CHESHIRE (VICE COUNTY 58) MOTH REPORT FOR 2017 Lobster Moth: Roger Parry Authors: Steve H. Hind and Steve W. Holmes Date: 10th March 2018 Cheshire moth report 2017 Introduction Weather conditions were generally favourable for moth recording during the first half of the year resulting in a number of interesting discoveries and some good catches but the summer was unfortunately cool and unsettled. Five new species were added to the county list during the year, with the first two of these during a hot spell of weather in late May: Lobster Moth Stauropus fagi on 25th May and Assara terebrella on 27th May. Stigmella svenssoni followed on 16th June, with Anania lancealis on 30th June and the first of three Box-tree Moths Cydalima perspectalis on 6th July. 954 species were found during 2017, a new record annual count for Vice County 58, Cheshire, 19 more than last year’s previous record and these from over 70,000 records received. This is only the second time we have passed this figure, so thanks to everyone for sending in their records and photographs, making the production of this report possible. As always, a list of those species new for their respective 10km squares during 2017 can be found after the main report. Work continued during the winter to add historical records from the collections at Manchester Museum, past entomological journals and recorders old note books, which is enabling us to compare our current data with that of the past and this year we have included some additional comments within the species section of the report putting into context some of the years sightings. The map above shows the number of species recorded in each hectad (10km*10km square) during 2017 to illustrate the recording coverage across the county. We managed to increase the number of species recorded in 20 hectads during the year, most significantly in SJ37 (Ellesmere Port), where exactly 100 additional species were recorded compared to 2016 and in SJ86 (Congleton) which was targeted specifically to improve the micro- moth coverage and produced an additional 240 species. However numbers were down in 23 hectads, due in a few cases to regular recorders either not trapping during the year, or not P a g e 2 | 66 Cheshire moth report 2017 submitting their records in time for inclusion within the report. Most moth trapping continues to be carried out in recorders gardens and although we currently have a good spread of recorders across the county, there remain hectads without a resident trapper. Knowledge on the status of our garden moths is increasing each year but trapping away from our gardens is still very limited, so visits into the wider countryside is likely to produce the most significant rewards. Time and effort dictate that this report cannot be a complete analysis of the years’ records; it does however itemise all macro-moth species that were recorded fewer than 10 times during the year as well as the most notable micro-moths. Throughout what follows, header information relating to each species comprises: 3.004 Gold Swift Hepialus hecta (Linnaeus, 1758) Which, reading left to right detail: Incoming Agassiz, Beavan & Heckford species number Species’ vernacular name Species’ taxonomic name Species’ Author(s) Species distribution maps have been deliberately omitted from this years’ report as we have been involved with and are anticipating the on-line publication of an e-atlas for every species within the county in the not too distant future. A sample is shown below. P a g e 3 | 66 Cheshire moth report 2017 2.004 Eriocrania sparrmannella (Bosc, 1791) Two tenanted leaf mines at Lindow Common on 8th June (BS). 2.006 Eriocrania cicatricella (Zetterstedt, 1839) Several tenanted leaf mines at Mottram St Andrew on 5th May (SHH). 3.004 Gold Swift Hepialus hecta (Linnaeus, 1758) Just nine records of 10 individuals between 19th May and 18th August as follows: Norley Moss: singles on 30th May and 9th June (GO), Alsager: one on 14th June (MD), Rope, Crewe: singles on 14th July, 14th and 18th August plus three on 16th August (DAC), Brookhouse Moss: one on 12th July (SHH) and Coole Fishery (Audlem): one on 14th August (PG). Steve Hind 4.005 Stigmella betulicola (Stainton, 1856) Larval mines at Vicars Cross Golf Club on 7th July (B&HC), Brookhouse Moss on 12th July (SHH) and Parkgate Old Baths on 18th October (SWH, MB). Bob & Helen Coan 4.008 Stigmella glutinosae (Stainton, 1858) A tenanted mine at Mount Pleasant on 2nd September (SHH). 4.013 Apple Pygmy Stigmella malella (Stainton, 1854) Three larval mines in a hedgerow at Sutton Lane Ends, Macclesfield on 3rd October (SHH). 4.019 Stigmella viscerella (Stainton, 1853) A leaf mine at Caughall Bridge on 25th October (SWH, MB). Most likely an extension of the Chester Zoo colony which was discovered in 2010. The only other county record was at Bowdon in 1857. 