds etc. and flies from June to August. 3

2 Status Local and not common, perhaps most frequent on the limestone. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2166 The Campion Hadena rivularis Fabricius 2166 : The Campion SJ SK 6 Habit Found in a variety of habitats where it feeds on species of Silene and 5 4

Lychnis. It flies in May and June and possibly again in August. 3

Status Not uncommon, more frequent in the south. 2 1 Caution Care needed to separate it from The Lychnis H. bicruris. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2167 Tawny Shears Hadena perplexa perplexa Denis & Schiffermηller 2167 : Tawny Shears SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rare Rugeley, Shobnall, Burton (VCH). Infrequent Madeley 5 (HWD); Forton (ESL); Cannock Chase. 4 3

1960-79 Swynnerton (DAD). 2

1 Habit Inland its preferred habitat is on the limestone where it feeds on 0 9 bladder campion and white campion. It flies in May and June. SO SP Status Uncommon. This species is perplexing just as its name suggests. 8 789012 The above localities do not match up with its preferred habitat so perhaps it has a wider distribution than at first thought. It is certainly commoner in the south of the county.

2170 Varied Coronet Hadena compta Denis & Schiffermηller 2170 : Varied Coronet SJ SK 6 1980-99 Wombourne 7/7/1993 (K&WW); Norton near Stourbridge 1994 5 4

(DNF); The Gorge LNR 9/6/95 (IL); Saltwells LNR (TGB) 3

2 Habit A garden species feeding on the garden plant - sweet william. It flies 1 in June and July. 0 9 Status Rare. First found in south-east Kent in 1948, it has slowly spread SO SP 8 outwards from there so we may look forward to further advances 789012 into the county.

2171 Marbled Coronet Hadena confusa Hufnagel 2171 : Marbled Coronet SJ SK 6 1960-79 Occasionally recorded: Walsall (E.A.B. Stanton); Cannock Chase, 5 4

1972 (DAD); Newcastle, 1976 (JH). 3

2 Habit In theory a species of mainly calcareous soils, feeding on species of 1 campion and flying from May to July. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Rare. Like the Tawny Shears the above localities do not tally with 789012 its habitat preference.

Caution Very similar to the Varied Coronet H. compta.

2173 The Lychnis Hadena bicruris Hufnagel 2173 : The Lychnis SJ SK 6 Habit In a variety of habitats where it feeds on Silene and Lychnis. It flies 5 4

from May to July. 3

2 Status Apparently much less common than formerly. 1 0 9 Caution Similar to The Campion H. rivularis. SO SP 8 789012

2176 The Antler Cerapteryx graminis Linnaeus 2176 : The Antler SJ SK 6 Habit Flies from July to September, sometimes during the day. The larvae 5 4

feed on grasses and can, in some circumstances, be a considerable 3

pest. 2 1 Status Common everywhere, often abundant on the moorlands. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2177 Hedge Rustic Tholera cespitis Denis & Schiffermηller 2177 : Hedge Rustic SJ SK 6 Habit A grass-feeding species. Flies over rough grassy places from August 5 4

to September. 3

2 Status Local and not common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2178 Feathered Gothic Tholera decimalis Poda 2178 : Feathered Gothic SJ SK 6 Habit The larvae feed on grasses. Flies over rough grassy places from 5 4

August to September. 3

2 Status Common and general. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2179 Pine Beauty Panolis flammea Denis & Schiffermηller 2179 : Pine Beauty SJ SK 6 Habit The larvae feed on pine and can be a serious pest. The adults fly 5 4

from March to April, often visiting sallow catkins at night. 3

2 Status No doubt in all pine woods. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2182 2182 : Small Quaker Small Quaker Orthosia cruda Denis & Schiffermηller SJ SK 6 Habit A woodland species feeding on many trees and flying in March and 5 4

April.; often seen at at night on sallow blossom. 3

2 Status Locally common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2183 Blossom Underwing Orthosia miniosa Denis & Schiffermηller 2183 : Blossom Underwing SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rare, Swynnerton, Burnt Wood (VCH); Trentham 1949 (RGW). 5 4

1960-79 Blythe Bridge Mill (JAH). 3

1980-99 Kinver Edge 1981 (FAN); Stone (CY). 2 1 Habit Inhabits oak woods and flies in March and April. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Rare. Only found at a few localities in the county. Appears to have 789012 gone from Burnt Wood, Maer Hills and Trentham.

2184 Northern Drab Orthosia opima Hηbner 2184 : Northern Drab SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Cannock Chase (VCH) and (TGE) around 1930. 5 4

Status Not seen since so probably extinct in the county. 2 1 Caution Very similar to the much commoner Clouded Drab. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2185 Lead-coloured Drab Orthosia populeti Fabricius 2185 : Lead-coloured Drab SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Not common Cheadle, Leek, Madeley, Henhurst (VCH). 5 1960-79 Blythe Bridge Mill (JAH). 4 3

2 Habit Larvae feed on aspen and other poplars. The adults fly in March and 1 April. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Locally at light. 789012

Caution Similar to Clouded Drab O. incerta.

2186 Powdered Quaker Orthosia gracilis Denis & Schiffermηller 2186 : Powdered Quaker SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rare Madeley, Rugeley, Burton, Branston; not reported in the north 5 4

of the county (VCH). 3

2 Habit Larvae feed on willows, meadowsweet and other plants. Adults fly 1 in April. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Common and general. 789012

2187 Common Quaker Orthosia cerasi Fabricius 2187 : Common Quaker SJ SK 6 Habit Larvae feed on oak, willows and other trees. Flies from March to 5 4

April and is common at sallow catkins after dark. 3

2 Status Very common and general. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2188 Clouded Drab Orthosia incerta Hufnagel 2188 : Clouded Drab SJ SK 6 Habit Feeds on most trees and shrubs and flies from March to April. 5 4

Common at sallow blossom at night. 3

2 Status General and very common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2189 Twin-spotted Quaker Orthosia munda Denis & Schiffermηller 2189 : Twin-spotted Quaker SJ SK 6 Habit More a woodland species than the other Orthosias. Feeds on various 5 4

trees and flies in March and April. 3

2 Status Locally common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2190 Hebrew Character Orthosia gothica Linnaeus 2190 : Hebrew Character SJ SK 6 Habit Feeds on most trees and shrubs and flies from March to April. 5 Common at sallow blossom at night. 4 3

2 Status Very common and general. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2192 Brown-line Bright-eye Mythimna conigera Denis & Schiffermηller 2192 : Brown-line Bright-eye SJ SK 6 Habit Occurs in many habitats where the larvae feed on grasses. It is on 5 4

the wing from mid-June to August. 3

2 Status Uncommon, most frequently recorded from the south-east of the 1 county. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2193 The Clay Mythimna ferrago Fabricius 2193 : The Clay SJ SK 6 Habit Occurs in many habitats where the larvae feed on grasses. It is on 5 4

the wing from mid-July to August. 3

2 Status Common and general. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2195 2195 : The Delicate The Delicate Mythimna vitellina Hηbner SJ SK 6 1980-99 Kinver Edge 20/9/1992 (G&EB); Stone 10/8/96 (CY). 5 4

Status Rare immigrant. A frequent immigrant in the south of England, 2 appearing from May to November, but most frequently in 1 September. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2197 Southern Wainscot Mythimna straminea Treitschke 2197 : Southern Wainscot SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Forton (ESL); Trentham, 1948 (RGW). 5 4 3

Habit Inhabits, fens, marshes and ditches where it feeds on Phragmites 2 and Phalaris. It flies in July and August. 1 0 9 Status Probably exists at low density in many marshy places in the west of SO SP 8 the county. 789012

Caution Probably overlooked because of its close similarity with the next two species - Common and Smoky Wainscots. Great care is needed in separating these three species.

2198 Smoky Wainscot Mythimna impura impura Hηbner 2198 : Smoky Wainscot SJ SK 6 Habit Feeds on grasses in many habitats. Flies from June to August. 5 4

Status Very common throughout. 2 1 0

9 SO SP 8 789012

2199 Common Wainscot Mythimna pallens Linnaeus 2199 : Common Wainscot SJ SK 6 Habit Feeds on grasses in many habitats. Flies from June to August. 5 4

Status Common throughout. 2 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2205 Shoulder-striped Wainscot Mythimna comma Linnaeus 2205 : Shoulder-striped Wainscot SJ SK 6 Habit Feeds on grasses in many habitats. Flies from June to July. 5 4

Status Locally common. 2 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

NOCTUIDAE : Cuculliinae

2211 The Wormwood Cucullia absinthii Linnaeus 2211 : The Wormwood SJ SK 6 1960-79 Walsall, larvae September 1946 (E.A.B. Stanton, Ent. Gazette, 2, 5 4

196, 1951). At this time it was found in a number of places around 3

Birmingham, the larvae feeding on Artermisia absinthium growing 2 on waste ground. 1 1980-99 More recent records come from Smestow 1995 (K&WW); Saltwells 0 9 LNR - larvae frequent; Handworth Wood (R&AN); Rushall (DG); SO SP 8 Dudley Wood (LS); The Gorge LNR (DNF). 789012

Habit A species of waste ground, old quarries etc. where it feeds on wormwood and mugwort.

Status Local and scarce; restricted to the far south-east of the county.

2214 Chamomile Shark Cucullia chamomillae Denis & Schiffermηller 2214 : Chamomile Shark SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rugeley (RF); Burnt Wood (HLB); Burton, 1941 (CC). 5 4

1960-79 Enville (RGW); Wigginton (S. Swain); Walsall (EABS). 3

2 Habit A species of waste ground, road verges etc. It feeds on various 1 mayweeds and flies from late April to June. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Scarce. 789012

Caution Very similar to the commoner Shark C. umbratica.

2216 The Shark Cucullia umbratica Linnaeus 2216 : The Shark SJ SK 6 Habit A species of waste ground and gardens, feeding on sow-thistles and 5 4

flying in June and July. 3

2 Status Local and not common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2221 The Mullein Shargacucullia verbasci Linnaeus 2221 : The Mullein SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Stafford, 1907; Madeley, 1926 (HWD); Forton (ESL); Dovedale, 5 4

larvae abundant some years (RGW). 3

1960-79 Cannock Chase (DAD); 1977, Trent Vale (DWE) 2 1 Habit Occurs in waste ground, clearings, gardens etc. It feeds on mullein 0 9 but has been taken on Buddleia in gardens. It flies in April and May. SO SP 8 789012 Status Local and common where it occurs but appears to be less common generally, having not been seen in many of its former sites for twenty years or more.

2225 Minor Shoulder-knot Brachylomia viminalis Fabricius 2225 : Minor Shoulder-knot SJ SK 6 Habit Occurs in many habitats where it feeds on sallow and flies in July 5 4

and August. 3

2 Status Common; the predominant form in Staffordshire is dark grey with 1 the markings obscured. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2227 The Sprawler Brachionycha sphinx Hufnagel 2227 : The Sprawler SJ SK 6 pre 1960 At lamps at Burton Bridge (EB) in (VCH). 5 4

1980-99 Eccleshall 22/10/82 (G&SM); Kinver Edge 1993; Calton 21/10/96 3

(ADP) 2 1 Habit A woodland species flying in November and December and feeding 0 9 on various trees. SO SP 8 789012 Status Rare. May be missed because of its late flight period.

2229 Brindled Ochre Dasypolia templi Thunberg 2229 : Brindled Ochre SJ SK 6 pre 1960 One at Cheadle; Warslow (H. Harpur-Crewe); Cauldon 1906 5 (VCH). Waterhouses 1957 (LW). 4 3

2 Habit Occurs in waysides and marshy ground. It feeds on hogweed and 1 flies in September and October. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Local and rare. This species is at the southern edge of its range 789012 inland and is only found in the north-east of Staffordshire. Recent records come from the Churnet Valley and the Manifold Valley.

2231 Deep-brown Dart Aporophyla lutulenta Denis & Schiffermηller 2231 : Deep-brown Dart SJ SK 6 Habit Found in waste places, downland etc. where it feeds mainly on 5 4

grasses and flies in September and October. 3

2 Status Local and uncommon. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2232 Black Rustic Aporophyla nigra Haworth 2232 : Black Rustic SJ SK 6 First record at Swynnerton in 1980's (DAD). 5 4

Habit In a variety of habitats where it feeds on low plants and flies in 2 September and October. 1 0 9 Status More frequent in south. Increasing and now reported from fourteen SO SP 8 10Km squares; there are no pre-1970 records. 789012

2233 Golden-rod Brindle Lithomoia solidaginis Hηbner 2233 : Golden-rod Brindle SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Common where bilberry grows; Burnt Wood, Cannock Chase, Leek, 5 4

Swythamley (VCH). 3

2 Habit Found on the moors and in woods where there is an abundant 1 growth of bilberry. It flies in August and September. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status This species is reaching the southern limit of its range in 789012 Staffordshire. It occurs locally across the county from the Leek Moors to Cannock Chase.

2235 Tawny Pinion Lithophane semibrunnea Haworth 2235 : Tawny Pinion SJ SK 6 1980-99 First county record at Keele 1/4/82 (DWE); Woore 16/5/82 (BKH); 5 4

Eccleshall 16/10/82 (G&SM); Rushall 1995, 1998 (DG); Lime Pits 3

Farm 5/4/1999 (AD); Meir 15/3/2000 (JK) 2 1 Habit A species of open woodland, mainly in southern Britain. Adults 0 9 emerge in October and November and again, after hibernation, from SO SP 8 March to May. The larvae feed on ash. 789012

Status Scarce.

Caution Similar to dark forms of Pale Pinion.

2236 Pale Pinion Lithophane hepatica Clerck 2236 : Pale Pinion SJ SK 6 1980-99 Kinver Edge 1987 (G&EB), Coseley 25/3/1993; The Gorge LNR 5 25/3/93 (IL); Kidsgrove 3/4/93 (MS); Keele University 25/9/2000 4 3

(MS). 2 1 Habit A woodland species feeding on sallows and other trees. It flies in 0 9 October and November and, after hibernation, from March to May. SO SP 8 789012 Status Rare.

2237 Grey Shoulder-knot Lithophane ornitopus lactipennis Dadd 2237 : Grey Shoulder-knot SJ SK 6 1960-79 Stone (TGE); Burnt Wood (RGW); Forton (ESL); Maer Woods, 5 4

Shelmore Wood; Keele, 1979 (DWE) 3

2 Habit A woodland species feeding on oak. Flies in September and October 1 and, after hibernation, from March to April. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Local and scarce. The distribution, restricted to the “woodland 789012 quarter” of Staffordshire, clearly shows its attachment to oak woods.

