Review of 2019 and 2020 - Moths: Tortrix Moths (Tortricidae) (Part 7: Marbles I (Eudemis to Lobesia))

TORTRIX MOTHS (TORTRICIDAE) (continued)


Diamond-back Marble Eudemis profundana - Singles in the garden on 23rd July 2019 and 25th July 2020 were my first here since 2016 (one before that in 2015).  Also one at the meadows on 4th August 2019.  For what is quite a variable species the 2 in 2019 were surprisingly similar in appearance.

Diamond-back Marble Eudemis profundana, North Elmham, 23rd July 2019

Diamond-back Marble Eudemis profundana, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 4th August 2019

Willow Marble Apotomis lineana - None.  I haven't recorded this species locally yet but I can't see any reason why it shouldn't occur in this part of the Wensum Valley.


White-shouldered Marble Apotomis turbidana - None.  I've not recorded this species in North Elmham yet but it must be on the cards.


Birch Marble Apotomis betuletana - Singles in the garden trap on 19th and 24th July and 12th August 2019 and on 7 dates between 1st and 29th Augsut 2020.  I don't get this species (or genus) here every year, and 7 was the most I've ever had.  Also one at Swanton Great Wood on 27th August 2019 and one at Bintree Wood on 24th July 2020.  I suspect that in the past I may have misidentified some betuletana with a strong hook-shaped white indentation into the darker base as capreana as I have come to realise in the last 2-3 years that this feature is more variable than I had once appreciated.  Differences in genitalia aren't all that obvious to me either, so it's not inconceivable that I've gone wrong even after examining them under the microscope, though I think I have a better understanding of the differences now.

male Birch Marble Apotoomis betuletana, North Elmham, 19th July 2019

Birch Marble Apotoomis betuletana, North Elmham, 24th July 2019

male Birch Marble Apotoomis betuletana, North Elmham, 12th August 2019

Birch Marble Apotoomis betuletana, Bintree Wood, 24th July 2020

Sallow Marble Apotomis capreana - One in the garden trap on 1st July 2020 was my first here since 2 in 2016.

Sallow Marble Apotoomis capreana, North Elmham, 1st July 2020

Woodland Marble Orthotaenia undulana - None.  I had 6 of these in my garden in my first full year here (2015) followed by singles in each of the next 3 years, so 2019 and 2020 were my first full years without any.


White-backed Marble Hedya salicella - One in the garden moth trap on 8th July 2020 was only my second here and the first for 5 years.  Also one at Laura's in Hellesdon on 4th July 2019 and one at the meadows on 18th July 2020.

White-backed Marble Hedya salicella, North Elmham, 8th July 2020

Marbled Orchard Tortrix Hedya nubiferana - Totals of 18 in the garden between 17th June and 18th July 2019 and 16 between 11th June and 17th July 2020.  These were my worst year here to date - not far behind the previous couple of years but a long way short of the 57 in 2015.  Also 3 at the meadows.

Marbled Orchard Tortrix Hedya nubiferana, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 23rd June 2020

Plum Tortrix Hedya pruniana - Totals of 12 in the garden between 22nd June and 16th July 2019 and 8 between 22nd May and 25th June 2020.  As with the last species these were my worst years here, past annual totals peaking at 23 in 2016.  Elsewhere 7 at the meadows and 2 at Weybourne.

Plum Tortrix Hedya pruniana, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 25th May 2020

Plum Tortrix Hedya pruniana, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 23rd June 2020

Buff-tipped Marble Hedya ochroleucana - One at the meadows on 30th June 2019 and one in the garden trap on 4th July.  The latter was my third here but first since 2016, so all the more surprising to catch 3 here in 2020, on 20th and 24th June and 4th July.

Buff-tipped Marble Hedya ochroleucana, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 30th June 2019

Buff-tipped Marble Hedya ochroleucana, North Elmham, 20th June 2020

female Buff-tipped Marble Hedya ochroleucana, North Elmham, 4th July 2020

Shoulder-spot Marble Hedya atropunctata - None.  I've never seen this species but there's a scattering of records around the county so it might turn up locally.


