Norfolk Survey c/o Natural History Dept., Castle Museum, Norwich, NR1 3JU

Newsletter No.77 April 2010

INTRODUCTION This year sees NMS celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary. It was in 1985 that the survey was launched “...in an attempt to discover something of the current status and distribution of within the county.” While that remains our chief aim, it has to be acknowledged that there have been many changes over the last twenty-five years, both in terms of our actual moth fauna and our understanding of it. As I have remarked previously, the more our researches have revealed, the more we realise how much we still don’t know!

The survey originated following discussions between a small group of lepidopterists and Dr. Tony Irwin at the Castle Museum. Many of us will have fond memories of those early indoor meetings, crammed into the upstairs room of the Natural History Department. There can be no doubt that the future will bring further changes, but I make no apology for repeating my comments of five years ago – that the survey would not have been possible without the continuing support and enthusiasm of all of you who have helped in any way, and that you should feel proud of the contribution you have made to the study of natural history in Norfolk. We can, justifiably I think, look back on the last twenty-five years with a sense of achievement, and look forward to continuing to monitor the moths of Norfolk and their conservation.

Quite coincidentally, several of the articles in this newsletter reflect the theme of historical research alongside looking out for things in the future, while also Contents: being aware of what is going on around Introduction Ken Saul page 1 us now. A good example of this Plume Moths in Norfolk Ken Saul page 3 concerns some “new” additions to the county list that are in fact “old” records. County Recorder’s Report Jim Wheeler page 4 Most intriguing is Neil Bowman’s 2001 An Unusual Burnet Moth Francis Farrow page 6 record of margaritella. If one vulgana Recent Records Jon Clifton page 7 consults Goater (British Pyralid Moths, 1986), the species appears to be known The Elgood Collection Jim Wheeler page 8 from Norfolk, and although there were Got the Hump Jim Wheeler page 8 none current, we had always assumed Claiming Hoary Footman in Norfolk Jon Clifton page 9 the existence of old records. However, Jim Wheeler could find no evidence of The Leopard Moth Gerry Haggett page 9 such, and further questioning led back 2009 Migrant Report Dave Hipperson page 11 to the distribution quoted in Beirne paleana Jon Clifton page 13 (British Pyralid & Plume Moths, 1952) . It all seemed to hinge on whether you Photographs page 15 understood the phrase “north of Norfolk Moths Website details page 16 Norfolk” to mean something like Blakeney and Holkham or, alternatively, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire! With no other records extant, it would appear that the latter was intended, and therefore the Eccles was actually a first for the county.

Clearly innocent misunderstandings do occur, and it is in this respect that we must acknowledge that the credit for the photograph of Clifden nonpareil in the last newsletter was incorrectly attributed to Paul Eele, when in fact it should have been Sandra Tilley. We do apologise.

Norfolk Moth Survey Newsletter 77 Page 1 of 16 One of the other photos in the last newsletter has inadvertently created much interest in other circles. This concerns the large water beetle that turned up at one of the traps at Lynford Arboretum on National Moth Night last September. It was identified as being a Dytiscus sp., either semisulcatus or dimidiatus, but the intriguing aspect was that the wing cases were covered in small molluscs. The photo, together with a brief article, was subsequently published in Latissimus, the journal of the Balfour-Browne Club. Since then, Rob Driscoll has identified the molluscs as being two species of freshwater limpets, Ancylus fluviatilis and Acroloxus lacustris. The how and why of the whole thing is still being discussed, but it just goes to show that you never know what may arrive in your moth trap!

National Moth Night this year is somewhat earlier in the season, on Saturday 15 May. The theme for this occasion is moths and bats. As the incident above also reveals, this again demonstrates the inter-relationship of all our natural history studies – something that NMS has always tried to embrace from the outset. Indeed, I can recall the time when we were, rather cheekily, referred to as the “bat food research group”! We will be joining with the Hawk & Owl Trust for an evening at their Sculthorpe Moor reserve, when, no doubt, bat detectors will be in use alongside the moth traps. For further details, please see the list below. If you are unable to join us there, we would, as always, encourage you to record moths in your own garden or another suitable site on that date.

As usual, we have arranged a series of field meetings throughout the county, which you are all welcome to attend. Alongside the recording work per se, these events provide a good opportunity to learn more about the county’s moths and to hone your identification skills. They are free of charge, but we have to advise that attendance is at the individual’s own risk, and that suitable attire should be worn in case of inclement weather, difficult ground conditions, etc. We must also remind you that the actual trapping site can sometimes be a little distance from the parking/meeting grid reference, so please make sure that you arrive on time if you are unfamiliar with the area. Full details of the meetings are as follows:-

Saturday 15 May – National Moth Night – Sculthorpe Moor Meet 8.00 pm at the reserve Visitor Centre car park TF900305.

Friday 11 June Lynford Arboretum Meet 8.30 pm at the arboretum entrance TL822941, on the right just past the entrance to Lynford Hall.

Saturday 19 June Weston Park Meet 8.30 pm at the old dairy farm at the bottom of the park TG106170. Hopefully this should be signed on the night.

Saturday 10 July Ashwellthorpe Wood Meet 8.30 pm by the entrance gate at TM136981.

