Review of 2019 - Tubics (Oecophoridae and Chimbachidae) and Long-horned Flat-body (Peleopodidae)

TUBICS (OECOPHORIDAE)


Italian Tubic Metalampra italica - Singles in the garden moth trap on 23rd and 24th July 2019 plus one in my bedroom on 5th August.  Then 5 in 2020 between 8th August and 8th September.  This species was new to Norfolk in 2014 when 3 were recorded (2 by me, one in my old house just before I moved out and one in the new house soon after moving in).  Since then increasing numbers have been recorded each year although after my first ones in 2014 I didn't see it again until 2018.

Italian Tubic Metalampra italica, North Elmham, 5th August 2019

Italian Tubic Metalampra italica, North Elmham, 8th August 2020

White-shouldered House Moth Endrosis sarcitrella - Singles here on 23rd May and 16th June 2019 and then on 8 dates between 1st August and 5th October.  One on 24th April 2020 and 9 more between 27th May and 22nd September.  Both fairly typical showings although in some years the spring/early summer generation is the busier one.  Also one at the Cathedral Meadows and at a handful of other places including Whitwell Street, Norwich, Suffolk, Cornwall and Mull.  A couple were found at wine ropes.

White-shouldered House Moth Endrosis sarcitrella, North Elmham, 23rd May 2019

Brown House Moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella - Totals of 42 here between 1st June and 27th August 2019 and 67 between 20th May and 15th September 2020, a minority of which were found in the house.  Recorded at the meadows on a couple of dates each year and also recorded at a few other sites including Norwich and Mull.

Brown House Moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella, North Elmham, 8th September 2020

Small Dingy Tubic Borkhausenia fuscescens - 8 at home between 4th July and 18th August 2019 with a peak of 3 on 25th July.   I average over 15 a year here and this was my worst year in 5.  2020 was better with 21 between 9th July and 12th August.


Golden-brown Tubic Crassa unitella - 2019 was my best year for these here with at least 36 (not counted on a couple of nights) between 5th July and 10th August.  2020 was a reasonable year with 24 between 26th June and 19th August.  Also 10 at the meadows (including one on an earlier date of 23rd June) and a small number elsewhere.

Golden-brown Tubic Crassa unitella, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 23rd June 2020

Lesser Tawny Tubic Batia lunaris - Totals of 11 here between 5th and 26th July 2019 and 12 between 26th June and 27th August 2020, my best years yet.


Greater Tawny Tubic Batia lambdella - None.  I'm yet to see this species but it's widespread enough in Norfolk so must be round here somewhere.


Sulphur Tubic Esperia sulphurella - Singles at the Cathedral Meadows on 19th and 30th April and 2nd May 2019 and 15th and 27th May 2020.  None at home although I have recorded the species here 3 times (in 2016 and 2017).

Sulpur Tubic Esperia sulphurella, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 19th April 2019

Sulpur Tubic Esperia sulphurella, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 15th May 2020

Common Tubic Alabonia geoffrella - 2 at the Cathedral Meadows on 22nd May 2019 and then with Thomas Spencer's help we found 8 there on 25th May.  I'd only ever seen 2 before so was pleased with this.  Another 5 at the meadows betewen 25th May and 3rd June 2020.

Common Tubics Alabonia geoffrella, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 22nd May 2019

Common Tubic Alabonia geoffrella, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 27th May 2020

Ruddy Streak Tachystola acroxantha - One flew in through my office window in Norwich on 24th September 2020, a completely new moth for me.  Rob Lee found the first (and second) Norfolk records of this adventive species in 2015 and since then it has clearly become established in parts of Norwich.  My second and third records of this species came soon after, during a trip to Cornwall where I trapped singles overnight on 3rd and 6th October.  I didn't find the species when I stayed at the same cottage in the same week in 2018, so I wonder if it's arrived there in just the last couple of years?

