NEWSLETTER25

September2001

The Beastof SeatonUnmasked

The summer of 2001 saw a number of Accordingly,the specimenwas set and a few interestingmoth recordsfrom the County,but weeks later it was possible to email a nonequite as excitingor intriguingas thetale of photographof the set specimen(below) to the "TheBeast of Seaton",as it becameknown. Natural History Museum. There, Martin Honey forwardedthe enquiryto Kevin Tuck, an expert In the courseof trappingat Plantlife's in the Tortricidae.Whilst he had an idea what SeatonMeadows Reserve (SP915978) on 22nd species it might be, he asked to see the July2001 Jean Harvey and RonFollows took a specimenbefore committing himself further. large micromoth which they retained for identification.

The moststriking thing about this moth was it's size- althoughit lookedlike a tortricidmoth it's size (wingspan approx. 32 mm) led to speculationthat it mightbe a pyralidor evena macromoth!Despite methodicallysearching throughtextbooks, it stillcouldn't be identified. As a nextstep, Mark Skevington took a digital photograph(below) and uploadedit to the UK MothsNewsgroup. The specimenhas recentlybeen taken down to the NaturalHistory Museum in London,where KevinTuck was able to identifythe specimenas Epiblemagrandaevana, apparently a raremoth inthe UK.

Andy Mackayhad initiallysuggested this as a possibleidentity, but the figure in Bradley, Tremewan& Smith(1979) does not do justiceto the markingsof this moth,and the giventhe statedwingspan (21-30 mm) plusthe apparent rarityof this species,meant that this had been Whilstthis elucidateda coupleof suggestions, discountedas a possibleidentity. the moth itselfwas too largeto be any of the speciessuggested. Emailing photographs to a Bradley& Tremewan(1979) describes this as a numberof nationalexperts still failed to identify species "formerlyfound in old brickyards, the"Beast of Seaton" sandpits,spoil heaps and ballast tips". Continuedon Paoe2 Fromthe (Acting)Newsletter Editor:

A quick count revealsthat this issue of the Newsletterincludes detailsof 12 firstcounty records covering a rangeof invertebrate groups:B mothspecies, a ladybird,a bush-cricket,a hoverflyand a spider.Allthe recordersinvolved are to be congratulatedfor the LEICESTERSHIRE recordingefforts. ENTOMOLOGICAL good news for the County!Or is it? lt seems that many of SOCIETY So, these species are southern species that are expandingtheir Affiliatedto: rangenorthwards. At the sametime, there is mentionin this issue Leicestershire& RutlandWildlife Trust of the possibilityof at leastone of our "northern"species of moth now being extinctin the County.All of this may providefurther Chairman: evidenceof the effectsof globalwarming on our invertebratefauna. Vacant It is hard not to take pleasurefrom finding new species in our Secretary: county,but perhapsthis ought to be temperedwith a degreeof JohnKramer concernabout the impactof globalclimate change. 31 Ash Tree Road,Oadby, Leicesier LE2 sTE Adrian Russell Teleohone:01 16 271 6499 Email:[email protected] The Beastof SeatonUnmasked - continuedfrom page 1 ' Treasurer: StuartPoole 18 Croft Drive,Wigston, Accordingto Bradley& Tremewan(1979) this specieswas found LeicesterLE18 1HD in considerablenumbers in the latter half of the nineteenth Teleohone:01 1 6 288 0236 centuryon the coastsof Northumberlandand Durham,where it CommitteeMembers: was believedto have become establishedafter being imported Dave Budwortl- with ballastfrom the Baltic.However, it graduallybecame scarcer 121Wood Lane, and was not seen from 1910onwards, apart from singlerecords Newhall,Swadlincote fromthe Durhamarea in 1948and 1972.Single specimens were Derbys. DE11OLX taken from the Suffolkcoast in 1976and from the E Yorks coast Telephone:01 283 2151 88 '1993 Email:[email protected] in (Bradley,2000).