Saturday 17 July Suffield Community Meadow & Orchard Follow the private track north of Brick Kiln Lane to meet by the entrance gate at TG241311 at 8.30 pm. Please note that there is only limited parking at this point. Extra vehicles may have to park nearby at the Village Hall.

Saturday 7 August Shotesham Common Meet 8.00 pm. Andy Musgrove has very kindly offered to allow us to use his house as a meeting/parking point – Tendaba, The Street, Shotesham, between The Globe public house and the junction of The Street with Hollow Lane, TM245995.

Saturday 14 August Sugar & Derby Fens Park carefully along the roadside at TF694204, meeting at 8.00 pm.

Norfolk Moth Survey Newsletter 77 Page 2 of 16 Saturday 11 September Blakeney Point This will involve a boat trip and an overnight stay in very basic accommodation. For this reason, numbers will be strictly limited. More details later.

Saturday 23 October Ken Hill Estate, Snettisham This will be an all-day meeting to search for leaf mines. Once again we are privileged to welcome Dr. John Langmaid as our leader for the day. Take the track off the A149 Snettisham roundabout to meet 10.30 am at TF680348.

Wednesday 10 November Our Annual Review Meeting 7.30 pm in the Orchard Room at Mangreen Hall, TG215030. Please join us to share and discuss the highlights of the year, and bring along your pics (we can do slides or digital), specimens, and exciting news. In order to cover costs we have to charge £3 for this meeting, but that does include a cup of tea or coffee and a piece of home-made cake!

There are a number of other mothing events taking place around the county that are not organised directly by NMS, although I know that many of you are involved with them. We are always pleased to publish the details.

The National Trust are organising an event at Horsey for National Moth Night, Saturday 15 May, and would be pleased to welcome anyone with a trap to operate. Please contact NT warden Steve Prowse. Keith Zealand will be hosting the regular NT bat and moth night at Sheringham Park on Friday 2 July. Although, as usual, this is a paying event for the public, NMS recorders with moth traps are always freely welcome. The Broadland group of Norfolk Wildlife Trust hold their annual moth night at Hickling Broad on Saturday 17 July. Meet 9.00 pm at the NWT visitor centre car park at TG426221. Bat and moth nights organised by the Broads Authority take place on Monday 23 August and again on Monday 6 September. This year the venue for both events is the new Waterside Tea Rooms beside Rollesby Broad. On 18 September there will be a moth night at Heigham Holmes, again under the auspices of the National Trust.

With all these activities planned, we look forward to some decent mothing weather and another interesting season of recording and researching the moths of Norfolk. As always, may I conclude by saying a big thank you to you all for your continuing support and enthusiasm.

Ken Saul

PLUME MOTHS IN NORFOLK – 17 MARCH 2010

A goodly number of us gathered on this evening for our indoor spring meeting – a presentation by national expert Colin Hart on that intriguing, but often somewhat neglected, group of , the plume moths.

Colin commenced by suggesting that, although there were various ways of observing and recording plume moths, the most successful and rewarding method was to rear the larvae. Rather than bewilder us with too much information, he limited his discourse to cover details of just a handful of the species we might expect to find in Norfolk. We were shown the relatively straightforward means of how and where to look for the larvae and their feeding signs. Hints for using various searching techniques were explained, alongside helpful photographs. There were also illustrations of the very well-camouflaged pupae, as well as the resulting adult moths.

Some intriguing facts were outlined for some species. For example, the larvae of Buckleria paludum are able to eke revenge on the insectivorous plant Sundew, by being one of the few creatures able to eat it. While most plume moths tend to be colonial and

Norfolk Moth Survey Newsletter 77 Page 3 of 16 fairly sedentary, the saltmarsh insect Agdistis bennetii will sometimes erupt and occur far from its normal coastal habitat.

Colin reminded us of some species to keep a special look out for. Pterophorus galactodactyla is something of an East Anglian speciality that appears to have declined in recent times. The larvae pepper the leaves of Burdock with lots of tiny holes, hiding among the felt on the underside of the leaves. argoteles has only recently been discovered in Britain and is currently known only from Wicken Fen. Suitable habitat occurs in Norfolk – such as the Broads – so it could possibly be found here. Its larvae feed on bindweed, especially where it climbs on reed. Any suspected specimen found in a new location needs to be retained for confirmation.

The questions and discussion following this entertaining and informative talk suggested that many of us had now been inspired to take a greater interest in plumes. Colin very kindly offered his assistance for advice and help to anyone who needed it regarding plume moths. We thank him very much for his time and expertise.

Ken Saul

THE COUNTY RECORDER’S REPORT

Notable Norfolk Macro Records 2009

With most of the 2009 records now in the database, statistics for 2009 are as follows: Records databased 65,010; Species recorded 1024; Specimens noted 216,871+ (quantity not always recorded)

Notable Macro Species (Red Data Book, BAP, Na, Nb) or with less than 5 records in 2009.

