Micro-moths new to Suffolk 2013-2018 plus corrections to earlier additions to the County list

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MICRO-MOTHS NEW TO SUFFOLK 2013-2018 PLUS CORRECTIONS TO EARLIER ADDITIONS TO THE COUNTY LIST NEIL SHERMAN

2013 63.041 Agrotera nemoralis (Scopoli) - 21/06/2013 Bawdsey Hall (MD). Probably an immigrant as recorded at a coastal site. This attractive Crambid is only thought to be currently resident in the woods of Kent and Cornwall where Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), the food-plant is present. Has since been recorded on 2 more occasions Hollesley (28/05/2017 RW) and Ipswich Golf course, Purdis Farm (01/06/2018 NS).

N. Sherman

This article aims to cover all the new species of micro-lepidoptera recorded in Suffolk and corrections to earlier records in the period since the last write-up on moths by Tony Prichard in these Transactions Vol.50 (2014). Species are listed in date order that they were seen, with notes on the observation as well as the location and recorder(s).

Any additional determination of the record will also be given. The number for each species is now the new one assigned using the Checklist of the Lepidoptera of the British Isles by Agassiz, J. L., Bevan, S. D. and Heckford, R. J., 2016, which supersedes the old Bradley and Fletcher list. All records are from light traps unless otherwise mentioned. Any other new species for the county recorded during the period that come to light will be reported on in future articles.

2014 49.302 Gravitarmata margarotana (Heinemann) 06/04/2014 - Dunwich Heath (CM det. MD). The first record of this very attractive Pine feeding tortrix species, flying earlier in the year than most of the others of the group in April and May. First recorded in the UK in Kent in 2011. A moth that is potentially colonizing the county at present with more records in recent years at sites where there are numerous Pines (Pinus sp.) e.g. Ipswich Golf course, Purdis Farm (NS) and Hollesley (RW).

12.035 Niditinea striolella (Matsumura) - 16/06/2014 - Staverton (RW). Determined by genitalia dissection, this is a scarce Tineidae species in the UK. Normally associated with bird nests in nest-boxes or woodpecker holes. Probably an overlooked resident species.

Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 55 (2019)

N. Sherman

35.127 Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) - 05/10/2013 - Bawdsey Hall (MD). An immigrant species of Gelechiidae to the UK at present, normally arriving with other known migrant species. First arrived in Europe from South America in 2006, has since increased rapidly and is a known pest on Tomatoes (Solanum sp.). Has been recorded in Suffolk on a number of occasions since the first sighting mainly at coastal sites such as Hollesley but also in Ipswich, normally in the autumn during spells of moth migration. Not known to survive our winters here yet.

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4.073 Bohemannia auriciliella (Joannis) - 21/06/2014 - Tangham (RW). Determined by genitalia dissection, this is a rare Nepticulid species in the UK with only a handful of records. This is thought to be only the 6th British record. The early stages have never been recorded but it is thought to be associated with Birch (Betula sp.).

G. Isaac

28.001 Bisigna procerella (D. & S.) - 18/07/2014 - Woolpit (PB). A beautiful orange and silver barred Oecophorid moth that was a surprise find for the recorder after a stormy night. First noted in the UK in 1976 and currently resident at a few woodlands in Kent. This record is probably a wanderer from one of those sites given the weather conditions at the time.

Food-plant is not known here, but on the continent thought to feed on lichens on tree trunks.

12.011 Triaxomera fulvimitrella (Sodoffsky) - 11/06/2015.

Ashby Warren (BJ & KK). A very distinctive black and white coloured member of the Tineidae family of moths. Before this record seemingly unknown from East Anglia. A woodland species that is thought to feed on various types of bracket fungus. Possibly an overlooked resident species.

Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 55 (2019)

K. Sørensen

2015 15.002 Caloptilia cuculipennella (HĂźbner) - 10/05/2015 Ipswich (PK). A greyish member of the Gracillariidae characterized by their upright resting posture. Recorded also on the 14/07/2015 by the same recorder and now found at other locations in Suffolk with breeding noted.

Forms small neat cones in the leaves of Wild privet (Ligustrum vulgare) and Ash (Fraxinus excelsior), both of which have been used in Suffolk. A species seemingly spreading northwards in the UK at the moment.

