Thursday, June 28, 2018

Very flat, Norfolk

Scenery's different here! Still lots of new things turning up, including a fair scattering of lifers. Just had a Lilac Beauty in the garden (landed on my trousers!), plus a scattering of hymenoptera, but now I've found one that doesn't fit the key. Either mis-keying or new for Britain!

Here's a list:

1253 Mythimna ferrago Lepidoptera:moths The Clay 19/06/2018
1254 Pandemis cerasana Lepidoptera:moths Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix 19/06/2018
1255 Homoeosoma sinuella Lepidoptera:moths Twin-barred Knot-horn 19/06/2018
1256 Lygephila pastinum Lepidoptera:moths The Blackneck 19/06/2018
1257 Mythimna pudorina Lepidoptera:moths Striped Wainscot 19/06/2018
1258 Brachmia inornatella Lepidoptera:moths Fen Crest 19/06/2018
1259 * Pediasia aridella Lepidoptera:moths Saltmarsh Grass-veneer 19/06/2018
1260 * Dolerus fumosus Hymenoptera Symphyta: Selandriinae: Dolerus 20/06/2018
1261 Callicorixa praeusta Hemipteroids Water Boatman 19/06/2018
1262 Sigara lateralis Hemipteroids Lesser Water Boatman sp. 19/06/2018
1263 * Phaulernis fulviguttella Lepidoptera:moths Yellow-spotted Lance-wing 26/06/2018
1264 Chrysolina americana Coleoptera Rosemary Beetle 26/06/2018
1265 * Coelioxys elongata Hymenoptera Dull-vented Sharp-tail Bee 26/06/2018
1266 Peribatodes rhomboidaria Lepidoptera:moths Willow Beauty 26/06/2018
1267 Apamea lithoxylaea Lepidoptera:moths Light Arches 26/06/2018
1268 Mythimna straminea Lepidoptera:moths Southern Wainscot 26/06/2018
1269 Mompha ochraceella Lepidoptera:moths Buff Cosmet 26/06/2018
1270 Lacanobia suasa Lepidoptera:moths Dog's Tooth 26/06/2018
1271 * Polia nebulosa Lepidoptera:moths Grey Arches 26/06/2018
1272 Agapanthia villosoviridescens Coleoptera Golden-bloomed Grey Longhorn Beetle 27/06/2018
1273 Daucus carota Vascular Plants Wild Carrot 27/06/2018
1274 Vicia cracca Vascular Plants Tufted Vetch 27/06/2018
1275 Aphantopus hyperantus Lepidoptera:butterflies The Ringlet 27/06/2018
1276 Ochlodes sylvanus Lepidoptera:butterflies Large Skipper 27/06/2018
1277 Persicaria bistorta Vascular Plants Common Bistort 27/06/2018
1278 Halictus tumulorum Hymenoptera Halictidae 27/06/2018
1279 Rhagonycha fulva Coleoptera Cantharidae 27/06/2018
1280 Pachygaster leachii Diptera Yellow-legged Black 27/06/2018
1281 Melanogaster hirtella Diptera Syrphidae 27/06/2018
1282 Pentatoma rufipes Hemipteroids Forest Bug 27/06/2018
1283 Lagria hirta Coleoptera Tenebrionidae 27/06/2018
1284 Chorthippus parallelus Orthopteroids Meadow Grasshopper 27/06/2018
1285 Chelostoma campanularum Hymenoptera Bee 27/06/2018
1286 Pammene regiana Lepidoptera:moths Regal Piercer 27/06/2018
1287 Stenotus binotatus Hemipteroids Miridae 27/06/2018
1288 Dioctria baumhaueri Diptera Stripe-legged Robberfly 27/06/2018
1289 Pachygaster atra Diptera Dark-winged Black 27/06/2018
1290 * Rhogogaster chlorosoma Hymenoptera Symphyta 27/06/2018
1291 Serica brunnea Coleoptera Brown Chafer 27/06/2018
1292 Acronicta aceris Lepidoptera:moths The Sycamore 27/06/2018
1293 Stenoptilia pterodactyla Lepidoptera:moths Brown Plume 27/06/2018
1294 Hoplodrina blanda Lepidoptera:moths The Rustic 27/06/2018
1295 Rhagio tringarius Diptera Marsh Snipefly 28/06/2018
1296 Chrysopilus asiliformis Diptera Little Snipefly 28/06/2018
1297 Apeira syringaria Lepidoptera:moths Lilac Beauty 28/06/2018
1298 Adrastus pallens Coleoptera Elateridae 27/06/2018
1299 Hemicrepidius hirtus Coleoptera Click Beetle 27/06/2018
1300 Cixius nervosus Hemipteroids Lacehopper 27/06/2018
1301 Anoplius infuscatus Hymenoptera Spider-wasp sp. 28/06/2018

Ickworth Park, Suffolk

Clearly a rubbish place. Only 723 hectares. What they need are 0.02 hectares in Norfolk...


Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Dalgety Bay - reprise

So after a brief break, and even a journey into another square yesterday lunchtime to record some plants I returned to the Bay today and decided to kick on. By end of play today I expect I'll have passed last year's total. I need to recalibrate my targets, not least of which is to record 200 species of vascular plants with a view to the 2020 atlas.

False Fox Sedge

Sericomya silentis
Large Knapweed Aphids

Numbers:
1002 lep-moth Idaea biselata Small Fan-footed Wave
1003 diptera Coelopa frigida Coelopidae
1004 lep-moth Alcis repandata Mottled Beauty
1005 lep-moth Argyresthia conjugella Apple Fruit Moth
1006 lep-moth Eupithecia pulchellata Foxglove Pug
1007 lep-moth Hypena proboscidalis Snout
1008 diptera Sericomyia silentis Syrphidae
1009 flowering plant Carex otrubae False Fox-sedge
1010 flowering plant Lapsana communis Nipplewort
1011 flowering plant Rhododendrum ponticum Common Rhododendron
1012 fungus Phragmidium rubi-idaei Raspberry rust
1013 * hemiptera Uroleucon jaceae Large Knapweed Aphid
1014 hymenoptera Apis mellifera Honey Bee
1015 lep-moth Enarmonia formosana Cherry-bark Moth

Skye - Marvellous

Still lots of stuff in pots/on pins to check, but an initial tally up after the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen departed would seem to have pushed me up to a marvellous 972 species. Oof, that's not too far short of twice the pace I set last year!!! 

Amazing how much fun you can have with a pile of dumped grass clippings - marvellous!
Epinotia tedella (now confirmed as new to Skye) - marvellous!
There's only one word to describe this particular bryophyte-bedecked concrete block - marvellous! 
A slightly fuller account will follow in due course. Right now I'm rather thrilled at having re-attained 21st position on the PSL Rankings Table. Bloody marvellous. There now follows a short BBC announcement, except for viewers in Scotland...


Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Uig - Las cabezas blancas

My quick roundup of a fine weekend on Uig with the "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen". It's always a pleasure to spend field and lab time with like-minded maniacs natural historians.

Lifers ran to over 60 (65 I think), with half of them plants. Not too shabby!
My PSL list bumped over 3000, and by a good margin.
I moved two places up the PSL rankings from 45 to 43.
I moved into the top 40 for molluscs with Tree Snail, Copse Snail and my fave - River Limpet.
I added 6 bryo lifers. Normally I think a good BBS day trip adds 5 or more so considering I saw so much more on the day that was a serious day out! Thanks again to Nick for joining us.

The total number of New-to-Skye remains to be seen but it's going to be a respectable handful.

Many thanks to all for coming to play out. Looking forward to doing it again - after a decent nap!

Some random access memories

"Hello. Can you tell me the way to Fairy Glen?"

Telfer-scoped Hercostomus cupreus

as yet UFO Rhaphium

Beautiful Golden Y

Bathyphantes nigrinus

Peltigera leucophlebia

Wood Wasp

Prawns

Monday, June 25, 2018

Dalgety Bay 1000 - One for sorrow, Two for joy!

In the end it took two magpies to take Dalgety Bay list to 1000 on the longest day. They are awfully pretty.



The list, of course, keeps going, but this is the new landmark date I have to beat next time! Better not get too high a final total so I have a chance to beat that too.

Numbers:
999 lep-moth Anania hortulata Small Magpie
1000 lep-moth Abraxas grossulariata Magpie

Thursday, June 21, 2018

Dalgety Bay - Ohhhhh

I actually have enough material on hand that if I could identify it I'd reach 1000 tonight. However, there's this trip I have to get ready for. I can see myself packing a hot MV bulb in the car tomorrow morning!