B&F Common Taxon Status Site Rec Spe s ords cim ens

160 Reed Leopard Phragmataecia castaneae Red Data Book.(<100 Norfolk 3 3 + records) 162 Goat Moth Cossus cossus Nationally Scarce B.(<50 Norfolk 2 2 2 records) 173 Festoon Apoda limacodes Nationally Scarce B.(<100 Norfolk 3 3 26 records) 370 Hornet Moth Sesia apiformis Nationally Scarce B.(<100 Norfolk 6 6 + records) 373 Currant Clearwing Synanthedon tipuliformis Nationally Scarce B.(<100 Norfolk 7 8 22 records) 380 Red-tipped Clearwing Synanthedon formicaeformis Nationally Scarce B.(<50 Norfolk 3 3 9 records) 381 Large Red-belted Synanthedon culiciformis Nationally Scarce B.(<50 Norfolk 2 2 3 Clearwing records) 382 Six-belted Clearwing Bembecia ichneumoniformis Nationally Scarce B. (very few Norfolk 3 3 9 records) 1633 Small Eggar Eriogaster lanestris Nationally Scarce B.(<100 Norfolk 3 3 + records) 1657 Common Lutestring Ochropacha duplaris Resident. Common. 2 2 2 1667 Blotched Emerald Comibaena bajularia Resident. Local.(<100 Norfolk 2 2 + records) 1687 Lace Border Scopula ornata Nationally Scarce A.(<100 Norfolk 1 3 7 records) 1688 Tawny Wave Scopula rubiginata Red Data Book.(<100 Norfolk 1 1 1 records) 1691 Rosy Wave Scopula emutaria Nationally Scarce B. 10 36 68

Norfolk Moth Survey Newsletter 77 Page 4 of 16 1698 Purple-bordered Gold Idaea muricata Nationally Scarce B.(<100 Norfolk 1 1 1 records) 1718 Oblique Striped Phibalapteryx virgata Nationally Scarce B. 1 1 1 1720 Gem Orthonama obstipata Immigrant.(<100 Norfolk records) 1 1 1 1721 Balsam Carpet Xanthorhoe biriviata Nationally Scarce. 2 2 + 1734 July Belle Scotopteryx luridata Resident. Common.(<100 Norfolk 2 2 2 records) 1736 Royal Mantle Catarhoe cuculata Resident. Local.(<100 Norfolk 1 1 1 records) 1739 Wood Carpet Epirrhoe rivata Resident. Local. 1 1 1 1788 Scarce Tissue cervinalis Resident. Local. 2 2 2 1804 Barred Rivulet Perizoma bifaciata Resident. Local. 1 1 + 1809 Twin-spot Carpet Perizoma didymata Resident. Common. 2 2 + 1822 Marsh Pug Eupithecia pygmaeata Nationally Scarce B.(<50 Norfolk 1 2 1 records) 1823 Netted Pug Eupithecia venosata Resident. Local.(<100 Norfolk 2 2 2 records) 1847 Scarce Pug Eupithecia extensaria Red Data Book.(<50 Norfolk records) 3 3 5 1851 Golden-rod Pug Eupithecia virgaureata Resident. Local.(<50 Norfolk records) 1 2 2 1855 Cypress Pug Eupithecia phoeniceata Local (alien-foodplant) (only Norfolk 1 1 1 record) 1856 Larch Pug Eupithecia lariciata Resident. Common.(<50 Norfolk 1 1 1 records) 1859 Sloe Pug Pasiphila chloerata Resident. Common.(<100 Norfolk 1 1 1 records) 1863 Dentated Pug Anticollix sparsata Nationally Scarce A.(<100 Norfolk 2 2 2 records) 1865 Broom-tip Chesias rufata Nationally Scarce B.(<100 Norfolk 1 1 1 records) 1868 Lesser Treble-bar Aplocera efformata Resident. Common.(<50 Norfolk 1 1 1 records) 1871 Grey Carpet Lithostege griseata Red Data Book. 8 11 16 1879 Seraphim Lobophora halterata Resident. Local.(<100 Norfolk 2 2 + records) 1896 Rannoch Looper Itame brunneata Nationally Scarce A. (migrant) (very 3 3 + few Norfolk records) 1903 Barred Umber Plagodis pulveraria Resident. Local.(<50 Norfolk records) 2 2 13 1911 Large Thorn Ennomos autumnaria Nationally Scarce B.(<100 Norfolk 4 4 4 records) 1915 September Thorn Ennomos erosaria Resident. Common. 1 1 1 1983 Broad-bordered Bee Hemaris fuciformis Nationally Scarce B.(<100 Norfolk 5 5 25 Hawk-moth records) 1990 Striped Hawk-moth Hyles livornica Immigrant.(<50 Norfolk records) 1 1 1 2025 Scarce Vapourer Orgyia recens Red Data Book.(<100 Norfolk 1 1 4 records) 2041 Dotted Footman Pelosia muscerda Red Data Book. 7 12 65 2042 Small Dotted Footman Pelosia obtusa Red Data Book.(<100 Norfolk 2 2 30 records) 2046 Pigmy Footman Eilema pygmaeola Red Data Book.(<100 Norfolk 2 3 4 records) 2051 Four-spotted Footman Lithosia quadra Nationally Scarce A.(<50 Norfolk 1 1 1 records) 2062 Water Ermine Spilosoma urticae Nationally Scarce B.(<100 Norfolk 4 6 + records) 2076 Kent Black Arches Meganola albula Nationally Scarce B. 7 54 95 2079 Scarce Black Arches Nola aerugula Immigrant. (Resident?) (very few 1 2 2 Norfolk records) 2083 Coast Dart Euxoa cursoria Nationally Scarce B.(<100 Norfolk 8 9 10 records) 2093 Sand Dart Agrotis ripae Nationally Scarce B. 5 41 85 2108 Lunar Yellow Underwing Noctua orbona Nationally Scarce B. 14 17 83 2131 Square-spotted Clay Xestia rhomboidea Nationally Scarce B. 11 19 18 2137 Great Brocade Eurois occulta Nationally Scarce B. 1 1 1 2142 Beautiful Yellow Anarta myrtilli Resident. Common.(<100 Norfolk 1 1 + Underwing records) 2152 White Colon Sideridis albicolon Nationally Scarce B. 4 9 26 2165 Small Ranunculus Hecatera dysodea Red Data Book. (very few Norfolk 1 1 1 records) 2194 White-point Mythimna albipuncta Nationally Scarce B. 56 164 217 2201 Shore Wainscot Mythimna litoralis Nationally Scarce B. 10 65 137 2204 Obscure Wainscot Mythimna obsoleta Resident. Local.(<100 Norfolk 2 2 2

