A Review

Guide to the Hawkmoths of the British Isles
Illustrations by Richard Lewington, text by John Bebbington
Field Studies Council, 2007-07-28
ISBN 978 1 85153 224 7

It is very exciting to see one of our members, John Bebbington, in the limelight for his involvement with this publication.

This is an 8 page folded and laminated field guide produced under the excellent AIDGAP program by the Field Studies Council.  The illustrations are superb (as one might expect now from Mr Lewington) and the text a model of accuracy and conciseness.  I first became interested in moths after discovering a Poplar Hawk-moth and spent many an hour re-reading accounts of the rare and elusive species in 'Souths'.  This is just the job for enthusing youngsters and a ready guide to both the moth in its natural resting position and its full grown caterpillar - again spectacular beasts to enthuse newcomers and old hands alike.

Get a copy for yourself and one or more to motivate a newcomer!

Available from FSC Publications tel. 01743 852140
email publications@field-studies-council.org
or visit http://www.field-studies-council.org/publications 

Just been sent this great picture of the Jersey Tiger taken by Adrian Smith in his garden near Taunton.

Jersey Tiger

Adrian said "I spotted this chap on our geraniums this evening [25th], took a photo, and e-mailed it to a friend who is knowledgeable about it.  He said I have only seen this moth once before: My wife and I had arrived in Suffolk for a bird-watching weekend staying with a husband and wife. He had caught one of these moths that morning and it set Suffolk on fire.  It was the first ever sighting in the county and the county recorder came to officially record the moth!  We were privileged to see it too."

These sightings are very encouraging and underline the spread of this fine moth, which seems to be establishing itself in the Taunton area.

Adrian has put a piece at http://www.standrewstaunton.org.uk/FWIW_Moth_of_the_moment.htm 

Went up the A303 to see this little beauty today. Quite a large white with an interesting gliding flight.

Black-veined White

It was with some trepidation I ventured with Mike Ridge to this hill top in the Mendips. It is very high and usually very exposed. However fortified by the dinner bought me by Mike we sallied forth. The wind dropped and though very clear condtions were nigh perfect. The only slight problem was that the site is heavily used by dog walkers and we all know what that means. However we ran my light above a sheet, a robo trap and two actincs and we got 63 species, no mean feat for this site. Including 12 Chalk carpets and a melanic Peppered moth as black as night. Also we had dark unber which proved dificult to ID as they were so worn

• Draycott Sleights Mike Ridge David Evans 18-07-07
• Code Taxon Vernacular Quantity
• 941 Aethes hartmanniana 1
• 972 Pandemis heparana Dark Fruit-tree Tortrix 1
• 1304 Agriphila straminella 2
• 1338 Dipleurina lacustrata 2
• 1362 Pyrausta purpuralis 2
• 1365 Pyrausta despicata 3
• 1377 Perinephela lancealis 1
• 1392 Udea olivalis 1
• 1640 Euthrix potatoria Drinker 2
• 1651 Cilix glaucata Chinese Character 1
• 1652 Thyatira batis Peach Blossom 1
• 1653 Habrosyne pyritoides Buff Arches 7
• 1690 Scopula imitaria Small Blood-vein 1
• 1702 Idaea biselata Small Fan-footed Wave 21
• 1713 Idaea aversata Riband Wave 7
• 1724 Xanthorhoe spadicearia Red Twin-spot Carpet 5
• 1731 Scotopteryx bipunctaria cretata Chalk Carpet 12
• 1742 Camptogramma bilineata Yellow Shell 2
• 1759 Ecliptopera silaceata Small Phoenix 1
• 1777 Hydriomena furcata July Highflyer 1
• 1792 Philereme transversata britannica Dark Umber 2
• 1835 Eupithecia tripunctaria White-spotted Pug 1
• 1858 Chloroclystis v-ata V-Pug 6
• 1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 4
• 1917 Selenia dentaria Early Thorn 1
• 1922 Ourapteryx sambucaria Swallow-tailed Moth 2