Ruddy Streak Tachystola acroxantha, Norwich, 24th September 2020

Ruddy Streak Tachystola acroxantha, Tresidder (Cornwall), 3rd October 2020

Ruddy Streak Tachystola acroxantha, Tresidder (Cornwall), 6th October 2020

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TUBICS (CHIMABACHIDAE)


March Tubic Diurnea fagella - 6 at home between 17th and 27th March 2019 plus 15 (over 2 nights) at the meadows during this period.  7 at home between 13th and 26th March 2020 and 2 in the Brecks.  This species is annual here but not in big numbers - only 2018 was better than this.

March Tubic Diurnea fagella, North Elmham, 17th March

male and female March Tubics Diurnea fagella, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 18th March 2019

November Tubic Diurnea lipsiella - None.  I still await my first one - I heard several reports in the autumn of 2020 so got hopeful, but no luck.

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LYPUSID TUBICS (LYPUSIDAE)

No representatives of this family are particularly likely here, though I guess there's a small chance of getting either of the rare Agnoea species at some point.

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LONG-HORNED FLAT-BODY (PELEOPODIDAE)


Long-horned Flat-body Carcina quercana - Recorded on 19 nights here between 1st July and 16th August 2019.  Total numbers uncertain as wasn't counted every night but at least 24.  Recorded on 26-30 nights in each of the previous 3 years so not a good year for this species.  2020 was more typical with 45 on 31 nights between 29th June and 27th August plus one on 28th October (this new second generation has produced a crop of records in the last few years except 2019).  Elsewhere recorded from next door, the meadows and from Swanton Novers in August 2019, Bintree Wood in July 2020 and the Cathedral Meadows in August 2020.

Long-horned Flat-body Carcina quercana, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 26th July 2019

Long-horned Flat-body Carcina quercana, North Elmham, 29th June 2020

Next page: Depressariidae

Phyllonorycter trifasciella and other mid October moths

An evening stroll round the meadows on 17th October was worthwhile.  I caught a couple of Garden Midgets Phyllonorycter messaniella at dusk but it got more productive after dark.  One of the better moths was another Phyllonorycter, found resting on a leaf by torchlight - a Honeysuckle Midget Phyllonorycter trifasciella.  This is a species I don't encounter very often.

Garden Midget Phyllonorycter messaniella, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 17th October

Honeysuckle Midget Phyllonorycter trifasciella, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 17th October

Other moths were 3 Long-horned Flat-bodies Carcina quercana, Common Flat-body Agonopterix heracliana, London Dowd Blastobasis lacticolella, 3 Common Plumes Emmelina monodactyla, 2 November Moths, 2 Green-brindled Crescents and Yellow-line Quaker.

Long-borned Flat-body Carcina quercana, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 17th October

Green-brindled Crescent, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 17th October

There were two of the darker flower bugs on Oak trunks but as I subsequently identified both confusus and nemoralis along here it isn't safe to name these without a specimen.  An easier bug to identify was Pinalitus cervinus.

Pinalitus cervinus, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 17th October

A new beetle for me was the rove beetle Ocypus brunnipes.  Also a 7-spot Ladybird.

Ocypus brunnipes, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 17th October

Finally I photographed this harvestman in the hope of working out its ID.  I think I have - Leiobunum rotundum.

Leiobunum rotundum, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 17th October

Not a great deal in the moth trap at home that night: 3 Narrow-winged Greys Eudonia angustea, 2 November Moths, 2 Feathered Thorns, Shuttle-shaped Dart, 2 Large Yellow Underwings, 3 Green-brindled Crescents, Red-line Quaker, Yellow-line Quaker, Beaded Chestnut and Lunar Underwing.

The following night was very poor with Narrow-winged Grey Eudonia angustea, November Moth, Green-brindled Crescent, Chestnut and the caddisfly Halesus radiatus. The 19th was even worse with just November Moth, 2 Green-brindled Crescents and Beaded Chestnut.

