Review of 2019 and 2020 - Moths: Ermines (Yponomeutidae) (part 1: Yponomeuta)

ERMINES (YPONOMEUTIDAE)


Bird-cherry Ermine Yponomeuta evonymella - Recorded at home on 30 nights between 9th July and 22nd August 2019.  This included some nights where no count was made but over 130 individuals involved in total with a maximum count of 27 on 10th July.  A record-breaking 509 recorded at home in 2020 on 40 nights between 26th June and 21st August including peak counts of 84 on 18th July and 80 on 24th July.  Also recorded next door, at the meadows a couple of times both years (up to 15), at Bintree Wood and at Brancaster.  Lots of larvae noted at Hills and Holes on 21st May 2020.

Bird-cherry Ermine Yponomeuta evonymella, North Elmham, 18th July 2020

Ochard/Apple/Spindle Ermine Yponomeuta padella/malinus/cagnagella - These 3 species cannot be separated as adults (even with reference to their genitalia) at least in the majority of cases and when there is no clear association with their larval foodplant.  A total of 13 aggs. at home between 20th July and 28th August 2019 and 19 between 26th June and 24th August 2020.  Although none of these were, a couple in 2018 were distinctly grey which I understand is at least indicative of Orchard Ermine Yponomeuta padella - but I'm not sure how reliable that is?  Elsewhere singles at the meadows both years and one at Whitwell Street on 3rd September 2020.

Orchard/Apple/Spindle Ermine Yponomeuta padella/malinus/cagnagella, North Elmham, 26th July 2019

Willow Ermine Yponomeuta rorrella - My first for the garden was on 27th July 2019, shortly followed by a second on 4th August and then next year a third on 31st July 2020.

Willow Ermine Yponomeuta rorrella, North Elmham, 24th July 2019

Willow Ermine Yponomeuta rorrella, North Elmham, 31st July 2020

Black-tipped Ermine Yponomeuta plumbella - One in the garden moth trap on 21st July 2020.  I've recorded this species here twice before, in 2015 and 2018.

Black-tipped Ermine Yponomeuta plumbella, North Elmham, 21st July 2020

Grey Ermine Yponomeuta sedella - One in my garden moth trap on 30th July 2020.  I recorded 3 of these here in 2015 and 5 in 2018 but none in any other year.

Grey Ermine Yponomeuta sedella, North Elmham, 30th July 2020

Brown Ash Ermine Zelleria hepariella - None.  I've only ever seen 2 of these, one here in 2015 and one at my old house in Bawdeswell in 2011.  There were more county records in 2019-20 than there had ever been up to 2018 so another one can be expected before long.


Next page: more Yponomeutidae

Grey Ermine

Another lifer on the night of 29th July, this time a Grey Ermine Yponomeuta sedella.  Although records are widespread in east Norfolk, there are only a very few records in the western vice-county (VC28).  Like mine, those that have been recorded in VC28 are only just in the vice-county, with no records yet for most of the west of the county.

Grey Ermine Yponomeuta sedella, North Elmham, 29th July

Also new for the year were Willow Bent-wing Phyllocnistis saligna and Dingy Dowd Blastobasis adustella.

Willow Bent-wing Phyllocnistis saligna, North Elmham, 29th July

Other moths that night were Cinereous Groundling Bryotropha terrella, Orange Crest Helcystogramma rufescens, Maple Button Acleris forsskaleana, 3 Barred Marbles Celypha striana, Garden Grass-veneer Chrysoteuchia culmella, 14 Pearl Veneers Agriphila straminella, 2 Common Grass-veneers Agriphila tristella, Small Grey Eudonia mercurella, Small Magpie Eurrhypara hortulata, Mother of Pearl Pleuroptya ruralis, Rosy Tabby Endotricha flammealis, Blood-vein, 2 Small Fan-footed Waves, 3 Single-dotted Waves, Red Twin-spot Carpet, Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet, July Highflyer, Slender Pug, 4 Clouded Borders, Scalloped Oak, Peppered Moth, Poplar Hawkmoth, Coxcomb Prominent, Yellow-tail, 4 Dingy Footmen, 13 Common Footmen, 3 Buff Ermines, Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, Double Square-spot, Clay, 4 Common Rustics, Common Rustic agg., 15 Uncertains, 3 Rustics, Burnished Brass and Snout.

The next evening (30th) was the worst for ages - a paltry 23 moths of 13 species - more like March!  They were 4 Pearl Veneers Agriphila straminella, Single-dotted Wave, Early Thorn, Scalloped Oak, Willow Beauty, Coxcomb Prominent, Yellow-tail, 4 Common Footmen, Buff Ermine, Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, 5 Uncertains, Rustic and Spectacle.

Fortunately things improved the following night - more on that later...