Maggie& Roy Frankum Most interestinglyhowever, the only other Britishrecords come 3 ChapelLane, Knighton, - Leicester LE2 3WF from the Collywestonarea of Northamptonshire only six miles '16 Telephone:01 270 5833 from SeatonMeadows. A total of 15 of this specieswere recordedbetween 1991 and 1992 from a numberof sites in the Derek Lott immediate area, with the source being attributed to an HollyHayes Environmental ResourcesCentre, abandoned limestone quarry, partly under conifer plantation, 216 BirstallRoad, Birstall, where the larvalfoodplant colt's-foot (fussi/ago farfara) grows in Leicester LE4 4DG abundance(Gardiner and Hillier,1993). Telephone:01 16 267 1950 Email:[email protected]. uk The recordfrom Seaton Meadowstherefore appears to be the LES OccasionalPublications Editor: first British record for 8 years. The habitat at Seaton would Ray Morris appear quite different from the ruderal/coastalhabitats from 142Hinckley Road, Barwell, which it has been previouslyrecorded. However, currently and Leics. LE9 8DN Telephone:01 455 842145 over the last coupleof years,a large amount of work has been Email:[email protected] undertakenon the railwayand viaduct over the meadow.This has includeddigging out areas of the rail embankmentand Acting Newsletter Editor: replacingit with ballast!Clearly, further fieldwork will be needed AdrianRussell 15 St. Swithin'sRoad, to establishits statusin the area. Leicester LE5 2GE Telephone:0116 241 5101 References: [email protected] Bradley, J.D. & Tremewan, W. D. (1979). Bnttsh Tortricoid Moths ll: Toftricidae: Olehtreutinae.Ray Society,London. Bradley, J.D. (2000). Checklistof LepidopteraRecorded from the Britisfi /s/es. 2nd Edition(Revised). Bradley & Bradley. Next Copy Deadline: Gardiner, C. & Hillier, M. (1993). Epiblema grandaevana established in 15th January 2002 Northamptonshire.Entomologist's Rec. J. Var. 105: 239-240. AdrianRussell OrangeLadybird - Newto Leicestershire On the 6th May 2001, Jon was beating evergreensincluding yew, in Abbey Park, On the 14thApril 2001,when beatingyew for Leicester and found yet another Orange spidersin CastleGardens, Leicester, Jon Daws ladybirdlI wonder where else they will turn up? found an Orange ladybird(Halyzia 11-guftata) and a Larchladybrd (Aphidectaobliterata). Jan MaggieFrankum Dawson(New Walk Museum)confirmed the Orangeladybird as a newrecord for VC 55. I thinkthe answer to MaggieFrankum's question might be: just about anywhere!Shortly after \ receivingthis note from Maggie,I was very 'iti pleasedto recordone myselfat MV lightwhilst Tt mothtrapping in MartinshawWood on 5th June 2001.But this was just the firstof quitea few sightingswhilst moth trapping in 2001:

5thJune MartinshawWood sK5107 24thJune LoughboroughMeadows sK5321 3rdJuly EnderbyQuarry sP5399 21stJuly WardleyWood (x3) sK8400 11thAugust CloudWood sK4121 13thAugust BloodyOaks Quarry sK9710

