Cornwall Moth Group news

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Cornwall Moth Group News

Large Yellow Underwing

The occurrence of a Large Yellow Underwing on the 3rd January at light is an extremely interesting report by Jayne Herbert. Normally the adult Large Yellow Underwing is found from June onwards till late September in a protracted emergence period. Aestivating (dormant) females only develop eggs in their ovaries when the length of day (in August) falls below a critical level - about 15 hours to give rise to autumn larvae. The caterpillar hibernates. The onset of diapause (a kind of suspended animation which once triggered will not be reversed until a specific set of favourable conditions prevail) would normally be triggered by temperature or light levels but in the case of this species, the caterpillar does not go into any real diapause as such but just slows to a halt in very cold weather only to resume feeding when the weather gets a little warmer. The whole process speeds up in the Spring and early summer to the point of pupation. I have seen caterpillars of what I supposed is this species which in their early instars are green in colour, in a semi torpid state on warm winter days at the base of clumps of dandelion and other such low growing plants presumably feeding when conditions suite, preferring to be almost underground rather like a cutworm. In Cornwall with extremely mild, often wet winters, I can easily imagine the caterpillar developing to maturity and pupating to produce adults in April when local conditions suite. Perhaps this specimen found by Jayne, developed in a particularly warm and sheltered aspect or could it just be a migrant? Summer populations are known to be augmented by immigration but not in the winter. A full study of the changing conditions and biology of many temperate species and their early occurrence in recent years in response to climate change is much needed and I welcome further comments from you all.

Phil Boggis

Cornwall Moth Group - October 2004 Update

In addition to the Cornwall Moth Group August report (below) there have been several interesting updates. Bernard Hocking and John Gregory have reported to me the possible occurrence of Luffia lapidella (Goeze, 1783) at Bernard’s farm at Rospannel, Penzance early in September this year. This unusual Psychidae is bi-sexual (perhaps a better term would be ‘of both sexes’) as opposed to the species Luffia ferchaultella (Stephens) which are all females (see photographs).

L.ferchaultella is probably a parthenogenetic form of L.lapidella, that is to say, a self-reproducing female species only producing female offspring (gynogenesis). Therefore, as stated earlier, Luffia ferchaultella is only known to reproduce wingless (apterous) females whereas the bi-sexual Luffia lapidella is known to produce both females and winged males. This is I believe, the only known separation from the two species. I therefore conclude that the report of the Gloucester Naturalists’ Society of Luffia Lapidella on the 7th July 2002 was that of a winged male!

It seems that environmental factors may constitute the development of male L.lapidella as is the case with parthenogenetic aphids and other invertebrates when in high temperatures and ample food supplies of spring and summer, females reproduce parthenogenetically but at other times mate and lay eggs as usual to produce male and female offspring. Technical terms aside, only time will tell if the Rospannel Farm larvae will turn out to be males next June and hence proving them to be Luffia lapidella!

Other reports are of the Brown-line Bright-eye - Mythimna conigera (D. & S.) by Bernard Hocking at Rospannel on the 5th August 2004 (last seen as far as I am aware, in 1992). I had a report of the Miller moth – Acronicta leporina (Linn) from Richard Champion at St. Germans on the 22nd September 2004. He inquired whether it was a second generation. It is not known to be double brooded in England. I am not aware of its status abroad. Can anyone elucidate on this?

Incidentally, last year I reported on the misidentification of the Dark Brocade - Blepharita adusta (Esper) found by John Gregory at his home at Bodelva, St. Austell and how it in fact turned out to be an unusual form of the Bright-line Brown-eye - Lacanobia oleracea (Linn.). In the same article, I mentioned the occurrence of a form of L.oleracea so unusual that authorities of the time (1909) thought it to be an entirely new species. It was thus named Peucephila essoni after its discoverer Mr Esson from Aberdeen – reference The Moths of the British Isles (Series one), 1948 ed. by Richard South, p.334 under the heading: Page 241. Diataraxia oleracea ab. Essoni, Hamps.

I received an e-mail from Joni Wehby recently whose mother-in-law’s grandfather was the Mr Esson mentioned by South in his book. Apparently her grandfather’s interest spurred her on to be an ‘avid fancier of moths and butterflies.’ For her Christmas present this year her son’s family is preparing a framed photo of essoni, affectionately known in the family as the Esson moth, along with pertinent information on this striking aberration. She has been referred to the expertise of Martin Honey of the British Museum for Natural History who I’m sure will furnish her with all the details on this moth. It is interesting to note that an aberration of the Bright-line Brown-Eye observed by John Gregory at Bodelva last year has directly led on to this lovely thought for Christmas!

