3 new moths for the garden and a new lacewing

It was a poor night by neighbouring night's standards on 4th August with just 40 species.  Only one was new for the year, though a moth I'd only seen here once before: Small Dotted Buff.

Small Dotted Buff, North Elmham, 4th August

Other moths were Carrion Moth Monopis weaverella, Hawthorn Slender Parornix anglicella, Beech Midget Phyllonorycter maestingella, 2 Little Ermines Swammerdamia pyrella, Woundwort Case-bearer Coleophora lineolea, Brown House Moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella, Straw Conch Cochylimorpha straminea, 3 Garden Rose Tortrixes Acleris variegana, 2 Barred Marbles Celypha striana, Hoary Bell Eucosma cana, 9 Straw Grass-veneers Agriphila straminella, 30 Common Grass-veneers Agriphila tristella, Beautiful China-mark Nymphula nitidulata, Mother of Pearl Pleuroptya ruralis, Rosy Tabby Endotricha flammealis, 2 Common Plumes Emmelina monodactyla, Single-dotted Wave, Red Twin-spot Carpet, Shaded Broad-bar, Common Carpet, Small Waved Umber, Maple Pug, Dusky Thorn, Early Thorn, Scalloped Oak, Pebble Prominent, Swallow Prominent, Coxcomb Prominent, 2 Dingy Footmen, Ruby Tiger, 5 Turnip Moths, 2 Flame Shoulders, Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, 6 Setaceous Hebrew Characters, 3 Common Wainscots, 2 Straw Underwings, Twin-spotted Wainscot, Silver Y and 7 Straw Dots.

Twin-spotted Wainscot, North Elmham, 4th August

Other insects included Blue-winged Olive Serratella ignita (a mayfly) and Bradycellus verbasci (a beetle). Also noticed a Common Zebra Spider Salticus scenicus indoors during the day.

The following night was considerably better. with no less than 3 new moths for the garden including one I'd never seen anywhere before.  The lifer was Clouded Slender Caloptilia populetorum, apparently an increasing species with as many records in Norfolk in the last couple of years as there had ever been up to 2015.

Clouded Slender Caloptilia populetorum, North Elmham, 5th August

I thought this very worn moth was going to be one of the Momphids but on dissection it clearly didn't fit.  Skimming through other genitalia diagrams came across similar ones for the two Blastodacna species.  I see hellerella quite often and this was much bigger (forewing length 6 mm, worn).  Mine was in fact an Apple-pith Moth Blastodacna atra, a much rarer species.  I'd seen one in 2012 when living at Bawdeswell wbich was only second site the species had been recorded at in Norfolk since the 1800s and 3 people have recorded them since then, but it remains a very scarce species in Norfolk.  Don't think I would have ever guessed this ID from the moth's external appearance, although the size would have been a pretty big clue if I'd ever managed to figure out that it was a Blastodacna.  Fortunately there are a few small differences in the genitalia and this confirmed it.  The one I saw in 2012 was much easier!

Apple-pith Moth Blastodacna atra (female, gen det), North Elmham, 5th August

The third new moth for the garden had come from at least 15 miles away and was a bit more straightforward to identify: a Saltmarsh Plume Agdistis bennetii.  My third saltmarsh species this summer, though unlike the Silver-streaked Case-bearer Coleophora limoniella and the Saltern Groundling Scrobipalpa instabililla this species is well-known for occasionally wandering inland.

Saltmarsh Plume Agdistis bennetii, North Elmham, 5th August

There were 3 more moths that were new for the year: Pine Leaf-mining Moth Clavigesta purdeyi, Miller and 5 Flounced Rustics.

Pine Leaf-mining Moth Clavigesta purdeyi, North Elmham, 5th August

Miller, North Elmham, 5th August

Flounced Rustics, North Elmham, 5th August

A Twin-spotted Wainscot was my fifth this year - remarkable for a not-particularly-common species that lives in reedbeds.  It was in fact the fourth consecutive night the species turned up here, but definitely different individuals involved.  Also noteworthy were 4 Maple Pugs - double the highest number I've trapped on one night before.  Another record count was 6 Golden Argents Argyresthia goedartella.

