Twin-spotted Wainscot and a new Bucculatrix

21st August was a good night with 79 species recorded (244 moths).  I was pleased to get this Twin-spotted Wainscot, a species I'd only seen once before.

Twin-spotted Wainscot, North Elmham, 21st August

An Oak Bent-wing Bucculatrix ulmella was a completely new species for me.  Quite widely recorded in Norfolk, unusually so for such a small micro, so perhaps a surprise it's taken this long for me to connect with one.

Oak Bent-wing Bucculatrix ulmella, North Elmham, 21st August

Another one I don't see very often was Large Lance-wing Epermenia falciformis.

Large Lance-wing Epermenia faliformis, North Elmham, 21st August

Also new for the year were Small Birch Bell Epinotia ramella, Small Purple and Gold (Mint Moth) Pyrausta aurata and Rosy Rustic.

 Small Birch Bell Epinotia ramella, North Elmham, 21st August

Small Purple and Gold Pyrausta aurata, North Elmham, 21st August

Other micros were Cork Moth Nemapogon cloacella, Bird’s-nest Moth Tinea trinotella, Daisy Bent-wing Bucculatrix nigricomella, 2 Horse Chestnut Leaf-miners Cameraria ohridella, Willow Bent-wing Phyllocnistis saligna, 3 Golden Argents Argyresthia goedartella, 2 Little Ermels Swammerdamia pyrella, Diamond-back Moth Plutella xylostella, 3 Woundwort Case-bearers Coleophora lineolea, Little Dwarf Elachista canapennella, 2 Brown House Moths Hofmannophila pseudospretella, 2 Long-horned Flat-bodies Carcina quercana, 3 Dark Groundlings Bryotropha affinis, 2 Hook-marked Straw Moths Agapeta hamana, Yarrow Conch Aethes smeathmanniana, Red-barred Tortrix Ditula angustiorana, Maple Button Acleris forsskaleana, 2 Garden Rose Tortrices Acleris variegana, Barred Marble Celypha striana, 2 Common Marbles Celypha lacunana, Red Piercer Lathronympha strigana, Marbled Piercer Cydia splendana, Round-winged Drill Dichrorampha simpliciana, Pale-streak Grass-veneer Agriphila selasella, 9 Pearl Veneers Agriphila straminella, 20 Common Grass-veneers Agriphila tristella, 9 Elbow-stripe Grass-veneers Agriphila geniculea, 4 Chequered Grass-veneers Catoptria falsella, Small Grey Eudonia mercurella, 3 Ringed China-marks Parapoynx stratiotata, 6 Garden Pebbles Evergestis forficalis, Pale Straw Pearl Udea lutealis, 8 Mother of Pearls Pleuroptya ruralis, Double-striped Tabby Hypsopygia glaucinalis, Rosy Tabby Endotricha flammealis, 3 Grey Knot-horns Acrobasis advenella and 2 Common Plumes Emmelina monodactyla.

Little Dwarf Elachista canapennella (male, gen det), North Elmham, 21st August

The other macros were Small Fan-footed Wave, 7 Single-dotted Waves, 6 Riband Waves, 2 Common Carpets, Yellow-barred Brindle, 3 Magpie Moths, Scorched Carpet, 2 Brimstone Moths, Canary-shouldered Thorn, 2 Dusky Thorns, 3 Willow Beauties, Poplar Hawkmoth, Lesser Swallow Prominent, Coxcomb Prominent, Dingy Footman, Scarce Footman, Turnip Moth, Shuttle-shaped Dart, 6 Flame Shoulders, 10 Large Yellow Underwings, 2 Lesser Yellow Underwings, 7 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwings, 2 Small Square-spots, 15 Setaceous Hebrew Characters, Square-spotted Clay, 4 Six-striped Rustics, 2 Square-spot Rustics, White-point, Old Lady, 2 Straw Underwings, Dark Arches, 18 Flounced Rustics, 2 Vine's Rustics, Silver Y, 3 Spectacles and 19 Straw Dots.

