Review of 2019 and 2020 - Moths: Geometers (Geometridae) - part 12: Underwhelming Beauties and other Ennomins (Peribatodes to Campaea)

GEOMETERS (GEOMETRIDAE) (continued)

I call Willow Beauty and its related species the Underwhelming Beauties because to me the name Beauty is quite wrongly applied to this group.  OK, a fresh Mottled Beauty has some subtle elegance that could, at a stretch, be described as beautiful in a niche sort of way, but compared with the Pine Beauty, Bordered Beauty, Marbled Beauty and even the Brindled Beauties, this group really don't deserve the accolade of Beauty.  Whoever first called these Beauties was either having a laugh, or they had never actually seen a Willow Beauty...


Willow Beauty Peribatodes rhomboidaria - Recorded in the garden on 42 dates between 31st May and 26th August 2019.  At least 57 individuals were involved but as they weren't counted on 10 dates the true total may have been higher.  Even so it was undoubtely a poor year - over the previous 4 years I had averaged 110 per year.  In contrast I caught a record 213 here between 30th May and 21st September 2020.  Elsewhere recorded from next door, 5 at the meadows and one at Bintree Wood.

Willow Beauty, North Elmham, 30th May 2020

Willow Beauty, North Elmham, 4th September 2020

Satin Beauty Deileptenia ribeata - None.  I've not seen this species since 2014 and I've never seen it anywhere closer than Hockering.  In fact it hasn't ever been recorded any closer, so probably not much chance of finding it here.  Away from the Brecks it's found at several scattered woodland locations so there's a chance it might be lurking in a wood near...


Mottled Beauty Alcis repandata - 19 caught here between 4th June and 17th September 2019 and 22 between 17th June and 2nd August 2020, my worst years here so far - my average tally for a year is 32.  Elsewhere 5 at the meadows (4 dates), 8 at Bintree Wood (2 dates), 4 at Weybourne and one on Mull.

Mottled Beauty, Carsaig (Mull), 13th June 2019

Mottled Beauty, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 23rd June 2019

Mottled Beauty, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 27th June 2019

Mottled Beauty, Bintree Wood, 13th June 2020

Mottled Beauty, Bintree Wood, 24th July 2020

Pale Oak Beauty Hypomecis punctinalis - 9 at home between 20th May and 25th June 2019 and 6 between 19th May and 15th June 2020.  9 was my equal highest total (with 2018) and I've never had less than 3.  Elsewhere one at the meadows on 31st May 2019 and 3 at Bintree Wood on 13th July 2020.

Pale Oak Beauty, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 31st May 2019

Pale Oak Beauty, North Elmham, 19th May 2020

Engrailed Ectropis crepescularia - Totals of 18 trapped in the garden between 9th March and 21st September 2019 and 7 between 7th July and 22nd August 2020.  18 is average but 7 was my worst annual total to date.  Elsewhere 3 at the meadows, one at Bintree Wood, one at Bodney and one at Weybourne.

Engrailed, North Elmham, 9th March 2019

Engrailed, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 7th July 2019

Brindled White-spot Parectropis similaria - None.  I've never had one of these at home - indeed there are no records from my 10km square - however there are plenty of records only a short distance to the east of here (for example I caught 4 at Bawdeswell Heath one night in 2014).


Grey Birch Aethalura punctulata - One at Sculthorpe Moor on 26th April and 2 at Hills and Holes on 21st May 2020.  I'd only ever seen this species twice before and I've never seen one very locally, but the other guy who traps in my road has caught one so hopefully I'll get one here sometime.

Grey Birch, Sculthorpe Moor, 26th April 2019

Grey Birch, Hills and Holes, 21st May 2020

Common Heath Ematurga atomaria - None.  I've not seen this species any closer than Buxton Heath and there aren't many local records.  Not sure how often this predominantly day-flying species turns up in traps so the odds of getting one here might be quite low.


Bordered White Bupalus piniaria - One caught in the garden on 24th June 2019, my 4th record here and first since 2016.  I also caught one at the meadows the previous night and one on Mull on 13th June 2019.  None at home in 2020 but one at Bintree Wood on 13th June.