• 1931 Biston betularia f. carbonaria Peppered Moth [melanic form] 1
• 1931 Biston betularia Peppered Moth 2
• 1937 Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty 2
• 1947 Ectropis bistortata Engrailed 5
• 1958 Lomographa temerata Clouded Silver 1
• 1991 Deilephila elpenor Elephant Hawk-moth 1
• 2011 Pterostoma palpina Pale Prominent 2
• 2030 Euproctis similis Yellow-tail 1
• 2038 Nudaria mundana Muslin Footman 1
• 2044 Eilema griseola Dingy Footman 1
• 2047 Eilema complana Scarce Footman 8
• 2050 Eilema lurideola Common Footman 4
• 2064 Phragmatobia fuliginosa Ruby Tiger 1
• 2077 Nola cucullatella Short-cloaked Moth 1
• 2089 Agrotis exclamationis Heart and Dart 1
• 2098 Axylia putris Flame 1
• 2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 24
• 2128 Xestia triangulum Double Square-spot 1
• 2160 Lacanobia oleracea Bright-line Brown-eye 1
• 2173 Hadena bicruris Lychnis 1
• 2192 Mythimna conigera Brown-line Bright Eye 10
• 2193 Mythimna ferrago Clay 22
• 2198 Mythimna impura Smoky Wainscot 8
• 2199 Mythimna pallens Common Wainscot 1
• 2278 Acronicta megacephala Poplar Grey 1
• 2279 Acronicta aceris Sycamore 1
• 2321 Apamea monoglypha Dark Arches 11
• 2335 Apamea scolopacina Slender Brindle 1
• 2350 Chortodes pygmina Small Wainscot 1
• 2381 Hoplodrina alsines Uncertain 6
• 2382 Hoplodrina blanda Rustic 1
• 2384 Hoplodrina ambigua Vine's Rustic 2
• 2387 Caradrina morpheus Mottled Rustic 2
• 2425 Colocasia coryli Nut-tree Tussock 1
• 2473 Laspeyria flexula Beautiful Hook-tip 1
• 2477 Hypena proboscidalis Snout 7
• 2492 Herminia grisealis Small Fan-foot 1

All in all a good night if a bit smelly

It was a cold and windy night when the moth group turned up at Turn Hill for the organised meeting on the 6th July. Mike Ridge and Robin Clatworthy struggled with the condtions barely getting twenty five species each. However they were with very few exceptions similar species despite being quite close.

• Turn Hill Culmative List Mike Ridge Robin Clatworthy 06-07-07
• Code Taxon Vernacular Quantity
• 1392 Udea olivalis 6
• 1651 Cilix glaucata Chinese Character 1
• 1652 Thyatira batis Peach Blossom 2
• 1666 Geometra papilionaria Large Emerald 1
• 1669 Hemithea aestivaria Common Emerald 4
• 1673 Hemistola chrysoprasaria Small Emerald 1
• 1690 Scopula imitaria Small Blood-vein 1
• 1702 Idaea biselata Small Fan-footed Wave 18
• 1713 Idaea aversata Riband Wave 5
• 1732 Scotopteryx chenopodiata Shaded Broad-bar 3
• 1733 Scotopteryx mucronata Lead Belle 1
• 1742 Camptogramma bilineata Yellow Shell 1
• 1754 Eulithis prunata Phoenix 1
• 1777 Hydriomena furcata July Highflyer 2
• 1782 Horisme tersata Fern 1
• 1834 Eupithecia vulgata Common Pug 1
• 1887 Lomaspilis marginata Clouded Border 1
• 1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 1
• 1917 Selenia dentaria Early Thorn 1
• 1921 Crocallis elinguaria Scalloped Oak 3
• 1922 Ourapteryx sambucaria Swallow-tailed Moth 1
• 1931 Biston betularia Peppered Moth 2
• 1937 Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty 1
• 1941 Alcis repandata Mottled Beauty 2
• 1945 Cleorodes lichenaria Brussels Lace 2
• 1961 Campaea margaritata Light Emerald 1
• 2008 Ptilodon capucina Coxcomb Prominent 1
• 2030 Euproctis similis Yellow-tail 6
• 2047 Eilema complana Scarce Footman 1
• 2050 Eilema lurideola Common Footman 4
• 2089 Agrotis exclamationis Heart and Dart 3
• 2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 6
• 2128 Xestia triangulum Double Square-spot 37
• 2193 Mythimna ferrago Clay 3
• 2198 Mythimna impura Smoky Wainscot 9
• 2318 Cosmia trapezina Dun-bar 1
• 2321 Apamea monoglypha Dark Arches 1
• 2338 Oligia versicolor Rufous Minor 1
• 2339 Oligia latruncula Tawny Marbled Minor 1
• 2381 Hoplodrina alsines Uncertain 7
• 2382 Hoplodrina blanda Rustic 2
• 2387 Caradrina morpheus Mottled Rustic 1
• 2473 Laspeyria flexula Beautiful Hook-tip 1
• 2477 Hypena proboscidalis Snout 12
• 2489 Zanclognatha tarsipennalis Fan-foot 1

44 species in all so not too bad a night.