P. Kitchener

49.068 Acleris maccana (Treitschke) - 19/09/2014 - Bawdsey Hall (MD). The first record of this rather greyish nondescript species of Tortrix moth for England.

Normally only found in Scotland as a resident. Feeds on Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), Cowberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) and Bog-myrtle (Myrica gale), none of which grow anywhere near the area. Caught at a time when other immigrant species were arriving that were thought to be Scandinavian in origin, so this moth probably originated there also.

35.068 Monochroa tetragonella (Stainton) - 20/06/2015.

Iken (PK, det. JC). Another difficult to determine, nondescript species of Gelechiidae identified by genitalia dissection. A salt-marsh moth that does occasionally wander inland. Scarce, only found at a few locations in the UK but probably overlooked due to the difficulties with identification. Has been found at a second location in Suffolk (Hollesley) in 2018 by RW. 35.045 Bryotropha basaltinella (Zeller) - 26/06/2015.

Hollesley (RW). Another difficult to determine nondescript member of the Gelechiidae family. Determined by genitalia dissection. Has since been recorded on a few more occasions at the same site. An overlooked resident species in Suffolk. Thought to feed on mosses and various grasses.

P. Kitchener

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B. Sale

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35.076 Monochroa suffusella (Douglas) - 01/07/2015. Hollesley (RW). Again, another difficult to determine, nondescript member of the Gelechiidae family. Determined by genitalia dissection. Found at scattered wetland sites across the UK. Food-plant is Common Cotton-grass (Eriophorum angustifolium) but at some of its locations such as here in Suffolk this plant is not present so there must be another which is as yet unknown. The moth has also been noted at the RSPB Abbey Farm, Snape (RW).

49.3431 - Thaumatotibia leucotreta False Codling moth (Meyrick) - 01/08/2015. Ipswich Golf course, Purdis Farm (NS det. JC). A rather worn specimen of this brownish marbled Tortrix moth was found in a moth trap and was only identified by genitalia dissection. This moth is thought to be accidentally imported into the UK in Oranges and Chilli peppers, feeding inside the fruits. Not thought to be breeding in the wild at present. The site where it was caught is not too distant as the moth flies to a large supermarket so this could be the origin.

62.018 - Sciota rhenella (Zincken) - 02/08/2015 - Hollesley (RW). A greyish coloured Pyralid species of moth that has occurred in the UK as an immigrant on four occasions, one of these being a few weeks earlier than the Suffolk moth, in Kent. The Suffolk specimen was a female that was determined by genitalia dissection. Found on the near continent so quite possible more will turn up in the future.

Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 55 (2019)

T. Morris

62.0181 - Selagia argyrella (D. & S.) - 06/07/2015. Blythburgh (DW). A probable immigrant species of Pyralid moth, thought to be the first British record for over 140 years. Previous records are thought to be adventives. This moth was a dark form with pale patches, unlike the more typical pale coloured form. Food-plants include Heather (Calluna vulgaris) and Potentilla species.

2016 62.045 - Zophodia grossulariella (Hübner) - 08/05/2016 Hollesley (RW). The 4th British record of this scarce immigrant species of Pyralid moth with the previous records coming from Norfolk and Kent suggesting movement from the near continent. A large grey species with black cross-lines, it feeds on Gooseberry (Ribes uvacrispa).

45.034 - Merrifieldia baliodactylus (Zeller) - 18/07/2016 Hollesley (RW). A yellowish coloured member of the Pterophoridae (Plume) moth family. Feeds on Marjoram (Origanum vulgare), the larva biting through a stem causing it to wilt before feeding. Searches for this moth previously in the county have been negative. Known to be a long-term resident in Norfolk. Has been recorded at the same site in successive years suggesting residency although larvae have yet to be found.

63.032 Udea fulvalis (Hübner) - 23/07/2016 - Landguard (NO). An orangey-brown coloured member of the Crambidae family of moths, with some darker cross lines on

Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 55 (2019)

P. Kitchener C. Knott

35.009 - Aproaerema polychromella (Rebel) - 18/12/2015 - Hollesley (RW). Part of a national influx of this immigrant species of Gelechiid moth during a spell of exceptionally mild weather originating in north Africa. The moth is a small, dark brown species with a white band across the wings.

