Moths for Which Devon Is of Conservation Significance

Moths for which Devon is of conservation significance

Prepared by Bob Heckford (micro Lepidoptera) and Barry Henwood (macro Lepidoptera), November 2014 (revised July 2015)

Note that this is not a list of all the rare, scarce or declining moths found in Devon. That would be a much longer list. Rather it is a list of those species for which it is considered the county has a particular conservation responsibility, to ensure the species concerned retain healthy, viable, populations in Britain. In short, these are the species upon which conservation effort in the county should focus.

Key to the table: Agassiz et al. (2013). Nomenclature and classification order follow Agassiz, D. J. L., Beavan, S. D. & Heckford, R. J. 2013. A checklist of the Lepidoptera of the British Isles. Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects. (Field Studies Council on behalf of the Royal Entomological Society, Telford).

Bradley (2000). This column gives the species number allocated in Bradley, J. D. 2000. Checklist of Lepidoptera recorded from the British Isles. Fordingbridge (Privately published.)

Section 41. This column refers to those species listed under Section 41 of Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act (2006). These species were formerly recognised as priority species for conservation action under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP).

National status. The national status of micro moths follows Davis, A. M. 2012. A Review of the Status of Microlepidoptera in Britain (Butterfly Conservation, Wareham). This is for the period 1980 – 2011 and only covers Great Britain, namely England, Wales and Scotland. The relevant definitions are as follows: pRDB1– recorded from 5 or fewer 10km squares pRDB2 – recorded from 6 – 10 10km squares That of macros in column G follows Waring, P., Townsend, M. & Lewington, R. 2009. Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland. Second edition. British Wildlife Publishing Ltd. Gillingham, Dorset. Although this publication includes species from Ireland and the Channel Islands, a status is only applied to species occurring in Great Britain. The relevant definitions are as follows: RDB – recorded from 15 or fewer 10km squares, but species that are declining but recorded from more than 15 10km squares can be admitted Na = Nationally Scarce A – recorded from 16-30 10km squares since 1 January 1980 Nb = Nationally Scarce B – recorded from 31-100 10km squares since 1 January 1980 Local – recorded from 101-300 10km squares in Great Britain since1 January 1960

Nomenclature of vascular plants follows Stace, C. A. 2010. New Flora of the British Isles. Third edition. Cambridge. Scientific nomenclature of the lichen follows http://www.thebls.org.uk/resources/lichen-taxon-database [accessed 4 January 2015]

The table is also available as an Excel spreadsheet.

Agassiz Bradley English Scientific name Habitat type Section National Devon status and distribution Notes on ecology and/or Relevant publications et al. (2000) name 41 status conservation (2013) 4.046 54 None Stigmella coastal areas no pRDB2 In Devon known only from the Larvae mine leaves of Bramble auromarginella Branscombe area (VC3). Rubus fruticosus agg. Probably (Richardson, 1890) Otherwise in Britain known little conservation work can be (Nepticulidae) only from a few coastal sites in done. Dorset. 4.086 35a None Ectoedemia mature oak pRDB1 Known only from 5 one km Larvae make distinctive mines Nieukerken, E. J. van, Laštůvka, A. heckfordi woodland squares in south Devon (VC3), in leaves of Pedunculate Oak & Laštůvka, Z. 2010. Western van Nieukerken, and until 2014, nowhere else in Quercus robur and Sessile Oak Palaearctic Ectoedemia Laštůvka & the world. One specimen has Q. petraea, usually in leaves of (Zimmermannia) Hering and Laštůvka, 2010 now been found in Austria. seedlings or saplings. Ectoedemia Busck s. str. (Nepticulidae) (Lepidoptera, Nepticulidae): five new species and new data on distribution, hostplants and recognition. ZooKeys 32: 1-82. 12.005 204 None Infurcitinea coastal limestone no pRDB1 In Devon known only from only Larva feeds on detritus, with a Heckford, R. J. 1991. Infurcitinea albicomella two sites in the Torquay area marked preference for dead albicomella (Herrich-Schäffer) (Stainton, 1851) (VC3). Otherwise in Great leaves of Small-leaved (Lepidoptera: Tineidae) (Tineidae) Britain and Ireland it was only Cotoneaster Cotoneaster rediscovered in Devon. known from 3 other sites, the microphyllus and Evergreen Entomologist’s Gazette 42: 14. last over 100 years ago. Oak Quercus ilex. Despite being Heckford, R. J. 1992. Discovery of told of the rarity of this moth the larva of Infurcitinea albicomella and the larva’s preferred (Herrich-Schäffer) (Lepidoptera: foodplants, a few years ago the Tineidae) in the British Isles. organisation managing the Entomologist’s Gazette 43: 99–100. main area where the species Heckford, R. J. 2011. Infurcitinea occurred decided to remove all albicomella (Stainton, 1851) the Cotoneaster microphyllus (Lepidoptera: Tineidae), a second and quite a lot of the Quercus Devon locality. Entomologist’s ilex. Since then only one moth Gazette 62: 282. has been seen and no larvae have been found even though they were easy to find before this mismanagement. Members of DMG have had meetings with a member of the relevant organisation to discuss what can be done. The other area where it occurs is very small and it possibly exists there in a precarious state.

