2007 Magazine Version 05.indd - Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire

Warwickshire VC38 Macro Moth Report 2006
by David Brown
2006 was one of the most exciting years on record for moths in Warwickshire. Many
interesting and unusual species were recorded, including four completely new to the
County. Two of these were uncommon migrants, the Eastern Bordered Straw at
Charlecote on 24 June (D Brown) and the Golden Twin-spot on 18 September at
Grendon (R J Thomas). The Silver Hook was noted for the first time when two were
caught in Sutton Park on 17 June (N Stone, H Skelcher) followed by a third on 16 July
(D Grundy). It seems likely these are the result of a recent colonisation as the area was
thoroughly worked by lepidopterists during the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. The
4th new addition, the Small Ranunculus, had virtually disappeared from Great Britain
by 1914 and apart from half a dozen records up to 1939 was not seen again until 1997.
In the past decade the species has spread north and westward from a nucleus in North-
West Kent. This year for the first time it was recorded in Warwickshire at Rugby on 30
August and 18 September (I Reid, D Porter).
The Feathered Ranunculus was also recorded in Rugby on 12 October (P Nicholas),
this being a significant record as the previous two records were from the Stratfordupon-Avon
district.
Other interesting catches included: Red Sword-grass, 9 May, Solihull (R Ledbury);
18 October, Warwick, (A Visick); Light Knot Grass, 7 June, Earlsdon Coventry (S
Howarth) (first record since 1899); Four-dotted Footman, 26 June, Oversley Wood (D
Grundy) and Neglected Rustic, 9 September, Sutton Park, (D Grundy).
In a year full of surprises the sighting of an Argent & Sable in Hay Wood on 8 June (D
Brown) after a 9 year absence was proof the species is still hanging on at this location.
The Scarlet Tiger, assisted by some very hot weather during July, made northward
progress into Warwickshire with individuals recorded in garden moth traps on 1 July in
Warwick (S Taylor), Kenilworth (P Thompson) and Bidford on Avon (R Cox), followed by
two more at Warwick on 3 and 6 July (S Taylor, A Visick). There is evidence this species
may have already colonised Cross Hands Quarry in the South of the County, where
an unprecedented 18 were attracted to light traps on 2 July at a Warwickshire Moth
Group recording evening. This occasion was also memorable for 10 Privet Hawk, 50
Coronet, a Reddish Light Arches and a Marbled Green.
The warm summer followed by a mild September and October produced the best and
most prolonged showing of uncommon to rare immigrants in the County since recording
began. It was an exceptional year for Scarce Bordered Straw with over 100 recorded
(previous highest total 7 in 1992). Other highlights were Blair’s Mocha, 25 September,
Guys Cliffe Warwick (M Walsh) and 29 October, Hillmorton Rugby (P Nicholas); Striped
Hawk-moth, 1 June, Pillerton Priors (C Ivin); Cosmopolitan, 31 October, Hillmorton
Rugby (P Nicholas) and Ni Moth, 25 July, Temple Grafton (A Gardner).
David C G Brown
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Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire Branch Magazine 2007