Review of 2019 and 2020 - Moths: Tortrix Moths (Tortricidae) (Part 1: Fruit-tree Tortrixes and others (Olinida to Zelotherses))

TORTRIX MOTHS (TORTRICIDAE)


White-barred Tortrix Olindia schumacherana - Singles in the garden trap on 24th June and 28th September 2019 and 17th July 2020.  I have had an average of one per year here.  Elsewhere one at the meadows on 21st June 2019 and one at Whitwell Street on 3rd September 2020.

White-barred Tortrix Olindia schumacherana, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 21st June 2019

White-barred Tortrix Olindia schumacherana, North Elmham, 24th June 2019

White-barred Tortrix Olindia schumacherana, North Elmham, 17th July 2020

Hedge Tortrix Isotrias rectifasciana - Singles in the garden trap on 5th and 26th June 2019 and then 5 between 17th May and 22nd June 2020.  I have recorded this species here every year with an average of 3 per year - 5 in a year is the best yet.

Hedge Tortrix Isotrias rectifasciana, North Elmham, 5th June 2019

Hedge Tortrix Isotrias rectifasciana, North Elmham, 17th May 2020

Red-barred Tortrix Ditula angustiorana - 7 at home between 19th June and 22nd July 2019 and 12 between 18th June and 10th August 2020.  In the 5 years I've been here I've had 25-29 in 2 years (2015 and 2018) but only 5-12 in the other 4 years.  Elsewhere 3 at the meadows and 3 at Weybourne.

Red-barred Tortrix Ditula angustiorana, North Elmham, 18th June 2020

Red-barred Tortrix Ditula angustiorana, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 18th July 2020

Brown-barred Tortrix Epagoge grotiana - 3 here between 24th and 29th June 2019 and 4 between 24th June and 26th July 2020.  I record this species here most years but have never had more than 3 in a year before.  Elsewhere just one at Weybourne and one at Bintree Wood.

Brown-barred Tortrix Epagoge grotiana, North Elmham, 24th June 2020

Common Tortrix Capua vulgana - None.  Despite its name this species appears to be far from common in Norfolk and I've only recorded it a couple of times, neither of which were near here.


Pine Tortrix Archips oporana - None.  I've only recorded this species once, in the Brecks, but it seems to be locally at one or two other sites as Dave N has had loads of them in his pine-free garden in Toftwood.  Maybe not too big an ask for one to turn up here...?


Large Fruit-tree Tortrix Archips podana - At least 63 here (but not counted on a couple of nights) between 16th June and 31st July 2019 and 60 between 12th June and 5th September 2020 (including 12 on 24th June).  That's a fairly average year, perhaps a little below average.  Elsewhere recorded at the meadows on 4 dates and at Bintree Wood.  Roughly 95% of those caught here are males.

Large Fruit-tree Tortrix Archips podana, North Elmham, 14th June 2020

Large Fruit-tree Tortrix Archips podana, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 23rd June 2020

Large Fruit-tree Tortrix Archips podana, North Elmham, 24th June 2020

Brown Oak Tortrix Archips crataegana - None.  I've only recorded this species at home once (2018).


Variegated Golden Tortrix Archips xylosteana - 4 here between 24th June and 4th July 2019 and 4 between 16th June and 18th July, slightly above average.  Also 3 at the meadows.

Variegated Golden Tortrix Archips xylosteana, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 30th June 2019

Variegated Golden Tortrix Archips xylosteana, North Elmham, 30th June 2020

Rose Tortrix Archips rosana - None.  I've caught 5 here in 6 years but all of them in just 2 years (2016 and 2018).  I recorded a dozen at Bawdeswell in my last 3 years there but it's only very recently that they've started being recorded from lots of different sites in Norfolk.


Heather Tortrix Argyrotaenia ljungiana - Singles here on 26th July 2019 and 10th August 2020, and one next door on 8th August 2019.  Although I had 7 here in 2016, 1-2 a year is normal.  It is one of a handful of species that I used to see more often at my old house in Bawdeswell.


Yellow Larch Tortrix Ptycholomoides aeriferana - None.  I've only recorded this species at home on one occasion (2016).


Brindled Tortrix Ptycholomoides lecheana - None.  I've had these here 3 times (2017 and 2018).