Here's a nice Tree bumble. Recorded ages ago but a nicer pic than anything I've got for new stuff


Numbers
988 lep-moth Camptogramma bilineata Yellow Shell
989 coleoptera Rhagonycha fulva Common Red Soldier Beetle
990 lep-moth Chrysoteuchia culmella A grass moth
991 diptera Paracraspedothrix montivaga A tachinid fly
992 * diptera Dolichopus brevipennis A long-legged fly
993 * diptera Hercostomus germanus A long-legged fly
994 * hemiptera Europiella artemisiae A mirid bug
995 diptera Rhagio lineola A snipe fly
996 hemiptera Grypocoris stysi A mirid bug
997 coleoptera Calvia quatuordecimguttata Cream-spot Ladybird

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Dalgety bay - close, but cigar pending ...

So apparently I went over last year's moth total, but that's probably mostly because I can easily put a trap out in the garden. A poor shadow of Tim's Norfolk list I'm quite sure! This lovely Purple clay was responsible.


It still isn't absolutely impossible that I'll make 1000 before setting off - it's just moderately unlikely.

Numbers:
977 lep-moth Agrotis segetum Turnip Moth
978 * flowering plant Carex extensa Long-bracted Sedge
979 flowering plant Bromus sterilis Barren Brome
980 flowering plant Artemisia vulgaris Mugwort
981 flowering plant Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherd's-purse
982 * hemiptera Dryophilocoris flavoquadrimaculatus  A bug
983 lep-moth Diarsia brunnea Purple Clay
984 lep-moth Biston betularia Peppered Moth
985 lep-moth Autographa pulchrina Beautiful Golden Y
986 * flowering plant Bromus hordeaceus Soft Brome
987 hemiptera Oncopsis flavicollis A leaf hopper
988 lep-moth Camptogramma bilineata Yellow Shell
989 coleoptera Rhagonycha fulva Common Red Soldier Beetle

Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Some nice things and 1252 species

Seen some scarce species over the last few days - Oedostethus quadripustulatus (Click Beetle), 3rd Norfolk record, Hybomitra muehlfeldi (Broadland Horsefly), Elaphria venustula (Rosy Marbled, tiny macro moth), 2nd VC27 record, Trichiosoma lucorum (a spectacular sawfly), Plateumaris braccata (one of Seth's favorites I seem to recall) and Malthinus balteatus, a scarce cantharid beetle. And not only that, I've now passed the 1251 species I recorded doing the 1 km square challenge in 2014.

I will confess that I didn't have much of a clue what I was doing in 2014, it was loads of moths plus vaguely wandering around the square with a camera hoping other people would identify things for me. Tut Tut. So I know a lot more about things that move now. Still don't know much about things that don't have six or eight legs though.

Oedostethus quadripustulatus, click beetle

Trichiosoma lucorum, sawfly

Rosy Marbled, tiny macro moth

And here's the list:

1202 Crossocerus megacephalus Hymenoptera Wasp 17/06/2018
1203 Anthrenus fuscus Coleoptera Dermestidae 17/06/2018
1204 * Palloptera umbellatarum Diptera Pallopteridae 17/06/2018
1205 Tingis ampliata Hemipteroids Creeping Thistle Lacebug 17/06/2018
1206 Cantharis nigra Coleoptera Cantharidae 17/06/2018
1207 * Oedostethus quadripustulatus Coleoptera Elateridae 17/06/2018
1208 Mystacides longicornis RSO Caddis Fly 17/06/2018
1209 Pasiphila rectangulata Lepidoptera:moths Green Pug 17/06/2018
1210 Orthopygia glaucinalis Lepidoptera:moths Double-striped Tabby 17/06/2018
1211 Idaea trigeminata Lepidoptera:moths Treble Brown Spot 17/06/2018
1212 Alcis repandata Lepidoptera:moths Mottled Beauty 17/06/2018
1213 Cydia pomonella Lepidoptera:moths Codling Moth 17/06/2018
1214 Diarsia mendica Lepidoptera:moths Ingrailed Clay 17/06/2018
1215 Melanchra persicariae Lepidoptera:moths Dot Moth 17/06/2018
1216 Paradrina clavipalpis Lepidoptera:moths Pale Mottled Willow 17/06/2018
1217 Elophila nymphaeata Lepidoptera:moths Brown China-mark 17/06/2018
1218 Helcystogramma rufescens Lepidoptera:moths Orange Crest 17/06/2018
1219 Chilo phragmitella Lepidoptera:moths Reed Veneer 17/06/2018
1220 Hydrobius fuscipes Coleoptera Hydrophilidae 17/06/2018
1221 Cheilosia illustrata Diptera Syrphidae 18/06/2018
1222 Rutpela maculata Coleoptera Black-and-yellow Longhorn Beetle 18/06/2018
1223 Netelia cristata Hymenoptera Ichneumonidae 17/06/2018
1224 Aphrophora alni Hemipteroids Alder Spittlebug 18/06/2018
1225 Oplodontha viridula Diptera Common Green Colonel 18/06/2018
1226 Maniola jurtina Lepidoptera:butterflies Meadow Brown 18/06/2018
1227 Orthetrum cancellatum Odonata Black-tailed Skimmer 18/06/2018
1228 Anax imperator Odonata Emperor Dragonfly 18/06/2018
1229 Pseudovadonia livida Coleoptera Fairy-ring Longhorn Beetle 18/06/2018
1230 Tabanus autumnalis Diptera Tabanidae - Large Marsh Horsefly 18/06/2018
1231 Hybomitra muehlfeldi Diptera Broadland Horsefly 18/06/2018
1232 Chiasmia clathrata Lepidoptera:moths Latticed Heath 18/06/2018
1233 Ostrinia nubilalis Lepidoptera:moths European Corn Borer 18/06/2018
1234 Pterophorus pentadactyla Lepidoptera:moths White Plume Moth 18/06/2018
1235 Schoenobius gigantella Lepidoptera:moths Giant Water-veneer 18/06/2018
1236 Mimas tiliae Lepidoptera:moths Lime Hawk-moth 18/06/2018
1237 Hoplodrina alsines Lepidoptera:moths The Uncertain 18/06/2018
1238 Hypomecis punctinalis Lepidoptera:moths Pale Oak Beauty 18/06/2018
1239 Apis mellifera Hymenoptera Honey Bee 18/06/2018
1240 Tinea semifulvella Lepidoptera:moths Fulvous Clothes Moth 18/06/2018
1241 Nemophora degeerella Lepidoptera:moths Yellow-barred Long-horn 18/06/2018
1242 Elaphria venustula Lepidoptera:moths Rosy Marbled 18/06/2018
1243 Trichiosoma lucorum Hymenoptera Symphyta: Cimbicidae 18/06/2018
1244 Microchrysa flavicornis Diptera Green Gem 18/06/2018
1245 Scaeva pyrastri Diptera Syrphidae 19/06/2018
1246 Megachile willughbiella Hymenoptera Willughby's Leafcutter Bee 18/06/2018
1247 Crossocerus capitosus Hymenoptera Wasp 18/06/2018
1248 Isomira murina Coleoptera Tenebriod 19/06/2018
1249 Plateumaris braccata Coleoptera Chrysomelidae 19/06/2018
1250 Leptogaster cylindrica Diptera Striped Slender Robberfly 19/06/2018
1251 Malthinus balteatus Coleoptera Cantharidae 19/06/2018
1252 Malthinus seriepunctatus Coleoptera Cantharidae 19/06/2018

Monday, June 18, 2018

Dalgety Bay - Quickie update

So I still think I'm not going to make 1000 before Skye, but it ought to be before June ends. It's not outright impossible but I'll be devoting time to the family before departing for three days.

This is a lovely dolly from my small band of coastal saltmarsh (well it has a couple square metres of Juncus gerardii and sea club rush so it counts). New for county and a specialist of the habitat. Machaerium maritimae is the only species we have in the genus.


My Poecilobothrus (Semaphore Fly) has been confirmed but is just the northern edge of its range now as they have already been noted creeping up into Scotland. Used to be Yorkshire last time books were published.

Here's my numbers. Not sure how you guys get your numbers updated on the totals because I can't edit that page, so if someone would do the honours who can  ... much obliged.

Numbers:
952 * fungus Puccinia caricina var. ribesii pendulae A rust on C.pendula
953 flowering plant Digitalis purpurea Foxglove
954 diptera Nephrotoma appendiculata A crane fly
955 flowering plant Vicia cracca Tufted Vetch
956 flowering plant Lolium perenne Perennial ryegrass
957 flowering plant Geranium pratense Meadow Cranesbill
958 flowering plant Juncus effusus Soft Rush
959 coleoptera Tachinus rufipes A rove beetle
960 coleoptera Phyllobius glauca A Broad-nosed Weevil
961 coleoptera Ceutorhynchus obstrictus A weevil
962 lep-moth Lomaspilis marginata Clouded Border
963 flowering plant Elymus repens Couch Grass
964 flowering plant Veronica beccabunga Brooklime
965 * hemiptera Lygocoris rugicollis Apple Capsid
966 * diptera Machaerium maritimae A long-legged fly
967 lep-moth Korscheltellus fusconebulosa Map-winged Swift
968 diptera Chloromyia formosa A Soldier Fly
969 lep-moth Mythimna ferrago Clay
970 lep-moth Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing
971 lep-moth Apamea monoglypha Dark Arches
972 lep-moth Campaea margaritaria Light Emerald
973 lep-moth Xestia triangulum Double Square-spot
974 lep-moth Oligia strigilis agg. Marbled Minor agg.