H. Sandin

49.196 - Bactra lacteana (Caradja) - 14/08/2015 - Dunwich Forest (PK det. JC). Very similar to the common Bactra lancealana (Hübner), the first record of this small, brown streaked Tortrix moth was determined by genitalia dissection after suspicions were aroused by the two dark brown parallel lines on the forewing. This was also the first record for the east of England. Has since been found in numbers at other coastal damp sites and will certainly be found at more. Probably an overlooked resident species. Feeds on various sedges (Carex sp.).

N. Sherman

49.172 - Phiaris schulziana (Fabricius) - 13/08/2015 Ipswich Golf course, Purdis Farm (NS). This very attractive reddish-brown, silver barred Tortrix moth is normally resident on moorland in the northern half of the UK, where it feeds as a larva on Heather (Calluna vulgaris) and Crowberry (Empetrum nigrum). How it came to be present in a moth trap in Suffolk is unknown, but like other unusual records of northern species of moth in recent years it could have been an immigrant from Scandinavia.

N. Sherman

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the wings. Thought to be a scarce immigrant species to the UK but showing signs recently of local colonization on the south coast. Feeds on members of the Deadnettle (Lamiaceae) family of plants. Caught at a coastal location so probably an immigrant record.

2017 37.010 Coleophora alnifoliae (Barasch) - 25/06/2017 Dunwich (PK det. RW), a female, determined by genitalia dissection. As the name suggests, the larva feeds in a case on the leaves of Alder (Alnus glutinosa). As a number of the Coleophoridae species of moth look similar and are only determined by dissection, this is probably an overlooked resident. Quite a localized species in the UK. 63.027 Psammotis pulveralis (HĂźbner) - 19/07/2017 - Bawdsey Hall (MD). A scarce immigrant species to the UK, this specimen caught the same night as another in Essex.

A sandy coloured member of the Crambidae family of moths, found in wet grassland habitats in Europe feeding on Mints (Mentha sp.).

Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 55 (2019)

N. Sherman P. Kitchener

63.054 Cydalima perspectalis Box-Tree moth (Walker) 09/09/2016 - Bawdsey Hall (MD). This large member of the Crambidae family of moths was originally a native of eastern Asia. It was first noted in Europe in Germany in 2006, soon followed by the first UK record (in Kent) in 2007, almost certainly due to introduction on Box (Buxus sp.) plants. Has since increased rapidly and reached pest status, having 2-3 broods a year, with large numbers of moths appearing in traps in London. Also known to migrate to the UK from Europe. This could be the potential origin of the expected first Suffolk record at Bawdsey. Was closely followed by another on the 14/09/2016. More soon followed at other sites from 2017 onwards. The moth has two colour forms, the white with black edging to the wings type seemingly dominant. The first Suffolk records of the all dark coloured form with just a white spot were noted in 2018 at Ipswich Golf Course, Purdis Farm (NS). Currently seems to be found mainly in the coastal and Ipswich areas in Suffolk but will almost certainly be found county-wide in the not too distant future. Larvae have yet to be located in Suffolk.

N. Sherman

49.296 Notocelia incarnatana (HĂźbner) - 17/08/2016 - Hollesley (RW). A black and white marbled, bird dropping mimic species of tortrix distinguished from similar members of the same group of moths by its beautiful pinkish suffusion. This was very pronounced on the Suffolk specimen making it unmistakeable. Normally found in chalky and coastal sandy areas, feeding on Roses (Rosa sp.) and Burnet rose (Rosa pimpinellifolia) in particular. Possibly a wanderer to Suffolk on a warm night from further south in the UK as no more have been seen since.

21.002 Lyonetia prunifoliella (HĂźbner) - 07/08/2018 Westleton (JCh & JS). This very small whitish member of the Lyonetiidae family of moths was thought to be extinct in the UK until quite recently. Seen again in 2007, it has increased quite rapidly on the south coast and is spreading.

Was expected to arrive in Suffolk at some point and will be one to watch out for by other recorders in the future. Feeds as a leaf-miner in Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) and Apple (Malus sp.) trees.