Another good night was had at Parsonage Farm on the 12th July with David Ayling Mike Ridge and Pat Owen thanks to Bob for all his fine hospitality. Keep it flowing. 67 species

• Parsonage Farm Culmative List 12-07-07 Mike Ridge David Ayling
• 972 Pandemis Heparana Dark Fruit-tree Tortrix 1
• 977 Archips podana Large Fruit-tree Tortrix 2
• 1293 Chrysoteuchia culmella 3
• 1301 Crambus lathoniellus 2
• 1313 Catoptria pinella 1
• 1314 Catoptria margaritella Catoptria margaritella 6
• 1343 Eudonia delunella Eudonia delunella 2
• 1392 Udea olivalis Udea olivalis 4
• 1405 Pleuroptya ruralis Mother of Pearl 4
• 1640 Euthrix potatoria Drinker 7
• 1652 Thyatira batis Peach Blossom 1
• 1665 Pseudoterpna pruinata Grass Emerald 1
• 1666 Geometra papillionaria Large Emerald 2
• 1693 Scopula floslactata Cream Wave 2
• 1702 Idaea biselata Small Fan-footed Wave 13
• 1708 Idaea dimidiata Single-dotted Wave 2
• 1713 Idaea aversata Riband Wave 18
• 1727 Xanthorhoe montanata Silver Ground Carpet 1
• 1752 Cosmorhoe ocellata Purple Bar 1
• 1754 Eulithis prunata Phoenix 1
• 1759 Ecliptopera silaceata Small Phoenix 3
• 1777 Hydriomena furcata July Highflyer 13
• 1789 Rheumaptera undulata Scallop Shell 1
• 1793 Euphyia biangulata Cloaked Carpet 1
• 1803 Perizoma alchemillata Small Rivulet 6
• 1808 Perizoma flavofasciata Sandy Carpet 2
• 1817 Eupithecia pulchellata pulchellata Foxglove Pug 1
• 1819 Eupithecia exiguata Mottled Pug 1
• 1862 Gymnoscelis rufifasciata Double-Striped Pug 9
• 1877 Hydrelia sylvata Waved Carpet 1
• 1887 Lomaspilis marginata Clouded Border 2
• 1906 Opisthograptis luteolata Brimstone Moth 4
• 1910 Apeira syringaria Lilac Beauty 1
• 1917 Selenia dentaria Early Thorn 4
• 1921 Crocallis elinguaria Scalloped Oak 1
• 1922 Ourapteryx sambucaria Swallow-tailed Moth 4
• 1931 Biston betularia Peppered Moth 2
• 1937 Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty 1
• 1940 Deileptenia ribeata Satin Beauty 8
• 1941 Alcis repandata Mottled Beauty 3
• 1955 Cabera pusaria Common White Wave 2
• 1956 Cabera exanthemata Common Wave 2
• 1961 Campaea margaritata Light Emerald 6
• 1981 Laothoe populi Poplar Hawkmoth 2
• 1999 Stauropus fagi Lobster Moth 1
• 2008 Ptilodon capucina Coxcomb Prominent 3
• 2040 Cybosia mesomella Four-dotted Footman 3
• 2050 Eilema lurideola Common Footman 2
• 2060 Spilosoma lubricipeda White Ermine 1
• 2061 Spilosoma luteum Buff Ermine 1
• 2098 Axylia putris Flame 1
• 2102 Ochropleura plecta Flame Shoulder 1
• 2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing 3
• 2122 Diarsia brunnea Purple Clay 3
• 2127 Xestia ditrapezium Triple-spotted Clay 5
• 2155 Melanchra persicariae Dot Moth 1
• 2160 Lacanobia oleracea Bright-line Brown-eye 1
• 2191 Mythimna turca Double Line 2
• 2291 Craniophora ligustri Coronet 1
• 2321 Apamea monoglypha Dark Arches 2
• 2345 Photedes minima Small Dotted Buff 1
• 2381 Hoplodrina alsines Uncertain 2
• 2474 Rivula sericealis Straw Dot 1
• 2476 Hypena crassalis Beautiful Snout 1
• 2477 Hypena proboscidalis Snout 2
• 2489 Zanclognatha tarsipennalis Fan-foot 1
• 2492 Herminia grisealis Small Fan-foot 2

Whitefield, Wiveliscombe - July 2007

What an unusual year this is proving to be here. From March to mid May our catches were excellent with many early records and then things turned very quiet and in June we sometimes had less than ten species in the trap.  July is proving better with over fifty on the better nights.  I was particularly pleased to get what I regard as a West Somerset special a Double Line. Other firsts for the year include Dun-bar, Sandy Carpet, Large Emerald, Pinion Streaked Snout, Beautiful Hook-tip, Purple Bar, Leopard, Ruby Tiger, Magpie, Broad bordered Yellow Underwing and Double Lobed.  One night we had a Cloaked Carpet with most helpfully for ID a Sharp Angled Carpet.

