Brindled Green and a few other autumnal insects

I didn't catch many moths on 21st September but one of them was a Brindled Green, my first and only example in 2018.  It's actually a pretty good moth here - only my fourth since moving in in 2014, recorded every other year.

Brindled Green, North Elmham, 21st September

The other moths were Garden Midget Phyllonorycter messaniella, Light Brown Apple-moth Epiphyas postvittana, 5 Narrow-winged Greys Eudonia angustea, Common Marbled Carpet, Beaded Chestnut, 11 Lunar Underwings and Snout. There wasn't much else either - the caddisfly Limnephilus lunatus and the barkfly Ectopsocus briggsi.

Next day a visit to the Cathedral Meadows produced a few bits and pieces.  A rather attractive shiny green fly turned out to be a Twin-spot Centurion Sargus bipunctatus.  The pair of pale spots on the face that give it its name aren't especially obvious if you're not looking for them, though easy enough to see when you do.

Twin-spot Centurion Sargus pipunctatus, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 22nd September

This leafhopper proved to be Edwardsiana rosae.

Edwardsiana rosae (male, gen det), North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 22nd September

I've updated this page to show a revised ID for this aphid.  At the time I didn't have very good information and I tentatively identified it as something entirely different.  Now (in May 2019) I realise it was a Common Sycamore Aphid Drepanosiphum platanoidis.

Common Sycamore Aphid Drepanosiphum platanoidis, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 22nd September

Moths consisted of 2 Horse-chestnut Leaf-miners Cameraria ohridella and a Rhomboid Tortrix Acleris rhombana.

Rhomboid Tortrix Acleris rhombana, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 22nd September

A little shake of a bunch of ash keys was productive.  The invertebrates that fell out included a new beetle for me, a Cabbage-stem Flea Beetle Psylliodes chrysocephala.

Cabbage-stem Leaf Beetle Psylliodes chrysocephala, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 22nd September

There were also 4 Common Earwigs, 2 caddisflies, both Limnephilus lunatus, 4 7-spot Ladybirds, a spider that I think was probably an immature Philodromus aureolus and the psyllid Psyllopsis fraxinicola.

Psyllopsis fraxinicola, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 22nd September

Philodromus sp., possibly Philodromus aureolus, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 22nd September

That night at home there was an unremarkable selection of moths: 5 Narrow-winged Greys Eudonia angustea, Common Marbled Carpet, Brimstone Moth, 4 Large Yellow Underwings, 2 Lesser Yellow Underwings, Common Wainscot, 24 Lunar Underwings, 2 Sallows and 2 Snouts.

There were also 2 Limnephilus auricula, Limnephilus flavicornis and 7 Limnephilus lunatus (caddisflies), the barkfly Ectopsocus petersi and the beetle Aphodius rufipes.

Strong winds the following night meant for a distinct lack of variety in the moth trap: just Large Yellow Underwing, 25 Lunar Underwings and Pink-barred Sallow.

It was even worse on 24th with just 1 Narrow-winged Grey Eudonia angustea and 10 Lunar Underwings.

A little better the next night with 2 Light Brown Apple-moths Epiphyas postvittana, 4 Narrow-winged Greys Eudonia angustea, Small Dusty Wave, Common Marbled Carpet, Green Carpet, Large Yellow Underwing, 2 Lesser Yellow Underwings, Beaded Chestnut and 15 Lunar Underwings. There were also a few caddisflies again that night: Ithytrichia lamellaris, Mottled Sedge Glyphotaelius pellucidus, 2 Limnephilus auricula and 4 Limnephilus lunatus.

Next day at the meadows there was a Southern Hawker, a 7-spot Ladybird and 2 Harlequin Ladybirds.  I found 3 Willow Flea Beetles Crepidodera aurata on the White Willow and a female (and thus unidentifiable) Edwardsiana leafhopper on some Dogwood.

Southern Hawker, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 26th September

There were 2 more Arytaina genistae in the Broom.

Arytaina genistae, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 26th September

I think this spider that was also in the Broom was Tetragnatha montana.

Tetragnatha montana, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 26th September

This spider was in the Black Horehound.  I couldn't make out any epigynal or palpal features to confirm it but Dyctina arundinacea seems to be the best fit, especially in view of its dark-tipped tarsal segments.  Not a speices I've identified before.

Dyctina arundinacea, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 26th September

Moths at home that night consisted of Clover Case-bearer Coleophora alcyonipennella, Privet Tortrix Clepsis consimilana, Light Brown Apple-moth Epiphyas postvittana, Garden Rose Tortrix Acleris variegana, 18 Narrow-winged Greys Eudonia angustea, 2 Riband Waves, Mallow, Green Carpet, Ruby Tiger, Large Yellow Underwing, Lesser Yellow Underwing, 16 Lunar Underwings, Pink-barred Sallow and 2 Snouts.