Barred Marble Celypha striana - At least 133 recorded at home between 18th June and 22nd August (not counted every night).  That's above average, but over 100 is normal.  A record year in 2020 with 182 between 26th May and 27th August including a record count of 11 on 16th June.  Also recorded next door, at the meadows (7), at Weybourne and at Hellesdon.

Barred Marble Celypha striana, North Elmham, 29th May 2020

Roseate Marble Celypha rosaceana - None.  I've not recorded this species locally yet, but imagine (hope) I will do sooner or later.


Thyme Marble Celypha cespitana - None.  I've caught this species at home twice, in 2015 and 2016.


Common Marble Celypha lacunana - At least 250 in the garden between 23rd May and 12th September (probably more as they weren't counted every night).  Since 2015 I've averaged over 300 a year here so this wasn't a particularly good year.  Only 245 here in 2020, between 19th May and 17th September - my worst year here to date.  Elsewhere 76 recorded at the meadows and others at Bintree Wood, Whitwell Street, Weybourne, Hellesdon, Hills and Holes, Row Heath (West Runton), Burnham Overy and on Mull.

Common Marble Celypha lacunana, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 12th May 2019

dark variant of Common Marble Celypha lacunana, North Elmham, 26th June 2020

Pine Marble Piniphila bifasciana - Singles in the garden trap on 23rd and 29th June 2019.  1-2 a year is typical but I had 9 in each of 2016 and 2017.  Also 2 at Weybourne on 5th July 2019.  None in 2020, my first blank year since moving here.

Pine Marble Piniphila bifasciana, North Elmham, 23rd June 2019

Smoky-barred Marble Lobesia abscisana - One at the meadows on 18th July 2020.  My last 3 examples of this species were at the meadows but previously I've had 6 here at home.

Smoky-barred Marble Lobesia abscisana, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 18th July 2020

Oak Marble Lobesia reliquana - None.  I've not recorded this species in North Elmham yet but should imagine I must be in with a good chance, at the meadows if not in the garden.  I've seen it reasonably close, at Bawdeswell Heath.


Next page: more Tortricidae

Phyllonorycter kuhlweiniella at home!

I have a bit of a thing for Scarce Oak Midgets Phyllonorycter kuhlweiniella.  It was known from south Norfolk between 1982 and 1996 and then wasn't seen again in the county until I discovered them at several new sites in different parts of the county, sometimes in good numbers and some on my local patch, in the excellent Phyllonorycter year of 2014.  None were recorded again in 2015 (a much worse year for Phyllonorycter generally) and so far this year the only record in the database is one Paul Cobb found while I was with him, and which I identified.  On 7th August I topped it all off with one in my own garden trap.  Amazing!  It was a bit worn so I gen detted it just to make sure, not that there was really anything else it could have been.

Scarce Oak Midget Phyllonorycter kuhlweiniella (male, gen det), North Elmham, 7th August

Marbled Cosmet Mompha propinquella and Diamond-back Marble Eudemis profundana were both new for the year.  According to various references Mompha propinquella can be separated from the much rarer (at least in Norfolk) Mompha lacteella by its white (not buff) head and thorax.  Why then does every single Mompha propinquella I ever see have a buff head and thorax?  Some, including this one, were gen detted to make sure.

