ANNUAL MOTH REPORT

FOR VC44 Carmarthenshire

2006

By JON BAKER

CONTENTS

3 2006 Overview: a summary and analysis of the data. 5 Categories of the Macro-moth List 8 Macro-moth Species Accounts 136 Table of Micro-moth recording during 2006 142 Article: The Rothamsted Effect Author: Jon Baker County Recorder (moths) for VC44 Carmarthenshire 14 Job’s Well Rd Carmarthen SA31 3HG 01267 221681 Mothboy8@aol.com

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2006 OVERVIEW A SUMMARY AND ANALYSIS OF THE DATA

In the period 1996 to 2005 (the preceding decade, which seems to yield the most relevant

comparisons) there was an average of approximately 2500 records of macros moths made each year. With 2006 creating almost exactly 7000 records of macro moths, it was indeed a most productive year for data, with a lot of effort put in across the county. The increase in observer numbers and the renewed interest in moths created by the formation of the Carmarthenshire Moth Group have had a large part to do with this.

Recording was done in the following 10km squares during 2006, with the number of records

from those squares:

SN10: 15 SN12: 389 SN20: 70 SN21: 4 SN22: 411 SN30: 775 SN31: 1594 SN32: 483 SN40: 365

SN41: 10 SN42: 12 SN50: 4 SN51: 174 SN52: 208 SN53: 896 SN54: 249 SN61: 82 SN62: 37

SN63: 80 SN64: 50 SN71: 1 SN73: 20 SN74: 213 SS49: 852 SS59: 5

Map of VC44, showing recording effort during 2006 courtesy of Sam Bosanquet

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During 2006, there were good records of 808 species of moth in the county – 384 micro moths and 424 macro moths (there are 9 species of micro-moth treated as “honorary macros” in the species accounts). This makes it the most diverse year on record, due to the great increase in recording that occurred. Twenty-six new species were added to the county list, 19 micro-moths and 7 macro-moths.

38 Ectoedemia subbimaculella Micro 203 Infurcitinea argentimaculella Micro 275 Bucculatrix bechsteinella Micro 285 Caloptilia azaleella Micro 296 Calybites phasianipennella Micro 363 Phyllonorycter platanoidella Micro 423 Argyresthia semitestacella Micro 426 Yponomeuta malinellus Ermine Moth 568 Coleophora versurella Micro 587 Coleophora caespititiella Micro 641 Batia lambdella Micro 671 Depressaria ultimella Oecophorid 678 Depressaria sordidatella Oecophorid 786 Bryotropha desertella Gelechid 814 Scrobipalpa ocellatella Gelechid 1231 Pammene spiniana Tortricid 1408 Palpita vitrealis Pyralid

1454.5 Dioryctria sylvestrella Pyralid 1467 Ancylosis oblitella Pyralid 1828 Eupithecia satyrata satyrata Satyr Pug 1859 Pasiphila chloerata Sloe Pug 2184 Orthosia opima Northern Drab 2202 Mythimna l-album L-album Wainscot 2208 Mythimna loreyi Cosmopolitan 2230 Aporophyla australis pascuea Feathered Brindle 2408 Eublemma parva Small Marbled

There were also significant records of many other species that had previously been seen on only a handful of occasions in the county, as well as good records of species whose previous claims to be on the county list had been less than satisfactory. Highlights included: Lunar Hornet Moth (2nd), Poplar Lutestring (4th), Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth (5th), Orange Footman (2nd), Hoary Footman (4th), Feathered Ranunculus (2nd, 3rd and 4th), Orange Sallow (2nd), Light Knot Grass (c.3rd) and Beautiful Hook-tip (2nd). The record-breaking numbers of migrant moths recorded in Britain during 2006 will most certainly be what the year is remembered for, and although we only got a tiny fraction of what better placed counties recorded, it was an unprecedented invasion that livened up many nights through the summer. Details can be found throughout the species account, or in the monthly bulletins of 2006.

Thank you to all those who have contributed records to this report: Sam Bosanquet, Lee Walker, Julian Wormald, Martin Lovell, Melanie Collier, Barry Stewart, Ian Morgan,

Bronwen and Ivy Berkshire, Hilton Marlton, Anthony Lewis, Aron Williams, Anna Hobbs, Arnold Johnson, Dave Slade, David Groom, Fay Sharpley, Elizabeth Goodyear, G Lyons,

Isabel Macho, John Langmaid, Martin White and Simeon Jones. Hope I didn’t forget anyone UNCREDITED SPECIES RECORDS ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHOR.

