Review of 2019 and 2020 - Moths: Case-bearers (Coleophoridae) (Part 2)

 CASE-BEARERS (COLEOPHORIDAE)


Grey Alder Case-bearer Coleophora binderella - One in the garden moth trap on 16th July 2020.  I've recorded this species here twice before, in 2016 and 2018.

female Grey Alder Case-bearer Coleophora binderella, North Elmham, 16th July 2020

White-legged Case-bearer Coleophora albitarsella - One in the garden trap on 8th August 2019.  This was my fourth, all since 2016.  Although the tarsi have sometimes been detectably paler than the rest of the legs I don't think I've caught one that has really obvious white tarsi yet.  They're quite overlookable when a bit worn and I resort to gen detting in the absence of clear white scales on the tarsi.  Also an occupied larval case on Ground Ivy at the meadows on 25th October 2020 and feeding signs where one had been on another date.

female White-legged Case-bearer Coleophora albitarsella, North Elmham, 8th August 2019

feeding signs and larval case of White-legged Case-bearer Coleophora albitarsella, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 25th October 2020

Large Clover Case-bearer Coleophora trifolii - None.  I've only ever found one of these, which I caught in my next-door neighbour's garden in 2016.  At least I know they're nearby - surely one will turn up in my own garden before too long?


Clover Case-bearer Coleophora alcyonipennella - One trapped here on 25th May 2019 followed by another 8 between 17th July and 30th August, then in 2020 15 between 31st July and 15th August.  I've had worse years but sometimes this species is sometimes much commoner (e.g. 39 trapped here in 2018).  Also trapped next door, at the meadows and at Whitwell Street (the latter being my latest in these years, 3rd September 2020).  This species is now listed as grade 2, i.e. it can be recorded without gen detting, and in theory antennal structure should give away deauratella, however the deauratella I caught (confirmed by gen det) didn't show this feature very obviously, and if you want to prove the presence of frischella in Norfolk I'm not sure you'll have much chance if you simply record alcyonipennella-like moths as that without dissecting them to check.  I also think it would be quite possible to mix these up with some of the other dark Coleophora that aren't usually listed as confusion species, like Dark Thistle Case-bearer Coleophora paripennella for example.  Nevertheless, when I have a big backlog of moths requiring gen detting it's going to be tempting now to let some go without confirming, and indeed some of the later ones I recorded in 2019 were not checked.

male Clover Case-bearer Coleophora alcyonipennella, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 25th May 2019

male Clover Case-bearer Coleophora alcyonipennella, North Elmham, 17th July 2019

male Clover Case-bearer Coleophora alcyonipennella, North Elmham, 6th August 2019

male Clover Case-bearer Coleophora alcyonipennella, North Elmham, 1st August 2020

female Clover Case-bearer Coleophora alcyonipennella, Whitwell Street, 3rd September 2020

Spikenard Case-bearer Coleophora conyzae - One trapped at Weybourne on 5th July 2019.  Although there are only a dozen records of this species in Norfolk I've trapped a couple at Weybourne before (need to look into why those records aren't showing - I thought someone else had submitted them) and also a couple here in North Elmham (2016 and 2018).

female Spikenard Case-bearer Coleophora conyzae, Weybourne, 5th July 2019

Woundwort Case-bearer Coleophora lineolea - A total of 28 trapped here between 16th June and 30th August 2019 and 13 between 12th July and 18th August 2020.  2019 was my best ever year for this species, which was previously averaging at about 15 per year.  Despite being one of my commonest Coleophora here, since moving here in 2014 I've hadn't recorded it anywhere else, even at the meadows where 2 of its foodplants grow, but in 2020 I had one at Bintree Wood too (where I'd also caught it back in 2012).