4.040 Stigmella assimilella (Zeller, 1848) A leaf mine on Aspen Populus tremula at Mickle Trafford on 8th October (HJ) All four county records have been this century. P a g e 4 | 66 Cheshire moth report 2017 4.059 Stigmella svenssoni (Johansson, 1971) ** The 1st county record. One male to light at Alsager on 16th June (MD). Mike Dale 4.068 Trifurcula immundella (Zeller, 1839) A single larval mine at Sale Water Park on 28th March (BS). 4.085 Ectoedemia argyropeza (Zeller, 1839) A tenanted mine in a fallen Aspen Populus tremula leaf at High Lane on 2nd November (SHH). 4.091 Ectoedemia heringi (Toll, 1934) Tenanted leaf mines at Capenhurst on 12th October and Saughall on 13th October (HJ) and Delamere Forest on 30th October (BS). Ben Smart 5.004 Pseudopostega crepusculella (Zeller, 1839) Four in a Bebington garden on 22nd August, egg-laying on Lemon Thyme Thymus citriodorus and Mint Mentha sp. (RL). There are only six previous records on the county database, although this does include one from a Bebington garden, Michaelis (1956). P a g e 5 | 66 Cheshire moth report 2017 9.003 Raspberry Moth Lampronia corticella (Linnaeus, 1758) One to light at Burton on 21st May (BSB) is the first record from the Wirral. Barry Barnacal 12.010 Morophaga choragella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Adults to light at Little Budworth Common on 5th July (MBe, HD, HJ) and Sandiway on 4th September (GD). Only three previous records: Shemmy Moss (1986); Marple (2009) & Moore (2014). Mel Bellingham P a g e 6 | 66 Cheshire moth report 2017 12.012 Triaxomera parasitella (Hübner, 1796) Two to light at Burton on 29th May (BSB). 12.014 Nemaxera betulinella (Paykull, 1785) One to light at Alsager on 22nd July (MD) is our first record for five years. 12.021 Nemapogon clematella (Fabricius, 1781) One dislodged from a roadside Hazel Corylus avellana hedge at Brookhouse Green on 9th June (SHH). The county status was noted as scarce, Ellis (1890), who gave a record from Puddington and uncommon, Mansbridge (1940), adding “we have no records since 1890”. The only other record I have been able to trace is an undated one by Harry L Burrows from the Bollin Valley, Fielding (1974). Steve Hind 12.026 Common Clothes Moth Tineola bisselliella (Hummel, 1823) One to light at Upton (Chester) on 19th July (RW) was only the second record this century. 12.034 Brown-dotted Clothes Moth Niditinea fuscella (Linnaeus, 1758) A female to light in the Dane Valley, Wildboarclough on 16th June (SHH) was the only confirmed record this year. 12.037 Monopis weaverella (Scott, 1858) Adults to light, were two at Waverton (BC, HC) and one at Norley Moss on 23rd May (GO), followed by one in the Dane Valley, Wildboarclough on 16th June (SHH). 12.038 Monopis obviella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) One to light at Alsager on 18th June (MD). 14.002 Bucculatrix nigricomella (Zeller, 1839) Singles to light at Elton on 15th June (SWH) and Astbury Mere on 24th July (SHH, SSe, JHS). 14.003 Bucculatrix maritima Stainton, 1851 Two to light at Ellesmere Port on 16th June, with a third the following night (HJ). 15.003 Caloptilia populetorum (Zeller, 1839) Four to light at Alsager on 11th March, followed by singles on 15th March and 23rd October (MD) and a male at Bramhall on 30th May (AC). There have now been seventeen records since out first in 2013 but from only seven sites. Andrew Charlton P a g e 7 | 66 Cheshire moth report 2017 15.019 Acrocercops brongniardella (Fabricius, 1798) Leaf Mines at Delamere Forest on 3rd June (GH), Buglawton on 2nd July (SHH) and Victoria Wood, Toft on 18th October (BTS). 15.025 Parornix betulae (Stainton, 1854) Singles to light at Alsager on 24th May, 8th June & 16th July (MD). A female netted at Danes Moss on 1st June (SHH) and a male to light at Astbury Mere on 24th July (SHH, SSe, JHS). 15.059 Phyllonorycter cavella (Zeller, 1846) A larval mine at Thornton-le-Moors on 7th October (SWH) is our first for five years. 16.005 Willow Ermine Yponomeuta rorrella (Hübner, 1796) One to light at Alsager on 24th July (MD). Our only previous record was from Runcorn in 2013, when larvae were found on willows. 16.014 Pseudoswammerdamia combinella (Hübner, 1786) Four to light at Burton 20th April-21st May and three at Waverton 23rd-26th May (B&HC). 16.024 Ocnerostoma friesei Svensson, 1966 A pupal exuvia was found at Dunham Massey on 17th February (BS) and a female to light at Alsager on 15th July (MD). 17.008 Ypsolopha alpella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Singles to light at Waverton on 24th August (B&HC), Pikelow Farm, Marton on 25th August (SHH), Higher Poynton on 20th September (SHH) and Alsager on 12th October (MD).