A small group ran several 125w mv's and a 40w actinic on Brean Down on 14 July 2007. Highlights included 2 Devonshire Wainscot, Eudonia lineola, and many Thyme Pug.

Thanks to Rich Andrews http://www.cvlbirding.co.uk  for the photo and list.

• 464 Plutella xylostella Diamond-back Moth 1
• 647 Hofmannophila pseudospretella Brown House-moth
• 658 Carcina quercana
• 873 Blastobasis lignea
• 937 Agapeta hamana
• 950 Aethes francillana
• 966 Cochylis atricapitana
• 994 Clepsis consimilana
• 1043 Acleris aspersana
• 1063 Celypha striana
• 1076 Celypha lacunana
• 1175 Epiblema uddmanniana Bramble-shoot Moth
• 1201 Eucosma cana
• 1293 Chrysoteuchia culmella
• 1302 Crambus perlella
• 1304 Agriphila straminella
• 1341 Eudonia lineola Nb 2
• 1344 Eudonia mercurella
• 1413 Hypsopygia costalis Gold Triangle
• 1462 Pempeliella dilutella
• 1634 Malacosoma neustria Lackey
• 1640 Euthrix potatoria Drinker
• 1669 Hemithea aestivaria Common Emerald
• 1690 Scopula imitaria Small Blood-vein
• 1702 Idaea biselata Small Fan-footed Wave
• 1713 Idaea aversata Riband Wave
• 1732 Scotopteryx chenopodiata Shaded Broad-bar
• 1738 Epirrhoe alternata Common Carpet
• 1740 Epirrhoe galiata Galium Carpet
• 1742 Camptogramma bilineata Yellow Shell
• 1777 Hydriomena furcata July Highflyer
• 1825 Eupithecia centaureata Lime-speck Pug
• 1843 Eupithecia distinctaria Thyme Pug Nb 6
• 1862 Gymnoscelis rufifasciata Double-striped Pug
• 1894 Semiothis clathrata Latticed Heath
• 1917 Selenia dentaria Early Thorn
• 1921 Crocallis elinguaria Scalloped Oak
• 1922 Ourapteryx sambucaria Swallow-tailed Moth
• 1931 Biston betularia Peppered Moth
• 1941 Alcis repandata Mottled Beauty
• 1958 Lomographa temerata Clouded Silver
• 1976 Sphinx ligustri Privet Hawk-moth
• 1981 Laothoe populi Poplar Hawk-moth
• 2029 Euproctis chrysorrhoe Brown-tail
• 2037 Miltochrista miniata Rosy Footman
• 2047 Eilema complana Scarce Footman
• 2050 Eilema lurideola Common Footman
• 2064 Phragmatobia fuliginosa Ruby Tiger
• 2081 Euxoa tritici White-line Dart 2
• 2089 Agrotis exclamationis Heart and Dart
• 2090 Agrotis trux Crescent Dart 20
• 2092 Agrotis puta puta Shuttle-shaped Dart
• 2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing
• 2109 Noctua comes Lesser Yellow Underwing
• 2110 Noctua fimbriata Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing
• 2111 Noctua janthe Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing
• 2112 Noctua interjecta Least Yellow Underwing
• 2118 Lycophotia porphyrea True Lover's Knot
• 2192 Mythimna conigera Brown-line Bright-eye
• 2193 Mythimna ferrago The Clay
• 2198 Mythimna impura Smoky Wainscot
• 2206 Mythimna putrescens Devonshire Wainscot Na 2
• 2216 Cucullia umbratica Shark
• Acronicta tridens/psi Dark/Grey Dagger
• 2293 Cryphia domestica Marbled Beauty
• 2305 Euplexia lucipara Small Angle Shades
• 2321 Apamea monoglypha Dark Arches
• 2323 Apamea sublustris Reddish Light Arches 2
• 2341 Mesoligia furuncula Cloaked Minor
• 2343 Mesapamea secalis Common Rustic
• 2352 Eremobia ochroleuca Dusky Sallow
• 2371 Archanara dissoluta Brown-veined Wainscot 1
• 2382 Hoplodrina blanda The Rustic
• 2441 Autographa gamma Silver Y 2
• 2466 Lygephila pastinum The Blackneck
• 2469 Scoliopteryx libatrix The Herald

Doug Miller Westonzoyland. Humming Bird Hawk Moths have visited my garden six times from 15th June useing Valerian as the food source mainly early morning from 0630 and late evening up to 2100 even when conditions would appear to be unsuitable, Valerian is well known to attract other species of moths does this plants necter production peak at night and are we missing records by not getting up early.

Langport, 2 July 2007

A single Silver Y in the trap overnight and a Hummingbird Hawk nectaring in the garden at 1045 this morning.