2240 Blair’s Shoulder-knot Lithophane leautieri hesperica Boursin 2240 : Blair’s Shoulder-knot SJ SK 6 1980-99 First recorded in the county at Ashley Heath in 1985 (IOJ). Since 5 4

then it has spread to eleven 10Km squares. 3

2 Habit Seems to have an attachment to parks and gardens where it is 1 feeding on various conifers. Flies from September to November. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status First recorded in Britain on the south coast in 1951 it has spread 789012 northwards, feeding on garden conifers.

2241 Red Sword-grass Xylena vetusta Hηbner 2241 : Red Sword-grass SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rare, Swynnerton, Burnt Wood, Henhurst, Burton (VCH). 5 4

1960-79 A hibernated example at Wall Grange, 1965. 3

1980-99 One at Baggeridge CP 6/10/89 (LCR). 2 1 Habit Found from lowland to upland. It feeds on many plants and flies 0 9 from September to October and, after hibernation, in March and SO SP 8 April. 789012

Status Rare.

2242 Sword-grass Xylena exsoleta Linnaeus 2242 : Sword-grass SJ SK 6 pre 1960 General, Burnt Wood, Cheadle, Henhurst (VCH). Rugeley (RF); 5 4

Leek (Hill); Madeley (HWD). 3

1960-79 Burnt Wood (RGW); Blythe Bridge Mill, Bagots Wood (JAH). 2 1980-99 Bunkers Hill Wood 14/3/97 (DNF). 1 0 9 Habit A species of moorland and open woodland. The larvae are SO SP 8 polyphagous and adults fly from September to October and, after 789012 hibernation, in March and April.

Status Scarce. It has not been seen for over twenty years in many of its former sites; indeed there is only one post-1980 record.

2243 Early Grey Xylocampa areola Esper 2243 : Early Grey SJ SK 6 Habit Occurs in woodland, gardens etc. where it feeds on honeysuckle and 5 flies in March and April. 4 3

2 Status Rather common, comes regularly to sallow blossom. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2245 Green-brindled Crescent Allophyes oxyacanthae Linnaeus 2245 : Green-brindled Crescent SJ SK 6 Habit Found in woodland and hedgerows. It feeds on blackthorn and 5 4

hawthorn and flies from September to November. 3

2 Status Common, throughout. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2247 Merveille du Jour Dichonia aprilina Linnaeus 2247 : Merveille du Jour SJ SK 6 Habit A species of oak woods, it flies from September to October. 5 4

Status Local and uncommon. 2 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2248 Brindled Green Dryobotodes eremita Fabricius 2248 : Brindled Green SJ SK 6 Habit A species of oak woodland, flying in August and September. 5 4

Status General and fairly common. 2 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2250 Dark Brocade Blepharita adusta Esper 2250 : Dark Brocade SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Not common, Burnt Wood, Cannock Chase, Henhurst (VCH). Leek 5 4

(Hill); Madeley, Dovedale, Weaver Hills (HWD); Forton (ESL). 3

1960-79 Trent Vale (DWE) 2 1980-99 Keele (DWE); Churnet Valley (RGW). 1 0 9 Habit Typically a species of grassland, heaths, fens and limestone. It feeds SO SP 8 on grasses and low plants and flies in June and July. 789012

Status Local and uncommon.

2254 Grey Chi Antitype chi Linnaeus 2254 : Grey Chi SJ SK 6 Habit Typically found in grassy uplands and moorland, but also found at 5 lower altitudes. It feeds on various low plants and flies in August 4 3

and September. Often found at rest on fence posts, tree trunks etc. 2 1 Status Generally common, especially in north of county. Particularly 0 9 common in the moorlands, where it is often found resting on stone SO SP 8 walls, and much less frequent in the south and west. A greenish- 789012 grey suffused form occurs occasionally on the moors. Also in urban areas.

2255 Feathered Ranunculus Polymixis lichenea lichenea Hηbner 2255 : Feathered Ranunculus SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Mill Dale, one 1922 (Hill); Dovedale (RGW). 5 4

Habit A limestone species feeding on various plants and flying from 2 August to October. 1 0 9 Status Rare; no recent records. SO SP 8 789012

NOCTUIDAE : Acronictinae

2256 The Satellite Eupsilia transversa Hufnagel 2256 : The Satellite SJ SK 6 Habit Found in woods, parks, open areas etc. where it feeds on various 5 4

trees and flies from September, through the winter, to April. 3

2 Status Common and widespread. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2258 The Chestnut Conistra vaccinii Linnaeus 2258 : The Chestnut SJ SK 6 Habit A woodland species feeding on various trees and flying from 5 4

September through to April. 3

2 Status Common, probably everywhere and much under-recorded. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2259 Dark Chestnut Conistra ligula Esper 2259 : Dark Chestnut SJ SK 6 Habit A woodland species feeding on various trees and flying from 5 4

September to October and through the winter in mild weather. 3

2 Status Much less common than C. vaccinii and absent from higher ground 1 in the north and east of the county 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2262 The Brick Agrochola circellaris Hufnagel 2262 : The Brick SJ SK 6 Habit Inhabits woods, parks and suburban places. It feeds mainly on wych 5 4

elm and flies in September and October. 3

2 Status Common generally. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2263 Red-line Quaker Agrochola lota Clerck 2263 : Red-line Quaker SJ SK 6 Habit Habitats range from marshes to heaths. It feeds on willows and flies 5 in September and October. 4 3

2 Status Common, probably in all places where sallows grow. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2264 Yellow-line Quaker Agrochola macilenta Hηbner 2264 : Yellow-line Quaker SJ SK 6 Habit Occurs in woods, parks and suburban places. It feeds on various 5 4

trees and flies form September to November. 3

2 Status Common, especially in wooded areas, but absent from the east of 1 the county. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2265 Flounced Chestnut Agrochola helvola Linnaeus 2265 : Flounced Chestnut SJ SK 6 Habit A mainly woodland species in the county. It feeds on various trees 5 4

and flies from September to October. 3

2 Status Locally common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2266 Brown-spot Pinion Agrochola litura Linnaeus 2266 : Brown-spot Pinion SJ SK 6 Habit Found in many habitats where it feeds on various trees and plants 5 4

and flies in September and October. 3

2 Status Generally common 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2267 Beaded Chestnut Agrochola lychnidis Denis & Schiffermηller 2267 : Beaded Chestnut SJ SK 6 Habit Feeds on grasses and low plants in many habitats and flies in 5 4

September and October. 3

2 Status The commonest member of the genus. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2268 Below 2313

2269 Centre-barred Sallow Atethmia centrago Haworth 2269 : Centre-barred Sallow SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Common some years, Cheadle, Madeley, Stone, Tixall, Dovedale; 5 Burton; Leek, near Mow Cop (VCH). Rugeley, not uncommon 4 3

(RF); Madeley at light, very few (HWD). 2 1 Habit Found in woods, hedgerows etc. where ash grows. Flies from 0 9 August to September. SO SP 8 789012 Status Common in some years.

2270 Lunar Underwing Omphaloscelis lunosa Haworth 2270 : Lunar Underwing SJ SK 6 pre 1960 One worn example, Madeley 1926 (HWD); Forton (ESL); Trentham 5 4

1952 (RGW). 3

1960-79 Coombes Valley 1971; Cannock Chase (DAD); Tamworth and 2 Burton areas fairly common (G&MA). 1 0 9 Habit Found on waste ground, grassy places etc. where it feeds on grasses SO SP 8 and flies from August to October. 789012

Status Increasing and spreading from the south-east. Now found in twenty-seven 10Km squares.

2271 Orange Sallow Xanthia citrago Linnaeus 2271 : Orange Sallow SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Not uncommon, Rugeley, Cheadle (VCH); Leekbrook (Hill); 5 4

Madeley (HWD); Forton (ESL); Cheadle, Trentham (RGW). 3

2 Habit Occurs in woods, parks, roadsides etc. where lime grows. It flies in 1 August and September. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Local and uncommon. 789012

2272 Barred Sallow Xanthia aurago Denis & Schiffermηller 2272 : Barred Sallow SJ SK 6 1980-99 Stone (CY); Ashley Heath (IOJ), Eccleshall (G&SM); Chillington 5 4

(R&AN); Belvide Reservoir (DMcD); Kinver 15/9/80 (FAN); and 3

other places in the south of the county. 2 1 Habit Found in woodland and hedgerows where it feeds on beech and 0 9 sycamore. It flies in September and October. SO SP 8 789012 Status Uncommon but increasing.

2273 Pink-barred Sallow Xanthia togata Esper 2273 : Pink-barred Sallow SJ SK 6 Habit Occurs in most places where sallows grow and flies in September 5 and October. 4 3

2 Status Common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2274 The Sallow Xanthia icteritia Hufnagel 2274 : The Sallow SJ SK 6 Habit Occurs in most places where sallows grow and flies in September 5 4

and October. 3

2 Status Very common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

100

2275 Dusky-lemon Sallow Xanthia gilvago Denis & Schiffermηller 2275 : Dusky-lemon Sallow SJ SK 6 Habit Found in woodland and on commons where it feeds on wych elm 5 4

and flies in September and October. 3

2 Status Local and decreasing - this, no doubt, is tied up with the demise of 1 its foodplant. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2278 2278 : Poplar Grey Poplar Grey Acronicta megacephala Denis & Schiffermηller SJ SK 6 Habit Found in many habitats where poplars, its foodplant, grow. Flies 5 4

from May to August. 3

2 Status Common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2279 The Sycamore Acronicta aceris Linnaeus 2279 : The Sycamore SJ SK 6 1980-99 First recorded simultaneously at Stone (CY) and Saltwells LNR 5 19/6/95 (DNF). 4 3

2 Habit Inhabits woods, parks, gardens etc. where it feeds on sycamore, 1 horse-chestnut, oak etc. It flies from June to August. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Rare. This species appears to be spreading northwards. 789012

2280 The Miller Acronicta leporina Linnaeus 2280 : The Miller SJ SK 6 Habit A species of woods and heaths where it feeds on birch and flies 5 from June to August. 4 3

2 Status General but not common. The melanic variety melanocephala 1 Mansbridge occurs occasionally. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2281 Alder Moth Acronicta alni Linnaeus 2281 : Alder Moth SJ SK 6 Habit Larvae feed on many trees (not restricted to alder) in many habitats. 5 Adults fly in May and June. 4 3

2 Status General but not common, occasionally caught at light but more 1 often found as larvae. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

101

2283 Dark Dagger Acronicta tridens Denis & Schiffermηller 2283 : Dark Dagger SJ SK 6 Habit Larvae on many trees species in wooded areas. Adults fly in June 5 4

and July. 3

2 Status General but overlooked. 1 0 9 Caution Confusion with Grey Dagger A. psi. from which it can only reliably SO SP 8 be separated by examination of the genitalia. The larvae are, 789012 however, distinct.

2284 Grey Dagger Acronicta psi Linnaeus 2284 : Grey Dagger SJ SK 6 Habit The larvae feed on many trees species in wooded areas. Adults fly in 5 4

June and July. 3

2 Status Common throughout the county but see A. tridens above. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2286 Light Knot Grass Acronicta menyanthidis menyanthidis Esper 2286 : Light Knot Grass SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rare, Craddock's Moss, Chorlton Moss, Warslow, Leek, Chartley 5 4

(VCH); Cannock Chase (RF, RGW); Wetley Moor (LW); Leek 3

Moors, Ipstones Edge 2 1 Habit A species of moors and mosses, feeding on various small plants and 0 9 trees. It flies in June and July. SO SP 8 789012 Status Local and uncommon. Has not been seen in many of its former sites for over twenty years.

2289 Knot Grass Acronicta rumicis Linnaeus 2289 : Knot Grass SJ SK 6 Habit Found in most habitats where it is polyphagous. It is on the wing 5 from May to July. 4 3

2 Status Common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2291 The Coronet Craniophora ligustri Denis & Schiffermηller (No map) pre 1960 Lichfield 1911 (LAC). There is also a specimen in the collection of G.H. Storer from the Burton area.

Status There are no recent records so must be considered extinct in the county.

102

NOCTUIDAE : Bryophilinae

2293 Marbled Beauty Cryphia domestica Hufnagel 2293 : Marbled Beauty SJ SK 6 Habit Appears to prefer urban areas where it feeds on lichens growing on 5 4

walls etc. It flies in July and August. 3

2 Status Common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

NOCTUIDAE : Amphipyrinae

2297 Copper Underwing Amphipyra pyramidea Linnaeus 2297 : Copper Underwing SJ SK 6 Since the discovery (Entomologist's Gazette 1968) that we have two species of 5 4

Copper Underwing in the British Isles, all records prior to that date are invalid. 3

2 Habit A species of woods, parks and hedgerows, feeding on a variety of 1 plants and flying from August to October. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Observations have shown that A. pyramidea is widespread but 789012 appears to be less common than the next species.

Caution Care needed to separate this from the next species.

2298 Svensson's Copper Underwing 2298 : Svensson's Copper Underwing SJ SK Amphipyra berbera svenssoni Fletcher 6 5 4

Habit A species of woods, parks and hedgerows, feeding on a variety of 3

plants and flying from August to October. 2 1 Status Fairly common generally; the commoner of the two species. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2299 Mouse Moth Amphipyra tragopoginis Clerck 2299 : Mouse Moth SJ SK 6 Habit Occurs in many habitats from gardens to moorland. It is 5 4

polyphagous and flies from July to September. 3

2 Status Generally common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2300 Old Lady Mormo maura Linnaeus 2300 : Old Lady SJ SK 6 Habit Found in gardens, waste ground and marshy places. It is 5 polyphagous and flies in July and August. 4 3

2 Status Not common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012 103

2301 Bird’s Wing Dypterygia scabriuscula Linnaeus 2301 : Bird’s Wing SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rare, Burnt Wood, Madeley, Swynnerton (VCH). Forton, Aqualate, 5 4

1935-6 (ESL); Madeley, occurred in numbers in garden, 1945 3

(HWD). 2 1 Habit Occurs in woodland and suburban habitats where it feeds on low 0 9 plants and flies in June and July and again in August and September. SO SP 8 789012 Status Normally scarce, becoming more frequent some years, especially 1945 & 1977. More a species of the south of England, it is absent from the north and east of the county.

2302 Brown Rustic Rusina ferruginea Esper 2302 : Brown Rustic SJ SK 6 Habit Inhabits woods, heaths and moors where it feeds on docks, plantains 5 4

etc. and flies in June and July. 3

2 Status Common in most woods, with the black variety occurring at Burnt 1 Wood (TGE). 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2303 Straw Underwing Thalpophila matura Hufnagel 2303 : Straw Underwing SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rugeley, occasionally at light; Knightley (EB); one at Branston , 5 4

September 1905 (VCH). Burnt Wood (HLB), Forton (ESL). 3

2 Habit Inhabits moorland, downland and grassy places where the larvae 1 feed on grasses. It is on the wing in July and August. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Reported from fourteen 10Km squares but uncommon. It is largely 789012 absent from the north and east of the county.