Norfolk Moth Survey Newsletter 77 Page 5 of 16 records) 2209 Flame Wainscot Mythimna flammea Nationally Scarce A. 8 26 34 2211 Wormwood Cucullia absinthii Nationally Scarce B.(<100 Norfolk 1 1 + records) 2217 Star-wort Cucullia asteris Nationally Scarce B. 5 12 17 2225 Minor Shoulder-knot Brachylomia viminalis Resident. Common. 2 2 + 2276 Pale-lemon Sallow Xanthia ocellaris Nationally Scarce A.(<50 Norfolk 2 3 3 records) 2290 Reed Dagger Simyra albovenosa Nationally Scarce B. 19 26 52 2295 Marbled Green Cryphia muralis Local.(<50 Norfolk records) 1 2 2 2316 Lesser-spotted Pinion Cosmia affinis Resident. Local.(<100 Norfolk 1 1 1 records) 2319 Lunar-spotted Pinion Cosmia pyralina Resident. Local. 2 2 + 2325 Crescent Striped Apamea oblonga Nationally Scarce B. 6 12 18 2348 Lyme Grass Chortodes elymi Nationally Scarce B. 5 27 48 2349 Mere Wainscot Chortodes fluxa Nationally Scarce B.(<100 Norfolk 3 3 3 records) 2351 Fenn's Wainscot Chortodes brevilinea Red Data Book. 3 3 22 2367 Haworth's Minor Celaena haworthii Resident. Local.(<100 Norfolk 1 1 4 records) 2373 Webb's Wainscot Archanara sparganii Nationally Scarce B. 24 35 77 2374 Rush Wainscot Archanara algae Red Data Book.(<100 Norfolk 2 2 15 records) 2397 Small Yellow Underwing Panemeria tenebrata Resident. Local.(<100 Norfolk 1 1 1 records) 2401 Marbled Clover Heliothis viriplaca Red Data Book. 8 15 22 2418 Cream-bordered Green Earias clorana Nationally Scarce B. 38 64 86 Pea 2432 Ni Moth Trichoplusia ni Immigrant. (very few Norfolk records) 1 1 1 2437 Golden Plusia Polychrysia moneta Resident. Common. 1 2 2 2451 Clifden Nonpareil Catocala fraxini Immigrant.(<50 Norfolk records) 1 1 1 2480 Buttoned Snout Hypena rostralis Nationally Scarce B. 7 8 7 2485 Marsh Oblique-barred Hypenodes humidalis Nationally Scarce B.(<50 Norfolk 1 3 4 records) 2491 Shaded Fan-foot Herminia tarsicrinalis Red Data Book. (very few Norfolk 1 1 4 records) 2493 Dotted Fan-foot Macrochilo cribrumalis Nationally Scarce B. 10 14 12

Jim Wheeler County Recorder

AN UNUSUAL BURNET MOTH.

Late afternoon on 11th July 2009 I was walking the dog over Sheringham Common, when my eye caught a pale moth fluttering about 4m above the ground. I continued to watch it as it gained height then suddenly it swept downward to rest upon a rush stem. As I approached I was surprised to see that it was a Burnet moth but not the typical blue- black colouration with red spots but an attractive brown with pale red spots on semi- transparent purplish grey wings. I have seen many Five-spot Burnets over the years at this location but never one with such colouration. I sent the image to other moth enthusiasts, however, no one had seen such a variety. The photos (see page 15) were passed on to Mr W. G. Tremewan, a leading authority on the burnet group who later replied via Mark Tunmore, editor of Atropos, as follows:

I am working in Germany at the moment and have just picked up your e-mail. The burnet moth is a rare aberration in which the usual black ground colour etc. is replaced by this beautiful violet-grey coloration. The moth from Norfolk is almost certainly Z. lonicerae even though spots 3 and 4 are confluent as is usually found in Z. trifolii. My friend Axel Hofmann, who is also a Zygaena specialist, also considers the moth in question to be Z. lonicerae.