White-faced Tortrix Pandemis cinnamomeana - One at Swanton Great Wood on 27th August 2019 and 2 at Row Heath (West Runton) on 31st August.  None in 2020.  This species is conspicuously absent from my current garden list.


Chequered Fruit-tree Tortrix Pandemis corlyana - An average year here in 2019 with 4 between 30th July and 30th August and a good year here in 2020 with 8 between 5th and 16th August.  Also one next door and 2 at Swanton Great Wood in 2019 and one at Whitwell Street on 3rd September 2020.  A caterpillar at Foxley Wood was possibly this species but I'm not sure enough to record it as such.  Although photographed on a Hazel leaf it was hanging from a different tree (probably Oak) when found.

possible Chequerered Fruit-tree Tortrix caterpillar Pandemis corylana, Foxley Wood, 17th August 2019

Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix Pandemis cerasana - A total of 20 here between 15th June and 7th July 2019, above average.  6 on 24th June was my equal-highest count here and was more than the total number I saw in 2020, 5 between 20th June and 24th July (my worst year here).  Just one elsewhere, at Weybourne.

Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix Pandemis cerasana, North Elmham, 15th June 2019

Dark Fruit-tree Tortrix Pandemis heparana - Recorded on 9 nights here between 5th July and 8th August 2019 (not counted every night but involving at least 15 individuals).  My worst year here so far.  20 between 24th June and 19th August 2020.  Elsewhere 5 caught at the meadows.


Dark-barred Tortrix Syndemis musculana - 4 recorded here between 25th May and 5th July 2019 which is my equal-best year (I had none here in 2018) and one on 23rd May 2020.  Also one at the meadows.

Dark-barred Tortrix Syndemis musculana, North Elmham, 25th May 2019

Large Ivy Tortrix Lozotaenia forsterana - Totals of 22 between 14th June and 12th July 2019 and 26 between 14th June and 16th July 2020.  These were my worst showings in the 6 years I've lived here.  Apart from one in next door's garden and a small number at my previous house in Bawdeswell I've never recorded this species anywhere else.


Carnation Tortrix Cacoecimorpha pronubana - Recorded at home on 20th and 23rd June 2019 and 3 between 20th August and 22nd September 2020.  Neither of the 2019 records were in my trap - the first was found indoors and the second netted during the morning.  The latter is not surprising given how many I've seen flying in day-time at Burnham Overy over the years, but I think all my previous records here (and those in 2020) have been in the moth trap (not quite annual but 1-3 most years).

Carnation Tortrix Cacoecimorpha pronubana, North Elmham, 20th June 2019

Timothy Tortrix Zelotherses paleana - One at Weybourne on 5th July 2019 was my only record that year.  I average 3 a year at home and this was my first blank year here.  I didn't have any at home again in 2020 but did find singles at the meadows on 3 dates between 9th June and 13th July and one at Foxley Wood.

Timothy Tortrix Zelotherses paleana, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 13th July 2020

Next page: more Tortricidae

Clay Triple-lines and a new springtail

After a good night at the meadows on 15th June it was a bit disappointing not to catch a great many moths at home.  Of just 35 species Common Rush Case-bearer Coleophora alticolella, Large Ivy Tortrix Lozotaenia forsterana, Straw Grass-veneer (formerly Pearl Veneer) Agriphila straminella and Smoky Wainscot were new for the year.

Common Rush Case-bearer Coleophora alticolella (male, gen det), North Elmham, 15th June

Large Ivy Tortrix Lozotaenia forsterana, North Elmham, 15th June

Straw Grass-veneer Agriphila straminella, North Elmham, 15th June

The other moths were Buff Rush Case-bearer Coleophora caespititiella, Green Oak Tortrix Tortrix viridana, Barred Marble Celypha striana, 2 Common Marbles Celypha lacunana, 3 Garden Grass-veneers Chrysoteuchia culmella, Hook-streak Grass-veneer Crambus lathoniellus, 6 Small Magpies Anania hortulata, Single-dotted Wave, 2 Treble Brown Spots, Silver-ground Carpet, Common Pug, Clouded Border, Clouded Silver, 2 Light Emeralds, Privet Hawk-moth, Pale Prominent, Orange Footman, 5 Common Footmen, 8 Buff Ermines, 2 Cinnabars, 4 Heart and Darts, Flame, Flame Shoulder, Ingrailed Clay, 3 Brown Rustics, 2 Middle-barred Minors, Treble Lines, Uncertain, 2 Mottled Rustics, 14 Straw Dots and Snout. The caddisflies were Hydroptila sparsa, 2 Hydropsyche pellucidula and Limnephilus lunatus.

Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix Pandemis cerasana, North Elmham, 15th June

Next day I had 2 Currant Clearwings come to lure, new for the year.

Currant Clearwing, North Elmham, 16th June

This Clay Triple-lines was a surprise find inside the house, new for the year and only my third here since moving in in 2014.

Clay Triple-lines, North Elmham, 16th June

Not a bad haul of moths overnight with 10 new for the year: Barred White Clothes Moth Nemapogon clematella, White-triangle Slender Caloptilia stigmatella, White-headed Ermine Paraswammerdamia albicapitella, Tipped Oak Case-bearer Coleophora flavipennella, 2 Sloe Flat-bodies Luquetia lobella, Large Fruit-tree Tortrix Archips podana, Hoary Bell Eucosma cana, White Plume Pterophorus pentadactyla, Small Blood-vein and Small Dusty Wave.

Barred White Clothes Moth Nemapogon clematella, North Elmham, 16th June

White-headed Ermine Paraswammerdamia albicapitella, North Elmham, 16th June

Sloe Flat-body Luquetia lobella, North Elmham, 16th June

Large Fruit-tree Tortrix Archips podana, North Elmham, 16th June

White Plume Pterophorus pentadactyla, North Elmham, 16th June

Small Dusty Wave, North Elmham, 16th June

Apart from those there were 2 Diamond-backs Plutella xylostella, Buff Rush Case-bearer Coleophora caespititiella, Brown House Moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella, 2 Barred Fruit-tree Tortrixes Pandemis cerasana, 2 Light Brown Apple-moths Epiphyas postvittana, Large Ivy Tortrix Lozotaenia forsterana, Green Oak Tortrix Tortrix viridana, 4 Barred Marbles Celypha striana, 5 Common Marbles Celypha lacunana, 4 Triple-blotched Bells Notocelia trimaculana, 3 Garden Grass-veneers Chrysoteuchia culmella, Common Grey Scoparia ambigualis, 2 Marsh Greys Eudonia pallida, 2 Little Greys Eudonia lacustrata, 7 Small Magpies Anania hortulata, Bee Moth Aphomia sociella, 3 False Cacao Moths Ephestia woodiella, 2 Single-dotted Waves, Treble Brown Spot, 2 Riband Waves, 3 Silver-ground Carpets, 2 Garden Carpets, 2 Green Carpets, Sharp-angled Carpet, 5 Common Pugs, 2 Clouded Borders, Brown Silver-line, 2 Willow Beauties, 2 Mottled Beauties, Common White Wave, 2 Clouded Silvers, Light Emerald, Eyed Hawk-moth, Poplar Hawk-moth, 2 Elephant Hawk-moths, Coxcomb Prominent, 2 Orange Footmen, Common Footman, White Ermine, 10 Buff Ermines, Cinnabar, 4 Heart and Darts, 2 Flames, 4 Flame Shoulders, Ingrailed Clay, Bright-line Brown-eye, Smoky Wainscot, Common Wainscot, 2 Brown Rustics, Dark Arches, 6 Middle-barred Minors, 5 Treble Lines, 2 Mottled Rustics, 2 Burnished Brasses, 2 Spectacles, 25 Straw Dots, 8 Snouts and 3 Small Fan-foots.


This springtail proved to be Entomobrya intermedia, a new species for me.

Entomobrya intermedia, North Elmham, 16th June

Other things included caddisflies Polycentropus flavomaculatus (new for the year) and Limnephilus lunatus, leafhoppers 2 Oncopsis flavicollis, Oncopsis subangulata (new for the year) and Fagocyba cruenta and beetles Ptinus sexpunctatus and Dasytes aeratus.