Maple Pug, North Elmham, 5th August

The other moths were Carrion Moth Monopis weaverella, Bird’s-nest Moth Tinea trinotella, a Parornix sp. (escaped before it could be identified), Ermine sp. Yponomeuta padella/malinellus/cagnagella, 2 Little Ermines Swammerdamia pyrella, 3 Diamond-backs Plutella xylostella, Small Dingy Tubic Borkhausenia fuscescens, 3 Brown House Moths Hofmannophila pseudospretella, 2 Long-horned Flat-bodies Carcina quercana, Dark Neb Bryotropha affinis, 4 Cinerous Nebs Bryotropha terrella, House Neb Bryotropha domestica, 5 Dingy Dowds Blastobasis adustella, 2 Light Brown Apple-moths Epiphyas postvittana, 2 Garden Rose Tortrixes Acleris variegana, Barred Marble Celypha striana, Blotched Marble Endothenia quadrimaculana, Rush Marble Bactra lancealana, 3 Marbled Piercers Cydia splendana, 23 Straw Grass-veneers Agriphila straminella, 33 Common Grass-veneers Agriphila tristella, 2 Water Veneers Acentria ephemerella, Little Grey Eudonia lacustrata, 2 Small Greys Eudonia mercurella, 2 Beautiful China-marks Nymphula nitidulata, Garden Pebble Evergestis forficalis, Pale Straw Pearl Udea lutealis, 15 Mother of Pearls Pleuroptya ruralis, 3 Grey Knot-horns Acrobasis advenella, Common Plume Emmelina monodactyla, Blood-vein, 3 Single-dotted Waves, 2 Red Twin-spot Carpets, 5 Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpets, Common Carpet, Small Phoenix, 2 Currant Pugs, 3 Double-striped Pugs, 3 Yellow-barred Brindles, 2 Magpie Moths, 2 Brimstone Moths, 2 Canary-shouldered Thorns, 2 Willow Beauties, Lesser Swallow Prominent, Pale Prominent, 2 Dingy Footmen, Scarce Footman, 3 Turnip Moths, 3 Shuttle-shaped Darts, 12 Flame Shoulders, 4 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwings, 9 Setaceous Hebrew Characters, White-point, 3 Common Wainscots, 3 Straw Underwings, Cloaked Minor, 2 Vine's Rustics, Spectacle and 5 Straw Dots.

Yellow-barred Brindle, North Elmham, 5th August

Cloaked Minor, North Elmham, 5th August

Among the other insects the clear highlight was another new pine-feeding brown lacewing, this time Hemerobius stigma.

Hemerobius stigma, North Elmham, 5th August

Other lacewings were 2 Chrysoperla carnea, Cunctochrysa albolineata, Dichochrysa flavifrons and 3 Micromus variegatus.  Mayflies consisted of Pond Olive Cloeon dipterum, Pale Evening Dun Procloeon bifidum and 8 Blue-winged Olives Serratella ignita and the caddisflies were 2 Ithytrichia lamellaris, Hydropsyche pellucidula, 4 Hydropsyche siltalai, Limnephilus marmoratus, Molanna angustata and Leptocerus tineiformis.

Among the leafhoppers this Lamprotettix nitidulus was new for the year.

Lamptotettix nitidulus, North Elmham, 5th August

I think this leafhopper is Oncopsis flavicollis but I have never seen this form before - it looks completely different from others I've seen.

Oncopsis flavicollis, North Elmham, 5th August

Apart from those leafhoppers, the only bug was Stenodema calcarata.

Stenodema calcarata, North Elmham, 5th August

Acorn Weevil Curculio glandium was new for the year.  Other beetles were 3 Amara apricaria, Bradycellus verbasci, Nicrophorus investigator and Aphodius rufipes.

Acorn Weevil Curculio glandium, North Elmham, 5th August

Finally there were 5 Hornets.

Moths at the meadows

On 16th July I trapped again at the meadows, catching 109 species of moth. There was nothing super-remarkable among them, but a few nice things.  Pine Hawk-moth was a surrpise given the absence of pines on site and it was good to see Peach Blossom, Small Phoenix, 2 White Satins and a Miller.