I have had a report via Prof. John Wacher of two Death’s-head Hawk-moths - Acherontia atropos (Linn.) from Phillack, Hayle earlier in the year. The dates have to be confirmed. Other reports of this huge moth have continued to come in from various localities namely, one seen sitting on a post on the coastal path between Par and Polkerris (SX 0885250) reported by Allie Hunkin on the 14th June 2004.‘ It had moved around the post to avoid the sun and was still there at 6.15pm.’

Martin Searle from North Hill, Launceston also reported one on the 8th October 2003 and Steve Marshall spotted one sitting on a pair of black jeans hanging on a washing-line at Barripper, Camborne (SW633384) on the 13th July 2002! My apologies for not including these sightings in earlier reports.

I include some photos of species mentioned:

Lacanobia oleracea (aberration) - J. Gregory, Bodelva, Cornwall 28th May 2003. Photo © P.H. Boggis.	The Miller - Acronicta leporina (Linn.) – St. Germans, 22nd September 2004. R. Champion Photo © R. Champion.
Lacanobia oleracea ab. Essoni. Aberdeen, 12th July 1909. Reproduced by kind permission of the Trustees of The Natural History Museum London	Luffia Lapidella (Goeze). Larva in case, Rospannel Farm, early September 2004. Photo © B. Hocking

Phil Boggis (Assistant County Recorder) 3rd November 2004

Cornwall Moth Group - August 2004 Update

Scarce Merveille du Jour – Moma alpium (Osbeck)
On the 25th June 2004 at Kilminorth Woods, Lower Looe Valley, Paul Wakelin recorded this moth at about 12.30pm at his mercury vapour light – well-done Paul. The meeting at Kilminorth was in response to CMG being a lead group to seek to identify new sites for this Cornish BAP species in the coming years – so we have got off to a good start. This is the first record in Cornwall for this moth outside of its known haunt at Herodsfoot and I feel sure it will be found up and down the Looe valley in the coming years. Many thanks to Leon Truscott, who I believe was the first to spot it, John Cooke and George Davis who also contributed with light traps.

Eublemma purpurina (D. & S.)
After arriving home from holiday a few weeks ago, I found this record awaiting me amongst my e-mails. It was found in George Davis’s garden trap at Maenporth on the 8th August 2004. Initially, he didn’t know what it was, as also others, who were coming across this moth during the first week in August. When Martin Cade, a few days later, published and first identified this moth on the 10th August, at the Portland Bird Observatory, it dawned on George what it really was – a first for Britain. Mick Scott from the Longstone Heritage Centre, St. Mary’s, Isles of Scilly had a similar experience earlier on the 2nd August 2004, unfortunately this one escaped without positive identification – much to Mick’s regret and disappointment. Laurie Oakes at Buryas Bridge, Penzance also thought he had seen one in his trap again on the 8th August but this too regretfully, escaped. Both Mick and Laurie were subsequently rewarded with specimens, caught and photographed this time on the 19th August 2004 and 21st August 2004 respectively.
Robin Howard our County Recorder, has made some comments on this species based on his personal experience amongst lepidopterists in France, I quote:

‘Regarding Eublemma purpurina, we get ostrina as well and although most illustrations make them look quite different, they are not and can cause confusion.’

Based on this personal comment, I have felt it wise to accept good photographs and voucher specimens in these early stages of reporting.

Bilberry Pug – Pasiphila debiliata (Hüb)
Whilst at Kilminorth woods, Leon Truscott took a photograph of this moth at Paul Wakelin’s light. Adrian Spalding last recorded this Nb moth here on the 16th July 1985.

The Sycamore – Acronicta aceris (Linn.)
Leon Truscott has sent me a photograph of this moth, which he reported from his garden trap at Torpoint on the 7th June 2004. He discovered another on the 29th June 2004. This moth, although not nationally scarce, has been seen only five times since 1962, the last by Leon on the 6th August 1987.

Celypha aurofaciana – (Haw.)
Richard Champion from St. Germans (SX362570) discovered this Nb moth on the 29th July 2004. It is the 4th Cornish Specimen. The late Paul Siddons had two, one at St Clement in July 1974 and another at Luxulyan in August 1983. It was last seen at Carlyon Bay on the 27th July 1996.

