Current Volume - (133) 2021:

133(1):

FOURTH UPDATE TO A CHECKLIST OF THE LEPIDOPTERA OF THE BRITISH ISLES, 2013
1 DAVID J. L. AGASSIZ, 2 S. D. BEAVAN & 1 R. J. HECKFORD
1 Department of Life Sciences, Division of Insects, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD
2 The Hayes, Zeal Monachorum, Devon EX17 6DF
Abstract
This update incorporates information published since 30 November 2019 and before 1 January 2021 into A Checklist of the Lepidoptera of the British Isles, 2013.

HYDRAECIA OSSEOLA (STAUDINGER, 1882) (NOCTUIDAE) AND ARAEOPTERON ECPHAEA HAMPSON, 1940 (EREBIDAE) NEW FOR THE FAUNA OF CROATIA
TONI KOREN
Association Hyla, I. Lipovac 7, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia E-mail: koren.toni1@gmail.com
Abstract
During a moth survey of Neretva river Delta, southern Croatia, two interesting Noctuoidea species were recorded for the first time in the country. Hydraecia osseola was recorded close to Metkovic, some 450 km from the nearest known populations in northern Italy.
Araeopteron ecphaea was recorded near Neretva river mouth, about 500 km NW from the closest localities in Greece, Romania and Bulgaria. Both species have a disjunct distribution in Europe and these records represent a drastic increase in their range. These records support the value of the Neretva river Delta as an important part of Ecological Network Natura 2000 as well as one of designated Ramsar sites, as a refugium for wetland moth species in the
Adriatic coastline.
Key words: Neretva river delta, Noctuidae, Erebidae, moths, distribution, wetland species.

PARACOSSULUS THRIPS (HÜBNER, 1818) (LEP. COSSIDAE) RE-DISCOVERED IN BULGARIA WITH NOTES OF SOME OTHER
SURPRISING FINDINGS IN THE DRAGOMAN NATURA 2000 PROTECTED AREA
STOYAN BESHKOV& ANA NAHIRNIc-BESHkOVA
National Museum of Natural History, Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd.1, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria stoyan.beshkov@gmail.com; ananahirnic@nmnhs.com
Abstract
Paracossulus (=Catopta) thrips, a species listed in Annex II of the Council Directive 92/43/EEC (Code: 4028), considered as extinct in Bulgaria, is re-discovered after more than 25 years in an isolated locality remote from previous sites. Some other rare and interesting
species found in the same locality are commented on and illustrated; for some, this locality is at the edge of their range.
Keywords: Lepidoptera, Paracossulus thrips, Habitat Directive, protected species, faunistics.

THE MACRO-MOTHS OF ASTON ROWANT NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE, OXFORDSHIRE
PAUL WARING
Shire, Tydd Bank, Sutton Bridge, Spalding, Lincs., PE12 9XE paul_waring@btinternet.com
Abstract
This article reviews the recording of macro-moths at Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve, Oxfordshire, since 1890. The all-time total list of the 348 species macro-moths known from the site is presented. Species for which the reserve is particularly important and those for
which there are no recent records are separately indicated.
Keywords: moth recording, historical species list, Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve,
oxfordshire, England.

LIMNEPHILUS PATI O’CONNOR (TRICH.: LIMNEPHILIDAE), A CADDISFLY NEW TO SCOTLAND
1 ROBIN D. SUTTON, 2 IAN D. WALLACE & 3 JAMES P. o’CONNOR
17 Bualadubh, Eochar, Isle of South Uist HS8 5RQ, United Kingdom. (E-mail: robin.d.sutton@googlemail.com)
2National Museums Liverpool World Museum, William Brown Street L3 8EN3, United Kingdom. (e-mail: Ian.Wallace@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk)
3Emeritus Entomologist, National Museum of Ireland – Natural History, Merrion Street, Dublin 2, D02 F627, Ireland. (e-mail: joconnor@museum.ie)
Abstract
In 2020, a male Limnephilus pati o’Connor, 1980 was taken in a light-trap on South Uist in the outer Hebrides. The species is new to Scotland and it was previously presumed extinct in Great Britain. The island has the largest machair system in the British Isles and the caddisfly may be associated with the resultant calcareous conditions there.
Key words: caddisfly, Trichoptera, Limnephilus pati, first record, South Uist, outer Hebrides,
Scotland, machair