Later in the Autumn 09 edition of Atropos 38: p70, Mr. Tremewan added the following comment:

Norfolk Moth Survey Newsletter 77 Page 6 of 16 This moth is an aberrant example of Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet Z. lonicerae and a named morph, viz. ab. eboracae Prest. It was described as long ago as 1883 in The Entomologist 16: 273-274 from seven specimens taken in the vicinity of York. Prest thought it so unusual that he provisionally described it as a species!

This was a bit of a surprise as I didn't think Beeston and Sheringham Commons had Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnets, however, looking at the Norfolk Moths website there is a dot nearby (Weybourne recorded by Martin Preston post-2000) so I suppose it is possible that the moths may have 'moved in' since the 1990s, which is when Mr Tremewan confirmed the moths on Beeston to be the rare marshland Five-spot burnet Z. trifolii decreta (Norfolk Moth Survey Newsletter No 38 - April 1993 p4). Norfolk’s 'elder statesman' of entomology Mr. Ken Durrant who has known the Commons since the 1930s has never encountered Z. lonicerae on the site. The map on page 15 shows the present known distribution of Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnets according to the records received by Jim Wheeler at www.norfolkmoths.org.uk.

If photographers have images of Five-spot Burnets from the Commons a check to see if any could be Narrow-bordered might prove interesting. I would be especially interested in any confirmed sightings of the Narrow-bordered prior to 2009. Also if any members are planning to visit the site this summer perhaps they could look out for the moths – again I would be pleased to receive any records.

Francis Farrow, ‘Heathlands’, 6 Havelock Road, Sheringham, Norfolk, NR26 8QD Email: francis.f@virgin .net

RECENT RECORDS OF CAPUA VULGANA

The capture of the Tortricid moth Capua vulgana in May 2009 were the first Norfolk records since Mr L.W.Hardwick took a single specimen at Mickle Hill, Thetford Forest, in 1986.

2009 saw records from Felbrigg on the 1st May followed by four at Ken Hill near Snettisham on the 23rd and 20 at Swanton Great Wood on the 28th May.

These records come as rather surprising as although the species is very nondescript, resembling a worn Cnephasia at the best of times, it prompts the question, is the species being overlooked in Norfolk.

The moth does occur in nearby counties but sightings suggest it is rare and very few recent records have occurred.

I undertook moth surveys in the Wyre Forest, Shropshire throughout May and June of 2009 where the species is far commoner than in East Anglia, here I was recording high numbers and was informed 2009, at least in the west, saw far higher numbers than normal.

It will be interesting if 2010 continues this trend in Norfolk.

Thanks to Jim Wheeler for providing information on past records and for the distribution map.

Jon Clifton Norfolk Moth Survey Newsletter 77 Page 7 of 16 THE ELGOOD COLLECTION

Down in the basement of the lovely old Victorian Museum in Wisbech (opened in 1847), can be found one of the hidden treasures of the fens, a little known butterfly and moth collection with specimens from all over the UK. The collection was created by the late Walter Stewart Elgood (1902 –1975) then proprietor of the Elgood Brewery in Wisbech, an old Georgian brewery, the first such brewery to be built outside London, and makers of a fine pint of ale! Several large cabinets house the collection with specimens dating from the late 1800’s to the 1960’s I have had the pleasure of visiting the museum on several occasions this year, and with the help of Dr Paul Millard, we have catalogued and photographed the Norfolk specimens from the collection.

Slender Burnished Brass - West Runton, 13th Oct 1959. Only (post Victorian) Norfolk record. (see photo page 15) Spotted Clover Moth – Hunstanton 1953, one of seven recorded in Norfolk in 1953. Not recorded since. (see photo page 15) Small Chocolate-tip – Two specimens, ex larva from Leziate, 1931. Scarce Vapourer – Series of six from Stalham & Horning 1907. Striped Hawk-moth – Hunstanton 1952. Spotted Sulphur – Thetford 1932. Silver Barred – Thetford 1925.

And many others….

Non Norfolk specimens include, Crimson Speckled (Exeter, 1889), Small Lappet, Vipers Bugloss (Suffolk, 1930), Marsh Moth (Wood Walton, 1950), Barberry Carpet (Suffolk, 1925) and two specimens of Reed Tussock (Burwell)! Rarely the collection has just one specimen, most species are represented by a complete series, often bred to extremes. Several draws are full of bred Tiger moths, Hawk moths and some huge Clifden Nonpareil!

Many thanks to the Wisbech & Fenland museum for allowing us access to catalogue and photograph the collection.

More info and photos on the website: www.norfolkmoths.co.uk?collection=Elgood

Jim Wheeler.

GOT THE HUMP!

Mr Charles and W. Garneys certainly did over a hundred years ago when they took a female Three-humped Prominent (Notodonta tritophus) at Earsham in Norfolk. The specimen, dated 1905 in the collection of Dr P. B. Mason, was later sold at Stevens' Auction rooms and noted in the Entomologist (Ent.38.1905) as misspelled in the catalogue with both Earsham as Ergham and Garneys as Gurney! Eventually it found its way to the BMNH London, where I accidentally stumbled upon the specimen in the Cockayne collection.

This is the only known Norfolk record of this very rare immigrant moth, and a previously unknown species for Norfolk.