I think this woodlouse is possibly Common Shining Woodlouse Oniscus asellus, but not sure - can you confirm?

possible Common Shining Woodlouse Oniscus asellus, North Elmham, 21st August

It may be Drab but it's a good 'un

Last year I netted a Drab Clothes Moth Haplotinea insectella at Warham Greens.  Jon Clifton gen detted it to confirm and it proved to be the first modern day record for Norfolk (4 previous records were in the 1800s).  On 20th August I caught a similar-looking moth at home and have now dissected it.  It is indeed another Drab Clothes Moth Haplotinea insectella - the second modern day county record.

Drab Clothes Moth Haplotinea insectella (male, gen det), North Elmham, 20th August

Other micros were 2 Blackthorn Slenders Parornix torquillella, Bird-cherry Ermine Yponomeuta evonymella, Little Ermel Swammerdamia pyrella, 2 Woundwort Case-bearers Coleophora lineolea, Small Dingy Tubic Borkhausenia fuscescens, Brown House Moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella, Long-horned Flat-body Carcina quercana, Dark Groundling Bryotropha affinis, Cinereous Groundling Bryotropha terrella, Orange Crest Helcystogramma rufescens, Dingy Dowd Blastobasis adustella, 2 Hook-marked Straw Moths Agapeta hamana, Heather Tortrix Argyrotaenia ljungiana, Light Brown Apple Moth Epiphyas postvittana, Maple Button Acleris forsskaleana, Garden Rose Tortrix Acleris variegana, Common Marble Celypha lacunana, Heath Marble Endothenia ericetana, 2 Bud Moths Spilonota ocellana, 6 Pearl Veneers Agriphila straminella, 26 Common Grass-veneers Agriphila tristella, 7 Elbow-stripe Grass-veneers Agriphila geniculea, 6 Chequered Grass-veneers Catoptria falsella, Water Veneer Acentria ephemerella, 3 Small Greys Eudonia mercurella, 2 Ringed China-marks Parapoynx stratiotata, Garden Pebble Evergestis forficalis, 2 Pale Straw Pearls Udea lutealis, 4 Mother of Pearls Pleuroptya ruralis, Rosy Tabby Endotricha flammealis and Common Plume Emmelina monodactyla.

Blackthorn Slender Parornix torquillella (female, gen det), North Elmham, 20th August

Among the macros 2 Cabbage Moths were new for the year.

Cabbage Moth, North Elmham, 20th August

The other macros were 2 Orange Swifts, 2 Maiden's Blushes, Single-dotted Wave, 4 Riband Waves, Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet, 6 Common Carpets, Tawny Speckled Pug, 2 Dusky Thorns, 4 Willow Beauties, Iron Prominent, 3 Lesser Swallow Prominents, Yellow-tail, Dingy Footman, Scarce Footman, 5 Flame Shoulders, 13 Large Yellow Underwings, 20 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwings, 2 Small Square-spots, 9 Setaceous Hebrew Characters, Square-spotted Clay, 13 Six-striped Rustics, Square-spot Rustic, Lychnis, Common Wainscot, Dark Arches, 8 Flounced Rustics, Vine's Rustic, Burnished Brass and 8 Straw Dots.

My first Yponomeuta plumbella

Nothing to shout about on the night of 18th August but 19th was better with my first ever Black-tipped Ermine Yponomeuta plumbella.

Black-tipped Ermine Yponomeuta plumbella, North Elmham, 19th August

Two micros requiring gen detting were new for the house despite both being common at my last house in Bawdeswell: Hawthorn Slender Parornix anglicella and Four-spotted Obscure Oegoconia quadripuncta.

Hawthorn Slender Parornix anglicella (male, gen det), North Elmham, 19th August

Four-spotted Obscure Oegoconia quadripuncta (male, gen det), North Elmham, 19th August