Bordered White, Ceann Chnocain (Mull), 13th June 2019

Bordered White, North Elmham, 24th June 2019

Common White Wave Cabera pusarai - My worst years for these at home with 17 between 14th June and 22nd July 2019 and 17 between 27th May and 7th July 2020.  My average annual total is 27.  Elsewhere 2 at the meadows, 4 at Bintree Wood and one on Mull.

Common White Wave, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 4th August 2019

Common White Wave, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 18th June 2020

Common Wave Cabera exanthemata -Totals here of 17 between 17th June and 25th August 2019 and 13 between 14th June and 22nd August 2020 (average here is 16 a year).  Elsewhere 2 at the meadows and one in Hellesdon.

Common Wave, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 30th June 2019

Common Wave, North Elmham, 14th June 2020

White-pinion Spotted Lomographa bimaculata - 3 caught in the garden between 25th May and 7th June 2019 and then singles on 21st and 28th May 2020.  There were 7 in 2017 but 1-2 a year is more typical.  Elsewhere one at Hills and Holes on 21st May 2020.

White-pinion Spotted, North Elmham, 25th May 2019

White-pinion Spotted, North Elmham, 21st May 2020

Clouded Silver Lomographa temerata - At least 37 here between 3rd June and 4th August 2019, with 3 nights not counted (but with singles either side the full total probably won't have been much higher).  I'd averaged 68 a year over the previous 4 years so this was a poor year but 19 between 17th June and 29th July 2020 made for my worst year here so far.  Elsewhere 8 at the meadows and 1-2 at Bintree Wood, Hills and Holes, Weybourne and on Mull.

Clouded Silver, Hills and Holes, 21st May 2020

Clouded Silver, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 23rd June 2020

Early Moth Theria primaria - Totals of 23 in the garden between 6th January and 1st March 2019 and 13 between 3rd January (my earliest ever) and 15th February 2020.  15-16 is average.  I've only ever caught this species in my garden, either here or previously at Bawdeswell despite searching for it at the meadows where there is plenty of both of its foodplants.

Early Moth, North Elmham, 3rd January 2020

Light Emerald Campaea margaritaria - Totals of 14 between 27th May and 24th June 2019 and 46 between 13th August and 27th September then 20 between 20th May and 5th June 2020 and 77 between 15th August and 22nd September.  60 in all makes it my worst year so far, only one behind 2018 but well short of the average of 88.  Elsewhere 4 at the meadows, 9 at Whitwell Street, 2 at Swanton Great Wood and 2 at Row Heath (West Runton).

Light Emerald, North Elmham, 27th May 2019

Light Emerald, North Elmham, 20th May 2020

Barred Red Hylaea fasciaria - None.  I've not had this species at home yet, but it has been recorded in my road before and I've had it not all that far away at Bintree Wood.


Yellow Belle Aspitates ochrearia - None.  I've not had this species at home yet, but I've seen it at Bittering and there have been a few records even closer at Worthing.  Most of my records have been day-flyers but I have had it come to light before.


Next page: more Geometridae

A new Pigmy moth and some good bugs

92 moths of 30 species on 18th September was good for the time of year.  They included my first Barred Sallow of the year, my fifth Vetch Sober Aproaerema anthyllidella of the year (not a bad tally for a species I'd only ever seen three times before) and also by far my latest ever Clouded Silver.  The latter was worn, so unlikely a new second generation, but over a month past my previous latest (9th August).  I think it might be the latest ever in Norfolk too.

Barred Sallow, North Elmham, 18th September

Clouded Silver, North Elmham, 18th September

There were a few Neuroptera too: 3 Chrysoperla carnea (plus 2 female aggs.), Conwentzia psociformis and 5 Hemerobius lutescens.  Also no shortage of caddisflies with Oxyethira flavicornis, Hydropsyche pellucidula, 2 Mottled Sedges Glyphotaelius pellucidus, Limnephilus affinis, 6 Limnephilus auricula, 2 Limnephilus flavicornis, 16 Limnephilus lunatus, 2 Limnephilus marmoratus, 2 Limnephilus sparsus and Limnephilus vittatus.

A new bug for me was Orthotylus marginalis.  Well, it keyed out to this, but the key recommends you check the male genitalia, and this was a female, so not sure if the ID of females is 100% safe or not.

Orthotylus marginalis, North Elmham, 18th September

Another good bug, new for the garden, was the psyllid Psyllopsis fraxinicola.