It now has its rightful place on the county list... and website! www.norfolkmoths.co.uk/?bf=20020

Norfolk Moth Survey Newsletter 77 Page 8 of 16 Other old records verified recently by specimen or photograph include Large Dark Prominent in 1883 (only Norfolk record, Cockayne coll. BMNH); Double line at Holme 1991; Wood Tiger at Dersingham 1987; Nonconformist at Ranworth 1877 (only Norfolk record, Cockayne coll. BMNH); Golden-rod Brindle at Holme 1975 and Catoptria margaritella at Eccles in 2001.

Jim Wheeler. County recorder

CLAIMING HOARY FOOTMAN (EILEMA CANIOLA) IN NORFOLK

Over the past few years there have been several claims of Hoary Footman in Norfolk, some have been accompanied by photographs but none have been fully accepted.

One such moth was handed onto me by the late Steve Mills, caught at Gunthorpe in July 2006. On first inspection the insect did look quite promising. Waring & Townsend mention caniola as having a paler grey forewing and whiter hindwing for separation from Scarce and Common Footman. On first inspection the Gunthorpe specimen did seem a good possibility for caniola, it was not worn or abraded and showed both forewing and hindwing tones matching that species. It was set and dissected but on morphological features was proven to be a washed out, pale Scarce Footman (E. complana).

On a visit to the Wisbech Museum early in 2010 by Jim Wheeler and Paul Millard to catalogue the Elgood collection, another example dated 1928 from Thetford and labelled Hoary Footman was found (see photo on page 15 ). The image was circulated around to several experienced recorders and suggestions were split between caniola and complana. Permission was very kindly granted by the museum to remove the abdomen and this was sent to me for dissection. Unfortunately, it was once again shown to be complana.

It is evident that faded pale grey individuals of complana are causing identification problems, even when the hindwings are examined.

In Britain Hoary Footman has a westerly distribution with occasional suspected immigrants from the south coast eastwards to Kent. There are three records all from Orfordness, Suffolk in 2003. To date there still remain no accepted records of caniola in Norfolk

Any recorders with potential specimens are asked to retain and send to myself for verification.

Jon Clifton

THE LEOPARD MOTH ZEUZERA PYRINA

This moth is widely distributed in Norfolk and comes oddly to light but never in numbers, occupying any habitat with young woody growth that will support the early stages but like most species it has decided preferences. 1. Typical boring of fully grown larva The egg is laid on smooth bark of broadleaved bushes 2. Vacated boring with pupal chamber, and trees and more particularly toward the lower metre emergence hole and old frass-hole. or so of young saplings up to some six cm diameter. A 3. Empty case with shattered cap just visible Norfolk Moth Survey Newsletter 77 4. Frass hole (lower) and emergence cap Page 9 of 16 before exit of moth. most frequently chosen site is a bankside of young Ash maidens (singly regenerated stems) — not coppice — growing on a sheltered bank that catches the sun. The best, if energetic, way of locating them is by bending over each stem as far as it can be forced when if there is a larva present then the stem will split upwards from its burrow. Do this in springtime before the leaves are flushed and simply saw out the section of stem with larva.

The necessity of feeding in wood of small diameter restricts it to either young growth in the outer crown of older trees, the older stems of shrubs or stems of young trees for it feeds only on soft white wood and cannot succeed on old dead wood; on smaller sized wood the larva can subsist by eating away a wandering channel just under the thin bark The solitary larva enters its stem by boring through the smooth thin bark and then tunnels beneath it before entering the wood itself by eating away a tunnel directly to the central pith core. It will then turn upwards and eat out an upright tunnel that destroys the pith and in its early years it will broaden both this tunnel and a short extension in the opposite direction which will collect frass and debris before it is pushed out of the stem through the frass-hole. The larva possesses a heavily chitinised head, like that of Goat and Reed Leopard larvae but the narrower blackish prothoracic plate of those species is in the Wood Leopard much enlarged to a shining black shield topped by a central rim of teeth that is used to efficiently shunt and expel frass and wood chips out of the boring through the flap door above the midden pit.

The shape and unequal arms of the excavation of the Leopard moth distinguish it from borings of Clearwings.

The numbers of years spent within its host tree are not really known but are reckoned to be shorter than those of the Goat that tunnels in both dead and live wood. When pupation time arrives the larva retreats to the uppermost part of its upright tunnel, which commonly is some 7-15 cm long, there it spins a pad of silk into which the pupal cremaster will be secured and a silken cap 3 cm or so below, and then it pupates in the naked wooden cell, head downwards with its head resting on the silken cap. When the moth is formed it escapes within the pupal case down the shaft and out of the flap or from a new exit previously formed above, and bursts out to expand its wings and body outside whilst holding on to the extruded pupal-case.

In the course of time the vacated boring darkens and can readily be recognised by anyone who cuts his own firewood or who buys from a rural wood merchant. Against the white wood of newly cut Ash, or pinky brown of Oak or Elm the blackish tunnel with characteristic longer upper arm and shorter downward excavation will allow instant recognition. Unless of course a woodman has put his saw across it!

Gerry Haggett

ADDITIONS TO THE 2009 NORFOLK MIGRANTS LIST

Once again I have listed the additional migrant records received by me, from Jim Wheeler our County Recorder. As is usual I have not listed the common migrants such as Silver Y, Dark Sword-grass, Rush Veneer, and Plutella xylostella. At the bottom of the list are records for Red-necked Footman which may be possible immigrants.