16.011 Zelleria oleastrella (Millière) - 25/10/2018 Hollesley (RW). A member of the Yponomeutidae family of moths, greyish and brown in colour with a characteristic Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 55 (2019)

P. Kitchener N. Sherman

2018 49.190 Endothenia ustulana (Haworth) - 05/08/2018 Ipswich Golf Course, Purdis Farm (NS). A small dark coloured tortrix moth with mixed areas of leaden grey marbling. Found in the evening in an open greenhouse that was acting as a giant Malaise trap in a garden on the edge of the site. Feeds as a larva in the roots of Bugle (Ajuga reptans), including garden cultivars. The garden where the greenhouse is situated has a good amount of cultivated Bugle plus there is wild Bugle growing not too far away in the wet grassland by the Mill river on the golf course. Probably an overlooked resident as it mainly flies in the afternoon and is rarely seen at light traps.

B. Smart

34.009 Cosmopterix pulchrimella (Chambers) - 23/09/2017 - Ipswich Golf Course, Purdis Farm (NS). A small colourful member of the Cosmopterigidae family of moths, feeding as a larva by mining the leaves of Pellitory-of-the-wall (Parietaria judaica). Predominantly black in colour with silvery and a brownish cross-lines. First found in the UK in 2001 and mainly found on the south coast at present.

Possibly a wanderer from this area but could just be the start of a northward movement into the county as currently increasing in Britain.

B. Wursten

49.160 Celypha rufana (Scopoli) - 07/08/2017 - Hollesley (RW). A small arrival of this Tortrix moth occurred in the late summer in Suffolk, with another record following the first at Hollesley on the 13/08/2017 plus others at Bawdsey (MD), Landguard (NO), Felixstowe (MM) and Orfordness (MM). All were coastal locations suggesting immigration from the continent as the moth is not known to be resident in southern England.

Normally found very locally in Wales and the north-west. Feeds on the roots of Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) and Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris). It occurs in two colour forms orangey and rusty brown, both of which were noted in Suffolk. A possible future colonist.

N. Sherman

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49.075 Acleris umbrana (Hübner) - 30/12/2018 - Hollesley (RW). Formerly a rare Tortrix species in the UK, has recently been increasing. A yellowish-brown moth with dark streaks down the wing that can be obscured. Found mainly in south-west Britain, so this is quite a jump from known sites. Feeds as a larva on Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa).

Caught during a mild spell of weather at the end of December when other immigrant species were being recorded so perhaps it came from the continent.

2013 Correction 35.019 Anarsia lineatella (Zeller) and 35.0191 Anarsia inoxiella (Gregerson & Karsholt, 2017).

Prichard mentions in ‘Comments and Notes on some Suffolk Moths in 2013’ (2013: 49) the capture of a specimen of Peach Twig Borer Anarsia lineatella at Bawdsey on 26/07/2013. Recent research has discovered that A. lineatella is in fact two species, the other being named A. inoxiella. A. lineatella has been found to be a very rare UK species with only a few genuine confirmed records from the south coast. All other records have proved to be A. inoxiella. This has been the case with the Suffolk records, of which there are a number now as the moth seems to have colonized being noted annually at some locations. The food-plant of this species is actually Maple sp.

(Acer sp.).

Thanks to all the above mentioned recorders for supplying their records for this report: Brian Jones (BJ), Clive Moore (CM), David Wilson (DW), Jon Clifton (JC), John Chainey (JCh), Jenny Spence (JS), Keith Knights (KK), Matthew Deans (MD), Mike Marsh (MM), Nigel Odin (NO), Neil Sherman (NS), Paul Bryant (PB), Paul Kitchener (PK) and Raymond Watson (RW). Please send all moth records to me via the Suffolk Moth website online recorder at ‘www.suffolkmoths.co.uk’.

References Agassiz, J. L., Bevan, S. D. & Heckford, R. J. (2016). Checklist of the Lepidoptera of the British Isles.

Prichard, A. W. (2014). Comments and Notes on some Suffolk Moths in 2013. Trans.

Suffolk Nat. Soc. 50: 49–54.

Neil Sherman 2 Golf Cottages, Bucklesham Road Ipswich, IP3 8UG moths@sns.org.uk Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 55 (2019)

D. Chanter

head-down resting posture. First recorded in the UK in 2006 and has since been found a few more times with at least eleven records. The moth can be a pest in Olive (Olea europaea) growing regions in Europe. Has also been found as a leaf-mining larva in Britain on a pot-grown Olive so some records could relate to accidental importation of early stages. Caught during a spell of warm nights with many immigrant and wandering species being recorded widely in the county. Possibly an immigrant but could easily be from the other source mentioned.