New - Dorset Moths Internet Discussion group now on Facebook

"Dorset Moths is a Closed Group and members will require approval to see and post messages.  For those new to posting to a Facebook Group: If you wish to post a NEW topic message thread, just navigate to the Dorset Moths page www.facebook.com/groups/dorsetmoths and enter text in the dialogue where it says "Write something..." - If you wish to make a comment on an existing thread press "Comment" under the thread or previous comment to open up a dialogue box and enter your own comment...easy!  Another way to post a new message to the Group is to send an email to dorsetmoths@groups.facebook.com"

 

Les Hill.
Dorset Macro-moth Recorder.

Added 22 January 2012

 

 

Dorset Moths Internet Discussion group
An Internet discussion group for Dorset moths is being considered, either a Facebook Group http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/dorsetmoths/  or a Yahoo! Group http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/dorsetmoths/ . Ideally, only one of these discussion groups should be encouraged, otherwise there is the possibility of splitting recorders into factions.
 

My preference is Facebook which is far easier to manage and has a far better user interface for posting messages, images and comments and tracing a message thread. However, I understand that some recorders will have a preference for one or the other or even none at all.

So, would you like to be part of a Dorset Moths discussion group? If so, do you have a preference, either Facebook or Yahoo!? Please let Les Hill know via email at les[at]mklep.co.uk and let’s get a group started!

 

Les Hill.
Dorset Macro-moth Recorder.

Added 13 January 2012

 

 

Update on 2011 records

Just a short note to update everyone with progress with your 2011 records.

A big thank you again to everyone for submitting data. For those who have yet to submit records, there is no deadline as such so please, if you have any 2011 records not yet submitted to me please forward them at your convenience.  For interest, over 40,000 records are in the Dorset macro-moth dataset for 2010, so there is a long way to go to catch up with that figure!
 

So far 16,000 records have been entered and verified with many more submitted data to be verified in the New Year. There are very little data submitted for 2011 that I have flagged as requiring evidence or further information from recorders; however, I won’t be in a position to contact recorders to discuss until the New Year.
 

Lastly, I would like to wish all Dorset moth recorders a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. Thank you for your continued support.

Seasons greetings,

Les Hill.
Dorset Macro-moth Recorder.

Added 23 December 2011

 

1969 Records! - Les has the 600,000 record Dorset Dataset which he says is in tip-top condition, but strangely there are no records for 1969.  If anyone has any records for that year, please forward to Les direct

Added 30 November 2011

 

Dorset Moths Update - newsletter from Les Hill.  Follow link.

 

Request for this year's records

 

Dorset Moth Recorder,

It is around about this time of year moth recorders think in terms of finishing recording for the season and reflect on activities in the form of completing and entering moth records for the year.

This is also the time as your county macro-moth recorder I start to gear-up to request and receive your records for verification and subsequent inclusion into the county macro-moth dataset. These data, once I’m satisfied are completely verified, are then forwarded to the Dorset Environment Records Centre (DERC) and the National Moth Recording Scheme (NMRS).

So, for my first year I formally invite you all as to forward your 2011 records to me for verification and inclusion into the Dorset dataset. Whilst you are not obliged to forward any data to me as your county moth recorder, I would strongly urge you to do so for the benefit of moths and moth conservation. If there is any reason why there might be a problem in getting records to me i.e. many years-worth of written records in notebooks, please do get in touch to discuss how these data may be extrapolated.

Your records will remain your intellectual property rights at all times.

YOUR DATA FORMAT
Data may be forwarded in any electronic format (preferred) of which my spreadsheet available for download from the Dorset Moths website is one such example (DMG record spreadsheet - (v.2.0.2 - See here)). . Paper data will also be accepted and gratefully received.

All data should have the basic data needed to form a biological record. The data fields are:

species
site name
grid reference (including 100km reference ST/SU/SY or SZ)
recorder
determiner (if different from the recorder)
date (exact please where possible)
quantity (if counted)
method (light trap, field record, sugaring etc.)
sex (not essential)
stage (adult, larval, pupal, exuviae etc.)
comment (any freehand comment you wish to make)

If anyone wishes to discuss how best to forward data to me or data formatting, issues of data protection or confidentiality, please do not hesitate to call me.