Portland Ribbon Wave – Idaea degeneraria (Hüb.)
George Davis had another of this RDB3 moth at his light at Maenporth (SW7929) on the 13th June 2004. Laurie Oakes at Buryas Bridge (SW446292) reported yet another on the 3rd August. This would be the 4th Cornish record (3 within the space of a month this year) F.H.N. Smith in his book The Moths and Butterflies of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, presumes that the first Cornish record on the 21st September 1962 was an immigrant due to its late date. Could these be immigrants or vagrants from Dorset or do we have resident populations? Your comments invited.

Kent Black Arches – Meganola albula (D. & S.)
The late Paul Siddons and Adrian Spalding first discovered this moth at Carlyon Bay, Cornwall on the 11th July 1992. Another was found by Robin Howard at Poltesco on the 29th and 30th July 1996 so Frank Smith’s comments in his book that, ‘the curiously disjunct distribution of this moth was difficult to explain’ i.e. south coast from Kent to Isles of Scilly, but not Cornwall has been more than answered by recent finds at Maenporth (SW7929) by George Davis on the 16thJuly 2004 and Richard Champion from St Germans (SX362570) who reported one to Leon Truscott and found at his mvl on the 2nd August 2004.

Orache Moth – Trachea atriplicis (Linn.)
This RDB extinct resident/transitory resident and migrant turned up at George Davis’s light at Maenporth (SW7929) on the 2nd August. This is the second record for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, the first having been taken by Mick Scott at Longstone Heritage Centre, St Mary’s Isles of Scilly (SV918113) on the 24th May 2004 – well done Mick. This moth is widespread and fairly common abroad. I have taken it at mvl both in France and Spain. The plate in Bernard Skinner’s book does not really do this moth justice as it soon loses its beautiful green colour once set. You have to see a live specimen to appreciate it!

Splendid Brocade – Lacanobia splendens (Hüb.)
The history of this moth is well documented in Atropos no.21, p.25. There were 12 records in 2003 and none before that date, the first being on the14th June 2003 at Dymchurch, Kent by J. Owen. Consequently it came as no surprise to me to find that George Davis – yet again! Observed this moth on the 10th June 2004. He knew it was different to anything else he had seen before and eventually found it in Atropos no. 22, plate 3, figure 9. Considering George has only been moth recording a year, this was very observant of him. Congratulations George on another excellent record! I think us ‘mothers’ will have to be moving to Maenporth. Incidentally I have overlooked the records mentioned in Atropos no.21 of Mick Scott’s first for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly last year when he observed this moth in his trap at Longstone Heritage Centre, St. Mary’s (SV918113) on the 15th, 25th and 29th July 2003. Well-done Mick.

Oideamatophorus lithodactyla (Treitschke)
This Pterophoridae (Plume Moth) was reported to me by Malcolm Lee from Port Gaverne on the 19th July. He said he hadn’t seen this moth in all his ten years of nightly recording and it has not been seen in VC2 for 30 years - a notable record; well-done Malcolm in spotting this one.

Pyrausta cingulata (Linn.)
Malcolm also reported this pretty, rather elusive, quick day-flying moth to me. He has found a new colony at Stepper Point Quarry (SW915784), on the western side of the Camel Estuary mouth on the 23rd July 2004. He also recorded them on the eastern side of the Camel estuary at Brae Hill, Daymer Bay (SW927770) on the18th July. R. J. B. Hoare also found a colony at Rock dunes on The 11th July 1990. The moth can be found on sandy dune locations where thyme -Thymus polytrichus grows.

Death’s-head Hawk-moth – Acherontia atropos (Linn.)
Several of these huge hawk-moths have been reported to me from various places across the county. Firstly, Christine Foster from St Ives (SW 518405) reported one on the doorstep of her porch on the 6th July. It aroused much interest from local passers by before, sadly, expiring in her home. She has very kindly sent the specimen for setting. Astrid Griffiths found another dead on a windowsill in Sancreed Church (SW420294) on the 23rd July 2004.
Yet another Death's-head Hawk-moth was reported to Tony Aston at Downderry on the 20th July. The finder apparently took a photograph and will be showing it to Tony. More about this later when I hear from Tony.