2305 Small Angle Shades Euplexia lucipara Linnaeus 2305 : Small Angle Shades SJ SK 6 Habit Found in woods, parks and gardens. Feeds on birch, bracken and 5 other ferns and flies in June and July. 4 3

2 Status Common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2306 Angle Shades Phlogophora meticulosa Linnaeus 2306 : Angle Shades SJ SK 6 Habit Found in most habitats. It is polyphagous and adults can be found in 5 every month of the year. 4 3

2 Status Common everywhere. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

104

2311 Double Kidney Ipimorpha retusa Linnaeus 2311 : Double Kidney SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Larvae on sallow, Wrinehill (VCH). 5 4

1980-99 Stone 14/8/91 (CY); Recently at Saltwells LNR 21/61992 (DNF). 3

2 Habit Found in damp woods, fens and marshy areas. Feeds on willows and 1 flies from July to September. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Rare; more a species of southern England. 789012

Caution Confusion with the commoner Olive I. subtusa is possible.

2312 The Olive Ipimorpha subtusa Denis & Schiffermηller 2312 : The Olive SJ SK 6 Habit In woods, parks, gardens etc. where poplar, its foodplant, grows. 5 4

Flies from July to September. 3

2 Status Local and uncommon. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2313 Angle-striped Sallow Enargia paleacea Esper 2313 : Angle-striped Sallow SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Very local and not common (VCH). 5 4

1980-99 Cannock Chase remains the one locality in which this species is 3

found regularly but it has also been recorded singly from Bagots 2 Wood (JAH), Bunkers Hill Wood (DNF), Stone (CY), Alton (JCL); 1 Kinver Edge; Compton Park (GB) and Ashley Heath (IOJ). 0 9 SO SP 8 Habit A species of mature birch woodland where it flies from July to 789012 September and feeds on birch.

Status Scarce but appears to be spreading.

2268 The Suspected Parastichtis suspecta Hηbner 2268 : The Suspected SJ SK 6 Habit A species of woodland and wooded heaths. It feeds on birch and 5 4

flies in July and August. 3

2 Status Local in woods, especially heathy ones, e.g. Burnt Wood, Cannock 1 Chase, Chartley Moss, Trentham, and on moors. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2314 Dingy Shears Parastichtis ypsillon Denis & Schiffermηller 2314 : Dingy Shears SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Not common, Chorlton Moss, Cheadle; Burton, larvae common 5 4

(VCH). Bred from larvae under willow bark, Horton 1905 (Hill); 3

Rugeley, several (RF); Madeley (HWD); Forton (ESL). 2 1 Habit A species of damp woodland, fens and marshes. It feeds on sallow 0 9 and flies from June to August. SO SP 8 789012 Status Local and not common.

105

2316 Lesser-spotted Pinion Cosmia affinis Linnaeus 2316 : Lesser-spotted Pinion SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rare, Burnt Wood, Burton (VCH). Cannock Chase, Rugeley; fairly 5 4

common (RF); Norbury (ESL); Leek (LW). 3

1960-79 Blythe Bridge Mill (JAH) 2 1980-99 Keele 5/8/1981 (DWE). 1 0 9 Habit Flies in woodland, along hedgerows and on commons in July and SO SP 8 August, and feeds on elms. 789012

Status Local and rare; only one record in the past twenty years.

2317 White-spotted Pinion Cosmia diffinis Linnaeus (No map) pre 1960 Burton (VCH).

Status There are no further records so must now be extinct in the county. It is a southern, elm- feeding species.

2318 The Dun-bar Cosmia trapezina Linnaeus 2318 : Dun-bar SJ SK 6 Habit Occurs in most habitats, the larvae feeding on a wide variety of trees 5 4

and shrubs and, also notoriously, on other larvae. On the wing from 3

July to September. 2 1 Status Common everywhere. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2319 2319 : Lunar-spotted Pinion Lunar-spotted Pinion Cosmia pyralina Denis & Schiffermηller SJ SK 6 1980-99 Tettenhall 26/7/82 (PS); Kinver Edge 1982 (FAN); Keele 27/7/83 5 4

(DWE). 3

2 Habit In woods, parks and hedgerows. Feeds on elms and flies from July 1 to September. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Rare. We are on the northern edge of its range. 789012

2321 Dark Arches Apamea monoglypha Hufnagel 2321 : Dark Arches SJ SK 6 Habit Feeds on grasses and is found almost anywhere. It flies from June to 5 August. 4 3

2 Status Very abundant everywhere, its melanic variety also. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

106

2322 Light Arches Apamea lithoxylaea Denis & Schiffermηller 2322 : Light Arches SJ SK 6 Habit Found in rough grassy places where the larvae feed on grasses. 5 4

Adults fly from June to August. 3

2 Status General and rather common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2326 Clouded-bordered Brindle Apamea crenata Hufnagel 2326 : Clouded-bordered Brindle SJ SK 6 Habit Widespread; feeds on grasses and flies from May to July. 5 4

Status Common everywhere. 2 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2327 Clouded Brindle Apamea epomidion Haworth 2327 : Clouded Brindle SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Not common, Madeley; Henhurst, Burton (VCH); Madeley, 5 4

uncommon (HWD) 3

1980-99 Recent records include Kinver Edge (FAN); Rushall June and July 2 1994 (GR) and Himley Hall (G&EB). 1 0 9 Habit Feeds on grasses in woods, parks and gardens and flies from June to SO SP 8 July. 789012

Status Probably at the extremity of its range in our area. Appears to have withdrawn from its eastern sites.

2329 The Confused Apamea furva britannica Cockayne 2329 : Confused SJ SK 6 pre 1960 This species is included in L.A. Carr’s list for the Lichfield district 5 of 1911, but on account to its similarity to some forms of the next 4 3

species and the absence of any other confirmatory record, this must 2 be regarded as doubtful. 1 1980-99 Recently recorded from Kinver Edge 24/8/80 (FAN); Stone 1994 0 9 (CY) and Calton 1999 (ADP). SO SP 8 789012 Habit A moorland grassland species feeding on grasses and flying in July and August.

Status Rare.

Caution Great care needed before claiming this species because of the close similarity to the obscura form of the Dusky Brocade A. remissa.

107

2330 Dusky Brocade Apamea remissa Hηbner 2330 : Dusky Brocade SJ SK 6 Habit Widespread, feeding on grasses and flying in June and July. 5 4

Status Generally common and with very variable markings. 2 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2331 2331 : Small Clouded Brindle Small Clouded Brindle Apamea unanimis Hηbner SJ SK 6 Habit Feeds on grasses in damp woods, fens and marshes. Flies from May 5 4

to July. 3

2 Status Local and uncommon. Absent from higher ground in the north and 1 east. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2333 Large Nutmeg Apamea anceps Denis & Schiffermηller 2333 : Large Nutmeg SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Burton, at sugar (VCH). 5 4

1980-99 Recent records from Kinver Edge 9/6/82 (FAN), and Himley Hall 3

1984 (SSNS). 2 1 Habit In woodland rides, downland and other grassy places. The larvae 0 9 feed on grasses and adults fly in June and July. SO SP 8 789012 Status Rare. A species of south-east England.

2334 Rustic Shoulder-knot Apamea sordens Hufnagel 2334 : Rustic Shoulder-knot SJ SK 6 Habit Feeds on grasses in a range of grassy habitats and flies in May and 5 June. 4 3

2 Status Generally common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2335 Slender Brindle Apamea scolopacina Esper 2335 : Slender Brindle SJ SK 6 Habit A woodland species feeding on grasses and flying from June to 5 August. 4 3

2 Status Local and uncommon, usually in marshy places in woods. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

108

2336 Double Lobed Apamea ophiogramma Esper 2336 : Double Lobed SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Forton, 1938 common (ESL); Trentham (RGW); Copmere (ELB); 5 4

Walsall (EABS). 3

2 Habit Occurs in damp woodland, fens, marshy places and gardens where it 1 feeds on wild and garden varieties of reed-grass Phalaris. It flies in 0 9 July and August. SO SP 8 789012 Status Local and scarce.

The Minors Oligia spp.

The three species of Minor - Marbled, Tawny and Rufous - all commonly exhibit melanic varieties. In fact the melanics are commoner than the typical forms in the county. These can be difficult to identify without resort to dissection but the genitalia are quite distinct.

2337 Marbled Minor Oligia strigilis Linnaeus 2337 : Marbled Minor SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Abundant and very variable, the black form very common. (VCH). 5 4

Early records are unreliable since the discovery that two other species, 2 latruncula and versicolor had been included under strigilis. 1 0 9 Habit Feeds on grasses in a wide variety of habitats. Flies from May to SO SP 8 July. 789012

Status Common, but see caveat above.

2338 Rufous Minor Oligia versicolor Borkhausen 2338 : Rufous Minor SJ SK 6 First recognised in Staffordshire from Loxley 1978 (DWE). Later confirmed by 5 4 genitalia examination from Keele, Trent Vale (DWE), Wigginton near 3

Tamworth and Woore (BKH). Now, regularly recorded. 2 1 Habit Found in woodland, grassy places. Larvae not known in the wild. It 0 9 flies From June to August. SO SP 8 789012 Status Uncommon but see caveat above.

2339 Tawny Marbled Minor Oligia latruncula Denis & Schiffermηller 2339 : Tawny Marbled Minor SJ SK 6 First confirmed records for the county; Trentham, Wall Grange (RGW); Trent 5 4

Vale (DWE); Alvecote (G&MA); Penkridge (BC); Woore (BH); Keele (DWE). 3

2 Habit Feeds on grasses in a wide variety of grassy places. Flies from May 1 to July. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status This species appears to be the commonest of the three. 789012

109

2340 Middle-barred Minor Oligia fasciuncula Haworth 2340 : Middle-barred Minor SJ SK 6 Habit Feeds on grasses in a variety of damp or marsh places. It flies in 5 4

June and July, often being seen on flowers during the day. 3

2 Status Generally common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2341 Cloaked Minor Mesoligia furuncula Denis & Schiffermηller 2341 : Cloaked Minor SJ SK 6 Habit Occurs in grassy habitats where it feeds on grasses and flies in 5 4

August and September. 3

2 Status Local and generally scarce in our area. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2342 Rosy Minor Mesoligia literosa Haworth 2342 : Rosy Minor SJ SK 6 Habit Feeds on grasses in a variety of grassy places. Flies from July to 5 4

September. 3

2 Status Rather common, melanic examples are frequent. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2343 agg. Common Rustic Complex 2343agg : Common Rustic Agg. SJ SK 6 The widespread and very variable species that we knew as Common Rustic 5 Mesapamea secalis has recently been split in to three species - Common Rustic 4 3

M. secalis, Lesser Common Rustic M. didyma and Remm's Rustic M. remmi. 2 This means that all early records must be grouped as Common Rustic agg and it 1 is these that are plotted. The three species can ONLY be separated by 0 9 examination of the genitalia - there are no safe external diagnostic SO SP 8 characters. Remm's Rustic has only been recorded a few times in the south of 789012 the country and is unlikely to turn up here. The other two species are probably equally common and probably occur together but, until we get more data, we cannot be certain. It is likely that very dark specimens with pale stigmas are Lesser Common Rustics but this is not infallible.

2343 Common Rustic Mesapamea secalis Linnaeus 2343 : Common Rustic SJ SK 6 The only record that has been confirmed by dissection is from Chartley Moss 5 4

25/7/99 (JC). 3

2 Habit Feeds on grasses in a wide range of grassy places. Flies in July and 1 August. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status It is probably widespread but its distribution in the county has yet to 789012 be worked out.

110

2343a Lesser Common Rustic Mesapamea didyma Esper 2343a : Lesser Common Rustic SJ SK 6 The first record to be confirmed for this species in Staffordshire is from a moth 5 4 trap in Consall Woods 18/8/1990 by C.W.Plant. There are two other confirmed 3 records: from Saltwells LNR 6/8/97 (TGB et al) and Swallow Moss 5/8/99 2 (JC). 1 0 9 Habit Feeds on grasses in a wide range of grassy places. Flies in July and SO SP 8 August. 789012 Status It is probably widespread but its distribution in the county has yet to be worked out. It is likely that dark forms with pale stigmas are this species but this is by no means certain. Therefore, records can only be accepted with confidence if the genitalia has been examined.

2345 Small Dotted Buff Photedes minima Haworth 2345 : Small Dotted Buff SJ SK 6 Habit Feeds on grasses in woodlands, damp meadows and marshy places. 5 4

Flies from June to August. 3

2 Status Local and common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2350 Small Wainscot Photedes pygmina Haworth 2350 : Small Wainscot SJ SK 6 Habit Feeds on sedges and rushes in damp or marshy places. Flies in 5 4

August and September. 3

2 Status Locally common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2352 Dusky Sallow Eremobia ochroleuca Denis & Schiffermηller 2352 : Dusky Sallow SJ SK 6 1980-99 First recorded at Blackhills Golf Course, near Wolverhampton, 5 4

6/8/83 (R&AN); Saltwells LNR 4/8/95; The Gorge LNR 9/8/95 3

(IL); Compton Park 1996 (GB); Rushall 1996, 21/7/99 (GR); 2 Smestow 19/8/96 (K&WW); Kinver Edge 1997 (GB). 1 0 9 Habit Feeds on grasses on waste land, downland etc. and flies in July and SO SP 8 August. 789012 Status Local and rare. Has not yet spread from its centre in the south of the county. Nationally, it is a species of the south-east of England.

2353 Flounced Rustic Luperina testacea Denis & Schiffermηller 2353 : Flounced Rustic SJ SK 6 Habit Feeds on grasses in a range of habitats and flies in August and 5 4

September. 3

2 Status Common generally, dark forms predominate. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

111

The Ear Moths Amphipoea spp.

These next three species can be hard to separate without recourse to dissection.

2357 Large Ear Amphipoea lucens Freyer 2357 : Large Ear SJ SK 6 pre 1960 First county record at Burnt Wood, 1931; also Birches Head, 1928; 5 4

Chartley Moss (RGW). 3

1980-99 Scot Hay 1982 (GBB); Saltwells LNR 13/8/96; Calton 13/8/97 2 (ADP); Chartley Moss 25/7/99 (JC) 1 0 9 Habit Feeds on grasses on moorland and mosses. Flies in August and SO SP 8 September. 789012

Status Local and rare.