Thinkingthat this must meanthat the Orange ladybirdis commonlybeing seen everywhere, I She mentionedthe find to Gareth Burton contactedMaggie in Septemberto checkwhere (University of Leicester - Attenborough elseshe had seen it in 2001.lwas surprisedto Arboretum,Knighton, Leicester) who on the23rd findthat she had no furthersightings to report. April2001, found another Orange ladybird on Whilsta widerange of insectscommonly turn-up hornbeam,along with two Cream-spotladybirds at moth recorders'MV lights, ladybirdsare (Calvia1 -guttata),an Eyed ladybird- without relativelyinfrequent. So, perhapsthis means ringsaround the spots(Anatis ocellata), and two that MV light is a good way of recordingthe melanic10-spot ladybirds (Adalia 1}-punctata f. Orangeladybird? bimaculata)On the 25thApril 2001, he reported AdrianRussell two Orangeladybirds again on the hornbeam and by the 27th April 2001, the count had reacheda totalof ten Orangeladybirds! These 2001 Highlights from a Wigston Garden werenow on an ivy-cladash tree adjacent to the hornbeam.There is deep leaf lifterbelow the AlthoughJanuary to April provedto be poor trees (maybethey over-winteredthere - the monthsfor moth recording,we caught Pale Orangeladybird is vegetarian,a mildewfeeder). BrindledBeauty (Phigalia pilosaria'1on 22nd February, This was interesting- I've only seen Orange which was a new record for the garden. ladybirdsonce beforeat JuniperHall F.S.C Othernew recordswere: Yellow-barred (Dorking,Surrey) and certainly the South Brindle(Acasis viretata) on 13thMay and Small LeicesterWATCH group never found any during CloudedBrindle (Apamea unaminis) on 28th our"Really Useful lnsects" ladybird survey in the June. late1980s - not in Leicestershire,let alonethis locallI went to the Arboretumon the 1st May On 14th June we caughta MarbledCoronet 2001,where Gareth and I foundfive Orange (Hadenaconfusa), which we had not seenfor 9 ladybirdson the same ivy-cladash tree and years. The Pheonix (Eulithisprunata) was noneon thehornbeam. Other ladybirds included recordedon 27thJuly in our out-house(we had five Cream-spotsand two Chequered1O-spots previouslyrecorded this speciesin 1996 and (Adalia1O-punctata F. decempustulata)on the 2000).Finally we caughta Triple-spottedPug surroundingcow parsley and the hornbeam,with (Eupitheciatrisignaria) on 31stJuly. anotherCream-spot on sycamore.Elsewhere at the Arboretumon larch.there were five Pine We alsorecorded a LesserStag Beetle (Dorcus ladybirds(Exochomus 4-pustulafus); a Cream- parallelipipedus)on 22nd July. spot;two typical1O-spots (Adalia 1O-punctata f. AdamPoole decempunctafa);two typical2-spots (Adalia 2- punctataf. typica)and a Barred2-spot (Adalia 2- punctataf. bar annulata). My Summerof Moths onlythe third occasion since the Victoria County History(VCH) was published(the other two : Having had a couple of relativelydisappointing recordscoming from Ron Follows'Barrowden years moth recording in the County, I had garden in 2000, and from Andy Mackay's resolvedto take some extra leave in 2001 and Markfieldgarden on 26i06/01).With RF,AJM & get down to some serious moth trapping.With RPF.[On the samenight, Ron Follows' garden the outbreakof foot and mouthearly in the year, moth trap produced Ethmia dodecea, The I feared the worse. However, the five weeks Blackneck( pastinum) and The Fern - '1989.1 holidayI took in betweenlate June and August (Horismefersafa) lastseen in countyin proved to be very productive. This is a personalisedaccount summarising some of the 03/07/01Enderbv Quarrv more interestingfinds made, though I have Another"new" site selectedto target Clematis- taken the liberty of including one or two feedingspecies (Herbert Buckler had recorded highlightsprovided by otherlocal recorders: Haworth'sPug from herein 1940,and thereis stillplenty of Clematispresent). lt wasrewarding 25105/01Pickworth Great Wood thereforeto record one such C/ematrs-feeder, Three MV and two