A fungus foray at Beeston Common on 20th October was extremely interesting, the first I've ever been on.  A Brown Rat was above head height in the hedge by the entrance to the common - I don't ever recall seeing one so high up before.  We also saw an Adder, but of course these delights weren't what we were there for.  Expertly led by Tony Leech I learnt an enormous amout about fungi.  I took a lot of photos but quickly and badly, so they really aren't worth sharing here.  I did it mainly with the intention of helping me learn what I was seeing, recording the names as I did so.

A couple I think are worth mentioning were the Gorse Cramp Ball Daldinia fissa, a species that only occurs on gorse that has been burnt. and the Ergot Claviceps purpurea, which was once a very problematic contaminant of rye used in bread-making.

Gorse Cramp Ball Daldinia fissa, Beeston Common, 20th October

Ergot Claviceps purpurea, Beeston Common, 20th October

I am very grateful to Tony and the others who helped find and identify fungi - a very educational event that will not be my last fungus foray.

Afterwards I went to Beeston Priory for a drink with the Mrs.  There was Common Darter here, and this thing.  It's quite aphid-like but lacks obvious siphuncular cones shown by most aphids.  I think some lack them though, so maybe an aphid, or perhaps a nymph of a bug of some sort.

unidentified bug, Beeston Priory, 20th October

A small selection of moths in the garden trap that night included the first Mottled Umber of the autumn, and Garden Rose Tortrix Acleris variegana, 8 Narrow-winged Greys Eudonia angustea, 5 November Moths, 7 Feathered Thorns, Sprawler, 3 Green-brindled Crescents, 2 Bricks and Snout.   There were also the caddisflies Limnephilus lunatus and 2 Halesus radiatus, and the beetle Lagria hirta.

Mottled Umber, North Elmham, 20th October

Sprawler, North Elmham, 20th October

Brick, North Elmham, 20th October

There was a bigger and better selection of moths the following night: London Dowd Blastobasis lacticolella, 2 Privet Tortrixes Clepsis consimilana, 2 Light Brown Apple-moths Epiphyas postvittana, Rhomboid Tortrix Acleris rhombana, 9 Narrow-winged Greys Eudonia angustea, Spruce Carpet, 13 November Moths, 3 Pale November Moths (and 1 other Epirrita sp.), 4 Feathered Thorns, White-point, Sprawler, 3 Green-brindled Crescents, 2 Bricks, Red-line Quaker, 5 Yellow-line Quakers and Vine's Rustic.  Caddisflies were Brown Sedge Anabolia nervosa, 3 Limnephilus auricula and Limnephilus lunatus.  There was also one bug, Pinalitus cervinus and the barkfly Ectopsocus briggsi.

Ectopsocus briggsi (male), North Elmham, 21st October

There was much less again the following night with Narrow-winged Grey Eudonia angustea, Pale November Moth, Feathered Thorn, Red-line Quaker and 4 Yellow-line Quakers.

The following night's selection was 2 Garden Midgets Phyllonorycter messaniella, 7 Narrow-winged Greys Eudonia angustea, November Moth, 4 Pale November Moths, 2 Feathered Thorns, Turnip Moth, 2 Sprawlers, 6 Green-brindled Crescents, Red-line Quaker and 2 Yellow-line Quakers. Caddisflies were Limnephilus auricula, 3 Limnephilus lunatus and Halesus radiatus, and there was a Tarnished Plant Bug Lygus rugulipennis.

Next day a Hornet was the only insect noted at the Cathedral Meadows.  Fungi included this Jelly Ear.

Jelly Ear, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 24th October

That night the garden moth trap produced Garden Midget Phyllonorycter messaniella, Light Brown Apple-moth Epiphyas postvittana, 5 Narrow-winged Greys Eudonia angustea, Double-striped Tabby Hypsopygia glaucinalis, 3 Pale November Moths, 4 Feathered Thorns, 2 Sprawlers, Red-line Quaker, Yellow-line Quaker and the caddisfly Halesus radiatus.