The other micros recorded were 2 Bird-cherry Ermines Yponomeuta evonymella, Golden-brown Tubic Crassa unitella, Small Dingy Tubic Borkhausenia fuscescens, 2 Long-horned Flat-bodies Carcina quercana, Dark Groundling Bryotropha affinis, Woundwort Case-bearer Coleophora lineolea, Hedge Case-bearer Coleophora striatipennella, House Groundling Bryotropha domestica, Orange Crest Helcystogramma rufescens, Dingy Dowd Blastobasis adustella, Hook-marked Straw Moth Agapeta hamana, 2 Maple Buttons Acleris forsskaleana, 2 Garden Rose Tortrices Acleris variegana, Common Marble Celypha lacunana, 2 Marbled Piercers Cydia splendana, Garden Grass-veneer Chrysoteuchia culmella, 4 Pearl Veneers Agriphila straminella, 22 Common Grass-veneers Agriphila tristella, 2 Elbow-stripe Grass-veneers Agriphila geniculea, 2 Pearl Grass-veneers Catoptria pinella, Chequered Grass-veneer Catoptria falsella, Small Grey Eudonia mercurella, 2 Garden Pebbles Evergestis forficalis, Pale Straw Pearl Udea lutealis, 14 Mother of Pearls Pleuroptya ruralis, Grey Knot-horn Acrobasis advenella and 2 Common Plumes Emmelina monodactyla.

The macros were 2 Orange Swifts, Pebble Hook-tip, Maiden's Blush, Single-dotted Wave, 7 Riband Waves, 2 Common Carpets, Green Carpet, Tawny Speckled Pug, Treble-bar, 2 Magpie Moths, Brimstone Moth, Canary-shouldered Thorn, Dusky Thorn, Peppered Moth, 4 Willow Beauties, Poplar Hawkmoth, Pebble Prominent, 3 Lesser Swallow Prominents, Black Arches, Dingy Footman, Scarce Footman, Shuttle-shaped Dart, 2 Flame Shoulders, 9 Large Yellow Underwings, 14 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwings, 3 Small Square-spots, 9 Setaceous Hebrew Characters, 2 Square-spotted Clays, 4 Six-striped Rustics, 3 Square-spot Rustics, Lesser Common Rustic, Nutmeg, Lychnis, 4 Common Wainscots, 2 Old Ladies, Straw Underwing, Dark Arches, 9 Flounced Rustics, Rustic, Burnished Brass, Spectacle and 3 Straw Dots.

Orange Swift, North Elmham, 19th August

The full list for 18th was Bird-cherry Ermine Yponomeuta evonymella, Brown House Moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella, Orange Crest Helcystogramma rufescens, 2 Garden Rose Tortrices Acleris variegana, Marbled Piercer Cydia splendana, 3 Pearl Veneers Agriphila straminella, 24 Common Grass-veneers Agriphila tristella, 2 Elbow-stripe Grass-veneers Agriphila geniculea, Small Grey Eudonia mercurella, Garden Pebble Evergestis forficalis, Pale Straw Pearl Udea lutealis, 10 Mother of Pearls Pleuroptya ruralis, Orange Swift, Oak Hook-tip, Pebble Hook-tip, Blood-vein, Single-dotted Wave, Riband Wave, 3 Red Twin-spot Carpets, Magpie Moth, 2 Brimstone Moths, Peppered Moth, Coxcomb Prominent, Rosy Footman, Dingy Footman, Scarce Footman, 2 Shuttle-shaped Darts, 2 Large Yellow Underwings, 9 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwings, 4 Setaceous Hebrew Characters, Square-spotted Clay, 5 Six-striped Rustics, 2 Square-spot Rustics, Cloaked Minor, 13 Flounced Rustics, Ear Moth, Vine's Rustic and Straw Dot.

Another Small Mottled Willow

Well it's all a bit mundane for this year when so many recorders have been getting scores of Small Mottled Willows, but here such migrants are few and far between and I was chuffed to get my second Small Mottled Willow on the night of 17th August.  Especially so as unlike the first one this was a much fresher individual with a properly orange spot.

Small Mottled Willow, North Elmham, 17th August

Two species were new for the year: Currant Pug and a very tatty Mouse Moth.