actinic lightsoperated on a TheFern (Horisme tersata) from there. With MPS. very mild nightfor the time of the year produced 200+ mothsof 57 species,including the Poplar 05/07/01Woolfox Quarrv & BloodyOaks Quarrv Lutestring(Tethea or), the main target for the On whatwas quite a mildnight, an MV lightat night (this being the only WoolfoxQuarry produced just 40 speciesand known site in the County littleof interest.However, an MV trapwhich had - for this species).One of beenleft at BloodyOaks Quarry was found to be the micromothstaken was swarmingwith moths - 85 species being subsequentlyidentified as recorded,including Larch Pug (Eupithecia Carpatolechia proximella Iariciata), Four-dotted Footman (Cybosia inght),a first county record. mesomella),The Sycamore(Acronicta aceris), With Mark Skevington and a very interestinglooking pug (identity iMPS),Andy Mackay (AJM) awaitingconfirmation !). andMark Rossell(MTR). 07/07/01Ketton Quarry 01/06/01Wardley Wood Heavyrain at dusknearly forced this session to A "new" site with good access and spread be abandoned,but the resultingmild and misty acrossfour tetradsl Four MV lightsoperated on nightproduced excellent results from the 3 MV a breezynight, produced only 45 species,but lights operated, includingThe Blackneck rncluded the Alder Moth (Acronicta alni), (Lygephilapastinum), Bordered Sallow (Pyrrhia OchreousPug (Eupithecia indigata) and onlythe umbra),Maple Prominent( cucullina). thirdever county record of the BrindledWhite- With some micros still to be identifiedthe spot (Parectropissimilaria, formerly Ectropis speciestotal for the night stands at 145, extersaria).A Nightjarwas also seen at dusk. including101 macromoth species - the first 100+ WithRon Follows (RF), AJM & MPS. macromothnight from the Countyfor many yearslWith AJM, RPF, HO, MTR and Colin Towe. 24106/01Louqhborough Biq Meadows An LES field meeting,successful in its aim of 08/07/01Pickworth Great Wood recordingthe Dog'sTooth (Lacanobta suasa) at An LES/ButterflyConservation/Rutland Natural its only knownsite in the county.A totalof B HistorySociety joint field meetingaimed at were seen, but littleelse of intereston what recordingthe WhiteAdmiral (Limenitis camilla), turnedout to be a coldnight. With RichardFray followingthe singletonseen there in 2000. (RPF),Oscar Orridge (HO), Gianpierro Ferrari, Those presentwere rewardedwith excellent AJM& MPS. viewsof at least4 White Admiralsthat were obliginglycoming down to feed at bramble 01/07/01Wardley Wood blossomalong the edges of themain ride. Anothervery good night at thissite, with 5 MV lights producing649 moths of 116 species, 12107/01& 13/07/01 Launde ParkWood includingLarch Pug (Eupithecia/aricrafa), Sloe On the 12th July two MV lightsproduced 93 Pug (Pasiphila chloreata),Maple Prominent species of moth, includingDingy Footman (Ptilodon cucullina), Four-dotted Footman (Eilemagriseola), White Satin (Leucoma salicis) (Cybosiamesomella) and MarbledWhite Spot and the strikingly marked Willow Tortrix (Protodeltotepygara). Two Clay Triple-lines (Epinotiacruciana) - the first post-VCHrecord (Cyclophoralinearia) were also recorded- for from the County.But most excitementwas 4 causedby a verylarge geometrid; at firstit was fourthrecord from the Countyin the last 50 v thoughtthat this mightbe a GreatOak Beauty, years.However, the mostexciting record (and but in fact it turnedout to be a femaleSatin perhapsthe mainhighlight of my year)was of Beauty(Deileptenia ribeata), of whichthere are the Chalk Carpet (Scotopteryxbipunctaria). few previousrecords from the County. With AJM, MPS,HO and PeterWillson (PW). As a follow-up,2 MV and 2 actiniclight traps were operatedovernight on the followingevening; a furtherB SatinBeauties were recorded.

20107/01Launde Biq Wood Two MV and one actiniclight traps operated overnightproduced 71 species. The most noteworthyrecord was of Ypsolophavitella, only thethird post-VCH record from the county.