The Italians are back

July kicked off with finding an Italian Tubic Metalampra italica (and a Dark Neb Bryotropha affinis) inside the house on 1st.  Then overnight there was a second Metalampra italica in the trap.  I'd had the second and third records for Norfolk in 2014 but although there have been quite a few more records elsewhere in the intervening years these were my first since then.

Italian Tubics Metalampra italica, North Elmham, 1st July

Other moths that were new for the year that night were White-speckled Clothes Moth Nemapogon koenigi, Orchard, Apple or Spindle Ermine agg. Yponomeuta padella/malinellus/cagnagella, Small Dingy Tubic Borkhausenia fuscescens, Long-horned Flat-body Carcina quercana, Bud Moth Spilonota ocellana, Ermine Knot-horn Phycitodes binaevella, Brown Plume Stenoptilia pterodactyla, Yellow-tail, Round-winged Muslin, Brown-line Bright Eye and Rufous Minor.

Long-horned Flat-body Carcina quercana, North Elmham, 1st July

Bud Moth Spilonota ocellana, North Elmham, 1st July

Ermine Knot-horn Phycitodes binaevella, North Elmham, 1st July

Brown Plume Stenoptilia pterodactyla, North Elmham, 1st July

Round-winged Muslin, North Elmham, 1st July

Rufous Minor (female, gen det), North Elmham, 1st July

Other highlights included Drab Clothes Moth Haplotinea insectella, Gold-sheen Clothes Moth Nemapogon ruricolella and Rose Tortrix Archips rosana.

Other moths were Diamond-back Plutella xylostella, 3 Large Fruit-tree Tortrixes Archips podana, Light Brown Apple-moth Epiphyas postvittana, 5 Large Ivy Tortrixes Lozotaenia forsterana, Red-barred Tortrix Ditula angustiorana, 3 Grey Tortrixes Cnephasia stephensiana, Flax Tortrix Cnephasia asseclana, Green Oak Tortrix Tortrix viridana, 4 Barred Marbles Celypha striana, 9 Common Marbles Celypha lacunana, Marbled Orchard Tortrix Hedya nubiferana, 3 Triangle-marked Rollers Ancylis achatana, Bramble Shoot Notocelia uddmanniana, 2 Hoary Bells Eucosma cana, 4 Many-plume Moths Alucita hexadactyla, 22 Garden Grass-veneers Chrysoteuchia culmella, 6 Inlaid Grass-veneers Crambus pascuella, 2 Satin Grass-veneers Crambus perlella, Common Grey Scoparia ambigualis, 2 Little Greys Eudonia lacustrata, Small Grey Eudonia mercurella, 3 Small Magpies Anania hortulata, Elder Pearl Anania coronata, Mother of Pearl Pleuroptya ruralis, Rosy Tabby Endotricha flammealis, Beautiful Plume Amblyptilia acanthadactyla, White Plume Pterophorus pentadactyla, 2 Common Plumes Emmelina monodactyla, Ghost Moth, Common Emerald, 7 Small Fan-footed Waves, 3 Dwarf Cream Waves, 7 Single-dotted Waves, 3 Treble Brown Spots, 5 Riband Waves, Garden Carpet, Common Carpet, 3 Barred Straws, Sandy Carpet, 2 Common Pugs, V-Pug, 3 Green Pugs, Double-striped Pug, Early Thorn, 3 Swallow-tailed Moths, Willow Beauty, 2 Mottled Beauties, 3 Engraileds, 3 Clouded Silvers, 2 Buff-tips, 2 Rosy Footmen, Dingy Footman, 28 Common Footmen, 14 Buff Ermines, 4 Heart and Clubs, Flame Shoulder, 2 Double Square-spots, Dot Moth, Lychnis, 2 Common Wainscots, 4 Brown Rustics, 2 Dark Arches, 14 Uncertains, 2 Rustics, 6 Mottled Rustics, Beautiful Hook-tip and 5 Fan-foots.