Marbled Cosmet Mompha propinquella (male, gen det), North Elmham, 7th August

Diamond-back Marble Eudemis profundana, North Elmham, 7th August

Other micros were Carrion Moth Monopis weaverella, Daisy Bent-wing Bucculatrix nigricomella, White Oak Midget Phyllonorycter harrisella, Garden Midget Phyllonorycter messaniella, Golden Argent Argyresthia goedartella, 2 Bird-cherry Ermines Yponomeuta evonymella, 2 Little Ermels Swammerdamia pyrella, 5 Diamond-back Moths Plutella xylostella, Golden-brown Tubic Crassa unitella, Small Dingy Tubic Borkhausenia fuscescens, Brown House Moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella, 2 Dingy Dowds Blastobasis adustella, Hook-marked Straw Moth Agapeta hamana, Heather Tortrix Argyrotaenia ljungiana, 2 Light Brown Apple Moths Epiphyas postvittana, Dover Shade Cnephasia genitalana (and another unidentified Cnephasia that may have been the same), Garden Rose Tortrix Acleris variegana, Nut Bud Moth Epinotia tenerana, Holly Tortrix Rhopobota naevana, Common Cloaked Shoot Gypsonoma dealbana, Bud Moth Spilonota ocellana, 28 Pearl Veneers Agriphila straminella, 20 Common Grass-veneers Agriphila tristella, Chequered Grass-veneer Catoptria falsella, Pale Water-veneer Donacaula forficella, 2 Small Greys Eudonia mercurella, Ringed China-mark Parapoynx stratiotata, Beautiful China-mark Nymphula nitidulata, Garden Pebble Evergestis forficalis, 2 Small Magpies Anania hortulata, Pale Straw Pearl Udea lutealis, Rush Veneer Nomophila noctuella, 6 Mother of Pearls Pleuroptya ruralis, 2 Rosy Tabbies Endotricha flammealis, Grey Knot-horn Acrobasis advenella and 2 Common Plumes Emmelina monodactyla.

The best macro was Twin-spotted Waisncot, new for the year here and not one I see many of at home.

Twin-spotted Wainscot, North Elmham, 7th August

Other macros were Large Emerald, 2 Blood-veins, 2 Least Carpets, 10 Single-dotted Waves, 6 Riband Waves, Flame Carpet, Red Twin-spot Carpet, Common Carpet, Lime-speck Pug, Currant Pug, 2 Magpie Moths, Brimstone Moth, 2 Canary-shouldered Thorns, 2 Dusky Thorns, Early Thorn, 2 Scalloped Oaks, 3 Pebble Prominents, Swallow Prominent, Coxcomb Prominent, 4 Pale Prominents, 7 Yellow-tails, 2 Black Arches, 3 Dingy Footmen, 2 Scarce Footmen, 2 Common Footmen, 2 Ruby Tigers, Shuttle-shaped Dart, 2 Flame Shoulders, Large Yellow Underwing, 7 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwings, Least Yellow Underwing, Square-spot Rustic, 4 Dark Arches, 5 Common Rustics, Lesser Common Rustic, Uncertain, 3 Nut-tree Tussocks and 10 Straw Dots.

Least Yellow Underwing, North Elmham, 7th August

Lacewings included my second Nineta vittata and a Chryoperla carnea agg. (female, presumably carnea).  A Forest Bug (Red-legged Shieldbug) was the only bug noted and Nicrophorus investigator the only beetle identified.

Nineta vittata, North Elmham, 7th August

The following night was much less productive although it did produce one new moth for the house, a Knapweed Conch Agapeta zoegana.

Knapweed Conch Agapeta zoegana, North Elmham, 8th August

The only other micros were 2 Golden Argents Argyresthia goedartella, Little Ermel Swammerdamia pyrella, Diamond-back Moth Plutella xylostella, Brown House Moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella, Light Brown Apple Moth Epiphyas postvittana, 2 Garden Rose Tortrixes Acleris variegana, Common Marble Celypha lacunana, Plum Fruit Moth Grapholita funebrana, 2 Garden Grass-veneers Chrysoteuchia culmella, 15 Pearl Veneers Agriphila straminella, 6 Common Grass-veneers Agriphila tristella, 2 Pale Straw Pearls Udea lutealis and 3 Mother of Pearls Pleuroptya ruralis.

The macros consisted of Orange Swift, 5 Single-dotted Waves, 3 Riband Waves, Dusky Thorn, Scalloped Oak, 3 Willow Beauties, Pebble Prominent, 2 Pale Prominents, 2 Yellow-tails, 2 Black Arches, Dingy Footman, Ruby Tiger, Shuttle-shaped Dart, 4 Flame Shoulders, Large Yellow Underwing, 10 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwings, 2 Straw Underwings, Dark Arches, 2 Common Rustics, Lesser Common Rustic, 2 Flounced Rustics, Nut-tree Tussock, Spectacle and 3 Straw Dots.