Agassiz Bradley English Scientific name Habitat type Section National Devon status and distribution Notes on ecology and/or Relevant publications et al. (2000) name 41 status conservation (2013) 12.007 205 None Ischnoscia coastal limestone no pRDB1 In Devon only known from one Seems to require patches of Heckford, R. J. 1997. Ischnoscia borreonella site at Torquay and Berry Head broken ground with little borreonella (Millière) (Lepidoptera: (Millière, 1874) (VC3). Otherwise in Britain vegetation. Larva unknown. Tineidae) rediscovered in Devon. (Tineidae) known only from Portland, Entomologist’s Gazette 48: 80. Dorset. 12.018 216a None Nemapogon ?woodland no pRDB1 The only British record is of The area where the moth was Pelham-Clinton, E. C. 1982. inconditella (Lucas, one specimen taken at taken was a slightly wooded Nemapogon heydeni Petersen, 1956) Chudleigh Knighton Heath area, but since then some of 1957 (Lepidoptera: Tineidae) new (Tineidae) (VC3) in 1979. the oak trees have been felled. to the British Isles. Entomologist’s The larva is known to be a Gazette 33: 70–80, 3 figs. fungus feeder where fungus grows on dead wood. 21.006 258 None Leucoptera decaying coastal no pRDB2 In Devon known from Shaldon In Devon the species is lathyrifoliella cliffs eastwards (VC3) where the restricted to decaying coastal (Stainton, [1865]) larval food plant Narrow- cliffs, and so, probably, there is (Lyonetiidae) leaved Everlasting-pea little conservation Lathyrus sylvestris, occasionally management that can be done, Meadow Vetchling L. pratensis, except to try to ensure that the occurs. Otherwise in Britain larval food plants are not known only from Luccombe encroached by scrub. Chine, Isle of Wight and one site in Merionethshire. 28.027 653 None Aplota palpellus woodland Yes pRDB2 In Devon only known from two The larva feeds amongst moss Heckford, R. J. 1988. Aplota (Haworth, 1828) specimens from Ashclyst Forest on trees and walls. palpella (Haworth) (Lep.: (Oecophoridae) and one from Harcombe Wood Oecophoridae) in Devon. The (both VC3). Otherwise in Entomologist’s Record and Journal Britain possibly known only of Variation 100: 207. from four localities in four other vice-counties. 34.002 900 None Pancalia short turf no pRDB2 In Devon only known from The larva feeds on leaves of Heckford, R. J. & Beavan, S. D. schwarzella amongst sand small areas at Braunton Heath Dog-violet Viola canina 2010. A further note on the biology (Fabricius, 1798) dunes Burrows (VC4). Otherwise in and Hairy Violet Viola hirta. of Pancalia schwarzella (Fabricius, (Cosmopterigidae) Great Britain and Ireland When discovered at Braunton 1798) (Lepidoptera: known from a number of vice- Burrows in 2008 it was the first Cosmopterigidae) and a counties but not all are recent English record since 1956. It consideration of English records. records. has been recorded from Entomologist’s Gazette 61: 159– Scotland and Ireland since that 170, 1 col. pl. date.