Small Grass Emerald – Chlorissa viridata (Linn.)
This rare Na moth was found in Adrian Russell’s mvl trap whilst on holiday at Housel Bay, The Lizard (SW 709120) on the 26th July 2004. Note the median line on the hind-wing is straight not curved as in the Little Emerald. Frank Johns also had one in his trap at Trevergy Farm, Cury (SW672221) on the 7th June 2004. Surprisingly, he looked further back in his reference collection to a specimen taken on the 25th May 1973! Well-spotted Frank.

Pine-tree Lappet - Dendrolimus pini (Linn.)
This rather large impressive moth was recorded by Mark Tunmore at The Lizard on the 6th August 2003. I have recorded this species in the Landes region of southwest France, south of Bordeaux, in extensive pine forest during 1995. I believe this to be the first Cornish record. The moth has been recorded from Benfleet, Essex, June 1999 (larva), Freshwater, Isle of White, August 1996 and Guernsey, July 1989.

Ni Moth - Trichoplusia ni (Hüb.)
Mark Tunmore also recorded this moth at the Lizard on the 12th February 2004 during an influx of migrants observed from early February until the 14th of the month.

Pale Shoulder - Acontia lucida (Hufn.)
This moth was recorded on St. Agnes, Isles of Scilly on the 14th July 2003 by B. Thomas. (No further details).

Cydia amplana (Hüb)
This Olethreutinae was first recorded in Cornwall on the 29th August 1999 at Stockaton, east Cornwall by W. Birkett (genitalia determination by K.Tuck, The British Museum for Natural History, London). It comes as no surprise then that Mick Scott took one at his light trap at Longstone, St. Mary’s, Isles of Scilly on the 2nd August 2004. Well done Mick as I understand this is not your favourite family of moths to identify!

Channel Island Pug – Eupithecia ultimaria (Boisduval)
This excellent moth, new to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, was also taken at Mick Scott’s mercury vapour light trap on the 4th August 2004 at Longstone Heritage Centre, St. Mary’s Isles of Scilly. The moth was first recorded at Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire in June 1989.

Several moths I have overlooked in past reports are: the Purple Marbled – Eublemma ostrina (Hüb.) found at Maenporth (SW79290) by George Davis at his light on the 5th November 2003 – the 10th Cornish record. Also overlooked is the Yellow Belle – Semiaspilates ochrearia (Rossi), found by Leon Truscott at his light at Torpoint (SX4354) on the 8th May 2004.

Mick Scott would also like me to mention some other excellent records he took last year and the year before at Longstone Heritage Centre, St. Mary’s Isles of Scilly, they are:

Eastern Bordered Straw – Heliothis nubigera (Herrich-Schäffer) on the 17th and 25th June 2003.
Stephens’s Gem – Autographa biloba (Stephens) on the 9th July 2002.
Euleioptilus carphodactyla (Hüb.) on the 22nd July 2002.

Click here for photographs

Phil Boggis (Assistant County Recorder) 31st August 2004

Cornwall Moth Group - March 2004 update

Cosmopterix pulchrimella (Chambers 1875) – Parenti, Umberto, A Guide to the Microlepidoptera of Europe, plate 81, fig.2. Since our last newsletter some very interesting developments have taken place. Firstly I received news from John Gregory that Phil Sterling and Dave Pearman from Dorset were examining some Pellitory-of-the-wall (Parietaria judaica) outside the hotel at Portloe on the 1st January this year and discovered some leaf mines belonging to this tiny moth, new to the British Isles and first found at Walditch, Bridport, Dorset, during the autumn of 2001 by Mark Parsons. Since then it has been reported from the Channel Isles, and now Cornwall. All records have been found in coastal localities, with the most recent from West Bay, Dorset, where the larvae were also found feeding in mines on Pellitory-of-the-wall. John Gregory (amongst others) has bred out the moth from Pellitory taken at Portloe on the 11th January 2004. He also discovered leaf mines at Fowey, Cornwall during January but so far nowhere else in the county.

If you live near the coast and have Pellitory-of-the-wall, look out for the small blotch mines that this moth is responsible for (see photo). In Europe the larvae of this moth are said to feed on Parietaria officinalis - (Riedl, 1969, Parenti, 2000 and Krenek, 2000) and P. diffusa (Mineo, Sinacori, Rizzo and Massa 1997).

During late January and early February the country at large experienced some exceptionally mild weather coming up from N. Africa, however I was told that during this time the eastern Mediterranean countries such as the Greek Isles were experiencing heavy snowfall on the flank of a northerly wind circulating around a large anticyclone. This may account for some exceptional migrant activity.