Polycentropus flavomaculatus, North Elmham, 16th June

Oncopsis subangulata, North Elmham, 16th June

A new bee on a rare flower

After a few quieter nights things picked up a bit on Saturday 8th June with 8 moths new for the year here: Hedge Case-bearer Coleophora striatipennella, 3 Large Fruit-tree Tortrixes Archips podana, Privet Tortrix Clepsis consimilana, Small Fan-footed Wave, Barred Straw, Grey Pug, Common Footman and Pale-shouldered Brocade.

Hedge Case-bearer Coleophora striatipennella (male, gen det), North Elmham, 8th June

Large Fruit-tree Tortrix Archips podana, North Elmham, 8th June

Privet Tortrix Clepsis consimilana, North Elmham, 8th June

Barred Straw, North Elmham, 8th June

Grey Pug (male, gen det), North Elmham, 8th June

Common Footman, North Elmham, 8th June

Pale-shouldered Brocade, North Elmham, 8th June

Other moths in the trap were Yellow-triangle Slender Caloptilia alchimiella, Brown House Moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella, Brindled Flat-body Agonopterix arenella, 2 London Dowds Blastobasis lacticolella, 2 Light Brown Apple Moths Epiphyas postvittana, Barred Marble Celypha striana, 5 Common Marbles Celypha lacunana, Plum Tortrix Hedya pruniana, Rush Marble Bactra lancealana, Triple-blotched Bell Notocelia trimaculana, Red Piercer Lathronympha strigana, Garden Grass-veneer Chrysoteuchia culmella, Hook-streaked Grass-Veneer Crambus lathoniellus, Common Grey Scoparia ambigualis, 6 Small Magpies Anania hortulata, Bee Moth Aphomia sociella, False Cacao Moth Ephestia unicolorella, 2 Common Swifts, 3 Silver-ground Carpets, Common Marbled Carpet, Green Carpet, 3 Common Pugs, Brimstone Moth, 5 Willow Beauties, 2 Buff Ermines, Heart and Dart, Flame, 8 Ingrailed Clays, Bright-line Brown-eye, 6 Brown Rustics, Clouded-bordered Brindle, Marbled Minor, 2 Middle-barred Minors, Marbled White Spot, 16 Straw Dots, 4 Snouts and Small Fan-foot.

Also new for the year here was the brown lacewing Hemerobius humulinus.

Hemerobius humulinus, North Elmham, 8th June

I initially thought a reddish orange bug was going to be Phylus palliceps, a species I've trapped here before, but the black head makes it Phylus melanocephalus - a completely new species for me.

Phylus melanocephalus, North Elmham, 8th June

Also in the trap were the caddisfly Hydropsyche siltalai and the soldier beetle Cantharis rufa.

Cantharis rufa, North Elmham, 8th June

Next day I popped in to the patch where Norfolk's only Crested Cow-wheat was flowering.  I think this bee feeding on it was my first Vestal Cuckoo Bee Bombus vestalis but I'm not 100% sure I can rule out Gypsy Cuckoo Bee Bombus bohemicus (which would also be new for me).  Please let me know if you confirm either way.

Crested Cow-wheat, Rawhall Wood, 9th June

probable Vestal Cuckoo Bee Bombus vestalis on (and off) Crested Cow-wheat, Rawhall Wood, 9th June

Also 4 Swollen-thighed Beetles here along with Speckled Wood and Azure Damselfly.

Moths at Ryburgh included White-barred Gold Micropterix aruncella, 4 Common Nettle-taps Anthophila fabriciana, 2 Silver-ground Carpets, Yellow Shell and Sharp-angled Carpet.

White-barred Gold Micropterix aruncella, Ryburgh, 9th June

Butterflies included Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell and Large Skipper while dragonflies were represented by Banded Demoiselle, Blue-tailed Damselfly and Common Blue Damselfly.

Ginger Button

A drop in numbers on 25th July though 447 moths of 113 species wasn't exactly terrible.  The highlight was a Ginger Button Acleris aspersana.  Not hugely rare, but the first time I've identified one.

Ginger Button Acleris aspersana (male), North Elmham, 25th July

Only two others were new for the year: a House Groundling Bryotropha domestica and the wonderful Oak Eggar.