Agassiz Bradley English Scientific name Habitat type Section National Devon status and distribution Notes on ecology and/or Relevant publications et al. (2000) name 41 status conservation (2013) 35.016 839 None Nothris coastal cliffs no pRDB1 In Devon only known from the The larva feeds only on the Key, R. S. 1995. Nothris congressariella far south-east of Lundy (VC4). leaves of Balm-leaved Figwort congressariella (Bruand, 1858) (Bruand, 1858) Otherwise in Britain only Scrophularia scorodonia which (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) reared (Gelechiidae) known from a few coastal is native in the British Isles only from Lundy. The Entomologist’s areas in Cornwall and the Isles on the Isles of Scilly and a few Record and Journal of Variation of Scilly. places in Cornwall and Devon, 107: 273–275, 2 figs. although naturalised in south Hampshire and South Wales. 35.069 743 None Monochroa damp grassland no pRDB1 In Devon only known from The larva mines the elongella amongst sand small areas at Braunton stem/rootstock of Silverweed (Heinemann, 1870) dunes Burrows (VC4). Otherwise in Potentilla anserina growing in (Gelechiidae) Britain known only from seven areas without much other vice-counties, usually competition from other plants. only from one locality at each One of the best areas at and possibly no recent records Braunton Burrows was from some. destroyed when artificial ponds were created. Larvae have not been found anywhere at Braunton Burrows in recent years despite the amount of foodplant. 35.078 740a None Monochroa marshy areas no pRDB1 In Devon only known from one The larva has not been found Henwood, B. 2003. Monochroa niphognatha specimen taken on 5 July 2002 in the British Isles, but in niphognatha (Gozmaný) (Gozmány, 1953) at Jetty Marsh (VC3). This was mainland Europe it feeds in the (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae in Devon. (Gelechiidae) only the second known British stem of Amphibious Bistort Entomologist’s Gazette 54: 104. locality, the first being in Kent. Persicaria amphibia. One specimen has since been found in Hampshire. 35.125 823a None Scrobipalpula decaying coastal no pRDB2 In Devon only known from a The larva mines leaves of Pelham-Clinton, E. C. 1989. tussilaginis cliffs and few areas from Axmouth to the Colt’s-foot Tussilago farfara Scrobipalpa tussilaginis (Frey) (Stainton, 1867) adjoining shore east (VC3). Otherwise in Britain but only those plants on bare (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) new to (Gelechiidae) known only from a few soil and, usually, with small the British Isles. Entomologist’s localities in Dorset and one in leaves close to the ground. Gazette 40: 103–108. 1 pl., 2 figs. Hampshire. Nationally the species is restricted to decaying coastal cliffs, and so, probably, there is little conservation management that can be done.