Pine Hawk-moth, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 16th July

Peach Blossom, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 16th July

White Satin, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 16th July

Miller, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 16th July

The other macros were  2 Drinkers, Pebble Hook-tip, Chinese Character, 3 Buff Arches, Small Blood-vein, Lesser Cream Wave, 2 Small Fan-footed Waves, Single-dotted Wave, Riband Wave, 2 Red Twin-spot Carpets, 2 Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpets, Shaded Broad-bar, Common Carpet, 2 Sharp-angled Carpets, Small Rivulet, Bordered Pug, V-Pug, Green Pug, Small Yellow Wave, 2 Clouded Borders, 2 Brimstone Moths, Early Thorn, 2 Scalloped Oaks, Swallow-tailed Moth, 3 Peppered Moths, 4 Willow Beauties, Mottled Beauty, Poplar Hawk-moth, Elephant Hawk-moth, Iron Prominent, Pebble Prominent, 5 Yellow-tails, Black Arches, Round-winged Muslin, 2 Rosy Footmen, 6 Dingy Footmen, 4 Scarce Footmen, 2 Common Footmen, Buff Ermine, Heart and Dart, Shuttle-shaped Dart, Flame, Flame Shoulder, Double Square-spot, Nutmeg, 3 Bright-line Brown-eyes, Lychnis, Antler Moth, Clay, 2 Smoky Wainscots, 2 Poplar Greys, Grey Dagger, Knot Grass, Small Angle Shades, 2 Dun-bars, Dark Arches, 3 Dusky Sallows, Ear Moth, Small Rufous, 3 Uncertains, 2 Rustics, Nut-tree Tussock, Plain Golden Y and Spectacle.

V-Pug, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 16th July

Small Yellow Wave, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 16th July

Peppered Moth, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 16th July

Black Arches, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 16th July

Antler Moth, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 16th July

Grey Dagger (male, gen det), North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 16th July

Small Angle Shades, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 16th July

Small Rufous, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 16th July

Plain Golden Y, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 16th July

Micros consisted of Hawthorn Argent Argyresthia bonnetella, 4 Bird-cherry Ermines Yponomeuta evonymella, probable Orchard Ermine Yponomeuta padella, Hawthorn Ermine Paraswammerdamia nebulella, Dark Ash-bud Moth Prays ruficeps, Common Oak Case-bearer Coleophora lutipennella, up to 8 Clover Case-bearers Coleophora alcyonipennella (1 confirmed), 4 Golden-brown Tubics Crassa unitella, 2 Long-horned Flat-bodies Carcina quercana, Cinerous Neb Bryotropha terrella, Dingy Dowd Blastobasis adustella, Hawthorn Cosmet Blastodacna hellerella, Common Yellow Conch Agapeta hamana, 12 Knapweed Conches Agapeta zoegana, Burdock Conch Aethes rubigana, 4 Barred Fruit-tree Tortrixes Pandemis cerasana, 4 Dark Fruit-tree Tortrixes Pandemis heparana, Variegated Golden Tortrix Archips xylosteana, possible Cereal Tortrix Cnephasia pumicana (messed up the gen det so not certain), 2 Maple Buttons Acleris forsskaleana, Barred Marble Celypha striana, 2 Common Marbles Celypha lacunana, Marbled Orchard Tortrix Hedya nubiferana, Smoky-barred Marble Lobesia abscisana, Triangle-marked Roller Ancylis achatana, Holly Tortrix Rhopobota naevana, 2 Common Cloaked Shoots Gypsonoma dealbana, Bulrush Veneer Calamotropha paludella, Garden Grass-veneer Chrysoteuchia culmella, 10 Straw Grass-veneers Agriphila straminella, 6 Common Grass-veneers Agriphila tristella, 40 Water Veneers Acentria ephemerella, Large Grey Scoparia subfusca, Little Grey Eudonia lacustrata, Ringed China-mark Parapoynx stratiotata, 3 Beautiful China-marks Nymphula nitidulata, Elder Pearl Anania coronata, 6 Mother of Pearls Pleuroptya ruralis, Rosy Tabby Endotricha flammealis, 2 Dotted Oak Knot-horns Phycita roborella,

Hawthorn Argent Argyresthia bonnetella, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 16th July

Dark Ash-bud Moth Prays ruficeps, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 16th July

Maple Button Acleris forsskaleana, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 16th July