Sunday, June 17, 2018

Mothing time

Back from the West Country and the summer moths have well and truly emerged whilst I've been away. The moth-traps produced 20 new species for the year last night, and I'm hoping that with a warmer forecast the next few days will be good. Having said that, nothing unexpected was seen last night. So now up to 1201 species for the 1 km square, including 899 from my garden.

Here's a Water Ermine, not new for the year but a scarce moth which I catch regularly and which I like!


1165 Hypena proboscidalis Lepidoptera:moths The Snout 08/06/2018
1166 Mythimna comma Lepidoptera:moths Shoulder-striped Wainscot 08/06/2018
1167 Caradrina morpheus Lepidoptera:moths Mottled Rustic 08/06/2018
1168 Eupithecia exiguata Lepidoptera:moths Mottled Pug 08/06/2018
1169 Acronicta psi Lepidoptera:moths Grey Dagger agg. 08/06/2018
1170 Anania coronata Lepidoptera:moths Elder Pearl 08/06/2018
1171 Hyloicus pinastri Lepidoptera:moths Pine Hawk-moth 08/06/2018
1172 Mamestra brassicae Lepidoptera:moths Cabbage Moth 08/06/2018
1173 Apamea monoglypha Lepidoptera:moths Dark Arches 08/06/2018
1174 Ecliptopera silaceata Lepidoptera:moths Small Phoenix 08/06/2018
1175 Megachile centuncularis Hymenoptera Patchwork Leafcutter Bee 16/06/2018
1176 Poecilobothrus nobilitatus Diptera Dolichopidae 16/06/2018
1177 Enarmonia formosana Lepidoptera:moths Cherry Bark Moth 16/06/2018
1178 Holcus lanatus Vascular Plants Yorkshire-fog 16/06/2018
1179 Closterotomus norwegicus Hemipteroids Miridae, Potato Capsid 16/06/2018
1180 Epiblema uddmanniana Lepidoptera:moths Bramble Shoot Moth 16/06/2018
1181 Xestia triangulum Lepidoptera:moths Double Square-spot 16/06/2018
1182 Pseudoips prasinana Lepidoptera:moths Green Silver-lines 16/06/2018
1183 Perizoma alchemillata Lepidoptera:moths Small Rivulet 16/06/2018
1184 Idaea aversata Lepidoptera:moths Riband Wave 16/06/2018
1185 Apamea remissa Lepidoptera:moths Dusky Brocade 16/06/2018
1186 Euplexia lucipara Lepidoptera:moths Small Angle Shades 16/06/2018
1187 Furcula bicuspis Lepidoptera:moths Alder Kitten 16/06/2018
1188 Oegoconia quadripuncta Lepidoptera:moths Scarce Obscure 16/06/2018
1189 Monopis crocicapitella Lepidoptera:moths Pale-backed Clothes Moth 16/06/2018
1190 Celypha striana Lepidoptera:moths Barred Marble 16/06/2018
1191 Udea olivalis Lepidoptera:moths Olive Pearl 16/06/2018
1192 Hepialus humuli Lepidoptera:moths Ghost Moth 16/06/2018
1193 Phtheochroa inopiana Lepidoptera:moths Plain Conch 16/06/2018
1194 Idaea dimidiata Lepidoptera:moths Single-dotted Wave 16/06/2018
1195 Perizoma flavofasciata Lepidoptera:moths Sandy Carpet 16/06/2018
1196 Eupithecia intricata Lepidoptera:moths Freyer's Pug 16/06/2018
1197 Eucosma cana Lepidoptera:moths Hoary Bell 16/06/2018
1198 Ditula angustiorana Lepidoptera:moths Red-barred Tortrix 16/06/2018
1199 Endelomyia aethiops Hymenoptera Symphyta: Blennocampinae 16/06/2018
1200 Ancistrocerus gazella Hymenoptera Small-notched Mason Wasp 16/06/2018
1201 Lucilia caesar Diptera Calliphoridae 16/06/2018