2359 Crinan Ear Amphipoea crinanensis Burrows 2359 : Crinan Ear SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Found at only one Staffordshire site, Wetley Moor 1928, 1935 5 4

(RGW). 3

2 Habit Inhabits moorland, marshy stream sides, meadows etc. where it 1 feeds on yellow iris. Flies in August and September. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Local and rare; may be absent now. 789012

2360 Ear Moth Amphipoea oculea Linnaeus 2360 : Ear Moth SJ SK 6 Habit Feeds on grasses in a variety of areas, especially damp ones. It flies 5 4

from July to September. 3

2 Status Common generally. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2361 Rosy Rustic Hydraecia micacea Esper 2361 : Rosy Rustic SJ SK 6 Habit Feeds on various low plants in weedy places and flies from August 5 to October. 4 3

2 Status Generally common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

112

2362 The Butterbur Hydraecia petasitis Doubleday 2362 : The Butterbur SJ SK 6 pre 1960 One at Froghall near Cheadle, and larvae in stems of Petasites 5 4

vulgaris (Butterbur) Froghall (Transactions North Staffs. Field Club 3

34 (1900) p.67.) 2 1 Habit Feeds on butterbur by river-sides and in marshy places. Flies in 0 9 August and September. SO SP 8 789012 Status No further records, but it may exist in the Churnet and other northern valleys where butterbur is plentiful.

2364 Frosted Orange Gortyna flavago Denis & Schiffermηller 2364 : Frosted Orange SJ SK 6 Habit In a variety of habitats where it feeds on burdock, foxglove etc. 5 4

Flies from August to October. 3

2 Status Not uncommon generally. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2367 Haworth’s Minor Celaena haworthii Curtis 2367 : Haworth’s Minor SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rare, Dane Valley (VCH); Chorlton Moss (HWD); Wetley Moor 5 4

(RGW). 3

1960-79 Roaches, Gun Hill (RGW); Chartley Moss (JAH). 2 1 Habit Inhabits fenland, boggy moorland, marshy places. It feeds on 0 9 cottongrass and flies in August and September, both in the afternoon SO SP 8 and at night. 789012

Status Locally on moors and mosses though hasn't been seen on Wetley Moor and Chorlton Moss for many years.

2368 The Crescent Celaena leucostigma leucostigma Hηbner 2368 : The Crescent SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Occasional, Cannock Chase, Tixall (VCH). Rugeley (RF); Forton 5 4

(ESL); Trentham (RGW). 3

2 Habit Inhabits fenland, boggy moorland, damp woodland etc. Feeds on 1 yellow iris and flies in August and September. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Local and scarce, absent from the north and east. 789012

2369 Bulrush Wainscot Nonagria typhae Thunberg 2369 : Bulrush Wainscot SJ SK 6 Habit Found in fens, ditches, ponds etc. where it feeds inside stems of reed 5 4

mace. Flies from July to September. 3

2 Status Common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

113

2371 Brown-veined Wainscot Archanara dissoluta Treitschke 2371 : Brown-veined Wainscot SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Forton, 1937-8, common in reed beds (ESL) 5 4

1960-79 Chillington August 1983 (R&AN); Alvecote (G&MA); Chartley 3

Moss 25/7/99 (JC). 2 1 Habit Found in reed beds where larvae feed inside stems of common reed 0 9 Phragmites. It flies from July to September. SO SP 8 789012 Status Local and uncommon.

2375 Large Wainscot Rhizedra lutosa Hηbner 2375 : Large Wainscot SJ SK 6 pre 1960 One at light Stone; at light Burton (VCH); Rugeley, one 1906; 5 4

Forton (ESL); Trentham, females occasionally at light (RGW) 3

1980-99 Rumer Hill 1989 (DW-J); Stone (CY). 2 1 Habit Found in reed beds where larvae feed inside stems of common reed 0 9 Phragmites. It flies from August to September. SO SP 8 789012 Status Rare.

Caution Similar to the commoner Bulrush Wainscot.

2379 Small Rufous Coenobia rufa Haworth 2379 : Small Rufous SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Henhurst (EB) in VCH. 5 1980-99 Stone 28/7/94 (CY) 4 3

2 Status Only one recent record. However, it was reported in 1983 from 1 Woore which, while not in VC39, is only a few hundred yards from 0 9 the border. SO SP 8 789012

2380 Treble Lines Charanyca trigrammica Hufnagel 2380 : Treble Lines SJ SK 6 Habit A species of open woodland, rough grassland and hedgerows. It 5 feeds on common "weeds" and flies from May to July. 4 3

2 Status Locally common in dry grassy places but has disappeared from 1 many sites. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2381 The Uncertain Hoplodrina alsines Brahm 2381 : The Uncertain SJ SK 6 Habit Feeds on low plants in gardens and waste ground. It flies from mid- 5 4

June to August. 3

2 Status General and rather common. 1 0 9 Caution This and the next species are very difficult to separate without SO SP 8 dissection though this is by far the commoner of the two. 789012

114

2382 The Rustic Hoplodrina blanda Denis & Schiffermηller 2382 : The Rustic SJ SK 6 Habit Feeds on low plants in gardens and waste ground. It flies from mid- 5 4

June to August. 3

2 Status Much less common than the previous species, with which it is easily 1 confused. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2384 2384 : Vine's Rustic Vine's Rustic Hoplodrina ambigua Denis & Schiffermηller SJ SK 6 1980-99 Stone 11/9/90 (CY) 5 4

Habit Found in waste places and gardens where it flies from May to 2 October and feeds on "weedy" plants. 1 0 9 Status Well established in southern counties but only casual records from SO SP 8 elsewhere, as in this case. 789012

Caution Similar to the commoner Pale Mottled Willow.

2387 Mottled Rustic Caradrina morpheus Hufnagel 2387 : Mottled Rustic SJ SK 6 Habit Feeds on nettle, dandelion etc. in a variety of lowland habitats. Flies 5 from June to August. 4 3

2 Status Common generally. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2389 Pale Mottled Willow Paradrina clavipalpis Scopoli 2389 : Pale Mottled Willow SJ SK 6 Habit Found in gardens, waste places, cultivated land etc. where it feeds 5 on cereals and low plants. Adults can turn up from February to 4 3

November, but more often in the autumn. 2 1 Status Common. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2394 The Anomalous Stilbia anomala Haworth 2394 : Anomalous SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Cannock Chase, not uncommon (VCH). Cannock Chase ‘swarms’, 5 1920 (RF). 4 3

1980-99 Still abundant, locally on Cannock Chase. Recently recorded in the 2 Manifold Valley 20/8/84 (R&AN) and at Kinver Edge. 1 0 9 Habit A species of heaths and moors where it feeds on grasses and flies in SO SP 8 August and September. 789012

Status Locally common.

115

2397 Small Yellow Underwing Panemeria tenebrata Scopoli 2397 : Small Yellow Underwing SJ SK 6 Habit Flies in the sunshine in May and June in flower-rich grassland, road 5 4

verges, etc. Feeds on common mouse-ear. 3

2 Status Common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

NOCTUIDAE : Heliothinae

2399 Bordered Sallow Pyrrhia umbra Hufnagel 2399 : Bordered Sallow SJ SK 6 1980-99 Fordhouses, Wolverhampton July and August 1990 and 1996 (IL) 5 4

Status As a resident this is largely coastal, feeding on restharrow but it is 2 also a migrant, which may account for these records. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2400 Scarce Bordered Straw Helicoverpa armigera Hηbner 2400 : Scarce Bordered Straw SJ SK 6 1980-99 Bred from larvae found in box of tomatoes in Hartshill August 1980 5 4

(DAD). 3

2 Status Vagrant on imported food. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2403 Bordered Straw Heliothis peltigera Denis & Schiffermηller 2403 : Bordered Straw SJ SK 6 1980-99 Tettenhall 27/7/82 (PS); Mill Meece 1982 (DWE); Porthill 6/7/94 5 4

(MS), Newcastle 1996 (MJW); Norton 13/6/96 (DNF); Rushall 3

7/6/96 (GR). 2 1 Status A migrant, normally rare, but recently more frequent. An interesting 0 9 distribution map. One wonders whether the moths have followed the SO SP 8 M5/M6! 789012

NOCTUIDAE : Acontiinae

2410 Marbled White Spot Protodeltote pygarga Hufnagel 2410 : Marbled White Spot SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Near Lichfield, 1909-10 (LAC); Downs Banks, Barlaston 1910 (E. 5 4

D. Bostock) 3

1980-99 More recently in Handsworth Wood 1986 and Chillington 28/7/84 2 (R&AN). 1 0 9 Habit Feeds on grasses in woods, heaths and moors. Flies from late May SO SP 8 to July. 789012 Status Rare.

116

NOCTUIDAE : Chloephorinae

2421 Scarce Silver-lines Bena bicolorana Fuessly 2421 : Scarce Silver-lines SJ SK 6 pre 1960 A pupa at Stone, 1905, which duly hatched out (VCH). Burnt Wood 5 4

(HLB); Forton (ESL) 3

1960-79 Keele 1979 (DWE) 2 1 Habit A woodland species feeding on oak and flying from June to August. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status A scarce species with us with an oddly north and south distribution 789012 with no records in-between.

2422 Green Silver-lines Pseudoips fagana britannica Warren 2422 : Green Silver-lines SJ SK 6 Habit A woodland species feeding on oak and other trees and flying in 5 4

June and July. 3

2 Status Common in woods, most often found as larvae. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2423 Oak Nycteoline Nycteola revayana Scopoli 2423 : Oak Nycteoline SJ SK 6 pre 1960 One at Swynnerton (VCH). Burnt Wood, 1920 (FCW); 1931 (HLB); 5 4

Madeley, 1934-5 (HWD): Loynton Moss (ESL). At Burnt Wood, 3

HLB recorded single examples in 1931 and 1933; in 1935, 2 abundant; two in 1936; one in 1937. 1 0 9 Habit A woodland species feeding on holly, yew and other conifers. Flies SO SP 8 in September and October and again, after hibernation, in May and 789012 June.

Status Since 1990 has become more frequent and widespread, especially in the south of the county.

Caution Closely resembles the Torticidae species of micros and may be overlooked.

NOCTUIDAE : Pantheinae

2425 Nut-tree Tussock Colocasia coryli Linnaeus 2425 : Nut-tree Tussock SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rare, larvae on birch and oak, Swynnerton; Dimmingsdale, 5 Dovedale (VCH). Oakamoor, 1924 (Hill); Dimmingsdale, several 4 3

larvae crawling up trunks of beech after heavy rain, 1929, not seen 2 since (RGW); Cannock Chase (TGE) 1 1960-79 Bagots Wood 1970 (JAH) 0 9 1980-99 Kinver Edge 15/5/80 (FAN) SO SP 8 789012 Habit A woodland species feeding on various trees and flying in April to June and again in August and September.

Status A rare and declining species. It is more a species of Wales and southern England.

117

NOCTUIDAE : Plusiinae

2434 Burnished Brass Diachrysia chrysitis Linnaeus 2434 : Burnished Brass SJ SK 6 Habit Found in gardens, waste places, marshy areas etc. It feeds on nettle 5 4

and flies in June and July. 3

2 Status Very common. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2437 Golden Plusia Polychrysia moneta Fabricius 2437 : Golden Plusia SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rugeley, 1908 (RF); Lichfield, 1910 (FCW); Madeley (HWD); 5 4

Whiston Eaves (TS). Has probably spread all over the county 3

(HWD, 1924-50). Trentham, common c.1930, now scarcer but still 2 present there (RGW). 1 0 9 Habit Larvae feed on Delphinium in gardens and adults fly in July and SO SP 8 August. 789012

Status Widespread but perhaps commonest in south of county.

2439 Gold Spot Plusia festucae Linnaeus 2439 : Gold Spot SJ SK 6 Habit A species of damp woodland, marshy areas etc. where it feeds on 5 4

various plants, especially yellow iris, and flies June to August. 3

2 Status Local but sometimes not uncommon. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2440 Lempke's Gold Spot Plusia putnami gracilis Lempke 2440 : Lempke's Gold Spot SJ SK 6 1980-99 Gnosall railway line 27/9/90 (CY). 5 4

Habit A species of marshy areas where it flies in August and September 2 and feeds on grasses. 1 0 9 Status May well be more widespread but as it was only separated from the SO SP 8 commoner Gold Spot in the last 40 years, it has probably been 789012 overlooked.

2441 Silver Y Autographa gamma Linnaeus 2441 : Silver Y SJ SK 6 Habit Can be found almost anywhere. Larvae feed on most plants and 5 adults can be found any time between spring and late autumn. 4 3

2 Status A resident and common immigrant. Numbers fluctuate but can be 1 abundant some years. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

118

2442 Beautiful Golden Y Autographa pulchrina Haworth 2442 : Beautiful Golden Y SJ SK 6 Habit Found in woods and gardens where it feeds on honeysuckle, dead- 5 4

nettle etc. It flies in June and July. 3

2 Status Widespread and rather common. 1 0 9 Caution Looks similar to Plain Golden Y. SO SP 8 789012

2443 Plain Golden Y Autographa jota Linnaeus 2443 : Plain Golden Y SJ SK 6 Habit Found in woods and gardens where it feeds on honeysuckle, dead- 5 4

nettle etc. It flies in June and July. 3

2 Status Numbers of this species have fluctuated, it is once more common 1 again. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2444 Gold Spangle Autographa bractea Denis & Schiffermηller 2444 : Gold Spangle SJ SK 6 1960-79 First recorded at Wall Grange, 1964; Coombes Valley, 1969; Blythe 5 4

Bridge Mill (JAH); Trent Vale (DWE). 3

2 Habit Found on waste ground, road verges, gardens, moorlands where it 1 feeds on low plants and flies in July and August. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status This species is a relatively recent arrival and has now become 789012 widespread in the northern half of the county. Although not common, it has been reported from fifteen 10Km squares. We are on the southern limit of its range, it being more common in the north and west of the country.

2447 Scarce Silver Y Syngrapha interrogationis Linnaeus 2447 : Scarce Silver Y SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rare, Maer Woods, Cannock Chase, Leek (VCH). Cannock Chase 5 and Rugeley, at flowers of Centranthus ruber (red valerian) and 4 3

light (RF). 2 1 Habit A moorland and heathland species where it feeds on heather and 0 9 bilberry and flies in July and August. SO SP 8 789012 Status No recent records, but may still occur on the moors.

2449 Dark Spectacle Abrostola triplasia Linnaeus 2449 : Dark Spectacle SJ SK 6 Habit Feeds on nettle and hop in waste places, hedgerows, gardens etc. It 5 4

flies in June and July. 3

2 Status Apparently now much less common than the next species. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

119

2450 The Spectacle Abrostola tripartita Hufnagel 2450 : Spectacle SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Local, Cheadle, Burton; Rugeley (VCH). 5 4

Habit Feeds on nettle in waste places, hedgerows, gardens etc. It flies in 2 June and July. 1 0 9 Status Rather common. SO SP 8 789012 NOCTUIDAE : Catocalinae

2451 Clifden Nonpareil Catocala fraxini Linnaeus (No map) pre 1960 Once at Burton, 1852 (EB) in VCH.

Status Extinct in the county.