I had reports of the Dark Sword-grass - Agrotis ipsilon (Huf.) and Rush Veneers - Nomophila noctuella (D&S) all through the first ten days of February culminating in some surprising catches by George Davis at Maenporth between the 10th and 13th February 2004. These included the Levant Blackneck - Tathorhynchus exsiccata (Lederer) on the 10th, the Ni Moth - Trichoplusia ni (Hüb.) on the 12th and what I believe to be an Eastern Bordered Straw - Heliothis nubigera (Herrich-Schäffer) on the 13th February. The strongly indented subterminal line looks about right, however the tornal dot looks reminiscent of the Bordered Straw! I will report further on the identity of this moth when further opinions have been sought. These must surely rank amongst our earliest and

most rare migrants! Well-done George.

Bill Birkett has sent a photo of Pyrausta aurata (Scop.), which he has taken in his garden at Callington. This moth feeds on mint (mentha spp.) and marjoram (Origanum vulgare), calamint (Calamintha spp.) and clary (Salvia spp.). This moth has regularly turned up in Leon Truscott’s garden at Torpoint and at Marjorie Parfitt’s garden at Hatt. It has not been reported from elsewhere in the county.

Finally, The Cornwall Moth Group has been asked to take the lead in continuing to organise surveys for the Orange Upperwing, Scarce Merveille du Jour along with the White-spotted Pinion and the Argent & Sable - Rheumaptera hastata hastata (Linn.). These are all Cornish BAP species to be targeted in the next four years.

Coming up soon will be another attempt to find Jodia croceago (D&S) - Orange Upperwing in Cornwall. Perhaps the best plan would be to try at Trebrownbridge, where Adrian Spalding last found it during early May 1983. For our first moth meeting of the season, perhaps I could suggest, Friday and Saturday the 16th and 17th of April at say 8pm. Meet at map reference SX301585 (the ‘c’ class road running N.E from Hessenford by Lydcott Wood and which eventually meets the A38 by the Castle Air/Garage). Half way along this road is a bridge over the river where another ‘c’ class road meets it. There is a pull-in there and suitable places to set up mv lights can be found all along this section of road. If you approach from the Hessenford end, the road begins first left just behind the Copley Arms pub in Hessenford. It is a very narrow road and you can easily miss it!

We are in the process of negotiating access to a private wood on the Helford River where the Moma alpium (Osbeck) - Scarce Merveille du Jour may still be present. If we get permission to survey this wood, details will be published so that a concerted effort to try and find another site for this moth other than the Looe valley can be made.

Another targeted species is the Cosmia diffinis (Linn.) – White-spotted Pinion – an Elm feeder whose larvae probably prefer the epicormic growth (the side-shoots growing straight from the trunk of mature trees). The moths appear in August and several elm sites have been proposed namely Poltesco, Pendower and elm woodland at the Devil’s Frying Pan near Coverack. The dates for these will be announced later in the season.

The Argent and Sable - Rheumaptera hastata hastata (Linn.). This day-flying moth frequents two types of habitat, namely birch woodland in the south of England and boggy moorland in Scotland although some conforming to the northern race have been found in N. Wales and Ireland and also Yorkshire where bog myrtle (Myrica gale) can be found. There is a site in Mid Cornwall, which incorporates both birch and bog myrtle at Rosenannon (SW958663). The larva can be found on young birch in July. The date for a daytime meeting at Rosenannon sometime in late May or early June, will be announced.

Cosmopterix pulchrimella (Chambers),
ex mine taken at Portloe 11th Jan 2004.
Emerged 21st January 2004.
Photo © P.H. Boggis

Blotch mine of Cosmopterix pulchrimella (Chambers),
13th Feb 2004. 2nd generation reared from adults
emerged from 21st Jan 2004 onwards.
Photo © P.H.Boggis & J.Gregory by kind permission.

The Ni Moth - Trichoplusia ni (Hüb.),
Maenporth, 12th February 2004 at mv.
Photo © G. Davis by kind permission.

Levant Blackneck -Tathorhynchus exsiccata (Lederer),
Maenporth, 10th February 2004 at mv.
Photo © G. Davis by kind permission.

Eastern Bordered Straw ? - Heliothis nubigera (Herrich-Schäffer),
Maenporth, 13th February 2004 at mv.
Photo © G. Davis by kind permission.