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CATEGORIES OF THE MACRO-MOTH LIST The VC44 macro-moth list is divided into several categories, and these are explained here. Category A1 (Green) The majority of species fall into this group. These are species where there is absolutely no doubt it has occurred in the county in the last 50 years, as there is either photographic proof, a specimen, or the record has been properly authenticated by the county recorder. Nearly all species in this category have now been photographed (specimens caught in VC44) and are kept in a library of images. Category A2 (Green) These are species which are currently accepted on the county list, despite the fact that the county recorder has not seen photographic proof or a specimen. Most of these species are from Rothamsted traps. If anyone catches any of these, I do urge them to take the necessary photo, or failing that, a specimen, so that the species can be moved into Category A1. The following species fall into this category:

1647 Drepana cultraria Barred Hook-tip

1658 Cymatophorima diluta Oak Lutestring

1689 Scopula marginepunctata Mullein Wave

1694 Scopula ternata Smoky Wave

1745 Larentia clavaria Mallow

1774 Colostygia olivata Beech-green Carpet

1790 Triphosa dubitata Tissue

1798 Epirrita filigrammaria Small Autumnal Moth

1815 Eupithecia abietaria Cloaked Pug

1823 Eupithecia venosata Netted Pug

1843 Eupithecia distinctaria Thyme Pug

1864 Chesias legatella Streak

1870 Odezia atrata Chimney Sweeper

1897 Macaria wauaria V-Moth

1925 Apocheima hispidaria Small Brindled Beauty

2056 Parasemia plantaginis Wood Tiger

2059 Diacrisia sannio Clouded Buff

2104 Standfussiana lucernea Northern Rustic

2135 Xestia agathina Heath Rustic

2157 Lacanobia w-latinum Light Brocade

2171 Hadena confusa Marbled Coronet

2227 Asteroscopus sphinx Sprawler

2233 Lithomoia solidaginis Golden-rod Brindle

2254 Antitype chi Grey Chi

2303 Thalpophila matura Straw Underwing

2329 Apamea furva Confused

2437 Polychrysia moneta Golden Plusia

2447 Syngrapha interrogationis Scarce Silver Y

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CATEGORY B (Amber) The records of these species are pended, awaiting confirmation through photographic or specimen proof. When that is forthcoming, these pended records will be reassessed, and could be retrospectively accepted.

381 Synanthedon culiciformis Large Red-belted Clearwing

1715 Idaea straminata Plain Wave

1757 Eulithis mellinata Spinach

1761 Chloroclysta miata Autumn Green Carpet

1793 Euphyia biangulata Cloaked Carpet

1806 Perizoma blandiata Pretty Pinion

1854 Eupithecia pusillata Juniper Pug

1855 Eupithecia phoeniciata Cypress Pug

1905 Pachycnemia hippocastanaria Horse Chestnut

2167 Hadena perplexa Tawny Shears

2185 Orthosia populeti Lead-coloured Drab

2325 Apamea oblonga Crescent Striped

2480 Hypena rostralis Buttoned Snout

CATEGORY C (Red) This is a list of species claimed in VC44 in the last 50 years, but the records are not considered acceptable without any proof. Future records of these species need full verification, but it is unlikely that these earlier records will then be reinstated as genuine and reliable records.

1642 Gastropacha quercifolia Lappet

1673 Hemiostola chrysoprasaria Small Emerald

1677 Cyclophora albipuncta Birch Mocha

1680 Cyclophora punctaria Maiden's Blush

1688 Scopula rubiginata Tawny Wave

1698 Idaea muricata Purple-bordered Gold

1701 Idaea sylvestraria Dotted Border Wave

1705 Idaea fuscovenosa Dwarf Cream Wave

1707 Idaea seriata Small Dusty Wave

1711 Idaea trigeminata Treble Brown Spot

1723 Xanthorhoe decoloraria Red Carpet

1735 Catarhoe rubidata Ruddy Carpet

1771 Thera juniperata Juniper Carpet

1786 Spargania luctuata White-banded Carpet

1787 Rheumaptera hastiata Argent and Sable

1792 Philereme transversata Dark Umber

1801 Perizoma taeniata Barred Carpet

1836 Eupithecia denotata Campanula Pug

1868 Aplocera efformata Lesser Treble-bar

1878 Minoa murinata Drab Looper

1880 Trichopteryx polycommata Barred Tooth-striped

1889 Macaria notata Peacock Moth

1901 Cepphis advenaria Little Thorn

1943 Hypomecis roboraria Great Oak Beauty

1983 Hemaris fuciformis Broad-bordered Bee Hawk

1998 Furcula bifida Poplar Kitten

2080 Euxoa obelisca grisea Square-spot Dart

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2082 Euxoa nigricans Garden Dart