2452 Red Underwing Catocala nupta Linnaeus 2452 : Red Underwing SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Several on telegraph poles, Staffordshire portion of Tamworth- 5 4

Sutton Coldfield road, 1935 (Larkin); one at sugar, Forton, 1938 and 3

further examples in subsequent years (ESL). One at Stone 1952 2 (PCD). 1 0 9 Habit A species of woodland, parks and marshy areas where it feeds on SO SP 8 willows and poplars. It flies in August and September. 789012

Status Now widespread and more frequent since 1960 but absent from the higher ground in the north.

2462 Mother Shipton Callistege mi Clerck 2462 : Mother Shipton SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rare, Craddock's Moss, Dovedale, Burton; Chartley Moss (VCH) 5 4

Habit Flies in the sunshine in May and June in flower-rich meadows, 2 waste ground, road verges etc. It feeds on clovers. 1 0 9 Status As the comments in VCH show, it was once a rare moth but, today, SO SP 8 it is common in grassy places. 789012

2463 Burnet Companion Eculidia glyphica Linnaeus 2463 : Burnet Companion SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Rare, Madeley (VCH). Loynton Moss, habitat now lost (RGW). 5 Recorded from Walsall (TECP). 4 3

2 Habit On waste ground, grassy places etc. where it feeds on clovers. Flies 1 in the sunshine in May and June. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status In more recent years this species has become more widespread in 789012 the south where it is not uncommon, especially on disused railway lines.

120

NOCTUIDAE : Ophiderinae

2466 The Blackneck Lygephila pastinum Treitschke 2466 : The Blackneck SJ SK 6 1980-99 Scot Hay 18/9/1983 (GBB); Gnosall July 1986 (RGW); Burnt Wood 5 4

7/7/1997 (RGW); Sandwell Valley 6/8/99 (DG) 3

2 Habit A species of woodland edges, damp meadows and marshy places. It 1 feeds on tufted vetch and flies in June and July. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Local and rare but becoming more widespread. 789012

2469 The Herald Scoliopteryx libatrix Linnaeus 2469 : The Herald SJ SK 6 Habit Found in woodland, commons and gardens. It feeds on various trees 5 4

and flies from July to November and, after hibernation, from March 3

to June. 2 1 Status Common. Groups of adults can be found hibernating in caves, out- 0 9 buildings etc. SO SP 8 789012

2470 Small Purple-barred Phytometra viridaria Clerck 2470 : Small Purple-barred SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Craddock's Moss, Cannock Chase (VCH). Dovedale (HWD); 5 4

Loynton Moss (ESL); Burnt Wood, Cannock Chase (RGW). 3

2 Habit A species of heathland, moorland, woodland rides and limestone. 1 Flies in the sunshine from May to July and feeds on milkwort and 0 9 lousewort. SO SP 8 789012 Status Rare; not found for many years and may now be absent.

NOCTUIDAE : Rivulinae

2474 Straw Dot Rivula sericealis Scopoli 2474 : Straw Dot SJ SK 6 Pre 1960 Burnt Wood, 1931 (HWD), 1934 (RGW), becoming common; 5 4

Madeley, 1935 (HWD); Forton (ESL). 3

2 Habit Feeds on grasses in fens, mosses, damper areas of commons, damp 1 woodland rides etc. It flies in August and September, occasionally 0 9 during the day. SO SP 8 789012 Status Appears to have spread widely since 1930 but absent from the north-east of the county.

121

2475 Waved Black Parascotia fuliginaria Linnaeus 2475 : Waved Black SJ SK 6 1980-99 Kinver Edge 13/3/80 and 27/7/82 (FAN). 5 4

Habit The larvae of this enigmatic species feed on fungi growing on trees 2 trunks or fallen logs, stored timber etc. The adults fly in June and 1 July in damp woodland, wooded heaths and sometimes gardens. 0 9 SO SP 8 Status Rare and secretive species so may be overlooked. 789012

NOCTUIDAE : Hypeninae

2476 Beautiful Snout Hypena crassalis Fabricius 2476 : Beautiful Snout SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Common but local, Burnt Wood, Maer, Swynnerton, Cheadle 5 4

(VCH). 3

1960-79 Dimmingsdale; Bagots Wood, scarce; Cannock Chase, 1969, 2 Chartley Moss, 1972 (RGW); 1 1980-99 Single examples at Stone (CY), Coombes Valley (DWE) and, very 0 9 surprisingly, one was found in a garden in Handsworth Wood on SO SP 8 10/6/1984 (R&AN). 789012

Habit A species of bilberry oak woodland. It feeds on bilberry and flies in June and July.

Status At one time restricted to the western woods and the Churnet Valley but appears to have spread to other suitable habitats.

2477 The Snout Hypena proboscidalis Linnaeus 2477 : The Snout SJ SK 6 Habit On waste grounds, commons, and in gardens etc. It feeds on nettle 5 4

and flies from June to October, with overlapping broods. 3

2 Status Common everywhere on nettles. 1 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

NOCTUIDAE : Strepsimaninae

2484 Pinion-streaked Snout Schrankia costaestrigalis Stephens 2484 : Pinion-streaked Snout SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Burnt Wood, very abundant 1905 (VCH). Occasional at Burnt 5 Wood (HLB, RGW); Needwood Forest 1950; 4 1960-79 Downs Banks, Barlaston, 1969; Bishops Offley, Trentham, Loynton 3 2

Moss. 1

1980-99 Kinver Edge 1980 (FAN). 0 9 SO SP Habit A species of fens, marshes, boggy moorland etc. Larvae unknown in 8 789012 the wild. It flies from June to August.

Status Local and uncommon. Not recorded from its old haunts for twenty years but it is often missed because of its small size.

122

2485 Marsh Oblique-barred Hypenodes humidalis Doubleday 2485 : Marsh Oblique-barred SJ SK 6 pre 1960 Chartley Moss (J. Douglas), 1917; still present 1982, (RGW); 5 Chorlton Moss, Balterley Heath. 4 3 2

Habit Found in boggy heaths and on moors where it flies from June to 1

August. Larvae unknown in the wild. 0 9 SO SP Status Very local in mosses, but abundant where found. 8 789012

Caution Its small size means that it is often overlooked.

NOCTUIDAE : Herminiinae

2489 The Fan-foot Zanclognatha tarsipennalis Treitschke 2489 : Fan-foot SJ SK 6 Habit Inhabits woodland edge, hedgerows, gardens, scrub etc. It feeds on 5 withered leaves of oak, raspberry, bramble etc.and flies in June and 4 July. 3 2

Status Common. 0 9 SO SP 8 789012

2492 2492 : Small Fan-foot Small Fan-foot Herminia grisealis Denis & Schiffermηller SJ SK 6 Habit Found in woods, gardens and scrub. It feeds on the leaves of various 5 trees and flies from June to August. 4 3 2

Status Common. 1

9 SO SP 8 789012

123

Appendix 1 : Species needing confirmation

The following species have been claimed in VC39. However, because they are either new county records, extreme rarities that have not been seen for over 50 years or in completely the wrong habitat, they require further confirmation before they can be added to the county list. That is not to say they are not genuine records but, because of their importance, we need to be absolutely certain before accepting them. See "Future Recording" for the criteria laid down for the acceptance of rarities and new county records.

1655 Poplar Lutestring Tethea or or D. & S. 17/6/2000 Stourbridge 1679 False Mocha Cyclophora porata L. 1970's Cannock Chase 1691 Rosy Wave Scopula emutaria Hb. 6/6/92 Saltwells 1694 Smoky Wave Scopula ternata Schrank 1997 Compton Park 1701 Dotted Border Wave Idaea sylvestraria Hb. 1996-98 Saltwells 1740 Galium Carpet Epirrhoe galiata D. & S. 30/7/2000 Stourbridge 1774 Beech-green Carpet Colostygia olivata D. & S. 27/7/2000 Stourbridge 1791 Brown Scallop Philereme vetulata D. & S. 15/7/91 Stone 1794 Sharp-angled Carpet Euphyia unangulata Haw. 10/7/84 Stone 1814 Lead-coloured Pug Eupithecia plumbeolaria 1993 Saltwells 1820 Pinion-spotted Pug Eupithecia insignata Hb. 1/6/1993 Saltwells 1823 Netted Pug Eupithecia venosata F. 1982-89 Highgate Drive 1824 Fletcher's Pug Eupithecia egenaria H.-S. 1/6/1993 Saltwells 1828 Satyr Pug Eupithecia satyrata Hb. 1993 Saltwells 1833 Bleached Pug Eupithecia expallidata Doubl. 1993-95 Saltwells 1833 Bleached Pug Eupithecia expallidata Doubl. 4/7/96 Norton 1836 Campanula Pug Eupithecia denotata Hb. 20/7/1995 Rushall 1842 Plain Pug Eupithecia simpliciata Haw. 1996 Bescot 1842 Plain Pug Eupithecia simpliciata Haw. Stone 1949 Square Spot Paradarisa consonaria Hb. 21/7/1996 Saltwells 1967 Straw Belle Aspitates gilvaria D. & S. 19/8/96 Saltwells 1990 Striped Hawk-moth Hyles lineata Fabr. 1985 Stone 2017 Small Chocolate-tip Clostera pigra Hufn. 23/8/1992 Saltwells 2017 Small Chocolate-tip Clostera pigra Hufn. 8/1998 Beacon Lodge 2080 Square-spot Dart Euxoa obelisca grisea Tutt 1992-95 Saltwells 2108 Lunar Yellow Underwing Noctua orbona Hufn. 8/1998 Beacon Lodge 2184 Northern Drab Orthosia opima Hb. 1/5/92 Stone 2200 Mathew's Wainscot Mithimna favicolor Barr. 13/6/1995 Rushall 2203 White-speck Mythimna unipuncta Haw. 11/9/96 Stone 2252 Large Ranunculus Polymixis flavicincta D. & S. 1980s Cannock Chase 2344 Least Minor Photedes capitiuncula Treit. 30/7/1995 Rushall 2377 Fen Wainscot Arenostola phragmitidis Hb. 20/8/96 Stone 2429 Tunbridge Wells Gem Chrysodeixis acuta Walk. 20/11/94 Stone

124

Appendix 2 : List of plants mentioned in the text

Alder Alnus glutinosa Juniper Juniperus communis Alder Buckthorn Frangula alnus Knotgrass Polygonum spp. Angelica Angelica sylvestris Larch Larix spp. Apple Malus spp. Lilac Syringa vulgaris Ash Fraxinus excelsior Lime Tilia spp. Aspen Populus tremula Loosestrife, Yellow Lysimachia vulgaris Bedstraw Galium spp. Mallow, Common Malva sylvestris Bedstraw, Heath Galium saxatile Mayweed Tripleurospermum spp. Beech Fagus sylvatica Meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria Bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus Milkwort Polygala Birch Betula spp. Mouse-ear, Field Cerastium arvense Bird's-foot-trefoil Lotus spp. Mouse-ear, Common Cerastium fontanum Blackberry Rubus fruticosa agg. Mustard, Garlic Alliaria petiolata Blackthorn Prunus spinosa Mullein Verbascum spp. Bracken Pteridium aquilinum Nettle Urtica spp. Broom Cytisus scoparius Oak Quercus spp. Buckthorn Rhamnus catharticus Orache Atriplex spp. Burdock Arctium spp. Parsley, Cow Anthriscus sylvestris Butterbur Petasites hybridus Pear Pyrus pyraster Campion Silene spp. Pignut Conopodium majus Campion, Bladder Silene vulgaris Pine, Scots Pinus sylvestris Campion, Red Silene dioica Plantain Plantago spp. Campion, White Silene alba Poplar Populus spp. Cherry Prunus avium Privet Ligustrum spp. Chickweed, Common Stellaria media Ragwort Senecio spp. Cottongrass Eriophorum spp. Raspberry Rubus idaeus Cowberry Vaccinium vitis-idaea Red Bartsia Odontites verna Cow-wheat, Common Melampyrum pratense Reed, Common Phragmites australis Cranberry Vaccinium oxycoccus Reed-mace Typha latifolia Currant Ribes spp. Rose Rosa spp. Currant, Mountain Ribes alpinum Rowan Sorbus aucuparia Dandelion Taraxacum spp. Sage, Wood Teucrium scorodonia Dead-nettle Lamium spp. Sallow Salix caprea Dock Rumex spp. Sorrel, Common Rumex acetosa Elder Sambucus nigra Sow-thistle Sonchus spp. Elm Ulmus spp. Spindle Euonymus europaeus Elm, Wych Ulmus glabra Spruce Picea spp. Foxglove Digitalis purpurea Spruce, Norway Picea abies Goldenrod Solidagao vigaurea St. John's-wort Hypericum spp. Gooseberry Ribes uva-crispa Sweet-William Dianthus barbatus Goosefoot Chenopodium spp. Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus Gorse Ulex spp. Thyme Thymus praecox Guelder-rose Viburnum opulus Toadflax Linaria spp. Hawkweed Hieracium spp. Traveller's-joy Clematis vitalba Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna Valerian, Common Valeriana officinalis Heath Erica spp. Valerian, Red Centranthus ruber Heather Calluna vulgaris Willow Salix spp. Honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum Willowherb Epilobium spp. Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Wormwood Artemesia absinthium Iris, Yellow Iris pseudacorus Yarrow Achillea millefolium Ivy Hedera helix Yellow-rattle Rhinanthus minor Jasmine Jasminium spp.