male Woundwort Case-bearer Coleophora lineolea, North Elmham, 17th June 2019

female Woundwort Case-bearer Coleophora lineolea, Bintree Wood, 24th July 2020

Black-stigma Case-bearer Coleophora hemerobiella - My first and second records of this species fell in 2020, in my garden trap on 21st and 30th July.  It's meant to be readily identifiable on the strength of the dark spot on its forewings but some caution is required as other species can show dark spots in a similar position due to wear, and clypeiferella seems to show this most of the time.  However in reality hemerobiella really is quite distinctive, more so than I had expected, not so much because of the dark spot but the overall appearance being quite whitish on the background (so not really confusable with clypeiferella) and with a generous dusting of dark speckling covering the wings.  

male Black-stigma Case-bearer Coleophora hemerobiella, North Elmham, 21st July 2020

Black-stigma Case-bearer Coleophora hemerobiella, North Elmham, 30th July 2020

Lotus Case-bearer Coleophora discordella - None.  A frequently-recorded Coleophora that I haven't found yet.


Red-clover Case-bearer Coleophora deauratella - None.  I've not recorded this species locally yet but with plenty of Red Clover growing at the meadows I'd have throught I must be in with a chance.


Meadow Case-bearer Coleophora mayrella - 3 in the garden between 28th June and 5th July 2019 and 6 between 15th June and 6th August 2020.  3 here in a year is below average (6-7 is average) but it wasn't quite the worst year (one in 2016).  Elsewhere 2 at the meadows, one at Hellsedon and 2 at Weybourne, all between 25th May and 14th July 2019.  With its white-ringed antennae this species is readily separated from other bronzy-green Coleophora.

Meadow Case-bearer Coleophora mayrella, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 25th May 2019

Meadow Case-bearer Coleophora mayrella, North Elmham, 19th June 2020

Next page: more Coleophora

Irish Yellow Slug

Several new moths for the year at home on Sunday 19th, namely Large Fruit-tree Tortrix Archips podana, Woodland Marble Orthotaenia undulana, Garden Grass-veneer Chrysoteuchia culmella, Little Grass-veneer Platytes cerussella, Yellow Shell, Mottled Beauty and White-point.

Woodland Marble Orthotaenia undulana, North Elmham, 19th June

Large Fruit-tree Tortrix Archips podana, North Elmham, 19th June

Yellow Shell, North Elmham, 19th June

White-point, North Elmham, 19th June

Mottled Beauty, North Elmham, 19th June

Little Grass-veneer Platytes cerussella, North Elmham, 19th June

 

Garden Grass-veneer Chrysoteucha culmella, North Elmham, 19th June

Other moths that night were 7 Diamond-back Moths Plutella xylostella, Buff Rush Case-bearer Coleophora caespititiella, Barred Marble Celypha striana, 3 Common Marbles Celypha lacunana, Plum Tortrix Hedya pruniana, Rush Marble Bactra lancealana, Yellow-faced Bell Notocelia cynosbatella, Triple-blotched Bell Notocelia trimaculana, 2 Hook-streaked Grass-Veneers Crambus lathoniellus, Bee Moth Aphomia sociella, Common Swift, Maiden's Blush, Treble Brown Spot, Riband Wave, 3 Silver-ground Carpets, 2 Common Marbled Carpets, Green Carpet, Currant Pug, Common Pug, 2 Willow Beauties, Pale Oak Beauty, 2 Clouded Silvers, Elephant Hawkmoth, Coxcomb Prominent, 3 White Ermines, 2 Heart and Darts, 3 Flames, Ingrailed Clay, 5 Brown Rustics, 2 Middle-barred Minors, 4 Treble Lines, 2 Mottled Rustics, Burnished Brass, 5 Straw Dots and 2 Snouts.

I've updated this paragraph since I first posted it.  Paul Cobb recently advised me that Chrysoperla carnea has been split into 2 species, not covered in the excellent FSC key (a third split was already covered in the key).  He sent me some notes on how to separate carnea from the new pallida - which requires looking at the male genitalia (no dissection required).  This was my first carnea agg. since getting this but unfortunately I got the notes mixed up and misidentified it as Chrysoperla pallida.  Completely my fault - the notes were perfectly clear!  Anyway, I mentioned it to Paul and my error was uncovered - apparently pallida would have been the first East Anglian record!  It was, of course, just Chrysoperla carnea!  Still, my first positively identified one!