2108 Noctua orbona Lunar Yellow Underwing

2121 Diarsia dahlii Barred Chestnut

2124 Diarsia florida Fen Square-spot

2131 Xestia rhomboidea Square-spotted Clay

2148 Polia nebulosa Pale Shining Brown

2153 Heliophobus reticulata Bordered Gothic

2156 Lacanobia contigua Beautiful Brocade

2183 Orthosia miniosa Blossom Underwing

2231 Aporophyla lutulenta Deep-brown Dart

2235 Lithophane semibrunnea Tawny Pinion

2266 Agrochola litura Brown-spot Pinion

2268 Parastichtis suspecta Suspected

2272 Xanthia aurago Barred Sallow

2275 Xanthia gilvago Dusky-lemon Sallow

2279 Acronicta aceris Sycamore

2316 Cosmia affinis Lesser-spotted Pinion

2319 Cosmia pyralina Lunar-spotted Pinion

2358 Amphipoea fucosa Saltern Ear

2359 Amphipoea crinanensis Crinan Ear

2374 Archanara algae Rush Wainscot

2411 Deltote deceptoria Pretty Marbled

CATEGORY D (Black) These are species which are on the county database solely as a result of a record over 50 years ago. Any modern record of these would be considered as an honorary “first”.

162 Cossus cossus Goat Moth

2206 Mythimna putrescens Devonshire Wainscot

2242 Xylena obsoleta Sword-grass

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MACRO-MOTHS 14 GHOST MOTH Hepialus humuli

National status: Widespread and generally common, flying in June and July. County status: Widespread and fairly common in suitable areas of unimproved grassland. Records prior to 2006: 80 Records ’96 to ’05: 50 Earliest date: 3rd June (2000) 10km squares prior to 2006: 21 Number of records: 11 Earliest: 5th June Latest: 21st July 10km squares: SN12, SN22, SN30, SN31, SN32, SN52, SN54, SN63, SN64, SS49 NOTES: A wide scattering of records, mostly of single moths attracted to light. The highest count was just 4, seen at dusk in paddock adjacent to Nantgwyn (SN3623) on 8th June.

15 ORANGE SWIFT Hepialus sylvina National status: Widespread and generally common, flying from July to September. County status: Local and scarce, with most records from only a very few places. Records prior to 2006: 68 Records ’96 to ’05: 18 Earliest date: 21st July (1993) 10km squares prior to 2006: 14 Number of records: 2 Earliest: 25th August Latest: 2nd September 10km squares: SN31, SN53 Notes: Abernant, Brechfa (SN5837) on 2nd September (JW). Two attracted to the floodlights of Llansteffan Castle (SN3510) on 25th August.

16 GOLD SWIFT Hepialus hecta National status: Widespread but local, flying in June and July. County status: Local and moderately uncommon. Records prior to 2006: 27 Records ’96 to ’05: 17 Earliest date: 30th May (1995) 10km squares prior to 2006: 13 Number of records: 6 Earliest: 24th June Latest: 31st July 10km squares: SN30, SN53 Notes: Three records each from Brechfa Forest and Pembrey Forest. Highest count was of 10 at SN5232 on 6th July.

17 COMMON SWIFT Hepialus lupulinus National status: Widespread and common in England and Wales, local in Scotland. Flying from May to July. County status: Sparsely recorded across the county. Records prior to 2006: 49 Records ’96 to ’05: 39 Earliest date: 26th May (2004) 10km squares prior to 2006: 14 Number of records: 13 Earliest: 6th June Latest: 3rd July 10km squares: SN22, SN30, SN32, SN40, SN52, SN62, SS49 Notes: A good number of records of this species, which is far from “common” in VC44. One swept by day at Coed Gwempa (SN6421), one at Nantgwyn (SN3623), one at Aberglasney (SN5822) (JW) and three records from SN22, with all other records coming from the south-east corner of the county.

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18 MAP-WINGED SWIFT Hepialus fusconebulosa National status: Mainly northern and western areas of Britain. Not uncommon. Flying from May to July. County status: Sparsely recorded across the county, with most records from only a couple of upland sites. Records prior to 2006: 91 Records ’96 to ’05: 27 Earliest date: 6th June (1993) 10km squares prior to 2006: 16 Number of records: 11 Earliest: 10th June Latest: 12th July 10km squares: SN22, SN53, SN54, SN74 Notes: A record of two to MV at Gellywen (SN2723) on 10th June (JSB, Lee Walker) is a new area for this species. The other records were from the more traditional sites of Brechfa and the uplands of the north-east.

161 LEOPARD MOTH Zeuzera pyrina National Status: Widespread in southern and central England and the eastern part of Wales. Flying from June to early August. County Status: Rare, though possibly increasing. Records prior to 2006: 5 Records ’96 to ’05: 4 Earliest date: 29th June (1992) 10km squares prior to 2006: 5 Number of records: 3 Earliest: 1st July Latest: 9th July 10km squares: SN30, SN51, SN53 Notes: Three records of singles of a species which was far less than annual in the county. Gelli, Rhydcymerau (SN5739) on 1st July (Martin Lovell), Gelli Aur CP (SN5919) on 5th July (JSB and the Carms Moth Group) and Pembrey Forest (SN3803) on 9th July (JSB).