21107/01Wardley Wood ThreeMV lightson a mild and muggynight produced125 species, including 5 SatinBeauties (Deileptenia ribeata).With AJM, MTR & HO. Therewas only one previouscounty record of this moth - from the adjacentPickworth Great v 26107/01Enderbv Quarrv Wood in 1981.This is a moth of chalkand produced An MV trap littleof interestapart from limestonegrassland and I had alwaysthought (Rhyacia a DottedRustic smu/ans). thisspecies might be foundat ClipshamQuarry! WithJMH, RF and RNHS members. 27107/01Rutland Water N.R. A totalof 8 MV lightsand 2 actiniclights were 01/08/01Ketton Quarrv operatedin and aroundthe reedbeds,adjacent A specialeffort was made surveya widerarea to Lagoonll and in the northarm marsh.A total withinthis otherwisewell{rapped site. Whilst a of 175 moth specieswere recorded,including totalof 7 MV and4 actiniclights were operated 117species of macromoth!Some of the more overnight,temperatures dropped to a minimum interesting species were: Scallop Shell of 7'C, whichaffected results. However, a total (Rheumaptera undulata), Bordered Beauty of 142species (89 speciesof macromoth)were (Epione repandaria),Dingy Footman (Eilema recorded.The actinic traps operatedin the griseola), 27 Southern Wainscots (Mythimna beechwood were particularlyproductive, their straminea),Brown-veined Wainscot (Archanara catch includingtwo BarredHook-tips (Drepana dlsso/ufa),Silky Wainscot (Chilodes maritimus), cultraria).Ariphila inquinatella was alsorecorded Cream-borderedGreen Pea (Eariasclorana), fromwhat appears to be the onlyknown colony phragmitella, Chilo Agriphila se/ase//a, of this, possiblyunder-recorded, species. The Endotrichaflammealis, Limnaecia phragmitella real surprisewas a Black Arches (Lymantria and OrThotaeliasparganella. With RF, MPS, monacha),a woodlandspecies, previously only PW,MTR, HO, Jean Harvey (JMH), John Wright known from Pickworth Great Wood and (JW) andothers. ClipshamQuarry. With RF & JW.

2Bl07/01Pickworth Great Wood 05/08/01Launde Park Wood Witha minimumtemperature of 20'C, thiswas A cool night, but 2 more Satin Beauties one of those nightswhen there were far too (Deilepteniaribeata), I Butf Footman(Eilema manymoths to make it an enjoyableevening. deplana)and Dioryctria mutatella. With RF. But the resultswere impressive:173 species (105species of macromoth)including c.15 Black 11108/01National Moth Niqht (Lymantria Arches monacha\,Mere Wainscot County-wideresults will be reportedin thenext issue. (Photedes fluxa), Barred Rivulet (Perizoma bifasciata), Chilo phragmitella (a reedbed 12108/01Wardlev Wood species!)and my first recordof SmallEmerald On a mildbut breezynight, only 60 specieswere (Hemistolachrysoprasan'a). With AJM, MPS & RPF. recorded. Again, a Black Arches (Lymantia monacha)proved the surprise of thenight. With RF. 30/07/01Clipsham Quarrv ThreeMV lightswere operatedon a cool and 13/08/01Bloodv Oaks Quarrv clear night. The Small Purple-barred A warm an humid night with 2 MV lights (Phytometraviridaria) recorded was only the producing90+ species and a fewsurprises! With spindle being present on the reserve, the 4 FatherDesmond Murray in 1955,from the Stoke Yponomeutaplumbella recorded were perhaps Goldingarea). ! no surpriseeven though this was the first post- VCH record of this species.But the 6 Square- 17108/01Warren Hills (Charnwood Lodqe N.R.) spotted Clay (Xesfla rhomboidea) were a Re-visitedwith AJM, but the night was cool and surprise;this is nationallyscarce moth which, windy and no Heath Rustics were seen. The like the Black Arches, is a woodland species, Annulet (Charissa obscurata) provided some previouslyonly known from Pickworth Great consolationthough. Wood and ClipshamQuarry. However,the real highlightof the nightwas the first county record 24108/01Ketton Quarrv of Sitochroa palealis,a nationallyscarce pyralid Three MV lightsproduced 72 species,including moth whose larval foodplant is wild carrot two Square-spottedClays (Xesfia rhomboidea). (Daucus carota). Follow-up searching for the How can the apparentincreasing incidence and larvae, which range of this species in the County be inhabitsa tubular explained?One was alsotaken on the following silken web nightin MarkRossell's Melton Mowbray garden. amongst the ls this another indicationof global warming seed-head of its affecting invertebrates,as seen with several foodplant, might species of "southern" butterflies that have allows its status recently been expanding their range in the county to northwards?With AJM, MTR & HO. be better judged : (this moth is also 25108/01Warren Hills (Charnwood Lodqe N.R.) described as Two MV lightswere operatedon a mild and being a sporadic extremelymisty night.The 69 speciesrecorded migrant). With included an Angle-stripedSallow (Enargia RF,AJM & JW. paleacea),3 Annulets(Charissa obscurata), 42 Hedge Rustics (Tholera cespifis)and an Oak 13/08/01Rutland Water N.R. Nycteoline(Nycteola revayana). But the main Trappingin the reedbedsand north arm marsh highlightwas 5 HeathRustics (Xesfla agathina), again produced a good range of species confirmingthe presenceof a colonyof thismoth includingmany of the reedbedspecialities of the at this site. Consideringthe amount of moth reserve, including 11 Twin-spottedWainscots recording that has been carried-out in the (Archanarageminipuncfa). With RF & JW. CharnwoodForest area, it is surprisingthat this species has remainedundetected for so long. '15/08/01 Martinshaw Wood WithAJM, MPS & RPF. The only real highlightof the nightwas the fifth post-VCHrecord of Ypsolophanemorella. With MPS. 29/08/01Warren Hills (Charnwood Lodqe N.R.) The main targeton this nightwas the Golden- 17108/01Warren Hills (Charnwood Lodqe N.R.) rod Brindle ( solidaginis),previously Unfortunately,I couldn't join AJM, MPS and known from this area, but not recordedsince MTR on the nightwhen they recordedthe Heath 1980.A differenttactic was tried: approx.100 v Rustic(Xesfra agathina), below: fence posts were sugared in addition to operatingtwo MV lights.Whilst this specieswas not seen, 7 Dark Sword-grass(Agrotis ipsilon) were recordedat sugar (none at light)and three more Heath Rusticscame to light. With AJM, MPSand PeterGamble.