Mouse Moth, North Elmham, 17th August

Currant Pug, North Elmham, 17th August

Others were 3 Bird-cherry Ermines Yponomeuta evonymella, Woundwort Case-bearer Coleophora lineolea, Long-horned Flat-body Carcina quercana, Orange Crest Helcystogramma rufescens, Dark Fruit-tree Tortrix Pandemis heparana, 2 Garden Rose Tortrices Acleris variegana, 2 Common Marbles Celypha lacunana, Two-coloured Bell Eucosma obumbratana, Marbled Piercer Cydia splendana, 6 Pearl Veneers Agriphila straminella, 25 Common Grass-veneers Agriphila tristella, 3 Elbow-stripe Grass-veneers Agriphila geniculea, Ringed China-mark Parapoynx stratiotata, 2 Garden Pebbles Evergestis forficalis, 9 Mother of Pearls Pleuroptya ruralis, 2 Ash-bark Knot-horns Euzophera pinguis, Beautiful Plume Amblyptilia acanthadactyla, Common Plume Emmelina monodactyla, Orange Swift, Pebble Hook-tip, Large Emerald, Blood-vein, Small Fan-footed Wave, 4 Single-dotted Waves, 5 Riband Waves, Red Twin-spot Carpet, Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet, 2 Common Carpets, Small Rivulet, Maple Pug, Tawny Speckled Pug, 2 Magpie Moths, Scalloped Oak, Willow Beauty, 2 Coxcomb Prominents, 2 Pale Prominents, Yellow-tail, 2 Dingy Footmen, 2 Shuttle-shaped Darts, Flame Shoulder, 3 Large Yellow Underwings, Lesser Yellow Underwing, 7 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwings, 8 Setaceous Hebrew Characters, Square-spotted Clay, 4 Six-striped Rustics, Lychnis, Antler Moth, Common Wainscot, 2 Dun-bars, 2 Dark Arches, Common Rustic, Lesser Common Rustic, 4 Flounced Rustics and Straw Dot.

Beautiful Plume Amblyptilia acanthadactyla, North Elmham, 17th August

Knot Grass, Cherry Bark and Chocolate

The highlight on 14th August was my second ever Knot Grass, exactly one year after my first (also here).

Knot Grass, North Elmham, 14th August

Also new for the year were Chequered Fruit-tree Tortrix Pandemis corylana and Heather Tortrix Argyrotaenia ljungiana.

 Heather Tortrix Argyrotaenia ljungiana, North Elmham, 14th August

Chequered Fruit-tree Tortrix Pandemis corylana, North Elmham, 14th August

Other micros were Carrion Moth Monopis weaverella, 3 Bird-cherry Ermines Yponomeuta evonymella, Diamond-back Moth Plutella xylostella, 2 Long-horned Flat-bodies Carcina quercana, Orange Crest Helcystogramma rufescens, 2 Garden Rose Tortrices Acleris variegana, Barred Marble Celypha striana, Marbled Piercer Cydia splendana, 3 Garden Grass-veneers Chrysoteuchia culmella, 6 Pearl Veneers Agriphila straminella, 41 Common Grass-veneers Agriphila tristella, 2 Elbow-stripe Grass-veneers Agriphila geniculea, Chequered Grass-veneer Catoptria falsella, 3 Little Greys Eudonia lacustrata, 2 Small Greys Eudonia mercurella, Ringed China-mark Parapoynx stratiotata, 2 Beautiful China-marks Nymphula stagnata, 4 Garden Pebbles Evergestis forficalis, Pale Straw Pearl Udea lutealis, 18 Mother of Pearls Pleuroptya ruralis, Rosy Tabby Endotricha flammealis, 2 Grey Knot-horns Acrobasis advenella and Ash-bark Knot-horn Euzophera pinguis.

The other macros were Orange Swift, Chinese Character, 2 Blood-veins, Small Blood-vein, 6 Single-dotted Waves, 22 Riband Waves, Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet, 2 Common Carpets, Maple Pug, Wormwood Pug, Tawny Speckled Pug, Brimstone Moth, Early Thorn, 2 Scalloped Oaks, 11 Willow Beauties, Coxcomb Prominent, Pale Prominent, 2 Yellow-tails, 3 Dingy Footmen, Scarce Footman, Common Footman, Ruby Tiger, 10 Shuttle-shaped Darts, 5 Flame Shoulders, 8 Large Yellow Underwings, 15 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwings, 6 Setaceous Hebrew Characters, 3 Square-spotted Clays, Six-striped Rustic, Lychnis, Antler Moth, White-point, 2 Dark Arches, Cloaked Minor, 3 Common Rustics, 2 Lesser Common Rustics, Dusky Sallow, 3 Flounced Rustics, Ear Moth, 3 Uncertains, Dark Spectacle and 2 Straw Dots.


