1675       Cyclophora pendularia (Clerck, 1759)     DINGY MOCHA     RDB3

A rare and much decreased species that is now restricted to Dorset, Hampshire, Sussex and Shropshire, the larva feeding on sallow (Salix spp.).  In Dorset, the moth is local, at low density, and strictly associated with sallow-rich wetland, specifically, damp heathland and mire on sandy soils across the Poole Basin and unimproved grassland on ill-drained clay soils in the Blackmore Vale.  All sites that host colonies contain an abundance of sallow, and larvae appear to show no preference for individual Salix species. Conservation measures should include the maintenance of well-stocked sallow habitat on Dorset SSSI wetland sites, and continued monitoring of this moth is recommended. The peak of the second brood is on average, twice as large as the first brood. The moth evidently shows a tendency to wander on occasions as it is encountered at light traps sometimes many kilometers from known sites: West Bexington, on 9 August 1998 (R Eden), Portland, on 3 August 2002 (M Cade), Puddletown, on 28 July 2003, 28 July 2004, 6 August 2004, 9 August 2004 (H Wood Homer), Shapwick, on 15 July 2003, 27 July 2004 (P Davey), Harmans Cross, on 3 June 1987 (B Withers), Gaunts Common, on 12 August 1983 (Miss M Brooks), on 30 July 1994 (P Davey).

1676       Cyclophora annularia (Fabricius, 1775)     MOCHA     Notable/Nb

A local species confined to southern Britain, the larva feeding on field maple (Acer campestre).  In Dorset, the moth has a scattered distribution and is always local.  Field maple, however, is a frequent understory tree in old woods and hedges and is most common on soils with relatively high calcium content.  A handful of localities evidently support flourishing colonies, and these tend to be situations where field maple is dominant. The following individual is likely to have been an immigrant from abroad transported on a warm south-easterly airflow from northern France: Portland, on 22 August 2001 (M Cade).

1677       Cyclophora albipunctata (Hufnagel, 1767)     BIRCH MOCHA

A widespread species in Britain, the larva feeding on birch (Betula spp.). In Dorset, the moth is common local amongst birch on sandy soil; typical localities include Arne Wood, Hurn and Holt Heath.  It also occurs in woodland on chalky soil in the north-east of the county where birch is frequent, but here it is at a lower density.  The dearth of records from west Dorset may be due to smaller numbers of birch trees in this region. The peak of the second brood is, on average, twice as large as that of the first brood.

1678       Cyclophora puppillaria (Hübner, 1799)     BLAIR'S MOCHA

A transient resident on Tresco in the Isles of Scilly between 1956 and 1957, otherwise a rare immigrant, the larva feeding on evergreen oak (Quercus ilex), the shrub ‘rock rose’ (Cistus spp.), common myrtle (Myrtus communis) and strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo).  The moth is resident in the Mediterranean zone of southern Europe where large swathes of evergreen forest carpet the region.  In Dorset, thirty-four moths have been seen on or close within ten miles of the coast. Observations refer mainly to third brood individuals, a sprinkling of second broods and three first brood adults, including one in 2007 and one in 2008.  A total of nine moths were seen in the exceptional migrant year of 2006. There is no evidence that the moth has ever bred in Dorset presumably due to the absence of many of its host foodplants, although evergreen oak woodland at Durlston, Canford Cliffs, Bournemouth and Highcliffe could potentially host a transient colony. A ‘Blair’s Mocha’ trapped at Scar Bank on 3 August 1947 by A Russell, referred to within the Dorset Natural Society and Archaeological Society Proceedings Vol69, page 132, and within the Russell collection in Dorset County Museum is, on inspection, the Clay Triple-lines₁₆₈₁.