DORSET ATLAS
It is now imperative more than ever that all Dorset macro-moth records are forwarded to me as your county macro-moth recorder. Not only because these data are used by DERC and the NMRS for conservation purposes, but because there is now a need to produce a definitive macro-moth atlas for Dorset by Dorset moth recorders. Dorset IS the flagship moth recording county in the UK without question and we should all be proud of that fact – how better to culminate this with a hard copy atlas we can ALL work towards and justify our claim as the top “mothing” county in the UK. Most other counties throughout the UK have produced an atlas at one time or another – let’s put Dorset on the map!

I look forward to receiving your datasets in due course. I also look forward to hearing from new and established recorders who may also wish to forward data or discuss with me how best to get data to me for inclusion in the Dorset macro-moth dataset.

Thank you!

Best regards,

Les Hill.
Dorset County Macro-moth Recorder.

 

email address: les[AT]mklep.co,uk  Please replace AT with @

 

Added 30 October 2011

 

 

Priority Moths Email Newsletter Number 222, 2nd November 2011

Latest news on the UK BAP Priority Species.

Apologies for the absence of a newsletter since late September, unfortunately pressure of other work has resulted in a lack of time to compile the news.

Coleophora wockeella
Thirty three larvae were found at the known site in Surrey on 7th October.

Chalk Carpet Scotopteryx bipunctaria
One came to a garden light trap in Surrey on 27th September. As if that date was not exceptional enough, one was trapped at actinic light at a known site in Yorkshire on 29th October!  It seems unlikely that this could be a second brood individual so perhaps the emergence of some moths was delayed by the appalling summer weather.

Netted Carpet Eustroma reticulatum
John Hooson reports that the annual larval survey was completed between 1st and 5th September and results were very encouraging. In the Lake District, the Coniston sites produced 772 larvae (19% up on 2010) whilst the Derwentwater re-introduction site continues to thrive with 128 larvae found (33% up on 2010).  In north Lancashire, the recently discovered site produced its' highest count yet, 240 larvae (69% up on 2010).

Sword-grass Xylena exsoleta
It seems to be a good autumn for this species. In East Sutherland two were seen at one site on 29th September (one at wine ropes, the other at rest on Broom), one was seen at sugar at another site on 2nd October and one was on wine ropes at a further site on 4th October.  Two were at sugar at a site in Easter Ross on 21st October, one came to light in West Sutherland on 30th and three were at sugar at a known site in Banffshire on 1st November.

Four Spotted Tyta luctuosa
Belated and surprising news of one in south Yorkshire on 12th July.

This is likely to be the last newsletter of 2011. We would like to thank everyone who has sent in records for the newsletter during the year and all those who have tried to record UK BAP moths during the year without success.
 

Good luck to you all in 2012.

With thanks and best wishes

Tony Davis and Mark Parsons

Added 2 November 2011

 

 

Latest Emoth for October 2011

Added 12 October 2011

 

 

Priority Moths Email Newsletter Number 221, 23rd September 2011

Latest news on the UK BAP Priority Species.

Stigmella zelleriella
Two larvae and at least a dozen vacated first brood mines were found on Salix repens at a known site in Kent on 16th September.

Chalk Carpet Scotopteryx bipunctaria
One came to a garden light trap in Dorset on 10th September.

Barberry Carpet Pareulype berberata
Six larvae were found at a known site in Wiltshire on 9th September, with three at another known site on the same day. One third instar larva was found at a known site on 11th.

Scarce Pug Eupithecia extensaria
One larva was found at a known site in Lincolnshire on 8th September.

Lunar Yellow Underwing Noctua orbona
One came to MV light at a known site in Suffolk on 3rd September. This species has recently been seen at 5 sites in the Brecks and west Norfolk.

Sword-grass Xylena exsoleta
Two came to sugar at a known site in Banffshire on 19th September.

Dark Crimson Underwing Catocala sponsa
One came to light at a known site in Hampshire on 7th September and another at a known site in Wiltshire on the following night.