Agassiz Bradley English Scientific name Habitat type Section National Devon status and distribution Notes on ecology and/or Relevant publications et al. (2000) name 41 status conservation (2013) 37.097 556a None Coleophora coastal limestone no pRDB1 In Devon only known from the In Devon the larva feeds on Heckford, R. J. & Beavan, S. D. linosyridella Fuchs, Berry Head area (VC3). leaves of Goldilocks Aster Aster 2013. Coleophora linosyridella 1880 Otherwise in Britain known linosyris, itself a very rare plant Fuchs, 1880 (Lep.: Coleophoridae) (Coleophoridae) only from the Thames estuary in the British Isles. In the discovered new to Devon on Aster in Kent and Essex. Thames estuary it feeds on Sea linosyris, a newly recorded British Aster Aster tripolium leaves. foodplant. The Entomologist’s The Aster linosyris is in danger Record and Journal of Variation of being encroached by scrub. 125: 244–248, 2 col. pls. Members of DMG have had meetings with the warden and Natural England to discuss ways of overcoming this. 38.006 612 None Elachista collitella coastal cliffs no pRDB1 In Devon only known from The larva is unknown but will Heckford, R. J. 1986. Re- (Duponchel, [1843]) Blackaterry Point on the south almost certainly mine a leaf of instatement of Elachista collitella (Elachistidae) Devon coast (VC3). Otherwise one or more grasses. Apart (Duponchel) (Lepidoptera: in Britain known only from from ensuring there is no scrub Elachistidae) as a British species. with certainty from Portland, encroachment there is Entomologist’s Gazette 37: 79–81. two localities in Pembrokeshire probably little conservation and one in Kent. The last work that can be done. But just records from these two latter under 40 years ago sheep counties were over 100 years escaped from the adjoining ago. field onto the cliff and ate most of the vegetation. 49.107 928 None Gynnidomorpha damp grassland no pRDB1 In Devon only known from The larva feeds in seed- Beavan, S. D. & Heckford, R. J. permixtana ([Denis amongst sand small areas at Braunton capsules of Red Bartsia 2012. Discovery of the larva of & Schiffermüller], dunes Burrows (VC4). Otherwise in Odontites vernus and Yellow- Gynnidomorpha permixtana ([Denis 1775) Great Britain and Ireland rattle Rhinanthus minor. Until & Schiffermüller], 1775) (Tortricidae) known only from 14 vice- two moths were found at (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in the counties, no recent records Braunton Burrows in 2007, the British Isles and a consideration of from most, except three or last English record was in 1983. the species’ distribution there. four (northern Scotland and It has been recorded from Entomologist’s Gazette 63: 69–83, Ireland). Scotland and Ireland since that 2 col. pls. date. 49.163 1067a None Celypha rurestrana coastal cliff no pRDB1 In Devon only known from a The larva has not been found Heckford, R. J. 1988. Celypha (Duponchel, [1843]) small area at Ilfracombe (VC4). in the British Isles. In mainland rurestrana (Duponchel) (Tortricidae) Otherwise in Britain known Europe the larva mines the (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) new to only from Tintern in lower stem/roots of the British Isles. Entomologist’s Monmouthshire and Merthyr Hawkweed Hieracium Gazette 39: 193–196 1 pl, 2 figs. Tydfil in either Glamorgan or umbellatum. The Ilfracombe Breconshire. site may have been destroyed when a new theatre was built, but it might occur on the coast

49.353 1244 None Grapholita decaying coastal no pRDB1 In Devon known only from a In Devon the species is gemmiferana cliffs few places from east of restricted to decaying coastal Treitschke, 1835 Sidmouth to the Branscombe cliffs, and so, probably, there is (Tortricidae) area (VC3) where the larval little conservation foodplant Narrow-leaved management that can be done, Everlasting-pea Lathyrus except to try to ensure that the sylvestris occurs. Otherwise in larval foodplant is not Britain known only from encroached by scrub. Luccombe Chine, Isle of Wight. 50.001 162 Goat Moth Cossus cossus woodland, yes Nb Scattered records, especially Declining, larva in the living (Linnaeus, 1758) maritime cliff and the East Devon coast (VC3 & wood of various trees. (Cossidae) slope 4). 52.016 383 Thrift Pyropteron maritime cliff and no Nb South and north coasts, but Larvae in roots of Thrift Clearwing muscaeformis slope absent east of Brixham (VC3 & Armeria maritima. (Esper, 1783) VC4). (Sesiidae) 53.002 174 Triangle Heterogenea asella oak woodland no RDB Plym Valley and near Great Feeding on leaves of oak R.J.Heckford, B.P.Henwood and ([Denis & Torrington (VC3 & VC4). Quercus sp. S.D.Beaven 2010. Notes on the Schiffermüller], early stages of The Triangle 1775) Heterogenea asella ([D. & S.], 1775) (Limacodidae) (Lep: Limacodidae). Entomologist’s Record 122, 97-111. 66.004 1635 Ground Malacosoma saltmarsh no Na Axmouth saltings only (VC3). Larvae on salt marsh plants Lackey castrensis (Linnaeus, The only UK site outside SE such as Sea Arrowgrass 1758) England. Trigolochin maritima. (Lasiocampidae) 66.005 1633 Small Eggar Eriogaster lanestris farmland no Nb Scattered records, especially Larvae in communal nests in (Linnaeus, 1758) the East Devon coast (VC3 & hedges on Blackthorn Prunus (Lasiocampidae) VC4). spinosa or Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna, declined due to mechanical hedge trimming.

