Description


A diary of my mothing activity covering highlights and photos from my moth trapping activities. Mainly Norfolk (UK), occasionally beyond. I may mention other wildlife sightings here, especially insects, but for birds see my birding diary.

Saturday 13 March 2021

Review of 2019 and 2020 - Moths: Grass moths (Crambidae) - Part 6: China-marks and Water-veneers (Elophila to Donacaula)

GRASS MOTHS (CRAMBIDAE) (continued)


Brown China-mark Elophila nympheata - Singles in the garden trap on 16th July and 4th August 2019, making it my worst year here to date (although numbers have never exceeded 7).  4 in 2020 between 31st July and 3rd September.  Elsewhere one at Hellsedon in 2019 and one at Whitwell Street in 2020.

Brown China-mark Elophila nymphaeata, North Elmham, 31st July 2020



Water Veneer Acentria ephemerlla - Recorded at home on 16 nights between 10th July and 3rd September - at least 35 individuals involved but not counted on 2 nights.  47 over 14 nights between 23rd June and 16th August 2020 including 20 on one night (12th August).  This species is highly erratic in numbers with 650 or so recorded in 2016 but only 13 in 2017.  Elsewhere one next door and up to 20 at the meadows on several dates and a few at Bintree Wood.


Small China-mark Cataclysta lemnata - A total of 18 in the garden between 24th June and 26th September 2019 was far and away my best year ever.  Between moving in in August 2014 and the end of 2018 I had only caught 12 here in total so 18 in a year seemed remarkable.  However, this was totally eclipsed in 2020 when I caught 119 between 21st May and 13th September including 10 on one night (18th July).  Elsewhere just one at Weybourne on 5th July 2019 and 2 at Whitwell Street on 3rd September 2020.  Surprisingly I'm yet to find this species at the meadows.

Small China-mark Cataclysta lemnata, North Elmham, 18th June 2020



Ringed China-mark Parapoynx stratiotata - At least 23 here between 30th May and 25th August 2019 (possibly slightly higher as they weren't counted on a couple of nights) and 40 between 25th June and 4th September 2020.  The 2020 figure was closer to the average here.  Also recorded next door, 17 at the meadows, and 1-2 at Bintree Wood, Swanton Great Wood and Hellesdon.

Ringed China-mark Parapoynx stratiotata, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 31st May 2019


Ringed China-mark Parapoynx stratiotata, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 22nd August 2019


Ringed China-mark Parapoynx stratiotata, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 18th July 2020



Beautiful China-mark Nymphula nitidulata - Below-average totals of 12 here between 24th June and 25th July 2019 and 14 between 18th July and 14th August 2020.  Despite the total being on the low side 5 on 24th July 2019 was my joint highest ever count.  Elsewhere one next door, 21 at the meadows (including 8 on 18th July 2020) and 2 at Bintree Wood.

Beautiful China-mark Nymphula nitidulata, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 23rd June 2019


Beautiful China-mark Nymphula nitidulata, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 7th July 2019


Beautiful China-mark Nymphula nitidulata, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 15th July 2019


Beautiful China-mark Nymphula nitidulata, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 18th July 2020



Giant Water-veneer Schoeobius gigantella - None.  I've recorded this species at home on 3 occasions (all 2016-2017).


Pale Water-veneer Donacaula forficella - A total of 12 in the garden between 29th June and 12th August 2019, all singles except 3 on 25th July.  Not quite my best year but very nearly - I average 8 a year.  6 here in 2020 between 18th July and 11th August.  Also 6 at the meadows (3 each year).

Pale Water-veneer Donacaula forficella, North Elmham, 13th July 2019


Pale Water-veneer Donacaula forficella, North Elmham, 25th July 2019


Pale Water-veneer Donacaula forficella, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 26th July 2019


male Pale Water-veneer Donacaula forficella, North Elmham, 11th August 2020



Scarce Water-veneer Donacaula mucronella - None.  I've never seen this species but there are a couple of Dereham records and a scattering from elsewhere so I'm hoping to get one locally someday.


Next page: Drepanidae

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