Other insects included by first Oak Bush-cricket of the year here and another Nicrophorus investigator.

Oak Bush-cricket, North Elmham, 8th August

Next day (9th August) was even poorer with just 51 moths of 27 species: a Parornix sp. (lost before I could check the species), Diamond-back Moth Plutella xylostella, Maple Button Acleris forsskaleana, 3 Garden Rose Tortrixes Acleris variegana, Common Marble Celypha lacunana, Red Piercer Lathronympha strigana, Pearl Veneer Agriphila straminella, 8 Common Grass-veneers Agriphila tristella, Small Grey Eudonia mercurella, Single-dotted Wave, Red Twin-spot Carpet, Common Carpet, Tawny Speckled Pug, Yellow-barred Brindle, Scalloped Oak, 2 Willow Beauties, Pebble Prominent, Yellow-tail, Shuttle-shaped Dart, 4 Flame Shoulders, 2 Large Yellow Underwings, 9 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwings, Setaceous Hebrew Character, Common Rustic, Lesser Common Rustic, 2 Flounced Rustics, Spectacle and Straw Dot.

Small Dotted Buff and Gothic

22nd July wasn't such a good night with just Garden Rose Tortrix Acleris variegana new for the year.

Garden Rose Tortrix Acleris variegana, North Elmham, 22nd July

 
Other stuff was 2 Bird-cherry Ermines Yponomeuta evonymella, Gorse Crest Brachmia blandella, Barred Marble Celypha striana, Common Marble Celypha lacunana, 5 Garden Grass-veneers Chrysoteuchia culmella, 6 Pearl Veneers Agriphila straminella, Common Grass-veneer Agriphila tristella, 2 Little Greys Eudonia lacustrata, Beautiful China-mark Nymphula stagnata, Small Magpie Eurrhypara hortulata, 2 Mother of Pearls Pleuroptya ruralis, Bee Moth Aphomia sociella, Drinker, Chinese Character, Buff Arches, 3 Small Fan-footed Waves, 7 Single-dotted Waves, Barred Straw, 4 Peppered Moths, 2 Willow Beauties, Common White Wave, Privet Hawkmoth, Pine Hawkmoth, Elephant Hawkmoth, Pebble Prominent, 2 Buff-tips, Yellow-tail, Dingy Footman, Scarce Footman, 31 Common Footmen, 8 Buff Ermines, 3 Heart and Darts, Shuttle-shaped Dart, Large Yellow Underwing, 5 Double Square-spots, Dot Moth, 6 Clays, Smoky Wainscot, 3 Dark Arches, 2 Common Rustics, Lesser Common Rustic, 22 Uncertains, 8 Rustics, Nut-tree Tussock, Spectacle and 3 Snouts.

23rd July was much better.  363 moths of 94 species including a macro lifer, albeit a fairly common species that I ought to have seen already: Small Dotted Buff.

Small Dotted Buff, North Elmham, 23rd July

A Gothic was only my second ever:

Gothic, North Elmham, 23rd July

New for the year were 2 Orange Crests Helcystogramma rufescens, Diamond-back Marble Eudemis profundana, Large Tabby Aglossa pinguinalis (in my study), Tawny Speckled Pug and Dusky Sallow.

Dusky Sallow, North Elmham, 23rd July

Tawny Speckled Pug, North Elmham, 23rd July

Diamond-back Marble Eudemis profundana, North Elmham, 23rd July

Orange Crests Helcystogramma rufescens, North Elmham, 23rd July - a typically marked one and a plainer then usual example

With 5 Least Carpets it's hard to imagine that until recently they were quite rare and until last year I had never seen one.