Knapweed Conch Agapeta zoegana, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 16th July

Bulrush Veneer Calamotropha paludella, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 16th July

Water Veneer Acentria ephemerella, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 16th July

Ringed China-mark Parapoynx stratiotata, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 16th July

Caddisflies included 2 Hydropsyche pellucidula, Medium Sedge Goera pilosa, Limnephilus flavicornis, Limnephilus rhombicus, Leptocerus tineiformis and Grouse Wing Mystacides longicornis.  There was also a Blue-winged Olive (mayfly) Serratella ignita, the leafhopper Iassus lanio, the water beetle Ilybius fuliginosus, an Orange Ladybird and a new beetle for me, Curtonotus aulicus.

Iassus lanio, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 16th July

Ilybius fuliginosus, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 16th July

Curtonotus aulicus, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 16th July

This spider was marauding around on the sheet by the trap, probably hoping to munch the odd moth when I wasn't looking.  I failed to identify it from photos so asked a friend, who asked a friend and ended up with a reply from a third - great team effort!  Anyway, it was a Labrynth Spider Agelena labrynthica - thanks Keith, Chris and Richard!

Labrynth Spider Agelena labrynthica, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 16th July

Coleophora therinella

The moths at home on 9th July weren't especially numerous, 160 of 68 species, but they included a few noteworthy ones.  Top among them was a Black-bindweed Case-bearer Coleophora therinella, new for the house and only the 6th record for Norfolk (although my third).

Black-bindweed Case-bearer Coleophora therinella (female, gen det), North Elmham, 9th July

Also new for the house was Bulrush Veneer Calamotropha paludella.  Others new for the garden year list were Hawthorn Ermel Paraswammerdamia nebulella, Lesser Cream Wave and Miller.

Miller, North Elmham, 9th July

Hawthorn Ermel Paraswammerdamia nebulella, North Elmham, 9th July

Other micros were 7 Diamond-back Moths Plutella xylostella, Brown House Moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella, Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix Pandemis cerasana, 3 Large Fruit-tree Tortrixes Archips podana, 2 Large Ivy Tortrixes Lozotaenia forsterana, Yellow-spot Tortrix Pseudargyrotoza conwagana, 2 Flax Tortrixes Cnephasia asseclana, Yellow Oak Button Aleimma loeflingiana, 2 Barred Marbles Celypha striana, 8 Common Marbles Celypha lacunana, Pine Marble Piniphila bifasciana, 2 Plum Tortrixes Hedya pruniana, Marbled Orchard Tortrix Hedya nubiferana, Holly Tortrix Rhopobota naevana, Bud Moth Spilonota ocellana, 21 Garden Grass-veneers Chrysoteuchia culmella, Grass-veneer Crambus pascuella, Common Grey Scoparia ambigualis, 6 Little Greys Eudonia lacustrata, Ringed China-mark Parapoynx stratiotata, Small Magpie Anania hortulata, Fenland Pearl Anania perlucidalis, 2 Bee Moths Aphomia sociella and White Plume Pterophorus pentadactyla.

Fenland Pearl Chrysopa commata, North Elmham, 9th July

Other macros were Buff Arches, 2 Small Fan-footed Waves, 3 Small Dusty Waves, 2 Single-dotted Waves, 2 Riband Waves, Large Twin-spot Carpet, Common Carpet, 2 Barred Straws, Sandy Carpet, 2 Green Pugs, 4 Swallow-tailed Moths, 2 Peppered Moths, 3 Willow Beauties, Mottled Beauty, Common White Wave, 4 Clouded Silvers, 2 Elephant Hawkmoths, 2 Buff-tips, 3 Rosy Footmen, 5 Common Footmen, 2 Buff Ermines, Heart and Club, 5 Flames, Flame Shoulder, Dot Moth, 2 Bright-line Brown-eyes, Clay, Smoky Wainscot, Poplar Grey, Brown Rustic, 4 Dark Arches, Light Arches, Marbled Minor, 4 Tawny Marbled Minors, 7 Uncertains, Mottled Rustic, Spectacle, 6 Snouts and Small Fan-foot.

Of 2 green lacewings one was a lifer (Chrysopa commata) and the other was new for the house (Chrysopidia ciliata).

