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NEWSLETTER No. 44 -  Autumn 1999

WEST MIDLANDS BRANCH, BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION

 

Worcestershire Mothers Group Moth Report 1999

This year has shown a diverse and interesting set of Lepidoptera trapped over 10 evenings throughout 1999 (in total 186 Macro-moths, 142 Micro-moths and 1 Butterfly). There has been an abundance of insect life on some evenings and on others very little; such is the way with conservation work that depends on climatic conditions. Various notable species have been seen throughout the county this year and many regular species sightings.

At Chaddesley Wood in June, the rare (for Worcestershire) Small Seraphim was caught. Feckenham Wild Moor brought the rare Southern Wainscot and new records for Blue-bordered Carpet, Brachmia rufescens, Coleophora deauratella, Eurrhypara hortulata, Hedya salicella and Scoparia subfusca.

The joint evening with Worcestershire Wildlife Trust in Trench Wood proved to be a good one for numbers and diversity of Lepidoptera with 92 Macros, 72 Micros and several performing Glow Worms. Angle Striped Sallow was noted as being the first record since 1976. Also there were new site records for Oak Eggar (attracted to various peoples' trousers!) and Round-winged Muslin, all of which were classified as "local and less common". There were two rare status moths of the night: two separate trappings of Festoon, which hadn't been recorded since 1974 and Mere Wainscot, last recorded in 1994. New site records of micros were: Acentria ephemerella; Acleris aspersana; Bryotropha senectella; Epinotia cinercana; Euzophera pinguis; Lozotaeniodes formosanus; Monochroa lutulentella.

Bredon Hill in July gave a wonderful view of a sunset over the Malvern Hills. Because it was an exposed site, there was a chill to the air, but deep in the wood, various Lepidoptera were trapped including the Green-veined White. Haugh Wood in Herefordshire proved to be very interesting with Wood Ants in the traps and Bats preying on the insects attracted to the lights. Several rare Buff Footman were seen with over 130 different moths.

Wilden Marsh had a spectacular array of mostly non-aggressive (!) midges over the traps (hence most observers watched at a safe distance). The traps attracted the rare Small Seraphim and new records for Worcestershire: Small Rufous and Cochylis atricapitana. There was also a new site record for Platyptilia isodactylus. Ravenshill Wood, with no previous records, turned up the rare Bordered Sallow and a spectacular display from a Red Underwing.

The last three nights all turned quite cold with depleted numbers of moths. 27 showed at Roundhill Wood, a site not previously recorded; 19 at Saint Wulstans, a developing local nature reserve, and 19 at Grafton Wood, which had previously been recorded only once at a different location. The last site also brought out an inquisitive and striking Leopard slug.

Many interesting moths showed throughout this year including the Brimstone Moth which was regularly attracted to Corinna's hand. The Black Arches and Leopard Moths showed their simple, yet appealing markings many times. Some very enjoyable meetings were to be had all thanks to the participants and the valuable contribution of the generator for supplying power to the traps, which was provided by English Nature. A full list of this year's records will be available in due course.

Neil Gregory & Corinna Philpott