Next day I was birding at Burnham Overy and scored some lepidoptera while I was at it... Six species of butterfly included Grayling, 2 Wall Browns and Painted Lady, while moths included at least 15 Spindle Ermines Yponomeuta cagnagella and a Yellow Shell.

Among the moths at home on 15th only one was new for the year, and that a very common species: Square-spot Rustic.

Square-spot Rustic, North Elmham, 15th August

But there were some good moths too.  My first ever Cherry Bark Moth Enarmonia formosana was just a few weeks ago and tonight got me my second.  Like the first it wasn't the freshest of individuals so I still look forward to a proper fresh one, stunning as they look to be from the photos.  This one was worn enough that I decided it was safest to dissect it just to make sure I'd got it right.

Cherry Bark Moth Enarmonia formosana (female, gen det), North Elmham, 15th August

A Lesser Pearl Sitochroa verticalis was pretty late - they normally fly between May and mid July, peaking in June.  There are a handful of later records and as this was quite worn I assume it was just a late flying individual rather than a second generation.

Lesser Pearl Sitochroa verticalis, North Elmham, 15th August

The rest were Horse Chestnut Leaf-miner Cameraria ohridella, Bird-cherry Ermine Yponomeuta evonymella, Small Clover Case-bearer Coleophora alcyonipennella, Orange Crest Helcystogramma rufescens, 2 Garden Rose Tortrices Acleris variegana, Barred Marble Celypha striana, Garden Grass-veneer Chrysoteuchia culmella, 11 Pearl Veneers Agriphila straminella, 31 Common Grass-veneers Agriphila tristella, Elbow-stripe Grass-veneer Agriphila geniculea, Ringed China-mark Parapoynx stratiotata, 2 Pale Straw Pearls Udea lutealis, 2 Mother of Pearls Pleuroptya ruralis, Rosy Tabby Endotricha flammealis, Ash-bark Knot-horn Euzophera pinguis, Chalk Knot-horn Phycitodes maritima, 2 Chinese Characters, Large Emerald, Blood-vein, Small Fan-footed Wave, 2 Single-dotted Waves, 2 Riband Waves, Tawny Speckled Pug, Scalloped Oak, 3 Willow Beauties, 2 Pebble Prominents, Lesser Swallow Prominent, Coxcomb Prominent, Chocolate-tip, Dingy Footman, 4 Shuttle-shaped Darts, Flame Shoulder, 4 Large Yellow Underwings, 6 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwings, 4 Setaceous Hebrew Characters, Square-spotted Clay, 6 Six-striped Rustics, Antler Moth, Straw Underwing, Dark Arches, 3 Flounced Rustics, Burnished Brass and Straw Dot.

Square-spotted Clay, North Elmham, 15th August

Next evening (16th) was much quieter: just Dark-triangle Button Acleris laterana, 8 Common Grass-veneers Agriphila tristella, Blood-vein, Single-dotted Wave, Pebble Prominent, Swallow Prominent, Chocolate-tip, Shuttle-shaped Dart, 2 Flame Shoulders, Large Yellow Underwing, 4 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwings, 2 Setaceous Hebrew Characters, 2 Six-striped Rustics, Square-spot Rustic and 6 Flounced Rustics.

Chocolate-tip, North Elmham, 16th August

Webb's Wainscot and friends

Back to catching up on the summer's mothing after a hiatus of busy-ness getting in the way.  Now on 13th August...

Highlight that night was a moth I wasn't expecting at home... a Webb's Wainscot.  Although primarily a Broadland species there are scattered records across the county, albeit mainly in the east.

Webb's Wainscot, North Elmham, 13th August

Another species I wasn't particularly expecting here as it's associated with pine woodlands was Pine Marble Piniphila bifasciana.

Pine Marble Piniphila bifasciana, North Elmham, 13th August

A grey Epinotia looked a good candidate for another cinereana so needed the chop to find out.  After some initial confusion today's turned out to be Grey Poplar Bell Epinotia nisella, new for the year.  I presume the common name and the fact that Poplar is listed as a foodplant on various websites are left over from the days when cinereana and nisella were treated as a single species - MOGBI seems to imply that nisella is a Willow feeder.