Chrysopa commata, North Elmham, 9th July

Chrysopidia ciliata, North Elmham, 9th July

Among the caddis probable Hydropsyche siltalai wasn't noteworthy but Agrypnia pagetana was my first this year and seemingly not well-recorded in VC28.

Agrypnia pagetana, North Elmham, 9th July

Also the bug Stenotus binotatus.

The following night saw another new lacewing, Dichochrysa flavifrons, together with a second Chrysopa commata.

Dichochrysa flavifrons, North Elmham, 10th July

Of 201 moths (79 species) that night the best was Forest Case-bearer Coleophora ibipennella, new for the house and possibly new altogether.  I'd caught one once before that keyed out to ibipennella but the keys aren't all that reliable and I messed up the dissection.  Nice to confirm one at last.

Forest Case-bearer Coleophora ibipennella (male, gen det), North Elmham, 10th July

Others new for the year here were Buff-tipped Marble Hedya ochroleucana, Nut Bud Moth Epinotia tenerana, Mother of Pearl Pleuroptya ruralis, Phoenix, Brown-tail and Plain Golden Y.

Plain Golden Y, North Elmham, 10th July

Phoneix, North Elmham, 10th July

Brown-tail, North Elmham, 10th July

Buff-tipped Marble Hedya ochroleucana, North Elmham, 10th July

Nut Bud Moth Epinotia tenerana, North Elmham, 10th July

The other micros were Bird-cherry Ermine Yponomeuta evonymella, 2 Diamond-back Moths Plutella xylostella, 2 Speckled Case-bearers Coleophora sternipennella, Brown House Moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella, Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix Pandemis cerasana, 4 Large Fruit-tree Tortrixes Archips podana, Light Brown Apple Moth Epiphyas postvittana, 2 Large Ivy Tortrixes Lozotaenia forsterana, 2 Flax Tortrixes Cnephasia asseclana, Light Grey Tortrix Cnephasia incertana, Green Oak Tortrix Tortrix viridana, 3 Barred Marbles Celypha striana, 2 Common Marbles Celypha lacunana, 2 Marbled Orchard Tortrixes Hedya nubiferana, Hoary Bell Eucosma cana, 16 Garden Grass-veneers Chrysoteuchia culmella, 2 Yellow Satin Veneers Crambus perlella, Common Grey Scoparia ambigualis, 5 Little Greys Eudonia lacustrata, 2 Small Greys Eudonia mercurella, Ringed China-mark Parapoynx stratiotata, 4 Small Magpies Anania hortulata, Elder Pearl Anania coronata, Fenland Pearl Anania perlucidalis, Rosy Tabby Endotricha flammealis, Bee Moth Aphomia sociella, 2 False Cacao Moths Ephestia unicolorella and Common Plume Emmelina monodactyla.

Macros included 2 Buff Arches, 2 Common Emeralds, Small Fan-footed Wave, 8 Single-dotted Waves, 11 Riband Waves, Garden Carpet, Yellow Shell, 2 Barred Straws, 2 Barred Yellows, Brimstone Moth, 3 Early Thorns, 3 Swallow-tailed Moths, 4 Peppered Moths, 2 Willow Beauties, 2 Mottled Beauties, 4 Clouded Silvers, Privet Hawkmoth, 5 Elephant Hawkmoths, Iron Prominent, 2 Rosy Footmen, Orange Footman, 4 Common Footmen, 8 Buff Ermines, Heart and Club, 4 Flames, Flame Shoulder, 2 Large Yellow Underwings, 8 Double Square-spots, Dot Moth, 3 Bright-line Brown-eyes, Clay, 4 Smoky Wainscots, Poplar Grey, Brown Rustic, Small Angle Shades, 10 Dark Arches, 3 Tawny Marbled Minors, Common Rustic, 5 Uncertains, Rustic, Spectacle, Beautiful Hook-tip, 8 Snouts and Fan-foot.

Caddisflies included Glyphotaelius pellucidus, a common species but one that's not meant to fly in July.  Also 2 probable Hydropsyche siltalai, Limnephilus auricula, Limnephilus lunatus and Athripsodes aterrimus.

A hoverfly proved to be my first Parasyrphus punctulatus.

Parasyrphus punctulatus, North Elmham, 10th July