Psyllopsis fraxinicola, North Elmham, 18th September

A Birch Catkin Bug Kleidocerys resedae was new for the year.

Birch Catkin Bug Kleidocerys resedae, North Elmham, 18th September

Apparently it's normal for Hawthorn Shieldbug to get darker before hibernating, but I don't often see them like this.

Hawthorn Shieldbug, North Elmham, 18th September

Other bugs were Forest Bug, Psallus varians, 2 Empoasca vitis, 2 Kybos betulicola, 2 Kybos strigilifer, 2 other (female) Kybos sp. and a female Edwardsiana sp.  Other things included 2 Ectopsocus sp. (barflies), the beetle Aphodius rufipes and a Hornet.

I don't think Kybos betulicola and Kybos strigilifer can be reliably separated other than by their male genitalia but interesting that both betulicola differed from both strigilifer in their general colouration, the strigilifer being paler and more yellowy-green.

Kybos betulicola (male, gen det), North Elmham, 18th September

Kybos strigilifer (male, gen det), North Elmham, 18th September

The following night there weren't quite so many moths but among them was a Norway-maple Pigmy Ectoedemia sericopeza, a new species for me.  It's a relatively distinctive species among the Nepticulids but although the colour of the collar is a clue it's hard to tell apart from Maple-seed Pigmy Ectoedemia louisella.  The collar colour suggested sericopera but this species was new to Norfolk as recently as 2013 and I'm not sure where my nearest Norway Maple is, it seemed sensible to check its genitalia (well, ok, I would have done anyway even if it was common).  Fortunately there are a couple of very clear differences between the male genitalia of these two species, so the ID was confirmed.  I think it was the first time an adult has been recorded in Norfolk, except where bred out from a mine (but there's been another since).

Norway-maple Pigmy Ectoedemia sericopeza (male, gen det), North Elmham, 19th September

The other moths were 2 Garden Midgets Phyllonorycter messaniella, White-shouldered House Moth Endrosis sarcitrella, Large Fruit-tree Tortrix Archips podana, Privet Tortrix Clepsis consimilana, Light Brown Apple-moth Epiphyas postvittana, Rhomboid Tortrix Acleris rhombana, 3 Garden Rose Tortrixes Acleris variegana, 7 Narrow-winged Greys Eudonia angustea, Maiden's Blush, Blood-vein, Small Blood-vein, Single-dotted Wave, Riband Wave, 2 Common Marbled Carpets, 3 Brimstone Moths, 3 Dusky Thorns, Light Emerald, Large Yellow Underwing, 4 Lesser Yellow Underwings, Setaceous Hebrew Character, Square-spot Rustic, White-point, Common Wainscot, Beaded Chestnut, 10 Lunar Underwings, Straw Dot and 2 Snouts.

A Hemerobius lutescens was the only lacewing and there were fewer caddisflies: Grammotaulius nigropunctatus, 10 Limnephilus auricula, Limnephilus flavicornis, 11 Limnephilus lunatus, Limnephilus marmoratus, Limnephilus sparsus and Halesus radiatus.

There were a few leafhoppers though, including Edwardsiana lethierryi, a new species for the garden.

Edwardsiana lethierryi (male, gen det), North Elmham, 19th September

The other leafhoppers were 2 Empoasca vitis, Kybos sp. and 4 Fagocyba cruenta. Other bugs were Birch Catkin Bug Kleidocerys resedae and Lygus pratensis.  The barkfly Valenzuela flavidus was new for the year for the garden.

Valenzuela flavodus, North Elmham, 19th September

The only other things I recorded were 2 Hornets and 2 Common Frogs.

The following night was much quieter with just 17 moths: Large Fruit-tree Tortrix Archips podana, 3 Narrow-winged Greys Eudonia angustea, Dusky Thorn, Light Emerald, Large Yellow Underwing, 2 Lesser Yellow Underwings, 2 Beaded Chestnuts, 4 Lunar Underwings, Vine's Rustic and Snout.

Other things were 2 Chrysoperla carnea (green lacewings), Hemerobius lutescens (brown lacewing), Mottled Sedge Glyphotaelius pellucidus, 5 Limnephilus auricula and 3 Limnephilus lunatus (caddisflies), Birch Shieldbug, Forest Bug, Birch Catkin Bug Kleidocerys resedae, Ectopsocus petersi (barkfly) and 2 more Ectopscous sp.