There was the green lacewing Chrysoperla carnea agg. and Limnephilus auricula and 2 Limnephilus lunatus were the caddisflies.  Other bits and pieces included the beetle Aphodius rufipes, the hoverfly Eupeodes latifasciatus and a Hornet.

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.

A new psyllid and a Mere Wainscot

A wander round the meadows on 30th August produced a nice selection of insects including 8 Common Darters and both Field and Meadow Grasshoppers.  Butterflies included Large, Small and Green-veined Whites, Small Copper, Common Blue, Comma, Red Admiral and at least 17 Speckled Woods.

Large White, North Elmham Catherdal Meadows, 30th August

Small Copper, North Elmham Catherdal Meadows, 30th August

Common Blue, North Elmham Catherdal Meadows, 30th August

Speckled Wood, North Elmham Catherdal Meadows, 30th August

Not many moths seen - just a Yellow Shell and some leafmines (at least one occupied) of Common Oak Midget Phyllonorycter quercifoliella.

occupied leafmine of Common Oak Midget Phyllonorycter quercifoliella, North Elmham Catherdal Meadows, 30th August

Shaking ash keys into a net produced a few insects including at least 10 green lacewings (all those checked were Chrysoperla carnea), Common Earwigs, 7-spot and Harlequin Ladybirds and a new one for me, the (relatively) large green psyllid Psyllopsis fraxinicola.

Psyllopsis fraxinicola, North Elmham Catherdal Meadows, 30th August

Elsewhere around the meadows there were the hoverflies Eupeodes latifasciatus and Eristalis pertinax, and at least 3 Hornets.

Eristalis pertinax, North Elmham Catherdal Meadows, 30th August

An attempt to identify some spiders was met with limited success.  I think this one from Ash keys was probably an Araniella sp., but was immature preventing a full ID.  However it did moult, but although I could just make out its epigyne then, it wasn't clear - it seemed to look closer to Araniella cucurbitina but wasn't really clear.  Maybe still not fully mature, or is it actually something else entirely?

possible immature Common Cucumber Spider Araniella ccuurbitana, North Elmham Catherdal Meadows, 30th August - top photo was taken on the day, lower photo taken a few days later after a moult

The epigyne wasn't clear on this one either (immature?) but a combination of features leads me moderately satisfied that it was Xysticus cristatus.

Xysticus cristatus, North Elmham Catherdal Meadows, 30th August

Slightly easier were Garden Spider Araneus diadematus and Nurseryweb Spider Pisaura mirabilis.

Nurseryweb Spider Pisaura mirabilis, North Elmham Catherdal Meadows, 30th August

Wildflowers included a good display of Autumn Hawkbit.

Autumn Hawkbit, North Elmham Catherdal Meadows, 30th August

Thanks again to James Emerson for help with identifying some fungi.  Among those identified were Brown Mottlegill, Pleated Inkcap, Sulphur Tuft, Dryad's Saddle, Bolete Mould and Hogweed Powdery Mildew.  Others not fully identified included Bolete spp. and Agaricus sp.

Hogweed Powdery Mildew, North Elmham Catherdal Meadows, 30th August

It wasn't a great night for moths that night, but Mere Wainscot was nice, my fifth here.  Other moths were 2 Common Grass-veneers Agriphila tristella, Elbow-stripe Grass-veneer Agriphila geniculea, Small Dusty Wave, Single-dotted Wave, Latticed Heath, Common Wave, Large Yellow Underwing, 4 Lesser Yellow Underwings, Square-spot Rustic, Common Wainscot, 4 Flounced Rustics and Snout. The only other insect of taxa that I record was the caddisfly Limnephilus lunatus.

Mere Wainscot (male, gen det), North Elmham, 30th August

August went out with a whimper,  Just a small handful of moths: Clover Case-bearer Coleophora alcyonipennella, Garden Rose Tortrix Acleris variegana, Common Grass-veneer Agriphila tristella, Elbow-stripe Grass-veneer Agriphila geniculea, Lesser Pearl Sitochroa verticalis, Orange Swift, Large Yellow Underwing, 5 Lesser Yellow Underwings, 5 Square-spot Rustics, Centre-barred Sallow and 4 Flounced Rustics.  Also the brown lacewing Hemerobius lutescens and caddisflies 3 Limnephilus lunatus, Limnephilus marmoratus and Ceraclea albimacula.

Lesser Pearl Sitochroa verticalis, North Elmham, 31st August