Oak Eggar, North Elmham, 25th July

Good counts of common macros included 62 Common Footmen and the year's peak count of 44 Uncertains.  Other macros were 4 Buff Arches, 2 Common Emeralds, Blood-vein, Least Carpet, 15 Small Fan-footed Waves, Small Dusty Wave, 7 Single-dotted Waves, 13 Riband Waves, 3 Red Twin-spot Carpets, 2 Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpets, Garden Carpet, Shaded Broad-bar, 3 Common Carpets, Yellow Shell, Barred Yellow, July Highflyer, 6 Small Rivulets, Green Pug, 2 Small Yellow Waves, 2 Clouded Borders, Early Thorn, Purple Thorn, Peppered Moth, 5 Willow Beauties, Common White Wave, 4 Clouded Silvers, Elephant Hawkmoth, 2 Iron Prominents, Coxcomb Prominent, Chocolate-tip, 3 Yellow-tails, Black Arches, Round-winged Muslin, 20 Rosy Footmen, 20 Dingy Footmen, 13 Scarce Footmen, 3 Buff Footmen, 5 Buff Ermines, 3 Ruby Tigers, Cinnabar, Heart and Dart, 4 Shuttle-shaped Darts, Flame, 2 Flame Shoulders, Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, 2 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwings, 7 Double Square-spots, Dot Moth, 2 Bright-line Brown-eyes, Lychnis, 4 Clays, 11 Smoky Wainscots, 3 Grey Daggers, Coronet, Straw Underwing, 2 Dun-bars, 5 Dark Arches, Rufous Minor, Tawny Marbled Minor, 2 Cloaked Minors, 2 Common Rustics, Lesser Common Rustic, Rustic, Nut-tree Tussock, Burnished Brass, 3 Spectacles, Beautiful Hook-tip, Snout and 3 Fan-foots.

Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, North Elmham, 25th July

Least Carpet, North Elmham, 25th July

Iron Prominent, North Elmham, 25th July

The first 64 Large Fruit-tree Tortrixes Archips podana that I recorded at home this year were all males.  The first female was on 24th July and two on 25th were also female.  It doesn't seem to be uncommon among lepidoptera for males to emerge before females but with some species their appearance seems to be so discreet that one wonders how they ever manage to breed.

Large Fruit-tree Tortrix Archips podana, North Elmham, 25th July

The other micros were Carrion Moth Monopis weaverella, Bird’s-nest Moth Tinea trinotella, Hazel Slender Parornix devoniella, Golden Argent Argyresthia goedartella, 12 Bird-cherry Ermines Yponomeuta evonymella, 8 Diamond-back Moths Plutella xylostella, 2 Tipped Oak Case-bearers Coleophora flavipennella, Speckled Case-bearer Coleophora sternipennella, 2 Golden-brown Tubics Crassa unitella, 3 Long-horned Flat-bodies Carcina quercana, Dotted Grey Groundling Athrips mouffetella, Dark Groundling Bryotropha affinis, Cinereous Groundling Bryotropha terrella, 2 Dingy Dowds Blastobasis adustella, 3 Dark Fruit-tree Tortrixes Pandemis heparana, 2 Large Fruit-tree Tortrixes Archips podana, Privet Tortrix Clepsis consimilana, Light Brown Apple Moth Epiphyas postvittana, 4 Grey Tortrixes Cnephasia stephensiana, 3 Flax Tortrixes Cnephasia asseclana, 3 Dover Shades Cnephasia genitalana, White-triangle Button Acleris holmiana, 2 Garden Rose Tortrixes Acleris variegana, 3 Barred Marbles Celypha striana, 5 Common Marbles Celypha lacunana, 2 Marbled Orchard Tortrixes Hedya nubiferana, 2 Common Cloaked Shoots Gypsonoma dealbana, Summer Rose Bell Notocelia roborana, 5 Garden Grass-veneers Chrysoteuchia culmella, 11 Pearl Veneers Agriphila straminella, 2 Pearl Grass-veneers Catoptria pinella, 6 Little Greys Eudonia lacustrata, Small Grey Eudonia mercurella, Ringed China-mark Parapoynx stratiotata, 3 Beautiful China-marks Nymphula nitidulata, 12 Mother of Pearls Pleuroptya ruralis, Gold Triangle Hypsopygia costalis, 2 Rosy Tabbies Endotricha flammealis and Bee Moth Aphomia sociella.

Not much noted apart from moths, mainly because I ignored the caddisflies and mayflies for now.  Both Common Toad and Common Frog were knocking around as I went through the trap though.