Several species of moths recorded at Landguard are listed as Red Data Book species. This brief article highlights some of these species and the caterpillars’ foodplants in order that consideration might be given to future management of the peninsula so as not to put any undue pressure on these species. Nigel Odin, Refs./Bibliography:
Red Data species are classified in three categories.
The following have been recorded at Landguard so far although it is stressed that several other species of micro-moth have been recorded that are also incredibly rare but are not on the current RDB list, e.g. Agonopterix curvipunctosa (Odin 2002). The following notes uses nomenclature as in Bradley & Fletcher (1986), information on foodplants
from Emmet & Heath (1992), Goater (1986) & Skinner (1986) with the
recent status on pyralids from Greatorex-Davies & Davies (2002).
428 Willow Ermine RDB 3. Singles on 18th August 1997, 27th & 31st August 2002.
The foodplants do not occur on site. This species occurs as a migrant & it
is assumed that these were migrants.
720 Ethia bipunctella. RDB 1. Noted on 7th, 10th & 13th August 1997, 4th June 2000 & twelve individuals from 18th June to 8th August 2002. The foodplant Vipers Bugloss Echium valgare is fairly common on site although the quantity of it has declined over the last ten years, partly due to renovation of Landguard Fort but also possibly due to a run of wetter summers. Recent works around the Left Battery has left much
bare ground which may be colonized by this plant. Although the above listed
records may be migrants they may also be indicative of a small resident
population that has only been noted on a few occasions in the moth trap. As
this is a RDB 1 species more work on its status would benefit our knowledge of
it but as long as plenty of Vipers Bugloss exists then hopefully its future
will be secure.
1322 Pediasia fascinella. RDB 2. Noted 30th July &
14th August 1995, 9th, 12th & 14th August 1997 & 19th July 2001.
Although not noted annually it hopefully persists on site. The foodplants are listed
as Graminease especially Elymus spp. & Deschamsiia spp.
which are not present on site but are coastal and may well be in the area. This
species has only been recorded in nine 10km squares in the whole of the UK since 1980.
1325 Platytes alpinella. RDB 3. Noted in every year 1994 to 1999
inclusive after which the only record is one on 29th July 2002. The foodplants
are mosses especially Tortula spp. such as Tortula ruraliforms which is not on
the current plant list but is thought to be the very common moss of the short
grassland areas.
1429 Melissoblaptes zelleri. RDB 3. Noted in every year
from 1991 to 2002. In the early years of recording the species was very common.
In more recent years fewer have been trapped which could be weather related.
The footplant is the moss Brachythecium albicans which is on the site
list but its status is unknown. This species has only been recorded in sixteen 10km
squares in the whole of the UK since 1980.
1453 Pima boisduvallella. RDB 3. One noted on 19th June 1996. A small colony may exist as its food plants are Sea Pea Lathyrus japonicus and occasionally Birdsfoot Trefoil Lotus corniculatus & Spiney Restharrow Onions spinosa; pods, the first two of which occur on site. Sea Pea is present in small quantities at Landguard having recovered from near extinction over the last couple of years. Trampling
of Sea Peas is a bad problem with effort put in over the last couple of years
in the form of fencing to help protect it. This species has only been recorded
in six 10km squares in the whole of the UK since 1980.
1635 Ground Lackey. RDB 3. Five trapped from 25th to 31st July 1993, three on 30th July 1997, five from 12th July to 17th August 1998, three from 22nd July to 16th August 2001 & singles on 26th July & 10th August 2002. As it occurs on salt-marsh vegetation it is assumed that these individuals are just dispersing individuals from colonies present on the surrounding estuaries although it is possible that it occurs on the small scale salt marsh communities that occur on site.
1688 Tawny Wave. RDB 3. Five noted 24th July to
4th August 1999, ten 21st July to 14th August 2000, five 28th July
to 24th August 2001 & five 28th July to 17th August 2002. This suggests that
this is a recent colonist at Landguard. The foodplants are Taraxacum &
Polygonum both of which occur at Landguard.
1721 Balsam Carpet. RDB 3. Singles
noted 7th August 1996, 23rd July 1998 & 4th
August 1999 were presumably migrants.
Its food plant Impatiens capensis does not occur on site.
2046 Pigmy
Footman. RDB 3. One 6th July 2001 was presumably a migrant. Its food plants are
“lichens”. 2165 Small Runnunculus. RDB extinct. Although classified as extinct
the species has been found again recently in Kent. Singles on 16th June 1999 & 6th July 2000 suggest
it may be trying to extend its restricted range. The food plants are Lactuca
spp. which are on site.
2223 Toadflax Brocade. RDB 3. One 31st May 2001 was
presumably a migrant. Its food plants are Linaria spp. of which Linaria
purpurea is on the site list.
2304 Orache Moth. RDB extinct. Also
classified as extinct singles have been noted on 1st July 1997 & 19th July 2002. Its
food plants are Atriplex and Chenopodium spp. which occur
commonly on site.
2351 Fenn’s Wainscot. RDB 3. One noted in previous moth
reports for 1995 is possibly a mistake.
2354 Sandhill Rustic. RDB ?. First noted from 6th to 24th September 2002, the species has probably been overlooked in the past
due to confusion with Flounced Rustic. The records are of the sp. demuthi which
has not been given an RDB classification as yet, presumably as its status is
not fully appreciated. The next few years should reveal a better understanding
of the species status and requirements.
2413 Silver Barred. RDB 3. One on 6th August 1996 was presumably a migrant. Its food plants are Graminere especially Molinia caerullea & Poa pratensis, the latter occurring on site.More
work is obviously needed on the Moses & lichens at Landguard in order to
determine their abundance and vulnerability on site.
Ongoing studies of micro moths
will no doubt reveal more rare species due to Landguard’s specialist environment.
Acknowledgments: Thanks to Paul Holmes for botanical assistance.
Landguard Bird Observatory, View Point Road.
Felixstowe, Suffolk, IP11 3TW ,
Bradley J.D. & Fletcher D.S. (1986) An indexed list of British Butterflies
& Moths. Emmet A.M. & Heath J. (1992)
The Moths & Butterflies of Great Britain & Ireland Volume 7, Part 2. Goater B. (1986)
British Pyralid
Moths. Greatorex-Davies, N & Davies T. (2002)
British & Ireland Look-up
Table for 159 species. Odin, N. (2003)
Agonpterix curvipunctosa in Suffolk, Atropus 18 : 29-30.
© 2003 Suffolk Naturalists' Society