NORTH DOWNS & BEYOND

Last year I posted about the first garden records of the micro-moth Blastobasis rebeli . Over the course of July 2017 four individuals were recorded, and these may well have been the first records for Surrey. This morning another two appeared at the MV. It now seems more than likely that they are now resident in the area. It is still a rare moth across most of southern England, with a sprinkling of records in Hampshire and Sussex, and the first for Kent appeared last week. As for Surrey? It would seem unlikely that they are not already elsewhere. I think it's fair to suggest that we will all be seeing a lot more of Blastobasis rebeli ...

Yes, it's that time again, a look back at the natural history highlights of the past year - a Godsend to the frequent blogger who may just be running out of things to bore you all rigid with. It has undoubtably been a good year for moths - at least for the back garden, which after 30 years of recording still manages to surprise and entertain. I continued to try and get to grips with the micros, with some success, including a couple of 'good for Surrey' species: Phtheochroa sodaliana, feeds on Buckthorn, local on Surrey chalky soils Blastobasis rebeli, an adventive species and the second Surrey record New macro additions included these most welcome visitors: Clifton Nonpareil, part of a nationwide surge in records Scallop Shell, is there a more finely marked moth out there? Scarlet Tiger - still very scarce in the county and a big surprise during a hot spell in mid-June Yellow-legged Clearwing - along with Orange-tailed, enticed to a pheromone lu...

One of my favourite species - Scallop Shell - was a welcome addition to the garden MV this morning. A beautifully marked, yet sober, moth. Also, rather surprisingly, another Blastobasis rebeli, the third Surrey record. They are obviously on the move, keep a look out!

This is Blastobasis rebeli , a moth originally from Madeira (in fact, the species is only known from that island), that has somehow found its way to our shores. The first UK record was discovered in Hampshire in 2008, followed by another in Swansea, and then others from the south coast that suggest that it has become a resident. Its breeding regime, and food plant(s), are unknown. In fact, it's difficult to get any up to date information about the species, and my individual may well be a first for Surrey (although the county recorder will no doubt put me right on that one if I'm wrong). The garden MV has been lively over the recent spell of hot weather, with plenty of moths to sift through - although nothing too exciting - until the rebeli this morning. The first Tree-lichen Beauty of the year (below) and the less-than-annual Shaded Broad-bar (bottom) were two highlights.