Chrysoperla carnea, North Elmham, 19th June - lower shot shows the tip of the abdomen

Other insects in the trap included a Cockchafer and the caddisflies Limnephilus flavicornis and Limnephilus marmoratus.

There were another 5 new moths for the year the following night: Small Clover Case-bearer Coleophora alcyonipennella, Large Ivy Tortrix Lozotaenia forsterana, Ringed China-mark Parapoynx stratiotata, Elder Pearl Anania coronata and Lobster Moth.

Small Clover Case-bearer Coleophora alcyonipennella (male, gen det), North Elmham, 20th June

Lobster Moth, North Elmham, 20th June

Large Ivy Tortrix Lozotaenia forsterana, North Elmham, 20th June

Ringed China-mark Parapoynx stratiotata, North Elmham, 20th June

The others were Cypress Tip Moth Argyresthia cupressella, 5 Diamond-back Moths Plutella xylostella, Brown House Moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella, Privet Tortrix Clepsis consimilana, 2 Light Brown Apple Moths Epiphyas postvittana, 6 Common Marbles Celypha lacunana, 2 Triple-blotched Bells Notocelia trimaculana, Hook-streaked Grass-Veneer Crambus lathoniellus, 6 Common Greys Scoparia ambigualis, Garden Pebble Evergestis forficalis, 8 Small Magpies Anania hortulata, 2 Bee Moths Aphomia sociella, Common Swift, Blood-vein, 2 Treble Brown Spots, Silver-ground Carpet, Common Carpet, Sandy Carpet, Common Pug, Clouded Border, 2 Scorched Wings, Scalloped Hazel, 2 Clouded Silvers, 2 Eyed Hawkmoths, Elephant Hawkmoth, Coxcomb Prominent, Pale Prominent, Marbled Brown, 5 Buff-tips, Pale Tussock, 2 White Ermines, 17 Buff Ermines, Heart and Dart, 2 Flames, Large Yellow Underwing, Ingrailed Clay, 2 Bright-line Brown-eyes, Rustic Shoulder-knot, 6 Brown Rustics, 2 Middle-barred Minors, 2 Treble Lines, Mottled Rustic, Burnished Brass and 12 Straw Dots.

Eyed Hawkmoth, North Elmham, 20th June

A slug on the side of the moth trap proved to be an Irish Yellow Slug, a new one for me.  Also new was the caddisfly Lype phaeopa.  Other caddis included 2 Hydropsyche pellucidula and Limnephilus lunatus.

Irish Yellow Slug, North Elmham, 20th June

Lype phaeopa, North Elmham, 20th June

Hornet

I get a few Hornets in the moth trap.  So far they've not been a serious problem, though they do predate the odd moth now and then.  If they remain docile enough not to be a threat (to me) they're quite attractive in a strange sort of way...

Hornet, North Elmham, 5th August

5th August was a pretty poor night by recent standards - just 110 moths of 40 species and none of them very remarkable: Small Clover Case-bearer Coleophora alcyonipennella, Burdock Neb Metzneria lappella, Hook-marked Straw Moth Agapeta hamana, Garden Rose Tortrix Acleris variegana, Barred Marble Celypha striana, 3 Garden Grass-veneers Chrysoteuchia culmella, 24 Pearl Veneers Agriphila straminella, 27 Common Grass-veneers Agriphila tristella, Small Grey Eudonia mercurella, Beautiful China-mark Nymphula stagnata, Garden Pebble Evergestis forficalis, 3 Mother of Pearls Pleuroptya ruralis, Chinese Character, Large Emerald, Small Fan-footed Wave, Single-dotted Wave, 5 Riband Waves, Red Twin-spot Carpet, Lime-speck Pug, Purple Thorn, Scalloped Oak, Pebble Prominent, Pale Prominent, Buff-tip, 3 Yellow-tails, 3 Dingy Footmen, Scarce Footman, 3 Common Footmen, Ruby Tiger, 3 Large Yellow Underwings, Lesser Yellow Underwing, Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, Nutmeg, Clay, 2 Straw Underwings, Ear Moth, 4 Uncertains, 2 Nut-tree Tussocks, Straw Dot and Snout.