Grey Poplar Bell Epinotia nisella (female, gen det), North Elmham, 13th August

More often seen during the day than in a moth trap, at least not in my moth trap, is Latticed Heath.

Latticed Heath, North Elmham, 13th August

Also new for the year were Brown-spot Flat-body Agonopterix alstromeriana, Rhomboid Tortrix Acleris rhombana and Copper Underwing.

Copper Underwing (male, gen det), North Elmham, 13th August

Rhomboid Tortrix Acleris rhombana, North Elmham, 13th August

Best of the other micros were New Oak Slender Caloptilia robustella, Ribwort Slender Aspilapteryx tringipennella and Little Ermel Swammerdamia pyrella.

New Oak Slender Caloptilia robustella (female, gen det), North Elmham, 13th August

Little Ermel Swammerdamia pyrella (male, gen det), North Elmham, 13th August

Oak Hook-tip and White Satin were among the macros, along with Pebble Hook-tip, 3 Chinese Characters, Large Emerald, 2 Blood-veins, Small Blood-vein, 5 Single-dotted Waves, 17 Riband Waves, Red Twin-spot Carpet, 2 Common Carpets, Yellow Shell, Rivulet, 2 Lime-speck Pugs, Yellow-barred Brindle, Brimstone Moth, Canary-shouldered Thorn, Early Thorn, 4 Willow Beauties, Iron Prominent, Pebble Prominent, Swallow Prominent, Coxcomb Prominent, 2 Yellow-tails, 2 Black Arches, Rosy Footman, 5 Dingy Footmen, Scarce Footman, Ruby Tiger, 3 Shuttle-shaped Darts, 7 Flame Shoulders, 4 Large Yellow Underwings, 9 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwings, 6 Setaceous Hebrew Characters, Square-spotted Clay, Nutmeg, Dun-bar, Dark Arches, 2 Cloaked Minors, Common Rustic, Flounced Rustic, 3 Uncertains, 2 Nut-tree Tussocks and 6 Straw Dots.

White Satin, North Elmham, 13th August

Black Arches, North Elmham, 13th August

The remaining micros were 3 Carrion Moths Monopis weaverella, Bird’s-nest Moth Tinea trinotella, 6 Bird-cherry Ermines Yponomeuta evonymella, 2 Brown House Moths Hofmannophila pseudospretella, Long-horned Flat-body Carcina quercana, Cinereous Groundling Bryotropha terrella, 3 Dark Fruit-tree Tortrices Pandemis heparana, Light Brown Apple Moth Epiphyas postvittana, Dover Shade Cnephasia genitalana, Maple Button Acleris forsskaleana, Dark-triangle Button Acleris laterana, 3 Garden Rose Tortrices Acleris variegana, 2 Holly Tortrices Rhopobota naevana, Common Cloaked Shoot Gypsonoma dealbana, Marbled Piercer Cydia splendana, 10 Pearl Veneers Agriphila straminella, 65 Common Grass-veneers Agriphila tristella, 2 Elbow-stripe Grass-veneers Agriphila geniculea, 4 Chequered Grass-veneers Catoptria falsella, 3 Little Greys Eudonia lacustrata, 3 Small Greys Eudonia mercurella, Ringed China-mark Parapoynx stratiotata, Beautiful China-mark Nymphula stagnata, 2 Garden Pebbles Evergestis forficalis, 2 Chequered Straws Evergestis pallidata, 5 Pale Straw Pearls Udea lutealis, 29 Mother of Pearls Pleuroptya ruralis, Double-striped Tabby Hypsopygia glaucinalis, Rosy Tabby Endotricha flammealis and Common Plume Emmelina monodactyla.

Carrion Moth Monopis weaverella, North Elmham, 13th August

Dover Shades Cnephasis genitalana, North Elmham, 13th August

I think this Mayfly was Ephemera vulgata...

apparent Ephemera vulgata, North Elmham, 13th August

Forest Bug, North Elmham, 13th August