Sandy Carpet, North Elmham, 1st July

Among the other insects a Common Sun Beetle Amara aenea was the first I've ever identified.

Common Sun Beetle Amara aenea, North Elmham, 1st July

Quite a few other things were new for the year including the green lacewing Cunctochrysa albolineata, the caddisfly Hydropsyche siltalai, the sexton beetle Nicrophorus investigator and the soldier beetle Rhagonycha fulva.

Cunctochrysa albolineata, North Elmham, 1st July

Other inescts included the brown lacewing Hemerobius humulinus, the caddisflies Ecnomus tenellus and Leptocerus tineiformis, the soldier beetle Cantharis cryptica, Orange Ladybird and 2 Lagria hirta.

Harlequin invasion and Vapourer

A walk at Massingham Heath on 2nd October didn't produce much wildlife interest - a Common Nettle-tap Anthophila fabriciana was the only moth recorded.  A poor catch at home that night consisted of Narrow-winged Grey Eudonia angustea, Setaceous Hebrew Character, Black Rustic, Red-line Quaker, Lunar Underwing, Sallow and Rosy Rustic.

The following night Large Wainscot was new for the year.  Apart from that it was no better than the night before: Light Brown Apple Moth Epiphyas postvittana, Feathered Thorn, Setaceous Hebrew Character, Green-brindled Crescent and 2 Lunar Underwings.

Large Wainscot, North Elmham, 3rd October

The next few nights didn't get much better:

• 4th: Setaceous Hebrew Character, Lunar Underwing, Pink-barred Sallow, 2 Large Wainscots and the caddisfly Limnephilus lunatus. 

• 5th: just single Lunar Underwing and Pink-barred Sallow.

• 6th: Garden Midget Phyllonorycter messaniella, Rhomboid Tortrix Acleris rhombana, Narrow-winged Grey Eudonia angustea, Lunar Underwing and Limnephilus lunatus.

• 7th: Light Brown Apple Moth Epiphyas postvittana, 3 Narrow-winged Greys Eudonia angustea, Common Marbled Carpet, Feathered Thorn, Lunar Underwing, Snout and the beetles Nicrophorus investigator and 2 Leistus spinibarbis.

At Cley on 7th this caterpillar was on the boardwalk to the central hides.  I wasn't sure what it was, even if it is a moth or sawfly.  Turns out it wasn't either - thanks to James again for letting me know it's a soldier beetle larva -  I'd never have guessed that!

soldier beetle larva, Cley, 7th October

There was a slight upturn on the night of Sunday 8th with a Spruce Carpet and my latest ever (first in October) Treble Brown Spot.  Not much else though: 3 Light Brown Apple Moths Epiphyas postvittana, Garden Rose Tortrix Acleris variegana, 2 Narrow-winged Greys Eudonia angustea, 2 Mallows, Common Marbled Carpet, 3 Lunar Underwings, Pink-barred Sallow and Snout.

A Harbour Porpoise was about the only non-avian interest at Burnham Overy on 9th October.  That night at home I caught 3 Light Brown Apple Moths Epiphyas postvittana, 3 Garden Rose Tortrixes Acleris variegana, 2 Narrow-winged Greys Eudonia angustea, 2 Mallows, Common Marbled Carpet, Shuttle-shaped Dart, 2 Lunar Underwings, Pink-barred Sallow, Straw Dot, Chrysoperla carnea agg. (lacewing) and 3 Limnephilus lunatus (caddis).

The conditions around lunchtime on Tuesday 10th October must have been just right for ladybirds to be looking for somewhere to hibernate as between about 1 pm and 2 pm at least 36 Harlequin Ladybirds entered my study through the window which was only open a crack.  There were loads more outside that didn't find their way in too.  Among them all was a single 2-spot Ladybird, the first I've recorded here this year (though I'm pretty sure one that came in to hibernate towards the end of last year was still lurking in a corner into January at least).