Other macros were 3 Pebble Hook-tips, 3 Chinese Characters, Lesser Cream Wave, 8 Small Fan-footed Waves, 10 Single-dotted Waves, 10 Riband Waves, Red Twin-spot Carpet, Common Carpet, V-Pug, Double-striped Pug, 5 Clouded Borders, Brimstone Moth, 3 Early Thorns, 3 Scalloped Oaks, 4 Peppered Moths, 3 Willow Beauties, 2 Common Waves, Clouded Silver, Poplar Hawkmoth, Elephant Hawkmoth, 2 Lesser Swallow Prominents, Swallow Prominent, Marbled Brown, 8 Yellow-tails, 6 Rosy Footmen, 8 Dingy Footmen, 4 Scarce Footmen, 49 Common Footmen, 3 Buff Ermines, 2 Ruby Tigers, Heart and Dart, 2 Large Yellow Underwings, 3 Nutmegs, 3 Dot Moths, 2 Bright-line Brown-eyes, Brown-line Bright-eye, 3 Clays, Smoky Wainscot, Sycamore, Brown Rustic, Dingy Shears, 3 Dun-bars, Lunar-spotted Pinion, 7 Dark Arches, Rufous Minor, 7 Common Rustics, 27 Uncertains, 4 Rustics, Nut-tree Tussock, Burnished Brass, Beautiful Hook-tip and 4 Snouts.

Lesser Cream Wave, North Elmham, 23rd July

Lunar-spotted Pinion, North Elmham, 23rd July

Brown-line Bright-eye, North Elmham, 23rd July

Other micros were 15 Bird-cherry Ermines Yponomeuta evonymella, Golden-brown Tubic Crassa unitella, Common Flat-body Agonopterix heracliana, 3 Cinereous Groundlings Bryotropha terrella, House Groundling Bryotropha domestica, Common Cosmet Mompha epilobiella, 2 Hook-marked Straw Moths Agapeta hamana, Cyclamen Tortrix Clepsis spectrana, Privet Tortrix Clepsis consimilana, Large Ivy Tortrix Lozotaenia forsterana, Red-barred Tortrix Ditula angustiorana, 2 Flax Tortrices Cnephasia asseclana, Cereal Tortrix Cnephasia pumicana, Maple Button Acleris forsskaleana, 3 Barred Marbles Celypha striana, Triangle-marked Roller Ancylis achatana, Summer Rose Bell Notocelia roborana, 12 Garden Grass-veneers Chrysoteuchia culmella, Grass-veneer Crambus pascuella, 52 Pearl Veneers Agriphila straminella, Common Grass-veneer Agriphila tristella, 2 Pearl Grass-veneers Catoptria pinella, Chequered Grass-veneer Catoptria falsella, Common Grey Scoparia ambigualis, 3 Little Greys Eudonia lacustrata, 2 Small Greys Eudonia mercurella, Ringed China-mark Parapoynx stratiotata, 2 Beautiful China-marks Nymphula stagnata, 2 Small Magpies Eurrhypara hortulata, Elder Pearl Anania coronata, Dusky Pearl Udea prunalis, 6 Mother of Pearls Pleuroptya ruralis, Rosy Tabby Endotricha flammealis, Grey Knot-horn Acrobasis advenella and White Plume Pterophorus pentadactyla.

Cyclamen Tortrix Clepsis spectrana, North Elmham, 23rd July

Common Cosmet Mompha epilobiella, North Elmham, 23rd July

Summer Rose Bell Notocelia roborana (male, gen det), North Elmham, 23rd July

The night of 24th July was wet and windy so no surprise that there were few moths: Little Dwarf Elachista canapennella, Small Dingy Tubic Borkhausenia fuscescens, Barred Marble Celypha striana, 5 Pearl Veneers Agriphila straminella, Mother of Pearl Pleuroptya ruralis, Rosy Tabby Endotricha flammealis, Common Plume Emmelina monodactyla, Large Emerald, 2 Single-dotted Waves, Scalloped Oak, Swallow-tailed Moth, Yellow-tail, Dingy Footman, Scarce Footman, 3 Common Footmen, Buff Ermine, Large Yellow Underwing, Double Square-spot, Smoky Wainscot, 6 Uncertains and Rustic. 

Large Emerald, North Elmham, 24th July