 Ear Moth (male, gen det), North Elmham, 5th August

Small Clover Case-bearer Coleophora alcyonipennella (male, gen det), North Elmham, 5th August

Dotted Grey Groundling (Athrips mouffetella)

After the poor showing on the night of 30th July, 31st was back on form.  Among the 178 moths of 61 species was a lifer, Dotted Grey Groundling Athrips mouffetella.

Dotted Grey Groundling Athrips mouffetella, North Elmham, 31st July

There were 3 more new for the year: Small Clover Case-bearer Coleophora alcyonipennella, Large Birch Bell Epinotia brunnichana and Oak Nycteoline.

 Large Birch Bell Epinotia brunnichana, North Elmham, 31st July

Small Clover Case-bearer Coleophora alcyonipennella (male, gen det), North Elmham, 31st July

Oak Nycteoline, North Elmham, 31st July

A variety of other micros recorded: Cinereous Groundling Bryotropha terrella, House Groundling Bryotropha domestica, Hook-marked Straw Moth Agapeta hamana, 2 Burdock Conches Aethes rubigana, Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix Pandemis cerasana, 3 Large Fruit-tree Tortrices Archips podana, Red-barred Tortrix Ditula angustiorana, Flax Tortrix Cnephasia asseclana, 2 Cereal Tortrices Cnephasia pumicana, Dover Shade Cnephasia genitalana, Garden Rose Tortrix Acleris variegana, Barred Marble Celypha striana, 3 Common Marbles Celypha lacunana, Common Cloaked Shoot Gypsonoma dealbana, 6 Marbled Piercers Cydia splendana, 9 Garden Grass-veneers Chrysoteuchia culmella, 36 Pearl Veneers Agriphila straminella, 5 Common Grass-veneers Agriphila tristella, Chequered Grass-veneer Catoptria falsella, 2 Little Greys Eudonia lacustrata, 3 Small Greys Eudonia mercurella, Dusky Pearl Udea prunalis, 6 Mother of Pearls Pleuroptya ruralis, 4 Rosy Tabbies Endotricha flammealis and Beautiful Knot-horn Rhodophaea formosa.

 Beautiful Knot-horn Rhodophaea formisa, North Elmham, 31st July

Burdock Conch Aethes rubigana, North Elmham, 31st July

Marbled Piercer Cydia splendana, North Elmham, 31st July

Other macros were 4 Chinese Characters, 4 Small Fan-footed Waves, Single-dotted Wave, 2 Riband Waves, Red Twin-spot Carpet, Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet, Large Twin-spot Carpet, Common Carpet, 3 Clouded Borders, 2 Willow Beauties, 2 Coxcomb Prominents, Pale Prominent, 2 Chocolate-tips, Yellow-tail, 10 Dingy Footmen, 4 Scarce Footmen, 13 Common Footmen, Buff Ermine, 2 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwings, Nutmeg, Bright-line Brown-eye, Antler Moth, 3 Clays, Cloaked Minor, 2 Common Rustics, Dusky Sallow, 7 Uncertains, Rustic, 3 Nut-tree Tussocks, Beautiful Hook-tip, Snout and Fan-foot. 

Chocolate-tip, North Elmham, 31st July

Cloaked Minor, North Elmham, 31st July - is it just me that finds individuals like this very hard to separate from Marbled Minor agg.?

Coxcomb Prominent, North Elmham, 31st July