133(2):

INVERTEBRATES FOUND ON TREES AND SHRUBS IN SOME SHROPSHIRE GARDEN CENTRES, 2015-2019
1 IAN S. THOMPSON & 2 A. GODFREY BLUNT
1 6 Elstree Close, Meole Brace, Shrewsbury SY3 9QF iansthompson@f2s.com
2 3 The Saplings, Penkridge, Stafford ST19 5DE arthur.blunt195@btinternet.com
Abstract
A survey was carried out from 2015 to 2019 of invertebrates found on trees and shrubs in garden centres in Shropshire (Vice-county 40). Thirteen garden centres were selected to represent the range of types found in the vice-county. Invertebrates, consisting of 42 taxa in seven Orders, were recorded in nine centres. Two species are new to Shropshire; ten or eleven are on host plants not recorded by the key database resources. Criteria are suggested for assessing the likelihood of specific cases of introduction through the horticultural trade, and these criteria are applied to the findings of this investigation. It is considered that much more of the fauna found in these Shropshire garden centres originated from the neighbouring countryside than was imported from elsewhere.

CHANGES IN SURREY’S BUTTERFLY FAUNA
HARRY E. CLARKE
70 Norwood Road, Effingham, Leatherhead, Surrey KT24 5NX Harry@HarryClarke.me.uk
Abstract
Surrey butterflies have been well-documented, but there has been a tendency to accept accounts without proper questioning. This article provides a critical review of the documentation available, showing at the beginning of the nineteenth century there were 46 resident butterfly species. Since then, nine species have been lost, plus one subspecies, two residents have been gained, and there have been two recolonizations. The Blackveined White previously considered a resident of Surrey is now considered a migrant. The so-called “White Dullidge Fritillary” is firmly rejected as a resident, now considered a release to be captured by an Aurelian.
Keywords: Surrey, Butterflies, population changes.

THE MACRO-LEPIDOPTERA OF SYDLINGS COPSE, OXFORDSHIRE
PAULWARING
Shire, Tydd Bank, Sutton Bridge, Spalding, Lincolnshire PE12 9XE E-mail: paul_waring@btinternet.com
Abstract
Records of Lepidoptera at Sydlings Copse Nature Reserve, Oxfordshire, since 1869 are reviewed. A list of the 365 species of macro-moths recorded to the end of 2019 is presented. Species for which the reserve is particularly important are discussed.
Keywords: Faunistics, Sydlings Copse, Oxfordshire

133(3):

JASIONE PUG EUPITHECIA DENOTATA (HÜBNER, 1813) F. JASIONEATA CREWE, 1881: ITS DISCOVERY IN SOMERSET AND SOME DISCUSSION OF ITS ECOLOGY
WILL LANGDON
4 Wilson Place, Cave Street, Cowley, Oxford OX4 1AF will.langdon12@gmail.com
Abstract
The discovery of adult Jasione Pugs at Hurlstone Point in Somerset (VC5) and subsequent evidence of breeding are reported. The moths are illustrated in full, alongside a brief discussion of the species’ ecology and flight season.
Keywords: Pug moths, larvae, Somerset.

WHEN SHOULD WE RUN THE MOTH TRAP IN WINTER?
CHRIS TYLER-SMITH & YALI XUE
14 High St., Linton, Cambridgeshire CB21 4HS E-mail:ylxcts@gmail.com
Abstract
In order to be able to choose favourable nights for moth recording in winter, we ran a garden moth trap on 319 nights over four winter seasons, irrespective of the weather, but recording forecasts of night-time temperature, wind, rain or snow and moonlight on 234 nights. In all, 501 moths belonging to 34 species or aggregates were recorded, six of which were winterspecific.
We identified a major positive influence of maximum forecast night temperature and a negative effect of maximum forecast wind speed, which together with the year explained 35% of the difference in catch between nights. These findings allow favourable nights for moths to be chosen on the basis the weather forecast from the evening when the trap is switched on.
Keywords: Moth catch, winter season, temperature, wind, cloud, moonlight, multiple regression analysis, moth recording strategy.

