First moths origins

Since 1987 I have recorded 409 species of macro moth in the garden. I thought it would be interesting to see what new species I have recorded over the past 15 years and a breakdown of their possible origins.

2006 Striped Hawk-moth (01/09), Pinion-streaked Snout (22/09), Pine Carpet (14/10), Blair's Mocha (28/10)

2008 Buff Footman (01/06)

2009 Dingy Footman (02/06)

2010 Toadflax Brocade (23/05), Orange Footman (04/06), Hoary Footman (25/07)

2011 Rannoch Looper (03/06), Tree-lichen Beauty (02/08)

2012 Jersey Tiger (17/08), Gypsy Moth (18/08)

2013 Royal Mantle (16/07), White-point (04/09)

2014 Grass Rivulet (07/06), Dark Spectacle (03/09)

2015 Cypress Carpet (26/06)

2017 Yellow-legged Clearwing (13/06), Orange-tailed Clearwing (18/06), Scarlet Tiger (19/06), Scallop Shell (08/07), Clifton Nonpareil (23/08), Delicate (25/09)

2018 Great Oak Beauty (09/06), Kent Black Arches (06/07), The Mocha (07/07), Oak Processionary (19/07), Gold Spot (06/08)

2019 Langmaid's Yellow Underwing (04/08)

2020 Dewick's Plusia (10/08), Heath Rustic (14/09), L-album Wainscot (15/09)

Migrant   Expanding resident   Colonising adventive   Hot-weather wanderer

The colour coded key above may not be totally accurate - some might argue that the Jersey Tigers are not from expanding residents but from adventive stock - and that the Clifden Nonpareil appeared as a migrant in what was a tremendous year for them, regardless of whether or not they set up new colonies at the same time. The number of expanding residents is clear to see, particularly the four species of Footmen in a three year period, all of which are now regularly recorded. There are also a few species that, although resident in England, are not found close to Banstead and are moths of specialised habitat - they always seem to pop up during hot weather, hence the 'hot-weather wanderer' tag. Some of these new species, considering how infrequent they are, come in clusters, such events being driven by the weather conditions as much as by chance.

What next? If I was to put on a bet it would be for Oak Rustic, a species that has already colonised just north of me. I would also have a cheeky punt on Dark Crimson Underwing which has colonised Wimbledon Common, that is less than 10 miles away as the moth flies.

Comments

bailey1409 said…
In 2011.. Ranch Looper... Rannoch Looper!!

Maurice
9 June 2021 at 20:07
Steve Gale said…
Yes Maurice, there was a mini influx into southern England, of which I ended up recording four!
9 June 2021 at 20:12
bailey1409 said…
Hi Steve
I had one on 5.6.2009. One of 4 recorded in Hampshire at that time.
(You may remember me, of the Devil's Fingers site in the New Forest. We are now down in Somerset, close to the Levels).
9 June 2021 at 21:34
Dave Boyle said…
We used to get hot weather wanderers on Skomer too, not migrants but species that didn't, or couldn't, breed on the island because of the lack of food plant. It was a bit of a conflict, I hate hot weather but the moth trapping could be very exciting!
9 June 2021 at 22:49
Stewart said…
25 of those species would be new for me up here. Regarding weather, I agree and I have a theory from my own catches. If the weather is warm elsewhere, say 10+ miles inland, in the early evening the thermals raise flying moths higher up than normal, they are then drifted on the wind until later in the night when its cooler or when they reach somewhere cooler like the coast, they descend back to the ground and into our traps. That is how I get moorland species in my coastal garden. Last night under such conditions I had Neofaculta ericetella, a new one for my garden after 12 years but common on the moors. The weather is similar tonight so I wonder if it brings anything else?
10 June 2021 at 10:30
Steve Gale said…
Dave and Stewart: these hot spells are certainly good for wandering moth species to appear away from expected habitat.

Maurice: I still haven't been to see the fungus
10 June 2021 at 18:24
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