Agassiz Bradley English Scientific name Habitat type Section National Devon status and distribution Notes on ecology and/or Relevant publications et al. (2000) name 41 status conservation (2013) 69.008 1982 Narrow- Hemaris tityus wetland yes Nb Dartmoor and Culm Grassland Larvae on Devil’s-bit Scabious bordered (Linnaeus, 1758) areas (VC3 & VC4). Succisa pratensis. Conservation Bee Hawk- (Sphingidae) management for Marsh moth Fritillary Euphydryas aurinia should benefit this species too. 70.030 1675 Dingy Cyclophora Rhôs pasture yes RDB Hollow Moor near Hatherleigh On dwarf bushes of Eared Mocha pendularia only (VC4). In UK otherwise Willow Salix aurita growing on (Linnaeus, 1767) known only from Dorset, the moor. (Geometridae) Hampshire and 1 site in Wales.

70.035 1679 False Cyclophora porata oak woodland yes Nb Recent records only from west Formerly more widely Mocha (Linnaeus, 1767) Devon and Starcross (VC3). recorded in Devon, the reasons (Geometridae) for the decline are unclear. The larvae feed on scrubby oak. 70.043 1731 Chalk Scotopteryx maritime cliff and yes Nb All along the south coast (VC3). Larvae on trefoils, clovers and Carpet bipunctaria cretata slope vetches. (Prout, 1937) (Geometridae) 70.104 1751 Devon Lampropteryx damp woodland no Nb Generally distributed in Devon Larvae on Common Marsh- Carpet otregiata (Metcalfe, (VC3 & VC4). bedstraw Galium palustre 1917) (Geometridae) 70.113 1877 Waved Hydrelia sylvata woodland no Nb Generally distributed in Devon Larvae on a variety of trees. Carpet ([Denis & (VC3 & VC4). Schiffermüller], 1775) (Geometridae) 70.170 1818 Marbled Eupithecia irriguata oak woodland no Nb Generally distributed in Devon Larvae on oak, Quercus sp. Pug (Hübner, [1813]) (VC3 & VC4). (Geometridae) 70.266 1942 Dotted Alcis jubata woodland no Local Dartmoor and Exmoor woods Larvae on Beard Lichen Usnea Carpet (Thunberg, 1788) (VC3 & VC4). dasopoga. (Geometridae) 72.006 2478 Bloxworth Hypena obsitalis maritime cliff and no RDB All along south coast and Larvae on Pellitory-of-the-wall Snout (Hübner, [1813]) slope inland to Exeter (VC3). A new Parietaria judaica. (Erebidae) colonist since 1990. 72.021 2062 Water Spilosoma urticae wetland no Nb Exminster Marshes only (VC3). Larvae on herbaceous plants. Ermine (Esper, 1789) A long way from the nearest (Erebidae) colony. 72.062 2482 White-line Schrankia taenialis farmland/woodla no Nb Generally distributed (VC3 & Larvae unknown in the wild. Snout (Hübner, [1809]) nd 4). (Erebidae)