MIDDLE EOCENE BAGWORM MOTH CASES (LEP.: PSYCHIDAE) FROM BALTIC AMBER
MARTIN J. F. FOWLER
Les Rocquettes, Orchard Road, South Wonston, Winchester SO21 3EX E-mail: danebury216@hotmail.co.uk
Abstract
Four moth cases from middle Eocene Baltic amber, one of which has a larva in situ, are described and shown to have the characteristic shapes of cases made by bagworm moths (Psychidae) of the subfamily Typhoniinae. other fossil inclusions present in the amber pieces include arthropod groups that are common in Baltic amber and epidermal trichomes derived from leaves of the oak family (Fagaceae). Together, the fossil inclusions provide a snapshot of aspects of the biotope of the amber forest in which the bagworms lived around 45 million years ago.
Keywords: Lepidoptera, Psychidae, Typhoniinae, fossil moth case, Baltic amber.

133(4):

THE IMMIGRATION OF LEPIDOPTERA TO THE BRITISH ISLES IN 2017
SEAN P. CLANCY
1 Myrtle Villas, Sussex Road, New Romney, Kent TN28 8DY. E-mail: trapsite@vfast.co.uk
Abstract
Formally accepted records of immigrant Lepidoptera occurring in the British Isles during the year 2017 are listed and discussed. For less frequently encountered species, full information is given in Annex 1, presented in vice-county order, the individual localities then listed alphabetically for each VC. For the more regular/frequent immigrant species recorded during the season, annual summaries and a selection of the more important records are presented in Annex 2.

RECORDING THE RECENT OCCURRENCE OF LYTHRIA SANGUINARIA (DUPONCHEL, 1842) IN GREAT BRITAIN
(LEP.: GEOMETRIDAE)
BALÁZS TÓTH1, GERGELY KATONA1 & TYRONE CAPEL2
1 Department of Zoology, Hungarian Natural History Museum, Baross utca 13, HU-1088, Budapest, Hungary. E-mails: toth.balazs@nhmus.hu katona.gergely@nhmus.hu
2 ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, Dunstable Bedfordshire LU6 2LF. E-mail: tyrone.capel@zsl.org
Abstract
One specimen of Lythria sanguinaria (Duponchel, 1842) was found in a pet shop in Croydon, Surrey, England in 2019. Species of the genus LythriaHübner, 1823 are not native to the British Isles, however, some old, perhaps doubtful records are known. Supposedly, the recorded L. sanguinaria specimen was accidentally introduced to Great Britain, probably with pieces of wood from Portugal, destined to be used in reptile enclosures.
Key words. British Isles, endemic, England, Iberian Peninsula, introduction, Lythria, new record, pet shop.

CALYBITES PHASIANIPENNELLA (HÜBNER, [1813]) (LEP.: GRACILLARIIDAE): A NOTE ON BOTH LARVAL FORMS AND THE PUPA
R. J. HECKFORD
¹ Department of Life Sciences, Division of Insects, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD
(Correspondence address: 67 Newnham Road, Plympton, Plymouth, Devon PL7 4AW)
Abstract
An account is given of the sap-feeding form of the larva of Calybites phasianipennella (Hübner, [1813]), and a description of the tissue-feeding form and the pupa, together with photographs.
Keywords: Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae, Calybites phasianipennella, larva, sap-feeding, tissue-feeding, pupa

133(5):