Olive Crescent Trisateles emortualis
Larvae have recently been found feeding on dead Sycamore leaves in Sussex. As far as we are aware, this is the first recorded use of this foodplant in Britain.

This newsletter is only as interesting as the news that you provide. Do please remember to send us all your sightings of UK BAP Priority Species.

With thanks and best wishes

Tony Davis and Mark Parsons
Added 26 September 2011

 

Priority Moths Email Newsletter Number 220, 7th September 2011

Latest news on the UK BAP Priority Species.

Phyllonorycter sagitella
Over 1000 mines were found at a known site in Warwickshire during the period 19th August to 2nd September.

Dingy Mocha Cyclophora pendularia
Two larvae were found at one known site in Dorset and one at another on 31st August.

False Mocha Cyclophora porata
One was caught at a coastal site in East Kent on 28th August and one was caught in a garden trap in Northants, near to known localities, on 31st.

Chalk Carpet Scotopteryx bipunctaria
Surveys along the south Devon coast produced good numbers; 10 on 30th July, 26 on 10th August, 3 on 14th, 9 on 16th, 8 on 17th and 5 on 18th. All counts were at different, known sites.

Barberry Carpet Pareulype berberata
Larvae were found at one known site in Dorset and three known sites in Wiltshire on 30th August and at 5 known localities in Wiltshire on 3rd to 4th September.  Larvae could not been found at some previously occupied sites.

Argent & Sable Rheumaptera hastata
One larva was found at a known site in West Perthshire on 3rd September.

Scarce Pug Eupithecia extensaria
Three larvae were found in Norfolk on 28th August, single larvae were found at two sites in Norfolk on 1st September and 6 were found at a further site in the county the following day.

Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth Hemaris tityus
A larva was found at a known site on Islay on 18th August.

Marsh Mallow Moth Hydraecia osseola
Twenty two were caught at a new site in Kent on 1st September.

Marsh Moth Athetis pallustris
A total of 76 larvae were found at a known site in Lincolnshire on 6th September. Two larvae were also found in a different area of the site, where a trial establishment is taking place. This shows that successful breeding has taken place for the second generation since release.

This newsletter is only as interesting as the news that you provide. Do please remember to send us all your sightings of UK BAP Priority Species.

With thanks and best wishes

Tony Davis and Mark Parsons
(Added 9 September 2011)

 

A pug conundrum

First, an apology for not publishing both photos of pugs from Abbotsbury sent in by Brian Bewsher several days ago, which I had assumed were two photos of one moth.  They were originally sent as Channel Islands Pug, then after Brian had consulted others tentatively changed to Tamarisk Pug, which is what I labelled the one photo published.   With further input from several County Recorders and other experts, there is divided opinion that the pictures may actually refer to one of each.  I publish both photos here now, and any further opinion would be welcomed.  Both specimens have been retained, and will be set and photographed and gen. det..  This should hopefully resolve the issue, and the results will be published in due course.

.

Channel Islands Pug, Abbotsbury, 20 Aug 2011 © B Bewsher conf. R McCormick

Added 27 August 2011

 

A pug conundrum - update

Both moths have now been confirmed as Channel Island Pug, if rather worn by the Devon County Recorder Roy McCormick.  What this does do is to raise the prospect of Tamarisk Pug as a possible addition to the Dorset list, as it is recorded from the Isle of White, Hampshire to Kent and also recorded in Essex.  Many thanks to the finder Brian Bewsher, and to Roy McCormick for resolving the identification, and to others whose input has been stimulating!

Added 17 September 2011

Channel Islands Pug.  Top two are the Abbotsbury specimens, 20 Aug 2011, lower one is a Devon specimen. - Photo © R McCormick

Added 19 September 2011

 

Latest news on the UK BAP Priority Species.

Phyllonorycter scabiosella
One mine was found at a known site in Surrey on 3rd August and 8 were found at another known site on that date. At the latter site, about 40 mines were found on 11th August, all apparently tenanted.

Rest Harrow Aplasta ononaria
One was seen at a known site in Kent on 29th July and two were at another known site in the county on 3rd August.