Phil Boggis (Assistant County Recorder) 4th March 2004

Cornwall Moth Group - December 2003 update

It has been an amazing season and in our October 2003 Newsletter, I said I would report on the latest finds which include Diasemiopsis ramburialis (Duponchel) a rare pyralid immigrant and the Crimson Speckled - Utetheisa pulchella (Linn).

Diasemiopsis ramburialis (Duponchel) turned up at Bernard Hocking’s trap at Ropannel Farm, near Penzance (SW 390262) on the 9th August 2003. Care must be taken to differentiate between this species and Diasemia reticularis (Linn), which is said to feed on oxtongue (Picris spp.). An account of the differences may be found in British Pyralid Moths by B. Goater – pages 89-90.

17th January 2004 update. At a recent Recorder’s conference, Bernard Hocking showed me the photograph of what had been reported here on this website as Diasemia reticularis but in fact turned out to be D. ramburialis (see above) so the comments about this species and D.reticularis are all the more pertinent!

On this subject I received a Christmas card from Frank and Frances Johns, which did indeed feature, on the front, Diasemiopsis ramburialis and Uresiphita Polygonalis (D&S)! D. ramburialis was taken on the 22nd August and 20th September 2003 and U. Polygonalis was taken on the 20th September 2003. Both species were from his farm at Cury (SW67212215) and like D.reticularis, are scarce immigrants to the southern seaboard counties of England. They are illustrated below by kind permission.

John Yarnold reported the Crimson Speckled between 23rd and the 26th Sept 2003 at St. Dellan (SW 422230). This beautiful moth is a day-flying species. The last record of the Crimson Speckled in Cornwall, as far as I know, was at Breage on the 17th June 2000 by Robin Howard and at Carlyon Bay on the 20th Sept.1997. During John's visit here he also recorded the Striped Hawk-moth - Hyles livornica (Esper) recorded at light on the night of the18th Sept 2003. He has taken several excellent photographs, which are featured below.

A report from The Cornishman was given to me earlier this year of a Death's-head Hawk-moth - Acherontia atropos (Linn). Unfortunately the person who noted the record found the file deleted from his computer. Perhaps Maries-Marie MacDonald-Murry from Gulval could contact me about this important record or perhaps you know this person and can contact her on my behalf!

John Cooke reported a Bloxworth Snout - Hypena obsitalis (Hüb) on the 5th November 2003 at Mylor Churchtown (SW 812348). It was seen during the day and is known to hide in sheds and outbuildings. The moth's status in Cornwall has, in the past, been uncertain however larvae were found at Boscastle on the 27th Aug. 1994 and the moth was also reported from here as far back as 1943. It is also known to breed very locally in Devon. Specimens were recorded by Mark Tunmore at Church Cove, Lizard on the 26th Oct.1999 and 23rd Sept. 2000. These could very well be immigrants as also the specimen from Mylor Churchtown.

Mick & Sonia Scott from St Mary's, Isles of Scilly, had a wonderful late catch of immigrants on the 18th December. Here is an extract from their e-mail to me:

I had noticed it was quite mild last night and with only a light SE wind but it was still big surprise when we did the trap this morning to find the largest catch of migrants since 18/11.Out of a total of 131 moths of 18 spp. 109 were migrants.

0670      Depressaria daucella (1)
0688      Agonopterix heracliana (1)
0998      Epiphyas postvittana (5)
1053      Acleris hastiana (3)
1157      Crocidosema plebejana (3)
1289      Euchromius ocellea (1) second here this year.
1342      Eudonia angustea (2)
1395      Udea ferrugalis (34)
1497      Amblyptilia acanthadactyla (1)
1720      The Gem (1)
1862      Double-striped Pug (1)
1923      Feathered Thorn (2)
2119      Pearly Underwing (3)
2203      White-speck (67)
2232      Black Rustic (1)
2306      Angle Shades (1)
2441      Silver Y (3)
Caloptilia sp. (1)

Just look at the number of White Specks for December! And to add icing on the cake - Euchromius ocellea (Haw.) as well (see photograph).

Finally, I have been encouraged to find that the Cream–bordered Green Pea- Earias clorana (Linn) has also established itself at Rospannel Farm as a breeding species so that this species is now established all along the southern fringe of Cornwall from Par to Rospannel as well as the Isles of Scilly.

Euchromius ocellea (Haw.)
Longstone, St. Mary’s, Isles of Scilly 18th December 2003 at mv.
Photo © M. Scott by kind permission.

Phil Boggis (Assistant County Recorder) ~ 18th December 2003.

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