CALOPTILIA FIDELLA (REUTTI, 1853) (LEP.: GRACILLARIIDAE) NEW TO THE BRITISH FAUNA RESIDENT IN EAST SUFFOLK
1RAYMOND A. WATSON, 2ALLAN C. EATON & 3 HELEN E. MCCLENNON-WARNOCK
1 The House of Eden, Alderton Road, Hollesley, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 3RH raweden@yahoo.co.uk
2 11 Belvedere Drive, Kessingland, Suffolk NR33 7SA.
3 57 Low Corner, Butley, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 3QD.
Abstract
Caloptilia fidella was captured for the first time in Britain in East Suffolk on 29 July
2020. Second and third individuals were captured on 18 and 24 July 2021 in the same
vice county. A description of the adult moth is provided. The species has been found
breeding at one capture site.
Keywords. Caloptilia fidella, Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae. New to Britain, East Suffolk.

IMPACT OF RAILWAY WORKS ON THE FOUR-SPOTTED MOTH TYTA LUCTUOSA (D. & S.) AND OTHER DAY-FLYING LEPIDOPTERA AT WERRINGTON BROOK DRAIN, PETERBOROUGH IN 2020
PAUL WARING
c/o Shire, Tydd Bank, Sutton Bridge, Spalding, Lincolnshire PE12 9XE paul_waring@btinternet.com
Abstract
Five conservation priority species of day-flying Lepidoptera have been surveyed over twenty years at Werrington Brook Drain, Peterborough. The complete obliteration of the site was reported in 2020. During that year the site was revisited on seven occasions from May to August, to monitor any recolonisation by five target species of day-flying Lepidoptera, including the Four-spotted Moth Tyta luctuosa; none were seen. Tyta luctuosa remains present in adjacent areas, over 1 kilometre distant. Future survey is necessary to monitor any potential recolonisation.
Keywords. Environmental monitoring, Lepidoptera.

A CONTRIBUTION TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE MACRO-MOTHS OF COTHILL FEN, OXFORDSHIRE
PAUL WARING
Shire, Tydd Bank, Sutton Bridge, Spalding, Lincolnshire PE12 9XE Email: paul_waring @btinternet.com
Abstract
Macro-moths at Cothill Fen National Nature Reserve and Parsonage Moor nature reserve are listed and discussed. The numbers of individuals of some noteworthy species are presented and compared.
Keywords: Cothill Fen, Parsonage Moor, Berkshire, England.

133(6):

EUZOPHERODES VAPIDELLA (MANN, 1857) (LEP.: PYRALIDAE) NEW TO BRITAIN
1 BEN SALE & 2 GRAEME J. SMITH
1 Trinity Close, Fordham, Cambridgeshire CB75PB (E-mail: bensale@rocketmail.com)
2 36 Honeysuckle Close, Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire CM23 4RL (E-mail: graemejsmith1@btinternet.com)
Abstract
Euzopherodes vapidella (Mann, 1857) (Lep.: Pyralidae) is reported formally as a new species for Britain from Hertfordshire. the adult male moth is illustrated in colour as well as its genitalia.
Keywords: Euzopherodes vapidella, Pyralidae, Britain.

NEMOPHORA OCHSENHEIMERELLA (HÜBNER [1813]) (LEP.: ADELIDAE) NEW TO THE BRITISH ISLES
DAVID W. EMLEY
23 Leacroft, Stone, Staffordshire ST15 8GF E-mail: recorder@staffsmoths.org.uk
Abstract
Nemophora ochsenheimerella (Hübner) (Lep.: Adelidae) is reported as a new species for Britain from Staffordshire. the adult male moth is illustrated in colour. Its potential source in Britain is discussed.
Keywords: Nemophora ochsenheimerella, Adelidae, Britain.

MICROLEPIDOPTERA REVIEW OF 2020
A.M. DAVIS AND G.M. TORDOFF
Butterfly Conservation, Manor Yard, Wareham, Dorset BH20 5QP
(tdavis@butterfly-conservation.org)
(gtordoff@butterfly-conservation.org)
Abstract
Noteworthy records of microlepidoptera obtained in the British Isles during 2020 are summarised. this includes two species new to the British Isles, one of which is already breeding. Numerous new vice-county records are detailed, with notable observations of 459 species in total.