125

Appendix 3 : Localities from which records were received

A Craddock's Moss SJ7748 Allimore Green SJ8519 Cresswell Piece SJ9545 Alsager SJ7955 Danebridge SJ9665 Alvecote SK20 Denstone SK0940 Aqualate SJ7720 Dilhorne SJ9743 Armitage SK0816 Dimmingsdale SK0443 Ashley Heath SJ7436 Doley Common SJ7329 Dovedale SK1452 B Downs Banks SJ8937/9037 Bagots Wood SK0727 Doxey Marshes SJ9223 Balterley Heath SJ7450 Dudley Wood SO9487 Baggeridge CP SO8992 Dydon Wood SK1245 Barlaston SJ8838 Barlaston Common SJ9239 E Beacon Lodge SP0697 Eccleshall SJ8228 Belmont SK0049/0050 Ecton SK0958 Belvide Reservoir SJ8609 Enville SO8280 Birches Head SJ8948 Bishops Offley SJ7729 F Bishops Wood SJ7433 Ford Houses SJ9002 Blackhill Wood SO8491 Forton SJ7521 Blurton SJ8942 Fradley SK1313 Blythe Bridge Mill SK0428 Froghall SK0247 Bottom Houses SK0352 Brankley Covert SK1621 G Brown Edge SJ9053 Gib Tor SK0264 Brownhills Common SK0406 Gnosall SJ8320 Bunkers Hill Wood SO8782 Goldsitch Moss SK0064 Burnt Wood SJ7435 Grindon SK0854 Burton SK22 Butt Lane SJ8254 H Hanbury SK1728 C Handsworth Wood SP0590 Calf Heath Wood SJ9209 Hanley SJ8847 Calton SK1050 Hawksmoor SK0344 Cannock Chase SJ91/92; SK01 Henhurst SK2124 Castern Wood SK1153 High Onn SJ8116 Caverswall SJ9447 Highgate Common SO8389 Chartley Moss SK0228 Himley Hall SO8891 Chasewater SK0308 Hopton SJ9526 Cheadle SK0143 Hopwas Wood SK1705 Cheddleton SJ9852 Hulme End SK1059 Cheswardine SJ7229 Chillington SJ8506 I Chorlton Moss SJ7939 Ipstones Edge SK0450 Churnet Valley SJ94/95; SK04/05 Clewley Coppice SJ9004 K Colton SK0520 Keele University SJ8244 Compton Park SO8898 Kidsgrove SJ8454 Consall SJ94/95 Kinver Edge SO8383 Coombes Valley SK0052 Knighton SJ7527 Copmere SJ8029 Knypersley SJ8955 CorporationWood SP0699 Coseley SO9494

126

L S Leek SJ9856 Saltwells LNR SO9387 Leek Moors SJ96/SK06 Sandon SJ9529 Lichfield SK1209 Sandwell Valley SP0292 Lime Pits Farm SP0399 Scot Hay SJ7947 Little Stoke SJ9133 Shobnall SK2223 Longport SJ8549 Short Heath SJ9700 Loynton Moss SJ7824 Shugborough SJ9922 Smestow SO8591 M Stafford SJ92 Madeley SJ7744 Stoke-on-Trent SJ84 Maer SJ7539/7540 Stone SJ9034 Manifold Valley SK0954-0958 Swallow Moss SK06 Market Drayton SJ6634 Swineholes Wood SK0450 Meir SJ9340 Swynnerton SJ8535 Milford Common SJ9621 Middle Hills SK0363 T Mill Meece SJ8233 Tamworth SK20 Moddershall SJ9237 Tettenhall SO8799 Morridge SK0354/0360 The Cloud SJ9063 The Gorge SO9294 N Tittensor SJ8738 Needwood Forest SK12 Tixall SJ9722 Newcastle SJ8445 Trent Vale SJ8644 Normacot SJ9243 Trentham SJ8641 Norbury SJ7823 North Hillswood SJ9859 U Norton SO8983 Uttoxeter SK0932

O W Oakamoor SK0859 Wall Grange SJ9754 Oulton SJ7822 Walsall SP0297 Walsall Airport SP0599 P Walton's Wood SJ7846 Parkhall CP SJ9344 Warslow SK0858 Park Lime Pits SK0300 Waterhouses SK0850 Parrots Drumble SJ8152 Weaver Hills SK0946 Pattingham SO8299 Wednesfield SO9599 Penkridge SJ9214 Wednesbury SO9794 Penn SO8996 Weston Sprink SJ9343 Porthill SJ8548 Wetley Moor SJ9649 Wetton Mill SK0956 R Whiston Eaves SK0446 Roaches SJ96/SK06 Whitmore SJ8141 Rocester SK1039 Wigginton SK2006 Rolleston SK2327 Wilnecote SK2201 Rough Close Common SJ9239 Wolverhampton SO99 Rough Wood SJ9801 Wombourne SO8792 Rowley Regis SO9687 Woore SJ7242 Rugeley SK0418 Wrinehill SJ7547 Rumer Hill SJ9809 Wyrley Common SK0205 Rushall SK0301 Rushton SJ9362 Y Yarnfield SJ8632 Yoxall SK1418

127

Appendix 4 : Most widespread species

The following table gives the species that occur in 30 or more 10Km squares.

Silver-ground Carpet 38 Poplar Hawk-moth 32 Common Carpet 38 Elephant Hawk-moth 32 Large Yellow Underwing 38 Pebble Prominent 32 Silver Y 38 Coxcomb Prominent 32 Dark Arches 37 Bright-line Brown-eye 32 Heart and Dart 36 Antler 32 Common Rustic Agg. 36 Hebrew Character 32 Garden Carpet 35 Smoky Wainscot 32 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing 35 Common Wainscot 32 Angle Shades 35 Grey Dagger 32 Snout 35 Marbled Beauty 32 Chinese Character 34 Herald 32 Riband Wave 34 Ghost Swift 31 Barred Straw 34 Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet 31 July Highflyer 34 Small Fan-footed Wave 31 Brimstone Moth 34 Northern Spinach 31 Swallow-tailed Moth 34 Common Marbled Carpet 31 Mottled Beauty 34 November Moth 31 Common White Wave 34 Twin-spot Carpet 31 Buff Ermine 34 Magpie 31 Flame Shoulder 34 Scalloped Oak 31 Lesser Yellow Underwing 34 Mottled Umber 31 Square-spot Rustic 34 Buff-tip 31 Middle-barred Minor 34 Garden Tiger 31 Burnished Brass 34 Flame 31 Flame Carpet 33 Common Quaker 31 Small Rivulet 33 Clay 31 Chimney Sweeper 33 Rosy Rustic 31 Clouded Border 33 Six-spot Burnet 30 Brown Silver-line 33 Pebble Hook-tip 30 Early Thorn 33 Large Emerald 30 Peppered Moth 33 Small Phoenix 30 Yellow-tail 33 Dark Marbled Carpet 30 White Ermine 33 Common Wave 30 Cinnabar 33 Iron Prominent 30 Ingrailed Clay 33 Lesser Swallow Prominent 30 Small Square-spot 33 Ruby Tiger 30 Dun-bar 33 Cabbage Moth 30 Peach-blossom 32 Dot Moth 30 Shaded Broad-bar 32 Clouded Drab 30 Broken-barred Carpet 32 Small Angle Shades 30 Scalloped Hazel 32 Plain Golden Y 30 Willow Beauty 32

128

Appendix 5 : Most restricted species

The following table gives the species that have been recorded from only a single 10Km square and which have been seen in the last 50 years.

164 Cistus Forester 1792 Dark Umber 2085 Archer's Dart 374 Yellow-legged Clearwing 1801 Barred Carpet 2104 Northern Rustic 375 White-barred Clearwing 1813 Haworth's Pug 2229 Brindled Ochre 1634 Lackey 1826 Triple-spotted Pug 2359 Crinan Ear 1642 Lappet 1863 Dentated Pug 2384 Vine's Rustic 1662 Light Orange Underwing 1877 Waved Carpet 2399 Bordered Sallow 1673 Small Emerald 1882 Small Seraphim 2400 Scarce Bordered Straw 1681 Clay Triple-lines 1943 Great Oak Beauty 2440 Lempke's Gold Spot 1737 Small Argent and Sable 1950 Brindled White-spot 2475 Waved Black 1788 Scarce Tissue 1976 Privet Hawk-moth 1791 Brown Scallop 2029 Brown-tail

Appendix 6 : Species no longer with us

The following list is of species that have not been recorded or confirmed for over 40 years and, in some cases, longer than that.

163 Forester 1993 Silver-striped Hawk-moth 376 Welsh Clearwing 2010 Scarce Prominent 379 Red-belted Clearwing 2012 White Prominent 380 Red-tipped Clearwing 2051 Large Footman 1633 Small Eggar 2054 Crimson Speckled 1641 Small Lappet 2062 Water Ermine 1644 Kentish Glory 2068 Scarlet Tiger 1679 False Mocha 2072 Basker 1743 Yellow-ringed Carpet 2153 Bordered Gothic 1745 Mallow 2184 Northern Drab 1753 Striped Twin-spot Carpet 2197 Southern Wainscot 1774 Beech-green Carpet 2255 Feathered Ranunculus 1794 Sharp-angled Carpet 2291 Coronet 1814 Lead-coloured Pug 2317 White-spotted Pinion 1896 Rannoch Looper 2359 Crinan Ear 1924 Orange Moth 2362 Butterbur 1969 Grey Scalloped Bar 2447 Scarce Silver Y 1982 Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth 2451 Clifden Nonpareil 1985 Oleander Hawk-moth 2470 Small Purple-barred 1990 Striped Hawk-moth

129

Appendix 7 : Useful Addresses

Butterfly Conservation Ian Duncan (Chairman, West Midlands Branch) Midway Cottage, Upper Welland, Malvern Worcestershire WR14 4LD email [email protected]

North Staffordshire Field Club R.A. Tribbeck (Secretary) 21a Stoneyfields Court Newcastle-under-Lyme Staffordshire

Potteries Museum and Art Gallery Natural History Unit Bethesda Street Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent ST1 3DW email : [email protected] Web site : http://www.stoke.gov.uk/museums

Staffordshire Ecological Record c/o Coutts House Sandon, Stafford ST18 0DN tel: 01889 508534 email: [email protected] Web site : http://www.staffs-ecology.org.uk

Staffordshire Invertebrate Group Coutts House Sandon, Stafford ST18 0DN tel: 01889 509800 email: [email protected] Web site : http://www.staffs-inverts.org.uk/

Staffordshire Wildlife Trust Coutts House Sandon, Stafford ST18 0DN tel: 01889 509800 email: [email protected] Web site : http://www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/staffs/

130

Index to English Names

A Bright-line Brown-eye 2160 Alder Kitten 1996 Brimstone Moth 1906 Alder Moth 2281 Brindled Beauty 1927 Angle Shades 2306 Brindled Green 2248 Angle-barred Pug 1848 Brindled Ochre 2229 Angle-striped Sallow 2313 Brindled Pug 1852 Annulet 1964 Brindled White-spot 1950 Anomalous 2394 Broad-barred White 2164 Antler 2176 Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing 2110 Archer's Dart 2085 Broken-barred Carpet 1773 Argent & Sable 1787 Broom Moth 2163 August Thorn 1912 Broom-tip 1865 Autumn Green Carpet 1761 Brown Rustic 2302 Autumnal Moth 1797 Brown Scallop 1791 Autumnal Rustic 2117 Brown Silver-line 1902 Brown-line Bright-eye 2192 B Brown-spot Pinion 2266 Barred Carpet 1801 Brown-tail 2029 Barred Chestnut 2121 Brown-veined Wainscot 2371 Barred Hook-tip 1647 Brussels Lace 1945 Barred Red 1962 Buff Arches 1653 Barred Rivulet 1804 Buff Ermine 2061 Barred Sallow 2272 Buff Footman 2049 Barred Straw 1758 Buff-tip 1994 Barred Umber 1903 Bulrush Wainscot 2369 Barred Yellow 1765 Burnet Companion 2463 Basker 2072 Burnished Brass 2434 Beaded Chestnut 2267 Butterbur 2362 Beautiful Brocade 2156 Beautiful Carpet 1748 C Beautiful Golden Y 2442 Cabbage Moth 2154 Beautiful Snout 2476 Campion 2166 Beautiful Yellow Underwing 2142 Canary-shouldered Thorn 1913 Bedstraw Hawk-moth 1987 Centre-barred Sallow 2269 Beech-green Carpet 1774 Chalk Carpet 1731 Bilberry Pug 1861 Chamomile Shark 2214 Birch Mocha 1677 Chestnut 2258 Bird’s Wing 2301 Chevron 1755 Black Arches 2033 Chimney Sweeper 1870 Black Rustic 2232 Chinese Character 1651 Blackneck 2466 Chocolate-tip 2019 Blair’s Shoulder-knot 2240 Cinnabar 2069 Blomer's Rivulet 1872 Cistus Forester 164 Blood-vein 1682 Clay 2193 Blossom Underwing 2183 Clay Triple-lines 1681 Blotched Emerald 1667 Clifden Nonpareil 2451 Blue-bordered Carpet 1766 Cloaked Minor 2341 Bordered Beauty 1907 Clouded Border 1887 Bordered Gothic 2153 Clouded Brindle 2327 Bordered Pug 1839 Clouded Buff 2059 Bordered Sallow 2399 Clouded Drab 2188 Bordered Straw 2403 Clouded Magpie 1885 Bordered White 1954 Clouded Silver 1958 Brick 2262 Clouded-bordered Brindle 2326

131

Common Carpet 1738 Dusky Brocade 2330 Common Emerald 1669 Dusky Sallow 2352 Common Footman 2050 Dusky Thorn 1914 Common Heath 1952 Dusky-lemon Sallow 2275 Common Lutestring 1657 Dwarf Cream Wave 1705 Common Marbled Carpet 1764 Dwarf Pug 1857 Common Pug 1834 Common Quaker 2187 E Common Rustic 2343 Ear Moth 2360 Common Rustic Agg. 2343agg Early Engrailed 1947 Common Swift 17 Early Grey 2243 Common Wainscot 2199 Early Moth 1960 Common Wave 1956 Early Thorn 1917 Common White Wave 1955 Early Tooth-striped 1881 Confused 2329 Elephant Hawk-moth 1991 Convolvulus Hawk-moth 1972 Emperor 1643 Copper Underwing 2297 Eyed Hawk-moth 1980 Coronet 2291 Coxcomb Prominent 2008 F Cream Wave 1693 False Mocha 1679 Crescent 2368 Fan-foot 2489 Crescent Dart 2090 Feathered Gothic 2178 Crimson Speckled 2054 Feathered Ranunculus 2255 Crinan Ear 2359 Feathered Thorn 1923 Currant Clearwing 373 Figure of Eight 2020 Currant Pug 1832 Figure of Eighty 1654 Five-spot Burnet 170 D Flame 2098 Dark Arches 2321 Flame Carpet 1722 Dark Brocade 2250 Flame Shoulder 2102 Dark Chestnut 2259 Flounced Chestnut 2265 Dark Dagger 2283 Flounced Rustic 2353 Dark Marbled Carpet 1762 Forester 163 Dark Spectacle 2449 Four-dotted Footman 2040 Dark Spinach 1749 Fox Moth 1638 Dark Sword-grass 2091 Foxglove Pug 1817 Dark Umber 1792 Freyer's Pug 1827 Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet 1725 Frosted Green 1660 Death’s-head Hawk-moth 1973 Frosted Orange 2364 December Moth 1631 Deep-brown Dart 2231 G Delicate 2195 Galium Carpet 1740 Dentated Pug 1863 Garden Carpet 1728 Dingy Shears 2314 Garden Dart 2082 Dingy Shell 1874 Garden Tiger 2057 Dog’s Tooth 2159 Gem 1720 Dot Moth 2155 Ghost Swift 14 Dotted Border 1934 Glaucous Shears 2162 Dotted Clay 2130 Goat Moth 162 Dotted Rustic 2105 Gold Spangle 2444 Double Dart 2114 Gold Spot 2439 Double Kidney 2311 Gold Swift 16 Double Lobed 2336 Golden Plusia 2437 Double Square-spot 2128 Golden-rod Brindle 2233 Double-striped Pug 1862 Golden-rod Pug 1851 Drinker 1640 Gothic 2136 Dun-bar 2318 Grass Emerald 1665

