In the last few articles published in White Admiral I have commented on the very low numbers of moths recorded at Sicklesmere both in terms of species and total numbers. Now I feel that it is time to look on the positive side and to give a little more prominence to some of the moths that have done well during the period June - September 2001 when compared to the same period in 2000.
I have concentrated initially upon the 'Yellow Underwings', illustrating in the table the differences between the two years.
|
|
First Date |
Last Date |
Nights |
Total |
Increase / decrease |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Large Yellow Underwing, Noctua pronuba |
18.6.00 |
7.10.00 |
96 |
1129 |
|
|
14.6.01 |
1.10.01 |
100 |
1415 |
+25.3% |
|
- | |||||
|
Lunar Yellow Underwing, Noctua orbona |
20.7.00 |
4.8.00 |
3 |
3 |
|
|
12.9.01 |
12.9.01 |
1 |
1 |
-66.6% |
|
- | |||||
|
Lesser Yellow Underwing, Noctua comes |
9.7.00 |
3.10.00 |
52 |
174 |
|
|
29.6.01 |
1.10.01 |
48 |
135 |
-22.4% |
|
- | |||||
|
Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, Noctua fimbriata |
9.7.00 |
29.9.00 |
10 |
13 |
|
|
16.7.01 |
27.9.01 |
26 |
45 |
+246.1% |
|
- | |||||
|
Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, Noctua janthe |
26.7.00 |
9.9.00 |
35 |
151 |
|
|
16.7.01 |
3.9.01 |
38 |
266 |
+76.1% |
|
- | |||||
|
Least Yellow Underwing, Noctua interjecta |
7.8.00 |
8.8.00 |
2 |
2 |
|
|
29.7.01 |
15.8.01 |
6 |
9 |
+350% |
As can be seen, there is a considerable increase in numbers for 4 of the species and a decrease for 2, although the low numbers of N. orbona and N. interjecta probably do not give an accurate picture of their true status
The following have also given a good account of themselves during 2001.
|
|
First Date |
Last Date |
Nights |
Total |
Increase / decrease |
|
Riband Wave, Idaea aversata (banded form) |
19.6.00 |
19.8.00 |
20 |
39 |
|
|
1.7.01 |
18.8.01 |
29 |
65 |
+66.6% |
|
- | |||||
|
Riband Wave, Idaea aversata, ab. remutata</p> |
18.6.00 |
7.9.00 |
36 |
177 |
|
|
25.6.01 |
24.8.01 |
49 |
283 |
+59.8% |
|
- | |||||
|
The Spectacle, Abrostola tripartita |
26.4.00 |
19.8.00 |
44 |
62 |
|
|
25.5.01 |
26.8.01 |
54 |
93 |
+50% |
|
- | |||||
|
Straw Dot, Rivula sericealis |
8.8.00 |
10.9.00 |
8 |
8 |
|
|
14.6.01 |
30.8.01 |
16 |
21 |
+162.5% |
This is by no means the full picture which shows an overall decrease in the numbers of moths recorded at Sicklesmere. The figures for Setaceous Hebrew Character and Flounced Rustic illustrate just 2 of the species whose members have fallen.
|
|
First Date |
Last Date |
Nights |
Total |
Increase / decrease |
|
Setaceous Hebrew Character, Xestia c-nigrum |
23.5.00 |
7.10.00 |
79 |
603 |
|
|
27.5.01 |
1.10.01 |
70 |
255 |
-57.7% |
|
- | |||||
|
Flounced Rustic, Luperina testacea> |
12.8.00 |
25.9.00 |
32 |
128 |
|
|
6.8.01 |
13.9.01 |
27 |
62 |
-51.5% |
All of the above records do not give a completely accurate account of the numbers at this location. I am writing this article on 1 October so there will be a small increase in the total numbers of some species. The records, however, do give a good representation of the fluctuation in numbers shown by these species.
On 6 July I was pleased to record a Red-necked Footman, Atolmis rubricollis, a lichen feeder. The larvae of this moth feed on lichens and algae on several species of tree including oak, beech and larch. Morley describes the moth in this manner, ‘alleged to have ‘’generally distributed but not common. Very abundant at Playford’’: ante 1890. No later record is known till 1936, when Col. Hawley found the species in his Sibton garden.’ A movement of this species must have occurred at around this time in July 2001, as Mike Hall recorded one near to the Norfolk border and others have been recorded in the Ipswich area. Further sightings were recorded in Essex, Hertfordshire and Norfolk. It is possible that eggs were laid by some of these moths and their larvae might be found in 2002.
A Blue-bordered Carpet, Plemyria rubiginata, put in an appearance on 4 July, although not an uncommon moth in Suffolk, it is not often seen at Sicklesmere. Least Carpet, Idaea rusticata, reappeared in the garden, with a total of 6 in July. There is, obviously, a breeding colony close by. Other moths worthy of note are:- Square-spotted Clay, Xestia rhomboidea, with a total of 11 this year. This is classed as a Notable moth, although it is not particularly uncommon in this area. A Knot-grass, Acronicta rumicis, on 5 August was a welcome visitor. It is another moth that is not uncommon in the County, but not often recorded at this location. I was pleased to see a single Old Lady, Mormo mauro, in the trap on the morning of 15 August. This is a moth that is not commonly attracted to light, but comes readily to sugar. The Dark Sword-grass, Agrotis ipsilon, on 2 September was a reminder of the dearth of migrant moths this year. The appearance of The Sallow, Xanthia icteritia, on 21 September followed by Barred Sallow, Xanthia aurago, and Pink-barred Sallow, Xanthia togata, on 24 September was a sure sign of the oncoming autumn. Frost, snow, icy rain, it makes me feel cold just writing about it. Never mind it will soon be spring. The only other records worthy of comment are the numbers of Red Admirals, Vanessa atalanta, caught in the trap, a total of 3 so far this year.
References
Morley, C. 1937. Final Catalogue of the Lepidoptera of Suffolk. Ipswich: Suffolk Naturalists’ Society.
Stan Dumican
Anglezarke, Sicklesmere, Bury St Edmunds. Suffolk IP30 0TJ
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