The end of August saw the end of the good weatherand the end of my "summerof moths".I would like to thank all my fellow recorderswho helped and accompaniedme and made this such an enjoyableexperience. I look forwardto similarlyproductive evenings in the future and hope that friendsunable to join me this year will be ableto do so in the future. Adrian Russell Thisis onlythe secondever record of thismoth (Photos:Mark Skevington) from the county(the other beingrecorded by NewHoverfly for Leicestershire Nigmapuella Nb v A NewSpider for Leicestershire Whilston a flyingvisit back to Leicestershireon the 13thAugust 2001, I was able to spend a bit On the 10/06/01| visitedone of my localparks of time lookingat a few of the hoverfliesin my in west Leicester. BraunstonePark and parentsback garden (3 Chapel Lane, Knighton. surroundswere the estateof the Winstanley SK596014). Whilst observing the familythat was compulsorypurchased in the attracted to the flowers of one of several large 1920's,with muchof the landgoing for council clumps of Marjoram,I noticeda large hoverfly housing.This left 168acres of landaround the mimicking a wasp. This was instantly formerancestral home to be used as formal recognisableas being one of two Volucella gardensand open space.Although over the species (inanis and zonaria). The yellow years council managementpolicies and colourationof sternite2 (as opposedto black) vandalismhave degradedthe park it can still proved that it was Volucella inanis. boast;two lakes,a stream,many old oaks, ldentificationwas helped by the fact that I had formalgardens and areas of scrubwith tall herb seen the even larger Volucellazonaia in my andrough grassland. back garden in Reading a couple of weeks earlier. It waswhile beating a hollybush at the edgeof an open spinneythat a maleNigma puella fell ontothe beatingtray. This species presence in the countycame as a bit of a surpriseat first, v sinceon consultingthe distributionmap for N. puella from the forthcomingnational atlas I foundthat mostrecords came from aroundthe coastwith the two nearestplaces it had been foundbeing South Wales and Suffolk (both over a 100miles away). The habitat for this species is on bushes and overgrown hedgerowsin gardens,park land and field boundaries, so old suburbanand urban parks and gardens anywherein the Countyare worthinvestigating forthis species.

Two otherspecies collected at the sametime that are worthy of note where Philodromus collinusand Achaearanea lunata. A maleof the first species was beaten from ornamental conifers,with two adultfemales and five sub- The larvae of Volucella inanis live as adultmales of the secondspecies being taken ectoparasitesof the larvaeof socialwasps, and fromtheir tangled webs which were found in the have been recorded in nests of Vespula many corners of the walled gardens wall germanica,and Vespacrabro. lt is mostwidely buttresses. foundin suburbanareas and gardens,with a Jon Daws distributioncentering on London,with scattered recordsextending along the southcoast and up into Oxfordshire(Ball & Morris 2000). This ShortNotes: recordis notableboth for beingthe first record for Leicestershire,and being about 50km further Maggie Frankum recorded the hoverfly norththan it has previouslybeen recordedin Laruaevoragrossa from her Knightongarden on Britain.lt is alsothe 66thspecies of hoverflyto 30thJuly 2001. be seen in the garden (LESOPS3,LES Newsletter'10). The unmistakableleafhopper Ledra auritawas Referencel recordedon 13th August 2001 whilst moth Ball S.G. & MorrisR.K.A 2000 Provisionalatlas of British trappingat BloodyOaks Quarry.Does anyone hoverflies(Diptera, Syrphidae).Huntingdon: Biological know the local statusof this stranqelookino RecordsCentre. bug? NeilFrankum ([email protected]) (Photo:Maggie Frankum) MicromothsNew to Leicestershire Thisand preceding articles in thisNewslefter serve to highlighthow new technologycan aid the tL of the garden moth trapping continues to recordingof invedebrates.As thecoordinator Regular I havebeen doing produce new county records, particularly in LepidopteraRecording Scheme, to encouragethe recordingof micromoths relationto micromoths. my best in the county(in Microlepidopteraterms VC55 is as oneof the leastwell recorded counties On 25th May 2001 Mark Skevingtonrecorded regarded inthe UK), albeit with limited success. the Azalea Leaf Miner (CaloPtilia recordershave been encouraged azaleella) from his Traditionally, specimensfor identificationby others Whetstonegarden. to retain withthe necessaryexpertise. Unfortunately, my in thisfield is all too limited,so it As its name ownexpertise a caseof specimensbeing posted or suggests, this moth was often me, these would then be set mines the leaves of brought to (whereverpossible) and wouldjoin the backlog azaleas, especially Rhododendron simsli. awaitingidentification. The inability Although initially feeding internally,the larva of specimens provide with immediatefeedback subsequentlyleaves its mine and makes two to recorders enthusiasm. successivecones by rolling the tip of a leaf didlittle to encourage downwards, within which it feeds on the year,new technology has helped underside.This is anotherspecies that has been However,this the situation.Recorders having lf expandrngits rangenorthwards in recentyears. to improve accessto digitalcameras (or camcorders)have to producedigital Mackay's efforts identifying the been usingthis equipment Andy be uploadedto caught in his Markfieldgarden MV imagesof mothswhich can then micromoths (particularlythe Yahoo trao have been rewardedwith no lessthan 4 first internetnewsgroups group). otherlepidopterists are countyrecords: UKmoths Here, only too willing to attemptto identifythese particular,John Langmaid has been On 2nd July 2001 he images.In identifyingmost of the recorded two sPecies new extremelyhelpful in referredto in thisissue. to the countY. FirstlY, micromothrecords Scythn,s limbella (right) (anddangersl) to whose larvalfoodplants are Naturally,there are limitations (AtriPlex) and identifying specimens on the basis of orache potential goosefoot (ChenoPodium), photographs.However, once the identified,the recorder and secondly Etainia significanceof a recordis position ensurethat the mothis decentella whose larval is thenin a to as a voucher foodplantis sycamore(Acer properly set and retained pseudoplatanus). specimen,as is the case with the species referredto on thispage. The thirdnew countyrecord came on SthJuly of digital I 2001,and was of Olethreutesbifasciana, whose Thisalso highlights another advantage good imagecan larvafeeds on pine(Pinus). photography:the fact that a usuallybe produced"instantly", i.e. no waiting (andoften then Thenon 15thAugust 2001 the strikingly marked for photographsto be developed photographhasn't come out). Olethreutesschulziana (below) was recorded. findingthat the This moth is describedas a mountainand Markwould both agree moorlandspecies also found on lowlandheaths. I am surethat Andy and thatthis has beena greataid to improvingtheir micromothidentification skills. I wouldalso point out that the black and white versions of photographson this pagedo not do justiceto the qualityof thephotographs that they have taken.