132

Grass Rivulet 1807 Large Yellow Underwing 2107 Grass Wave 1970 Latticed Heath 1894 Great Brocade 2137 Lead Belle 1733 Great Oak Beauty 1943 Lead-coloured Drab 2185 Great Prominent 2005 Lead-coloured Pug 1814 Green Arches 2138 Least Black Arches 2078 Green Carpet 1776 Least Yellow Underwing 2112 Green Pug 1860 Lempke's Gold Spot 2440 Green Silver-lines 2422 Leopard Moth 161 Green-brindled Crescent 2245 Lesser Broad-bordered Grey Arches 2150 Yellow Underwing 2111 Grey Birch 1951 Lesser Common Rustic 2343a Grey Chi 2254 Lesser Cream Wave 1692 Grey Dagger 2284 Lesser Swallow Prominent 2006 Grey Mountain Carpet 1744 Lesser Treble Bar 1868 Grey Pine Carpet 1768 Lesser Yellow Underwing 2109 Grey Pug 1837 Lesser-spotted Pinion 2316 Grey Scalloped Bar 1969 Light Arches 2322 Grey Shoulder-knot 2237 Light Brocade 2157 Light Emerald 1961 H Light Feathered Rustic 2084 Haworth’s Minor 2367 Light Knot Grass 2286 Haworth's Pug 1813 Light Orange Underwing 1662 Heart and Club 2088 Lilac Beauty 1910 Heart and Dart 2089 Lime Hawk-moth 1979 Heath Rustic 2135 Lime-speck Pug 1825 Hebrew Character 2190 Ling Pug 1831 Hedge Rustic 2177 Little Emerald 1674 Herald 2469 Lunar Hornet 371 Hornet Moth 370 Lunar Marbled Brown 2015 Humming-Bird Hawk-moth 1984 Lunar Thorn 1918 Lunar Underwing 2270 I Lunar-spotted Pinion 2319 Ingrailed Clay 2120 Lychnis 2173 Iron Prominent 2000 M J Magpie 1884 July Belle 1734 Maiden’s Blush 1680 July Highflyer 1777 Mallow 1745 Juniper Carpet 1771 Manchester Treble-bar 1866 Juniper Pug 1854 Map-winged Swift 18 Marbled Beauty 2293 K Marbled Brown 2014 Kentish Glory 1644 Marbled Coronet 2171 Knot Grass 2289 Marbled Minor 2337 Marbled White Spot 2410 L March Moth 1663 Lackey 1634 Marsh Oblique-barred 2485 Lappet 1642 Marsh Pug 1822 Larch Pug 1856 May Highflyer 1778 Large Ear 2357 Merveille du Jour 2247 Large Emerald 1666 Middle-barred Minor 2340 Large Footman 2051 Miller 2280 Large Nutmeg 2333 Minor Shoulder-knot 2225 Large Red-belted Clearwing 381 Mother Shipton 2462 Large Twin-spot Carpet 1726 Mottled Beauty 1941 Large Wainscot 2375 Mottled Grey 1775

133

Mottled Pug 1819 Pine Carpet 1767 Mottled Rustic 2387 Pinion-streaked Snout 2484 Mottled Umber 1935 Pink-barred Sallow 2273 Mouse Moth 2299 Plain Golden Y 2443 Mullein 2221 Plain Pug 1842 Muslin Footman 2038 Plain Wave 1715 Muslin Moth 2063 Poplar Grey 2278 Poplar Hawk-moth 1981 N Poplar Kitten 1998 Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth 1982 Powdered Quaker 2186 Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet 171 Pretty Chalk Carpet 1784 Narrow-winged Pug 1846 Privet Hawk-moth 1976 Neglected Rustic 2132 Purple Bar 1752 Netted Pug 1823 Purple Clay 2122 Northern Drab 2184 Purple Thorn 1919 Northern Rustic 2104 Puss Moth 1995 Northern Spinach 1756 Northern Winter Moth 1800 R November Moth 1795 Rannoch Looper 1896 Nutmeg 2145 Red Carpet 1723 Nut-tree Tussock 2425 Red Chestnut 2139 Red Sword-grass 2241 O Red Twin-spot Carpet 1724 Oak Beauty 1930 Red Underwing 2452 Oak Eggar 1637 Red-belted Clearwing 379 Oak Hook-tip 1646 Red-green Carpet 1760 Oak Lutestring 1658 Red-line Quaker 2263 Oak Nycteoline 2423 Red-necked Footman 2039 Oak-tree Pug 1853 Red-tipped Clearwing 380 Oblique Carpet 1719 Riband Wave 1713 Ochreous Pug 1844 Rivulet 1802 Old Lady 2300 Rosy Minor 2342 Oleander Hawk-moth 1985 Rosy Rustic 2361 Olive 2312 Round-winged Muslin 2035 Orange Moth 1924 Ruby Tiger 2064 Orange Sallow 2271 Ruddy Highflyer 1779 Orange Swift 15 Rufous Minor 2338 Orange Underwing 1661 Rustic 2382 Rustic Shoulder-knot 2334 P Pale Brindled Beauty 1926 S Pale Eggar 1632 Sallow 2274 Pale Mottled Willow 2389 Sallow Kitten 1997 Pale November Moth 1796 Sandy Carpet 1808 Pale Oak Beauty 1944 Satellite 2256 Pale Pinion 2236 Satin Beauty 1940 Pale Prominent 2011 Satin Wave 1709 Pale Tussock 2028 Satyr Pug 1828 Pale-shouldered Brocade 2158 Scallop Shell 1789 Peach-blossom 1652 Scalloped Hazel 1920 Peacock 1889 Scalloped Hook-tip 1645 Pearly Underwing 2119 Scalloped Oak 1921 Pebble Hook-tip 1648 Scarce Bordered Straw 2400 Pebble Prominent 2003 Scarce Footman 2047 Peppered Moth 1931 Scarce Prominent 2010 Phoenix 1754 Scarce Silver Y 2447 Pine Beauty 2179 Scarce Silver-lines 2421

134

Scarce Tissue 1788 Southern Wainscot 2197 Scarce Umber 1933 Speckled Yellow 1909 Scarlet Tiger 2068 Spectacle 2450 Scorched Carpet 1888 Spinach 1757 Scorched Wing 1904 Sprawler 2227 September Thorn 1915 Spring Usher 1932 Seraphim 1879 Spruce Carpet 1769 Setaceous Hebrew Character 2126 Square-spot Rustic 2134 Shaded Broad-bar 1732 Stout Dart 2113 Shark 2216 Straw Dot 2474 Sharp-angled Carpet 1794 Straw Underwing 2303 Shears 2147 Streak 1864 Short-cloaked Moth 2077 Streamer 1747 Shoulder Stripe 1746 Striped Hawk-moth 1990 Shoulder-striped Wainscot 2205 Striped Twin-spot Carpet 1753 Shuttle-shaped Dart 2092 Suspected 2268 Silver Y 2441 Svensson's Copper Underwing 2298 Silver-ground Carpet 1727 Swallow Prominent 2007 Silver-striped Hawk-moth 1993 Swallow-tailed Moth 1922 Silvery Arches 2149 Sword-grass 2242 Single-dotted Wave 1708 Sycamore 2279 Six-belted Clearwing 382 Six-spot Burnet 169 T Six-striped Rustic 2133 Tawny Marbled Minor 2339 Slender Brindle 2335 Tawny Pinion 2235 Slender Pug 1811 Tawny Shears 2167 Sloe Pug 1859 Tawny Speckled Pug 1838 Small Angle Shades 2305 Tawny-barred Angle 1893 Small Argent and Sable 1737 Thyme Pug 1843 Small Autumnal Carpet 1798 Tissue 1790 Small Blood-vein 1690 Toadflax Pug 1816 Small Brindled Beauty 1925 Treble Brown Spot 1711 Small Clouded Brindle 2331 Treble Lines 2380 Small Dotted Buff 2345 Treble-bar 1867 Small Dusty Wave 1707 Triple-spotted Clay 2127 Small Eggar 1633 Triple-spotted Pug 1826 Small Elephant Hawk-moth 1992 True Lover’s Knot 2118 Small Emerald 1673 Turnip Moth 2087 Small Engrailed 1948 Twin-spot Carpet 1809 Small Fan-foot 2492 Twin-spotted Quaker 2189 Small Fan-footed Wave 1702 Small Lappet 1641 U Small Phoenix 1759 Uncertain 2381 Small Purple-barred 2470 Small Quaker 2182 V Small Rivulet 1803 Valerian Pug 1821 Small Rufous 2379 Vapourer 2026 Small Scallop 1712 Varied Coronet 2170 Small Seraphim 1882 Vestal 1716 Small Square-spot 2123 Vine's Rustic 2384 Small Wainscot 2350 V-Moth 1897 Small White Wave 1875 V-Pug 1858 Small Yellow Underwing 2397 Small Yellow Wave 1876 W Smoky Wainscot 2198 Water Carpet 1750 Smoky Wave 1694 Water Ermine 2062 Snout 2477 Waved Black 2475

135

Waved Carpet 1877 Wood Carpet 1739 Waved Umber 1936 Wood Tiger 2056 Welsh Clearwing 376 Wormwood 2211 Welsh Wave 1873 Wormwood Pug 1830 White Ermine 2060 White Prominent 2012 Y White Satin 2031 Yellow Horned 1659 White-barred Clearwing 375 Yellow Shell 1742 White-line Dart 2081 Yellow-barred Brindle 1883 White-pinion Spotted 1957 Yellow-legged Clearwing 374 White-spotted Pinion 2317 Yellow-line Quaker 2264 White-spotted Pug 1835 Yellow-ringed Carpet 1743 Willow Beauty 1937 Yellow-tail 2030 Winter Moth 1799

136

Index to Scientific Names

A bidentata, Odontopera 1920 abbreviata, Eupithecia 1852 bifasciata, Perizoma 1804 abruptaria, Menophra 1936 bifida, Furcula 1998 absinthiata f. goossensiata, Eupithecia 1831 bilineata, Camptogramma 1742 absinthiata, Eupithecia 1830 bimaculata, Lomographa 1957 absinthii, Cucullia 2211 binaria, Watsonalla 1646 aceris, Acronicta 2279 bipunctaria, Scotopteryx 1731 adusta, Blepharita 2250 biren, Papestra 2162 adustata, Ligdia 1888 biselata, Idaea 1702 aescularia, Alsophila 1663 bistortata, Ectropis 1947 aestivaria, Hemithea 1669 blanda, Hoplodrina 2382 affinis, Cosmia 2316 blomeri, Discoloxia 1872 affinitata, Perizoma 1802 bractea, Autographa 2444 agathina, Xestia 2135 brassicae, Mamestra 2154 albicillata, Mesoleuca 1748 britannica, Thera 1769 albipunctata, Cyclophora 1677 brumata, Operophtera 1799 albulata, Asthena 1875 brunnea, Diarsia 2122 albulata, Perizoma 1807 brunneata, Itame 1896 alchemillata, Perizoma 1803 bucephala, Phalera 1994 alni, Acronicta 2281 alniaria, Ennomos 1913 C alsines, Hoplodrina 2381 caeruleocephala, Diloba 2020 alternata, Epirrhoe 1738 caesiata, Entephria 1744 ambigua, Hoplodrina 2384 caja, Arctia 2057 anceps, Apamea 2333 cambrica, Venusia 1873 anceps, Peridea 2005 capucina, Ptilodon 2008 anomala, Stilbia 2394 carmelita, Odontosia 2010 antiqua, Orgyia 2026 carpinata, Trichopteryx 1881 apifomis, Sesia 370 castanea, Xestia 2132 aprilina, Dichonia 2247 celerio, Hippotion 1993 areola, Xylocampa 2243 centaureata, Eupithecia 1825 armigera, Helicoverpa 2400 centrago, Atethmia 2269 assimilata, Eupithecia 1832 cerasi, Orthosia 2187 atomaria, Ematurga 1952 cervinalis, Rheumaptera 1788 atrata, Odezia 1870 cespitis, Tholera 2177 atropos, Acherontia 1973 chamomillae, Cucullia 2214 augur, Graphiphora 2114 chenopodiata, Scotopteryx 1732 aurago, Xanthia 2272 chi, Antitype 2254 aurantiaria, Agriopis 1933 chloerata, Chloroclystis 1859 autumnata, Epirrita 1797 chlorosata, Petrophora 1902 aversata, Idaea 1713 christyi, Epirrita 1796 chrysitis, Diachrysia 2434 B chrysoprasaria, Hemiostola 1673 badiata, Anticlea 1746 chrysorrhoea, Euproctis 2029 baja, Xestia 2130 cinerea, Agrotis 2084 bajularia, Comibaena 1667 circellaris, Agrochola 2262 batis, Thyatira 1652 citrago, Xanthia 2271 bembeciformis, Sesia 371 citrata, Chloroclysta 1762 berbera, Amphipyra 2298 clathrata, Chiasmia 1894 betularia, Biston 1931 clavaria, Larentia 1745 bicolorana, Bena 2421 clavipalpis, Paradrina 2389 bicolorata, Aetheria 2164 clavis, Agrotis 2088 bicoloria, Leucodonta 2012 c-nigrum, Xestia 2126 bicruris, Hadena 2173 comae, Timandra 1682 bicuspis, Furcula 1996 comes, Noctua 2109