Date Vernacular Taxon Site Recorder 01-Jul Bordered Straw Heliothis peltigera North Tuddenham B. Pummell 21-Apr Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Holkham Meals G. Follows 08-May Vestal Rhodometra sacraria Hapton S. Newson 19-May Vestal Rhodometra sacraria Swanton Morley R. & J. Stroud 28-May Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Ditchingham M. Ling

Norfolk Moth Survey Newsletter 77 Page 10 of 16 29-May Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Holt G. Follows 11-Jun Rannoch Looper Itame brunneata Bradwell K. Knights 21-Jun Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Hindringham G. Hewson 22-Jun Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Hindringham G. Hewson 24-Jun Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Havelock Road F. Farrow 24-Jun Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Hindringham G. Hewson 27-Jun Four-spotted Footman Lithosia quadra Buxton Heath R. Lee 27-Jun Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Langham D. Curtis 28-Jun Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Hindringham G. Hewson 29-Jun Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Hindringham G. Hewson 03-Jul Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Hindringham G. Hewson 04-Jul Great Brocade Eurois occulta Bowthorpe M. Beale 05-Jul Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Hindringham G. Hewson 05-Jul Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Swanton Morley R. & J. Stroud 09-Jul Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Hindringham G. Hewson 10-Jul Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Hindringham G. Hewson 11-Jul Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Hindringham G. Hewson 11-Jul Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Brancaster Staithe K. & A. Herber 15-Jul Small Mottled Willow Spodoptera exigua Overstrand G. Bond 16-Jul Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Hindringham G. Hewson 18-Jul Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Brancaster Staithe K. & A. Herber 19-Jul Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Overstrand G. Bond Holme Next The 23-Jul Small Mottled Willow Spodoptera exigua P. Tilley Sea 24-Jul Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Overstrand G. Bond 25-Jul Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Weybourne M. J. Preston 25-Jul Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Upwell P. Millard 26-Jul Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Hindringham G. Hewson 27-Jul Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Hindringham G. Hewson 28-Jul Hawk-moth Agrius convolvuli Weybourne M. J. Preston 29-Jul Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Hindringham G. Hewson 31-Jul Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Hindringham G. Hewson 31-Jul Small Mottled Willow Spodoptera exigua Weybourne M. J. Preston 01-Aug Scarce Bordered Straw Helicoverpa armigera Weybourne M. J. Preston 02-Aug Small Mottled Willow Spodoptera exigua Weybourne M. J. Preston 03-Aug Small Mottled Willow Spodoptera exigua Weybourne M. J. Preston 04-Aug Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Swanton Morley R. & J. Stroud 05-Aug Small Mottled Willow Spodoptera exigua Upwell J. Wheeler 09-Aug Bordered Straw Heliothis peltigera Overstrand G. Bond 12-Aug Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Dersingham A. Drewitt 13-Aug Vestal Rhodometra sacraria Swanton Morley R. & J. Stroud 20-Aug Bordered Straw Heliothis peltigera Sheringham G. Dunmore 22-Aug Convolvulus Hawk-moth Agrius convolvuli Weybourne M. J. Preston 22-Aug Scarce Bordered Straw Helicoverpa armigera Weybourne M. J. Preston 23-Aug Convolvulus Hawk-moth Agrius convolvuli Brancaster Staithe K. & A. Herber 23-Aug Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Hindringham G. Hewson 23-Aug Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Swanton Morley R. & J. Stroud 23-Aug Large Thorn Ennomos autumnaria Dersingham A. Drewitt 23-Aug Scarce Bordered Straw Helicoverpa armigera Dersingham A. Drewitt 27-Aug Scarce Bordered Straw Helicoverpa armigera Holme [NOA] J. Andrews, S. Barker 28-Aug Scarce Bordered Straw Helicoverpa armigera Upwell P. Millard 29-Aug Scarce Bordered Straw Helicoverpa armigera Upwell P. Millard 31-Aug Convolvulus Hawk-moth Agrius convolvuli Weybourne M. J. Preston 31-Aug Convolvulus Hawk-moth Agrius convolvuli Salthouse M. Williams 31-Aug Large Thorn Ennomos autumnaria Upwell J. Wheeler 02-Sep Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Swanton Morley R. & J. Stroud 03-Sep Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Snettisham R. & R. Evison 04-Sep Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Stiffkey Fen A. Culshaw

Norfolk Moth Survey Newsletter 77 Page 11 of 16 05-Sep Large Thorn Ennomos autumnaria Snettisham R. & R. Evison 11-Sep Pearly Underwing Peridroma saucia Brancaster T. Bellars 12-Sep Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Beachamwell S. Pennell Repps-with- 13-Sep Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum S. Wright Bastwick 14-Sep Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Overstrand G. Bond 18-Sep Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Cringleford S. Turner 18-Sep Large Thorn Ennomos autumnaria Holme Hale S. Court 19-Sep Convolvulus Hawk-moth Agrius convolvuli Brancaster Staithe K. & A. Herber 19-Sep Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Dersingham A. Drewitt 19-Sep Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Briston P. Walton 25-Oct Pearly Underwing Peridroma saucia Overstrand G. Bond 28-Oct Convolvulus Hawk-moth Agrius convolvuli Walcott M. Grant