I am surethat these new techniques will be used increasinglyin thefuture as equipmentbecomes moreaffordable and more recorders gain access to theinternet.

Adrian Russell \ \ culvertinvestigated several female pale spiders :' closeto the bottomof the culvertwere left, so this speciesseems to have a stable and viable population.

Theabove records suggest that this spider lives a subterraneanlife style (possiblygregarious in favourableconditions), with possibleaffiliations LocalSpider Update with woodlandand the ability to disperse . \\. successfully over large distances. These Lepthyphanfesinsignis Nb in Leicestershire. statementsare basedon relativelyfew records andthe author would welcome any comments and This spider ('l female) was first recordedfor the observationsonthis elusive species. county by Derek Lott from pitfall traps set on a reclaimedopen-cast site at Ravenstone,on the Philodromuscollinus Nb from SuburbanHabitats 2610611991.Since then there has been a further nine records,all exceptone of singleindividuals, ln L€icestershireP. collinushad mainly been with a furtherfive comingfrom pitfalltrap matenal. collectedfrom scrubbysituations on limestone The majority of these pitfall traps were set in grassland,the ride of a coniferisedancient arable/leywith one set in heathlandadjacent to woodlandsite and a ruralchurchyard,allin thefar permanentpasture, and in the authors opinion eastof thecounty. In the lateSpring/early Summer v concerndispersing aeronauts. The remainingfour of 2000 a concertedeffort was made to collect recordswere collectedby hand; two were swept furtherrecords of Atea sturmi from urban parks from the same ride of an ancientwoodland just around Leicester,by beating yew and other over three years apart, with the remainingtwo conifers.Whilst beating tor A.sturmlall other records coming from dark subterranean type spiderswere potted up for identificationlater. habitats. Amongstthe collection from Monk's Rest (a former suburbanlarge house and gardens, now a public The lattertwo recordscome from 2001, with the park)on the 11106/00were 4 malesand 1 female firstof theseconcerning a singlefemale that was P. collinus,which had been collected along with P. discoveredbeneath a hollowed-outcast ironflower aureolus. holderthat was situatedat groundlevel on top of a concretegrave cover amongst a lush groMh of Thislead to a rethinkof thisspecies distribution SpanishBluebells and partlyshaded by a large withinthe county, since it hadbeen assumed that P. collinuswas notonly confined to the far eastof tree. When the flower holder was rolled over the 'natural' femalewas situatedin herweb, with two white egg the countybut also to habitats.Several sacks adjacentto the web stuck to the side of the days later a male P. collinuswas collectedfrom flower holder. The second record concerns two Gilroes cemetery (a Victorian cemetery in malesand five femalesthat were found in a row of suburban west Leicester)again by beating recently constructed drainage culverts in an conifers.There were two furtherrecords for this extension of an ever increasing Victorian speciesfor that year, bothfrom the west of the cemetery.The culvertswere aboutlm x 0.5mand county,one from a ruralchurchyard and the other O5m deep with water in the bottom,they were all from the open ride of a coniferisedancient inter-linkedby a pipeat eitherend. woodlandsite (this latter collection also included a femaleP. praedatus). The pale spiderswere collectedin the hope that they were Lesserfiadenticlata, but the beliefthat All the recordsof this speciesare from parkland they were Lepthyphantespallidus since they were type habitats(churchyards, scrub mosaics, open not whiteenough (both species have been taken rides,etc.), so it shouldcome as no surprisethat from sewer systems in Leicesterwith the former this species has colonised city parks and speciesthe commonerof the two in this habitat). cemeteriesthat containreasonable amounts of yews and otherconifers. These areas of public The femaleswere taken from their webs made in 'natural' the corners of the culverts and the males from openspace mimic this species habitatof underthe manholecovers. Several of the female parklandand is onethat should not be ignoredby webs had white egg sacks adjacentto them, suck arachnologists.The listof otherspecies that have ontothe concretewall of the culverts. been collectedfrom Leicesteiscity parks also include Tetragnathaobtusa, Gibberinagibbosa, Only two of the line of culvertswere investigated Atea sturmi, Cyclosa connica, Hypomma with L. lnsignisbeing presentin both of them, the comutum,Panamops sulcifrons and Pityophantes other four culverts being left since sufficient phrygianus. specimens had been collected. In the second Jon Daws v task of Bush-cricket connected with the important Roesel's identificationand this is often the antithesisof = Newto CountY enjoyment.The real enjoymentfound by most - entomologistsinvolved with this particulararca This species was formerly restrictedto the - is in finding the insects' For in the Lepidbptera south-easterncoasts of England.However, ihe light trap is the first method adopted its.range many recentyears it has been expanding ii is by no meanshe only one. Roy illustrates foundto be but furtherinland and it is now been the problemsusing anecdotes,knowledge and discoveredat residentin the County.lt was enthusiasmwith chapterson finding larvaeand and therehave RutlandWater by JohnWright, adults using a varietyof methods.All of this is sightings (or apparently been regular refreshinglydescribed leaving you with the urge summer' "hearings"!),of this species this to get out intothe fieldand try out what you have read.Also chapterson photographingthem and rearing them gives you ideas on what to do when you find them. All the way through the book you feel that the pursuitof these hard to find by day but extremelyattractive insects to be really enjoyable.To add icing to the cake the photographsare very clearand brightto wet the appetite of what is out there. The book concentrateson the macro moths but this does not lessen the applicationof the techniques l- used, as they are as applicableto macros as they are to micros.With the increasedpopularity of moths this book helps to fill the void in the area of the practicalitiesof finding ' last book on this subjectwas probablyby The 'A Richard Dickson and called Lepidopterist's Handbook';first publishedin 1973 by the AES The song of Roesel's Bush Cricket is quite this book is stillavailable but somewhatdated to distinctive:the males produce an intensely least. Roy Leverton should be penetratingand continuous,if high-pitched' say the cohgratulatedon producinga really enjoyable stridulationin warm weather and often chirp far book that invitesthe readerto try their hand at into the night if the temperatureremains high several different methods of finding these The sound has been likened to that of an fascinatinginsects. I can'twait to read it againl" electricaldischarge such as emitted by pylon- cables in damp weather (Marshall& Haes, high frequencysound 1988).Unfortunately, this Website is inaudibleto many people, particularlythe LeicestershireMoth Group elderly. www.pintail-close.freeserve.couUvc55mothg roup ll References: of Mark Marshall,J.A. & Haes, E.C.M. (1988)' Grasshoppersand Through the considerableefforts Allied lnisectsof Great Britain and lreland' Harley Books, Skevington,this websitewas launchedin the Colchester. Springof 2001.The site providesinformation about:

Book Reviews . lndoormeetings & fieldevents; EniovinqMoths . Latestnews & sitereports' by RoyLeverton . Contacts; Published2001 . Recordsubmission, tsBN0856611247 . VC 55 macroand micro lists; t26.95 . Links. T&ADPoyserLtd Perhapsthe mostinteresting and usefulaspect of the websiteis the newssection. With Mark The following review is the site at least once a week, it is from Amazon.com: updating taken for providingupto-date information "With a title like enjoYing excellent aboutmoth records, including full lists of species moths the author was temPtingfate and the recordedfor manymoth trapping sessions' All of likelihood was that it would be lar from this is backed-upwith superbphotographs of accomplishedas a claim. Has Roy Leverton someof themore interesting moths recorded' succeeded? Most books on moths are 10 From The Times, Monday July 30 2001: bother.They're pretty big so it's a lot of effortto b getabout." An Holy Grail - The search is The cricketsnest underground, building golf on for Britain's most elusive bug, ball-sizedchambers that theyfill with up to 50 says HugoRifkind eggs, which closely resemblecod-liver oil tablets.Unusually for an insect,the mother BryanPinchen, the co-ordinatorof the molecricket cricketnot only protectsthe eggs but is also working group, believedto spendtime with the young before heavesup a wide, theydisperse. flat rock and peers The most fascinatingthing about the insect, beneath. Woodlice however,is its song. Only the male sings, and groundbeetles rubbingits wingstogether to producea shrill scurry for cover. chirrup,much like the songof the nightjar.But "Typical,"he sighs. unlikegrasshoppers and othercrickets, which 'Theymust be down singin the openair, the song of the molecricket there,but they're not is inaudibleunless performed in a specially comingup." made singingchamber, constructed within its GeorgeFleming, the retiredowner of thisbalmy network of tunnels. Amplified by this vegetablegarden in the northof the NewForest, subterraneanauditorium and escapingthrough is convincedthat he spotteda molecricket here tunnelsto the surface,the songcan carryfor up 18 monthsago whilepicking courgettes. This is to 1km. t) Pinchen'ssecond visit to investigate,and he is Pinchenhas heard the song only once, from a not surprisedthat he can see no sign of one. capturedforeign specimen he was keepingin a The 30-year-oldself{aught entomologist has boxin hisbedroom. "lt wasa hot,sticky summer beenhunting for the molecricket, Britain's most evening,and it startedup out of the blue at - - about6pm. I spentthe nightphoning the restof elusive and,he maintains,most endearing 'listen insectfor five years.A freelanceemployee of theworking group, saying to this'." EnglishNature, he is wrylystoical about the fact There are varioustheories about the mole thathe hasyet to findone in the UK. cricket'sdecline. lt prefersto live in damp, Onlya gramlighter than Britain's smallest bird, slightlydisturbed, soil, and such habitatshave the molecricket is easilymissed as it spends beenunder threat from improveddrainage and most of its time up to a metre underground. the increaseduse of pesticideand fertilisers. AlthoughPinchen and others like him are Mostdamaging has beenthe declineof worked convincedthe creature still exists here, and may gardensand allotmentsand the rise of patios. evenbe widespread,there have been only four As a result,likely sites for coloniesare few and confirmedsightings in thepast 25 years. farbetween. EnglishNature put the insecton the listof rare In his garagePinchen keeps four plastic andthreatened species in 1994and set up the containers,each housing a mole cricket working group - consistingof Pinchen,an capturedin The Netherlands,where the insectis EnglishNature projectofficer and interested still common.Here he studiestheir diet. and partiesfrom the NaturalHistory Museum - to hopesto be ableto get themto breed."So far b assessthe insect'ssurvival. In particularthey theywon't go neareach other," he says."l have wishto establishwhy it is stillcommon in parts a friendin Hollandwho collected his with me on of mainlandEurope and the Channellslands, thesame day from the sameplace. His are at it butseems to be diminishinghere. likerabbits." With its slightlyfurry carapace and mole-like In his kitchenhe putsa specimenin the palm front legs, the mole cricket has an almost of his hand.The insectdrags itself along and mammalianair. The length of a littlefinger, it has pushesapart Pinchen'sclosed fingers with its two pairsof wings."l havenever seen one fly," strong,oversized front legs. On reachinghis says Pinchen."l'm sure they can,can. but don't thumbit stops,gazing into the photographer's lens. 'They don't do that normally," says Pinchen, delighted."ltmust be posing."

Mole cricket sightingsshould be repofted to Bryan Pinchen, co- ordinator, Mole Cricket Working Group, 7 Brookland Close, Penn i ngton, Lym ington, Ham p shi re 5041 8JE. e-mail: forfic u I a@l i n e o n e. n et.

11 Winter Programme2001 102 *

All indoormeetings are heldat HollyHayes,216 Birstall Road, Birstall, startingat 7.30p.m. Exhibits are welcome and refreshments are included.

Thursday 11th October 2001 lndoorMeeting: Members Evening Bringalong your exhibits, slides and tell us aboutyour 2001 season.

Thursday15th November 2001 Indoor Meeting: Results of Fieldwork on the LeicestershireNature Reserves Variousspeakers providing feedback on surveywork carried out at the Trust Reservesthat were the focus fieldworkin 2QQ1:Narborough Bog and the Launde Woods.

Thursday6th December2001 AnnualGeneral Meeting Mincepies will be served!

Thursday1Oth January 2002 IndoorMeeting: Leicestershire Craneflies JohnKramer Oursecretary will be speakingon this interesting group as well as lookingat topicssuch as siteevaluation.

Thursday1Sth February 2OO2 IndoorMeeting: Annual Moth Recorders Meeting Whilstopen to allmembers, the main focus of themeeting will be moths:discussion of previousyeais results,exhibits & plansfor 2002.

Thursday14th" March 2002 IndoorMeeting: Insect Photography Workshop A chance to discussphotography tips, techniquesand equipment,including digital photography. There are no fixed speakers,the aimbeing to draw-uponthe expertisewithin the Society.This is a topic that regularlycrops-up at indoor meetings,so thisshould provide either an opportunityto share yourknowledge, or to learnmore about the subject.

Lookingfor adviGdor infofmation? The followingare willingto act as an initialpoint of contactfor providingadvice and informationto members.As vouwill see, this list is farfrom complete - lf youthink you can help, please let us know. Coleootera Derekl-ott, Holly Hayes; 216 Birstall Road, Birstall, Leicester LE4 4DG Telephone:0116 267 1950 Email:[email protected] Diptera JohnKramer, 31 Ash TreeRoad, Oadby, Leicester LE2 sTE Telephone:0116 271 6499 Email:[email protected] Hymentoptera(Bees) MaggieFrankum, 3 ChapelLane, Knighton, Leicester LE2 3WF Teleohone:0116 270 5833 Lepidoptera AdrianRussell, 15 St.Swithin's Road, Leicester LEs 2GE Telephone:0116 241 5101 Email:[email protected] Leics.Moth Grouo website: www.pintail-close.freeserve.co.ul

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