Agassiz Bradley English Scientific name Habitat type Section National Devon status and distribution Notes on ecology and/or Relevant publications et al. (2000) name 41 status conservation (2013) 72.064 2467 Scarce Lygephila craccae maritime cliff and no RDB North coast (VC4). In UK Larvae on Wood Vetch Vicia Henwood, B., Spalding, A. & Blackneck ([Denis & slope otherwise only known from sylvatica and Tufted Vetch McCormick, R. 2004. A previously Schiffermüller], north-east coast of Cornwall Vicia cracca unrecorded foodplant for Lygephila 1775) and north-west coast of craccae ([Denis & Schiffermüller], (Erebidae) Somerset. 1775) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Great Britain. Entomologist’s Gazette 55, 91-92. 73.034 2277 Scarce Moma alpium oak woodland no RDB Woodland between Great Larvae on oak, Quercus sp. Merveille (Osbeck, 1778) Torrington and Halsdon (VC4). du Jour (Noctuidae) 73.148 2346 Morris's Photedes morrisii maritime cliff and no RDB Axmouth and Culverhole only, Larvae in stems of Tall Fescue Wainscot morrisii (Dale, 1837) slope currently the most westerly grass Schedonorus (Noctuidae) sites in Britain (VC3). arundinaceus (formerly Festuca Otherwise known from a short arundinacea) growing on the stretch of the West Dorset slipping cliff. coast. The species is very rare internationally. 73.178 2226 Beautiful Leucochlaena oditis maritime cliff and no RDB The coast of South Devon Larvae on grasses. Gothic (Hübner, [1822]) slope (VC3). Occurs in scattered (Noctuidae) locations along the south coast of England. 73.236 2253 Black- Polymixis maritime cliff and no Na South and north coasts (VC3 & Larvae on Thrift Armeria banded xanthomista slope 4). maritima. statices (Gregson, 1869) (Noctuidae) 73.265 2156 Beautiful Lacanobia contigua heathland, no Local Generally distributed in Larvae on Heather Calluna Brocade ([Denis & moorland, Culm suitable habitat (VC3 & 4). vulgaris and a variety of other Schiffermüller], Grassland woody plants. 1775) (Noctuidae) 73.278 2169 Barrett's Conisania maritime cliff and no Nb South and north coasts (VC3 & Larvae in roots of Rock Sea- Marbled andalusica barrettii slope VC4). Otherwise in UK only spurrey Spergularia rupicola Coronet (Doubleday, 1864) known from coasts of and Sea Campion Silene (Noctuidae) Cornwall, Dorset and Wales. uniflora. 73.284 2172 White Spot Hadena albimacula maritime cliff and yes RDB Cliffs east from Branscombe Larvae on Nottingham Catchfly (Borkhausen, 1792) slope (VC3). Distribution limited by Silene nutans, which is a scarce (Noctuidae) scarce foodplant. plant.

Agassiz Bradley English Scientific name Habitat type Section National Devon status and distribution Notes on ecology and/or Relevant publications et al. (2000) name 41 status conservation (2013) 73.288 2191 Double Mythimna turca wetland no Nb Widely distributed but Larvae on a variety of grasses R. J. Wolton, A. Spalding and B. P. Line (Linnaeus, 1761) especially on Rhôs pasture and Carnation Sedge Carex Henwood 2007. The Double Line (Noctuidae) (VC3 & 4). Devon is a major panicea. Mythimna turca (L.) (Lepidoptera: stronghold for this species Noctuidae): notes on its habitats, which has declined foodplants and suggested dramatically in the East of the management in England and Wales. country. Entomologist’s Record 119, 133- 142. 73.303 2206 Devonshire Leucania putrescens maritime cliff and no Na Coasts of south and north Larvae on grasses. Wainscot (Hübner, [1824]) slope Devon (VC3 & 4). Devon is a (Noctuidae) major stronghold. 73.324 2090 Crescent Agrotis trux maritime cliff and no Local South and north coasts (VC3 & Larvae have been found on Dart lunigera Stephens, slope 4). Thrift Armeria maritima and 1829 Rock Sea-spurrey Spergularia (Noctuidae) rupicola, but probably feed on a variety of herbaceous plants.