137 comitata, Pelurga 1749 epomidion, Apamea 2327 comma, Mythimna 2205 eremita, Dryobotodes 2248 complana, Eilema 2047 erosaria, Ennomos 1915 compta, Hadena 2170 exanthemata, Cabera 1956 confusa, Hadena 2171 exclamationis, Agrotis 2089 confusalis, Nola 2078 exiguata, Eupithecia 1819 conigera, Mythimna 2192 exsoleta, Xylena 2242 contigua, Lacanobia 2156 convolvuli, Agrius 1972 F corylata, Electrophaes 1773 fagana, Pseudoips 2422 coryli, Colocasia 2425 fagaria, Dyscia 1969 cossus, Cossus 162 fagata, Operophtera 1800 costaestrigalis, Schrankia 2484 falcataria, Drepana 1648 crassalis, Hypena 2476 fasciaria, Hylaea 1962 crataegi, Trichiura 1632 fasciuncula, Oligia 2340 crenata, Apamea 2326 ferrago, Mythimna 2193 crepuscularia, Ectropis 1948 ferrugata, Xanthorhoe 1725 crinanensis, Amphipoea 2359 ferruginea, Rusina 2302 cruda, Orthosia 2182 festucae, Plusia 2439 cucullatella, Nola 2077 filigrammaria, Epirrita 1798 culiciformis, Synanthedon 381 filipendulae, Zygaena 169 cultraria, Watsonalla 1647 fimbriata, Noctua 2110 curtula, Clostera 2019 firmata, Thera 1767 flammea, Panolis 2179 D flammeolaria, Hydrelia 1876 dahlii, Diarsia 2121 flavago, Gortyna 2364 debiliata, Chloroclystis 1861 flavicinctata, Entephria 1743 decimalis, Tholera 2178 flavicornis, Achyla 1659 decoloraria, Xanthorhoe 1723 flavofasciata, Perizoma 1808 defoliaria, Erannis 1935 floslactata, Scopula 1693 dentaria, Selenia 1917 fluctuata, Xanthorhoe 1728 depressa, Eilema 2049 formicaeformis, Synanthedon 380 derivata, Anticlea 1747 fraxini, Catocala 2451 designata, Xanthorhoe 1722 fuliginaria, Parascotica 2475 didyma, Mesapamea 2343a fuliginosa, Phragmatobia 2064 didymata, Perizoma 1809 fulvata, Cidaria 1765 diffinis, Cosmia 2317 furcata, Hydriomena 1777 diluta, Cymatophorima 1658 furcula, Furcula 1997 dilutata, Epirrita 1795 furuncula, Mesoligia 2341 dimidiata, Idaea 1708 furva, Apamea 2329 dissoluta, Archanara 2371 fuscantaria, Ennomos 1914 distinctaria, Eupithecia 1843 fusconebulosa, Hepialus 18 ditrapezium, Xestia 2127 fuscovenosa, Idaea 1705 dodonaea, Drymonia 2014 dodoneata, Eupithecia 1853 G dolabraria, Plagodis 1904 galiata, Epirrhoe 1740 domestica, Cryphia 2293 gallii, Hyles 1987 dominula, Callimorpha 2068 gamma, Autographa 2441 dromedarius, Notodonta 2000 geryon, Adscita 164 dubitata, Triphosa 1790 gilvago, Xanthia 2275 duplaris, Ochropacha 1657 glareosa, Eugnorisma 2117 glaucata, Cilix 1651 E glyphica, Euclidia 2463 efformata, Aplocera 1868 gnoma, Pheosia 2006 elinguaria, Crocallis 1921 gothica, Orthosia 2190 elpenor, Deilephila 1991 gracilis, Orthosia 2186 emarginata, Idaea 1712 graminis, Cerapteryx 2176

138 grisealis, Herminia 2492 ligustri, Sphinx 1976 grossulariata, Abraxas 1884 linariata, Eupithecia 1816 linearia, Cyclophora 1681 literosa, Mesoligia 2342 H lithoxylaea, Apamea 2322 halterata, Lobophora 1879 litura, Agrochola 2266 hastata, Rheumaptera 1787 liturata, Macaria 1893 haworthiata, Eupithecia 1813 livornica, Hyles 1990 haworthii, Celaena 2367 lonicerae, Zygaena 171 hecta, Hepialus 16 lota, Agrochola 2263 helvola, Agrochola 2265 lubricipeda, Spilosoma 2060 hepatica, Lithophane 2236 lucens, Amphipoea 2357 hirtaria, Lycia 1927 lucernea, Standfussiana 2104 hispidaria, Apocheima 1925 lucipara, Euplexia 2305 humidalis, Hypenodes 2485 lunosa, Omphaloscelis 2270 humuli, Hepialus 14 lunularia, Selenia 1918 lupulinus, Hepialus 17 I luridata, Scotopteryx 1734 ichneumoniformis, Bembecia 382 lurideola, Eilema 2050 icterata, Eupithecia 1838 luteum, Spilosoma 2061 icteritia, Xanthia 2274 luteolata, Opisthograptis 1906 ilicifolia, Phyllodesma 1641 lutosa, Rhizedra 2375 imitaria, Scopula 1690 lutulenta, Aporophyla 2231 immutata, Scopula 1692 lychnidis, Agrochola 2267 impluviata, Hydriomena 1778 impura, Mythimna 2198 M incerta, Orthosia 2188 macilenta, Agrochola 2264 indigata, Eupithecia 1844 macularia, Pseudopanthera 1909 innotata, Eupethecia 1848 margaritata, Campaea 1961 interjecta, Noctua 2112 marginaria, Agriopis 1934 interrogationis, Syngrapha 2447 marginata, Lomaspilis 1887 intricata, Eupithecia 1827 matura, Thalpophila 2303 ipsilon, Agrotis 2091 maura, Mormo 2300 megacephala, Acronicta 2278 J mellinata, Eulithis 1757 jacobaeae, Tyria 2069 mendica, Diaphora 2063 janthe, Noctua 2111 mendica, Diarsia 2120 jota, Autographa 2443 menyanthidis, Acronicta 2286 juniperata, Thera 1771 mesomella, Cybosia 2040 meticulosa, Phlogophora 2306 L mi, Callistege 2462 lacertinaria, Falcaria 1645 miata, Chloroclysta 1761 lactearia, Jodis 1674 micacea, Hydraecia 2361 lanestris, Eriogaster 1633 minima, Photedes 2345 lariciata, Eupithecia 1856 miniosa, Orthosia 2183 latruncula, Oligia 2339 monacha, Lymantria 2033 leautieri, Lithopane 2240 moneta, Polychrysia 2437 legatella, Chesias 1864 monoglypha, Apamea 2321 leporina, Acronicta 2280 montanata, Xanthorhoe 1727 lethe, Euchromia 2072 morpheus, Caradrina 2387 leucophaearia, Agriopis 1932 mucronata, Scotopteryx 1733 leucostigma, Celaena 2368 multistrigaria, Colostygia 1775 libatrix, Scoliopteryx 2469 munda, Orthosia 2189 lichenaria, Cleorodes 1945 mundana, Nudaria 2038 lichenea, Polymixis 2255 myopaeformis, Synanthedon 379 ligula, Conistra 2259 myrtilli, Anarta 2142 ligustri, Craniophora 2291

139

N potatoria, Euthrix 1640 nanata, Eupithecia 1846 prasina, Anaplectoides 2138 nebulata, Euchoeca 1874 primaria, Theria 1960 nebulosa, Polia 2150 proboscidalis, Hypena 2477 nerii, Daphnis 1985 procellata, Melanthia 1784 nigra, Aporophyla 2232 pronuba, Noctua 2107 nigricans, Euxoa 2082 pruinata, Pseudoterpna 1665 notata, Semiothisa 1889 prunaria, Angerona 1924 notha, Archiearis 1662 prunata, Eulithis 1754 nupta, Catocala 2452 psi, Acronicta 2284 pudibunda, Calliteara 2028 O pulchella, Utetheisa 2054 obeliscata, Thera 1768 pulchellata, Eupithecia 1817 obstipata, Orthonama 1720 pulchrina, Autographa 2442 obsuratus, Gnophos 1964 pulveraria, Plagodis 1903 occulta, Eurois 2137 punctaria, Cyclophora 1680 ocellata, Cosmorhoe 1752 punctinalis, Hypomecis 1944 ocellata, Smerinthus 1980 punctulata, Aethalura 1951 ochroleuca, Eremobia 2352 pusaria, Cabera 1955 ocularis, Tethea 1654 pusillata, Eupithecia 1854 oculea, Amphipoea 2360 puta, Agrotis 2092 oleracea, Lacanobia 2160 putnami, Peusia 2440 olivata, Colostygia 1774 putris, Axylia 2098 ophiogramma, Apamea 2336 pygarga, Protodeltote 2410 opima, Orthosia 2184 pygmaeata, Eupithecia 1822 ornitopus, Lithophane 2237 pygmina, Photedes 2350 oxyacanthae, Allophyes 2245 pyraliata, Eulithis 1758 pyralina, Cosmia 2319 P pyramidea, Amphipyra 2297 paleacea, Enargia 2313 pyrina, Zeuzera 161 pallens, Mythimna 2199 pyritoides, Habrosyne 1653 palpina, Pterostoma 2011 papilionaria, Geometra 1666 Q parthenias, Archiearis 1661 quadra, Lithosia 2051 pastinum, Lygephila 2466 quadrifasciata, Xanthorhoe 1726 pavonia, Saturnia 1643 quercifolia, Gastropacha 1642 pectinataria, Colostygia 1776 quercinaria, Ennomos 1912 peltigera, Heliothis 2403 quercus callunae, Lasiocampa 1637 pennaria, Colotois 1923 quercus quercus, Lasiocampa 1637 perplexa, Hadena 2167 persicariae, Melanchra 2155 R petasitis, Hydraecia 2362 ravida, Spaelotis 2113 pilosaria, Apocheima 1926 rectangulata, Chloroclystis 1860 piniaria, Bupalus 1954 remissa, Apamea 2330 pisi, Melanchra 2163 repandaria, Epione 1907 plagiata, Aplocera 1867 repandata, Alcis 1941 plantaginis, Parasemia 2056 reticulata, Heliophobus 2153 plebeja, Hada 2147 retusa, Ipimorpha 2311 plecta, Ochropleura 2102 revayana, Nycteola 2423 plumbeolata, Eupithecia 1814 rhomboidaria, Peribatodes 1937 populata, Eulithis 1756 ribeata, Deileptenia 1940 populeti, Orthosia 2185 ridens, Polyploca 1660 populi, Laothoe 1981 rivata, Epirrhoe 1739 populi, Poecilocampa 1631 rivularis, Hadena 2166 porata, Cyclophora 1679 roboraria, Hypomecis 1943 porcellus, Deilephila 1992 ruberata, Hydriomena 1779 porphyrea, Lycophotia 2118 rubi, Diarsia 2123

140 rubi, Macrothylacia 1638 sylvata, Abraxas 1885 rubiginata, Plemyria 1766 sylvata, Hydrelia 1877 rubricollis, Atolmis 2039 sylvina, Hepialus 15 rubricosa, Cerastis 2139 syringaria, Apeira 1910 rufa, Coenobia 2379 taeniatum, Perizoma 1801 rufata, Chesias 1865 tantillaria, Eupithecia 1857 ruficornis, Drymonia 2015 tarsipennalis, Zanclognatha 2489 rufifasciata, Gymnoscelis 1862 temerata, Lomographa 1958 rumicis, Acronicta 2289 templi, Dasypolia 2229 tenebrata, Panemeria 2397 S tenuiata, Eupithecia 1811 sacraria, Rhodometra 1716 ternata, Scopula 1694 salicata, Nebria 1753 testacea, Luperina 2353 salicis, Leucoma 2031 testata, Eulithis 1755 sambucaria, Ourapteryx 1922 tetralunaria, Selenia 1919 sannio, Diacrisia 2059 thalassina, Lacanobia 2158 satyrata, Eupithecia 1828 tiliae, Mimas 1979 saucia, Peridroma 2119 tipuliformis, Synanthedon 373 scabriuscula, Dypterygia 2301 tityus, Hemaris 1982 scoliaeformis, Synanthedon 376 togata, Xanthia 2273 scolopacina, Apamea 2335 tragopoginis, Amphipyra 2299 secalis agg, Mesapamea 2343agg transversata, Philereme 1792 secalis, Mesapamea 2343 transversa, Eupsilia 2256 segetum, Agrotis 2087 trapezina, Cosmia 2318 semibrunnea, Lithophane 2235 tremula, Pheosia 2007 senex, Thumatha 2035 triangulum, Xestia 2128 seriata, Idaea 1707 tridens, Acronicta 2283 sericealis, Rivula 2474 trifolii, Dicestra 2145 sexalata, Pterapherapteryx 1882 trifolii, Zygaena 170 sexstrigata, Xestia 2133 trigeminata, Idaea 1711 silaceata, Ecliptopera 1759 trigrammica, Charanyca 2380 similaria, Parectropis 1950 trimaculosa, Polia 2149 similis, Euproctis 2030 tripartita, Abrostola 2450 simpliciata, Eupithecia 1842 triplasia, Abrostola 2449 simulans, Rhyacia 2105 tripunctaria, Eupithecia 1835 siterata, Chloroclysta 1760 trisignaria, Eupithecia 1826 solidaginis, Lithomoia 2233 tristata, Epirrhoe 1737 sordens, Apamea 2334 tritici, Euxoa 2081 sororiata, Carsia 1866 truncata, Chloroclysta 1764 spadiciaria, Xanthorhoe 1724 trux, Agrotis 2090 sparsata, Anticollix 1863 typhae, Nonagria 2369 spheciformis, Synanthedon 375 typica, Naenia 2136 sphinx, Brachionycha 2227 statices, Adscita 163 U stellatarum, Macroglossum 1984 umbra, Pyrrhia 2399 straminata, Idaea 1715 umbratica, Cucullia 2216 straminea, Mythimna 2197 unangulata, Euphyia 1794 strataria, Biston 1930 unanimis, Apamea 2331 strigilis, Oligia 2337 undulata, Rheumaptera 1789 strigillaria, Perconia 1970 urticae, Spilosoma 2062 suasa, Lacanobia 2159 subfuscata, Eupithecia 1837 V subsericeata, Idaea 1709 vaccinii, Conistra 2258 subtusa, Ipimorpha 2312 valerianata, Eupithecia 1821 succenturiata, Eupithecia 1839 v-ata, Chloroclystis 1858 suffumata, Lampropteryx 1750 venosata, Eupithecia 1823 suspecta, Parastichtis 2268 verbasci, Shargacucullia 2221

141 versicolor, Oligia 2338 vulgata, Eupithecia 1834 versicolora, Endromis 1644 W vespiformis, Synanthedon 374 wauaria, Macraria 1897 vestigialis, Agrotis 2085 w-latinum, Lacanobia 2157 vetulata, Philereme 1791 vetusta, Xylena 2241 X viminalis, Brachylomia 2225 xanthographa, Xestia 2134 vinula, Cerura 1995 viretata, Acasis 1883 Y virgaureata, Eupithecia 1851 ypsillon, Parastichtis 2314 viridaria, Phytometra 2470 vitellina, Mythimna 2195 Z vittata, Orthonama 1719 ziczac, Notodonta 2003

142