1678.1   Cyclophora ruficiliana (Hübner, 1799)     JERSEY MOCHA

A local double-brooded species in continental Europe found mainly in deciduous woodland, the larva feeding on oak (Quercus spp.).  The species was first recorded on Jersey in the Channel Islands in 1917 and again there in 1942, and at the present time is well established on the island.  The first example from the British mainland was trapped at Freshwater Bay on 19 July 2003 (J Chainey), and appeared at a time of high migrant activity with winds from France.  The moth, a female, could not be identified due to its similarity to other members of the Cyclophora group, however, it lay fertile eggs and the ensuing generation, successfully reared by the captors, provided confirmation of its identity.  A southerly airflow prevailed at the time. Several more individuals have been trapped at light subsequently: Walditch, on 5 August 2008 (M Parsons), Chickerell, on 3 September 2004 (Dr P Sterling), 2 August 2008 (C Pinder), Upwey, on 21 August 2004 (P Harris).

1679       Cyclophora porata (Linnaeus, 1767 )     FALSE MOCHA

A local double-brooded species restricted to southern England and south Wales, the larva feeding on oak (Quercus spp.).  In Dorset, old records exist of from several localities on sandy soil. The False Mocha, like the Orange Upperwing₂₂₅₇, appears to favour coppiced oak and the stunted shrubby oaks that grow on open heathland.  Both of these habitats have disappeared, oak coppicing has all but died out, and the coniferisation of heathland has removed much of the stunted oak that was once dominant with birch, and, like the Orange Upperwing₂₂₅₇, it is doubtful that the species still occurs in Dorset.  Care is needed in identifying potential False Mocha as they resemble Jersey Mocha_1678.1, and to a lesser extent Blair’s Mocha₁₆₇₈, and superficially the Maidens Blush₁₆₈₀, which lacks the black-ringed pupils. ‘False Mochas’ recorded in Holt Wood on 26 July 1955 and at Tarrant Gunville on 3 August 1956 are excluded from the records below as the dates and habitats where they were found, suggest Maidens Blush rather than this species, and there are no voucher specimens.  Records of potential resident individuals follow; all are from more than fifty years ago: Chamberlaynes, at light on 28 August 1927, 10 August 1929, 16 August 1929, 30 May 1931, 6 May 1935, 23 May 1937, 4 June 1937, 12 August 1937, 4 August 1938 (H Andrewes),  Norden, by day on 1 June 1901 and on 28 July 1901 (Reverend E Bankes), Canford Magna, at MV light on 3 June 1955 (O Woodland), Canford Bottom, at light on 2 July 1916, larvae abundant on 30 September 1916 (W Parkinson Curtis). The light trap records below are suspected immigrants: Scar Bank, on 2 September 1945, 20 August 1950, 6 September 1951 (A Russell).

1680       Cyclophora punctaria (Linnaeus, 1758)     MAIDEN'S BLUSH

A generally distributed species in Britain, the larva feeding on oak (Quercus spp.).  In Dorset, the moth is locally common, being found most often in old oak woods.  The peak of the second brood is, on average, nearly three times larger than that of the first brood.  There is a high incidence of colour variation within the second brood, with a tendency for the terminal area of the forewing to be suffused with grey; this may be related to the higher temperatures experienced by the insect during its development. The following light trap records were presumed to have been dispersed individuals from oak woodland or possibly immigrants from abroad: West Bexington, on 12 August 2003, 4 August 2004, 9 August 2004 (R Eden), Wyke Regis, on 17 August 2003 (D Foot), Portland, on 24 August 2001 (M Cade).

1681       Cyclophora linearia (Hübner, 1799)     CLAY TRIPLE-LINES

A species found in England, the larva feeding on beech (Fagus sylvatica).  In Dorset, the moth is locally common in beech plantation and deciduous woodland containing mature beech, but rarely seen elsewhere. The national norm is for a single-brooded species from late May to early July, with a partial second brood between mid-August and mid-October.  In Dorset the first brood emerges in early-May, and a second brood follows in late June. The second brood is, on average, twice as large as the first brood.  Adult moths have been trapped between mid August and early September in ten of the past twenty years, often in very warm summers.  These are suspected third brood individuals, often with the usual pale-clay ground colour changed to russet (ab. strabonaria), and the dark-brown line on the fore-wing and hind-wing taking on a reddish-purple hue.  In these specimens, the usually absent discal spots are apparent. The period between each brood peak in the warmest summers is roughly forty-six days.