Diamond-back invasion

I should imagine most of my readers will be aware that we are amidst an impressive invasion of migrant Diamond-back Moths Plutella xylostella.  These have been the dominant species in my moth trap over the last few nights.  It started last Sunday night, though I only saw one that night.  A pale indidivual, as many have been this invasion.

Diamond-back Moth Plutella xylostella, North Elmham, 29th May

The best moth on Sunday night was this Dark Spectacle.

Dark Spectacle, North Elmham, 29th May

Also new for the year were Heart and Dart and Tawny Marbled Minor.

Tawny Marbled Minor (male, gen det), North Elmham, 29th May

Heart and Dart, North Elmham, 29th May

Other moths on Sunday night were Yellow-faced Bell Notocelia cynosbatella, Common Swift, Silver-ground Carpet, 2 Common Pugs, Scalloped Hazel, Poplar Hawkmoth, Coxcomb Prominent, 5 White Ermines, Cinnabar, 2 Shuttle-shaped Darts, 4 Flame Shoulders, Light Brocade, Angle Shades and 6 Treble Lines.

Yellow-faced Bell Notocelia cynosbatella, North Elmham, 29th May

Glyphotaelius pellucidus and Limnephilus auricula were the only Caddisflies.

On Monday night Lime Hawkmoth was new for the house and Clouded Silver new for the year.

Lime Hawkmoth, North Elmham, 30th May

Clouded Silver, North Elmham, 30th May

Not many other moths but 11 Diamond-back Moths Plutella xylostella, Brindled Flat-body Agonopterix arenella, Cinnabar, 2 Shuttle-shaped Darts, 2 Flame Shoulders and Treble Lines. Two hoverflies in the trap both proved to be species I'd not identified before (though common): Eupeodes corollae and Syrphus torvus.

Eupeodes corollae, North Elmham, 30th May

Syrphus torvus, North Elmham, 30th May

By far the most dominant feature of Tuesday night was an impressive 135 Diamond-back Moths Plutella xylostella, my peak count up to the time of writing.

Diamond-back Moths Plutella xylostella, North Elmham, 31st May

They weren't the only migrants - this Silver Y sneaked in too.

Silver Y, North Elmham, 31st May

A Vine's Rustic was new for the year but the only other moths were Brimstone Moth and 5 Treble Lines.  Also a caddisfly Limnephilus auricula.

Vine's Rustic, North Elmham, 31st May

A quick look round the garden on Wednesday evening got me White Oak Midget Phyllonorycter harrisella, new for the house, and Common Marble Celypha lacunana, new for the year here.

White Oak Midget Phyllonorycter harrisella, North Elmham, 1st June

In and around the trap that night there was a slight reduction to 120 Diamond-back Moths Plutella xylostella.  The only other moths were Narrow-winged Grey Eudonia angustea, 2 Common Swifts, Poplar Hawkmoth, Muslin Moth, 2 Flame Shoulders and 5 Treble Lines. This Mayfly, a Pond Olive Cloeon dipterum was new for the year, one of the few Mayflies I had identified prior to this year.

Pond Olive Cloeon dipterum, North Elmham, 1st June

If you're a Snail and there's a big Snail in the way, what do you do?  Go round it?  Nope, you go over it.  This Kentish Snail (I think) walked straight over the top of a Garden Snail.  Also 2 Strawberry Snails and Brown-lipped Snails in the garden.

Kentish Snail (I think) walking all over a Garden Snail, North Elmham, 1st June

Thursday night produced 63 Diamond-back Moths Plutella xylostella, White-shouldered House Moth Endrosis sarcitrella, Common Marble Celypha lacunana, Common Swift, 2 Garden Carpets, Common Marbled Carpet, Green Carpet, Poplar Hawkmoth, 3 Flame Shoulders, Clouded-bordered Brindle, 4 Treble Lines, Silver Y, Cockchafer and antoher Eupeodes corollae (Hoverfly).

Garden Carpet and Common Marbled Carpet, North Elmham, 2nd June

Clouded-bordered Brindle, North Elmham, 2nd June

There will be more to say about Diamond-backs in a post covering Saturday when I didn't catch so many in the trap but saw 10s if not 100s of 1000s in the field.