Zanclognatha tarsicrinalis again in Suffolk and some Further County Records of Lepidoptera for 1967

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(.ZANCLOGNATHA AGAIN

IN

SUFFOLK

RECORDS

OF

TARSICRINALIS, AND

SOME

KNOCH.)

FURTHER

LEPIDOPTERA

FOR

COUNTY

1967

BARON DE WORMS

LAST year, 1967, a most notable capture was made in early July between Aldeburgh and Saxmundham by Mr. A. A. Myers, a newcomer to live in Suffolk. It was the second example of the Fanfoot moth Zanclognatlia tarsicrinalis, Knoch., to be taken not only in the County, but also in the whole of Britain. The first record was the specimen obtained in July, 1965, near Thorpeness by Mr. E. C. Pelham Clinton about which I wrote a special article in these Transactions {Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 13: 163) drawing attention to its similarity to the Dark Fanfoot (Z. tarsipennalis, Treits.). The capture of this further insect is of the greatest interest and importance, as it would seem clearly to denote that the species is now breeding with us. It is, of course, only conjecture as to how long the species may have been with us, though it is more likely that it is a newcomer, recently established on the Suffolk seaboard. It would be well worth while during the Coming season to make a füll investigation in the area to see whether it may not now be a definite resident and possibly expanding its ränge. So any captures of these Fanfoots should be carefully scrutinised to make sure they are not this new visitor to our shores. Mr. S. Wakely was once more in Suffolk between 19th May and 2nd June during which period he made some very interesting captures both among the macro- and the microlepidoptera. The Flame Wainscot (Meliana flammea, Triets.) re-appeared in the Walberswick Marshes on 30th May. Among the smaller moths there were three new County records. These include the Dark Crescent Piercer (Grapholitha internana, Guen.) which was common on gorse on Aldringham Heath on 29th May. Another new record for the County from this locality was the Confused Cosme (Mompha conturbatella, Hübn.) bred from larvae feeding in spun shoots of the Rosebay Willow Herb (Epilobium angustifolium). From the vicinity of Sizewell and Thorpeness, Mr. Wakely obtained the tiny Nepticulid, the Isle of Wight Pygmy (Stigmella suberivora, Stainton) whose larvae mine the leaves of of Holm Oak {Quercus Hex). Other microlepidoptera of especial interest included a series of the small Tortrix, the Isle of Wight Conch (Phalonidia griseana, Haworth) taken on the saltings at Southwold. Artemisia vulgaris at Orford produced larvae of Sluggish Plume (Leioptilus lienigianus, Zell.), while larvae of the Seaside Plume (Agdistis bennettii, Curtis) were to be found on sea-lavender at Walberswick and Aldeburgh. Another small Tortrix, the Oblique-barred Grey Conch (Phalonidia alismana, Rag.) was found in the larval State at Thorpeness feeding


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