Chalk Carpet Scotopteryx bipunctaria
In Staffordshire, 2 were seen at one known site on 31st July, 7 at another known site on 2nd August and 18 at a known site on the Derbyshire border on 2nd.  In Kent, 5 were at a known site on 26th July, 20 were seen at one site on 1st August, with 2 at another site and one at a third site. On 2nd, 22 were at a further known site and two at another site.  One was seen at a known site in East Sussex on 1st August and 12 were at a known site in Surrey on 3rd.

Argent and Sable Rheumaptera hastata
Searches for larvae in East Sutherland produced an early instar on 22nd July, singles at two sites on 30th July and two and one site and one at another on 5th August.

Straw Belle Aspitates gilvaria
In Kent on 1st August, 13 were at one known site, 7 at another, 3 at another and one at a further known site. On 2nd, 9 were at one known site, 6 at another and 4 at another. Seven were seen at a known site in Surrey on 3rd.

Northern Dart Xestia alpicola
One came to light in a new locality in East Inverness-shire on 29th July.

Ashworth's Rustic Xestia ashworthii
Three were seen at a known site in Merioneth on 4th July and one was at another known site in the county on 29th. Ten were seen at a new site in Caernarvonshire on 29th.

White-spotted Pinion Cosmia diffinis
The first of the year were singles at two known sites in Huntingdonshire on 31st July. Singles were then recorded at two known sites in Cambridgeshire on 1st August, one known and one new site in the same county on 2nd and one known and one new site in Bedfordshire on 2nd & 3rd. Nine were trapped at a known site in Cambridgeshire in early August.

Light Crimson Underwing Catocala promissa
One was recorded at a known site in Hampshire on 1st August.

Dark Crimson Underwing Catocala sponsa
Singles were trapped at new sites in Hampshire on 29th July and 2nd August.

Four-spotted Tyta luctuosa

Singles came to light at a new site in Northamptonshire on 1st, 2nd and 5th August.

This newsletter is only as interesting as the news that you provide. Do please remember to send us all your sightings of UK BAP Priority Species.

With thanks and best wishes

Tony Davis and Mark Parsons

Priority Moths Email Newsletter Number 218, 12th August 2011 (added 15 Aug 2011).
 

Small Marbled larva - a larva found on waste-ground near Higher Hyde Heath on 25 July now considered to be that of Small Marbled.  The larva was found feeding in common Fleabane on waste land next to the Higher Hyde reserve.  That night two Small Marbled were trapped in two, 80 watt MV traps.  The photo of the larva is final instar and started to cocoon 7 August (per A Kolaj).  News of others in the County has now been received, no doubt more information will come to light (Ed.)

 

Chalk Carpet - Please send any sightings of this UK BAP species (with full data, i.e. grid ref, date etc) to the website, or direct to Mark Parsons on

mparsons[at]butterfly-conservation.org.uk

 

Earliest sightings - I have updated the Earliest Sightings table and urge recorders to see whether they can fill any gaps or come up with any earlier sightings.  Your help would be appreciated.

 

Requests for information - Mark Parsons of Butterfly Conservation is requesting information on the following species please.

  1/  For observers to look for Argent and Sable at Stubhampton, a well-known haunt of this species.

  2/  Also if Drab Looper is seen at Stubhampton or indeed anywhere else in Dorset.

  3/  It would seem that the Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth is having a good year, we have no recent record of the moth from Giant Hill and would welcome a positive sighting from

      the site, or any other sites too

  4/ Chalk Carpet, with OS ref., date etc.

 

If you have any information on any of the above please let Mark know on mparsons[at]butterfly-conservation.org.uk - replace [at] with @

 

Macro-moth/recording effort in Dorset

One of the huge benefits of the recent and ground-breaking publication of The Provisional Atlas of the UK's Larger Moths is that there is a lot of data available down to 2km (tetrad) level within the County.  Les Hill has kindly supplied a preliminary map for Dorset showing the relative number of macro-moths/recording effort within the County up to the end of 2008.  Bearing in mind that the blue squares could relate to as few as a single species, it is evident that there are large parts of the County that are very under-recorded.  Please note these updated maps include the administrative County of Dorset, and not just VC9.