Jun Bordered Straw Heliothis peltigera Weybourne F. Lambert Jul Convolvulus Hawk-moth Agrius convolvuli Weybourne M. J. Preston Jul Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Lyng C. Sayer Jul Small Mottled Willow Spodoptera exigua Weybourne M. J. Preston Aug Bordered Straw Heliothis peltigera Weybourne F. Lambert Aug Convolvulus Hawk-moth Agrius convolvuli Weybourne M. J. Preston Aug Small Mottled Willow Spodoptera exigua Weybourne M. J. Preston Oct Scarce Bordered Straw Helicoverpa armigera Eccles-on-Sea N. Bowman Sep Convolvulus Hawk-moth Agrius convolvuli Weybourne F. Lambert

Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Barnham Broom J. & J. Geeson Small Mottled Willow Spodoptera exigua Barnham Broom J. & J. Geeson

20-May Red-necked Footman rubricollis Lynford Arboretum M. Hume 30-May Red-necked Footman Atolmis rubricollis Parsonage Heath M.Toms 10-Jun Red-necked Footman Atolmis rubricollis Holme [NOA] J. Andrews, S. Barker 11-Jun Red-necked Footman Atolmis rubricollis Cromer F. Farrow 11-Jun Red-necked Footman Atolmis rubricollis Cromer F. Farrow 13-Jun Red-necked Footman Atolmis rubricollis Dereham, Toftwood J. Fox 14-Jun Red-necked Footman Atolmis rubricollis Swanton Novers K. Beswick 14-Jun Red-necked Footman Atolmis rubricollis Felthorpe S. Barbato 18-Jun Red-necked Footman Atolmis rubricollis Skeyton C. Dunster 19-Jun Red-necked Footman Atolmis rubricollis Ken Hill Wood J. Wheeler, A. Drewitt, R. Jones 22-Jun Red-necked Footman Atolmis rubricollis Cromer R. Lee 23-Jun Red-necked Footman Atolmis rubricollis Holme [NOA] J. Andrews, S. Barker 27-Jun Red-necked Footman Atolmis rubricollis Buxton Heath N. M. S. 30-Jun Red-necked Footman Atolmis rubricollis Lyng C. Sayer

Dave Hipperson

APHELIA PALEANA

Recorders should be made aware of all dark examples of and their possible confusion with the closely related .

Aphelia paleana is a moth occurring over most of the British Isles and is widely distributed and fairly common over much of Norfolk, whereas Aphelia unitana is a moth thought to occur in the north of Britain predominantly associated with limestone and/or heathland areas. It is not a known species of East Anglia.

Aphelia paleana is readily identifiable by its normally pale yellowish or whitish ochreous markings to the forewings whereas A. unitana is distinguished by its greyish to silver greyish forewing markings, lacking any yellowish tones.

Norfolk Moth Survey Newsletter 77 Page 12 of 16 The problem being the full distributional range of A. unitana being imperfectly known due to its similarity with dark forms of A. paleana.

I have been studying both of these species since capturing my first A. unitana in the north Staffordshire dales in 2000 and even with morphological differences taken into account, they can still be very tricky. One of the fundamental problems is how to interpret the ornamentation of the spines within the aedeagus as this process is very tubular and three dimensional and can rotate very easily under the microscope cover slip giving a false impression to this critical area.

During 2009 I collected a short series of specimens of A. paleana plus two colleagues sent me examples of A. unitana from known areas (Northumberland and the Derbyshire/ Staffordshire dales) where they occur.

The accompanying photographs of the aedeagus show the main areas of separation and are accompanied with helpful text. These photographs do not show some of the problems of creating a good prep and some I have where the aedeagus has rotated giving misleading impressions are not included here.

With the above work complete I was able to re-visit an all dark Aphelia species I took at Titchwell Marsh in 2008 which was as I assumed, Aphelia paleana (see photo). I was also able to determine an un-named Aphelia from Wales from photographs sent to me, the moth on first inspection resembled A. unitana but was infact A. paleana.

Any recorders catching all dark specimens of Aphelia paleana should concentrate on the basal area of the forewing, if A. paleana there should be a faint yellowish wash, if this is lacking I would recommend the species be retained and sent to me for examination. Anyone out of Norfolk reading this I would welcome any problematical specimens.

Thanks to Tom Tams and Dave Grundy for providing material of Aphelia unitana.

Jon Clifton

Norfolk Moth Survey Newsletter 77 Page 13 of 16 Norfolk Moth Survey Newsletter 77 Page 14 of 16 PHOTOGRAPHS

Narrow-bordered Five Spot Burnet variety Photo’s by courtesy of Francis Farrow

Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet Spotted Clover Distribution map photo by courtesy of Jim Wheeler

Supposed Hoary Footman from Slender Burnished Brass Elgood Collection photo by courtesy of Jim Wheeler photo by courtesy of Jim Wheeler

Norfolk Moth Survey Newsletter 77 Page 15 of 16 Visit the web site…

The Moths of Norfolk - In association with The Norfolk Moth Survey

www.norfolkmoths.co.uk

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Norfolk Moth Survey Newsletter 77 Page 16 of 16