That night there were 2 new moths for the year - one a lovely species I've only caught here once before and the other a very common and rather less attractive species - Vapourer and November Moth.

Vapourer, North Elmham, 10th October

November Moth (male, 8th sternite checked), North Elmham, 10th October

Other moths that night were 2 Light Brown Apple Moths Epiphyas postvittana, 6 Narrow-winged Greys Eudonia angustea, Mallow, Common Marbled Carpet, Feathered Thorn, Shuttle-shaped Dart, Large Yellow Underwing, 2 Setaceous Hebrew Characters, 2 Green-brindled Crescents, Lunar Underwing, Straw Dot and Snout.  Other insects included Chrysoperla carnea (lacewing), Limnephilus flavicornis, Limnephilus lunatus, 2 Limnephilus vittatus (caddisflies) and Lamprotettix nitidulus (leafhopper).

The following night there were 5 Narrow-winged Greys Eudonia angustea, Mallow, November Moth, Feathered Thorn, Beaded Chestnut, 2 Lunar Underwings and Barred Sallow, the last of which was new for the year.  No caddisflies, lacewings, bugs or beetles.

Barred Sallow, North Elmham, 11th October

It was just as quiet the next evening but still one new for the year - Yellow-line Quaker.  The others were 6 Narrow-winged Greys Eudonia angustea, Feathered Thorn, 2 Green-brindled Crescents, Lunar Underwing, Limnephilus lunatus, 2 Halesus radiatus (caddisflies) and Harpalus rufipes (beetle).

Yellow-line Quaker, North Elmham, 12th October

A Firethorn Leaf-miner Phyllonorycter leucographella was new for the year on 13th October.

Firethorn Leaf-miner Phyllonorycter leucographella, North Elmham, 13th October

This was one of a surprisingly good haul of micro moths which included several species I hadn't seen since the summer. Yellow-spot Tortrix Pseudargyrotoza conwagana is one I'd not seen anywhere near this late before and as it was fresh it must have been an unusual second-generation.  I had seen late Long-horned Flat-body Carcina quercana before but it's another one that the textbooks say should stop flying in August. Gold Triangle Hypsopygia costalis is another one that must be starting to have a second generation - this was my first in October while the Double-striped Tabby Hypsopygia glaucinalis is a bit more established at this time of year.  The other micros were more expected: 4 Garden Midgets Phyllonorycter messaniella, 2 Garden Rose Tortrixes Acleris variegana, 3 Narrow-winged Greys Eudonia angustea and Common Plume Emmelina monodactyla.

Yellow-spot Tortrix Pseudargyrotoza conwagana, North Elmham, 13th October

Long-horned Flat-body Carcina quercana, North Elmham, 13th October

Bizarrely given the nunber of micros, macros were few and far between and every one of them was a noctuid (at least in old taxonomy).  At least with just singles of each it felt like there was some variety among them: Shuttle-shaped Dart, Black Rustic, Brown-spot Pinion, Beaded Chestnut, Barred Sallow, Large Wainscot, Burnished Brass, Straw Dot and Snout.

Beaded Chestnut, North Elmham, 13th October

There was some interest among the other insects too.  Two lacewings were both Chrysoperla but unusually only one was carnea, the other being Chrysoperla lucasina - just my third.  There weren't many caddisflies but they included my first ever Brown Sedges Anabolia nervosa, a male and a female, along with more usual Mottled Sedge Glyphotaelius pellucidus and Limnephilus vittatus.

Chrysoperla lucasina, North Elmham, 13th October

Brown Sedge Anabolia nervosa (male), North Elmham, 13th October

Bugs and beetles consisted of Pinalitus cervinus, 2 Kybos sp. (probably betulicola), Edwardsiana sp., Aphodius rufipes and Orange Ladybird.

Orange Ladybird, North Elmham, 13th October