Since the Autumn Newsletter, and now that all 2021 moth records have been submitted to your Recorders, three additional new species for the Society’s area were confirmed: Ypsolopha horridella at Spofforth on 28th August; the species was first found in Yorkshire in 2011 and the last two years have seen a considerable spread to the north and west, so we will certainly see more. A White-point at Hutton Conyers on 18th September – usually a resident in the south and east of the county and spreading, this moth was well outside its range and was probably a migrant. Lastly, the mines of Phyllonorycter lantanella were found on Viburnum tinus at Pannal on 24th November, which is another species spreading northwards. It also mines the leaves of other Viburnum species, such as the Wayfaring Tree and sometimes Guelder Rose.
From the fact and figures point of view, 19,521 records were received in 2021 which equated to 800 more than the record total of 2020. Numbers of species was down slightly, to 798 (419 micros and 379 macros), compared with the record 818 species in 2020 (441 micros and 377 macros).
Other records of note included three Spinach at Healey – a rapidly declining moth in most of the county, with only five reported from the whole of Yorkshire in 2021. A Marsh Pug at Hutton Conyers in September was the third record for the HDNS area and the nationally declining V-Moth maintains a presence, being recorded from three sites. Two August Thorn at Bellflask were the first in the Society’s area since 1979, whilst at the same site, 61 Double Kidney attracted on one night is the largest count by a long way. Finally, the aptly-named Beautiful Snout was recorded at a further three sites.
Pheromone lures proved very successful for attracting Clearwing moths, with Lunar Hornet reported from six sites, Red-tipped from four and Currant at one. However, it was a poor year for migrants in our area, with just four records of Humming-bird Hawk-moth and single records of Bedstraw Hawk-moth in July and Vestal in September.
In addition, our “Moth Challenge” continues, under the News section on the Society’s website. Simply record all day-flying moths when out and about, but there are several species we would like you to look harder for – good luck and we hope you can find one or two, several are quite small (remember to take a camera or mobile phone with you). Orange Underwings frequent mature Birch trees on sunny days in March – we look forward to your records!
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Jill Warwick and Charlie Fletcher