163 FORESTER Adscita statices National Status: Local throughout Britain, mainly in the south. Flying from May to July. County Status: Rare, very local. Records prior to 2006: 13 Records ’96 to ’05: 5 Earliest date: 28th May (1990) 10km squares prior to 2006: 6 Number of records: NOT RECORDED Earliest: - Latest: - 10km squares: - Notes: Last recorded in July 2005.

169 SIX-SPOT BURNET Zygaena filipendulae National Status: Relatively common throughout. Day-flying from June to August. County Status: Fairly widespread and common in suitable habitat. Records prior to 2006: 66 Records ’96 to ’05: 48 Earliest date: 14th June (2003) 10km squares prior to 2006: 14 Number of records: 13 Earliest: 30th June Latest: 5th August 10km squares: SN30, SN31, SN64, SS49 Notes: A common species that was not well recorded. Being day-flying, less attention is paid to it and fewer records get submitted.

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170 FIVE-SPOT BURNET Zygaena trifolii decreta National Status: A predominantly south-western distribution. Day-flying from June to August. County Status: Widespread and common in suitable habitat. Records prior to 2006: 72 Records ’96 to ’05: 45 Earliest date: 10th June (1990) 10km squares prior to 2006: 22 Number of records: 3 Earliest: 22nd June Latest: 3rd July 10km squares: SN30, SN64 Notes: Very under-recorded this year. Should not be taken as indicative of a population decline.

371 LUNAR HORNET MOTH Sesia bembeciformis National Status: Widespread, allegedly common, but as with all clearwings, seldom encountered. July and August. County Status: Very Rare and under-recorded. Records prior to 2006: 1, possibly two. Records ’96 to ’05: 1 Earliest date: 18th July (2000) 10km squares prior to 2006: 2 Number of records: 1 (plus 1 probable) Earliest: 19th July Latest: (22nd July) 10km squares: SN22 Notes: One seen and photographed by Simeon Jones at SN2124 is the first well-documented record of this species for the VC. A further record was received of one trapped in the shop window in Brechfa village on 22nd July, seen by David Groom and others. Sadly not photographed, but it seems likely that the record was correct.

373 CURRANT CLEARWING Synanthedon tipuliformis National Status: Nationally Scarce B. Local throughout. Flying in June and July. County Status: Only one site found so far. Records prior to 2006: 5 Records ’96 to ’05: 5 Earliest date: 9th June (2004) 10km squares prior to 2006: 2 Number of records: NOT RECORDED Earliest: - Latest: - 10km squares: - Notes: Last recorded in June 2005.

374 YELLOW-LEGGED CLEARWING Synanthedon vespiformis National Status: Nationally Scarce B. Local in southern Britain. Flying from late May to August. County Status: Extremely rare. Records prior to 2006: 3 (all from June 1992 at Stradey Woods) Records ’96 to ’05: 0 Earliest date: 8th June (1992) 10km squares prior to 2006: 1 Number of records: NOT RECORDED Earliest: - Latest: - 10km squares: - Notes: Last recorded in June 1992.

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375 WHITE-BARRED CLEARWING Synanthedon spheciformis National Status: Nationally Scarce B. Local in southern Britain. Flying from May to July. County Status: Extremely rare. Records prior to 2006: 1 Records ’96 to ’05: 0 Earliest date: 4th July (1977) 10km squares prior to 2006: 1 (SN84) Number of records: NOT RECORDED Earliest: - Latest: - 10km squares: - Notes: Last recorded in July 1977.

380 RED-TIPPED CLEARWING Synanthedon formicaeformis National Status: Nationally Scarce B. Local, especially in the west. Flying from May to August. County Status: Extremely rare. Records prior to 2006: 1 Records ’96 to ’05: 0 Earliest date: 12th June (1990) 10km squares prior to 2006: 1 (SN41) Number of records: NOT RECORDED Earliest: - Latest: - 10km squares: - Notes: Last recorded in June 1990.

381 LARGE RED-BELTED CLEARWING Synanthedon culiciformis National Status: Nationally Scarce B. Local, especially in the west. Flying in May and June. County Status: Two records pended. No photo or specimen has ever been taken in Wales, to my knowledge. Category B (pended). Records prior to 2006: 2, though both currently pended. Records ’96 to ’05: 2 Earliest date: 23rd May (2001) 10km squares prior to 2006: 2 Number of records: NOT RECORDED Earliest: - Latest: - 10km squares: - Notes: Last recorded in June 2004.

382 SIX-BELTED CLEARWING Bembecia ichneumoniformis National Status: Nationally Scarce B. Local across southern Britain. Flying from June to August. County Status: Local. Records prior to 2006: 12 Records ’96 to ’05: 8 Earliest date: 13th June (2004) 10km squares prior to 2006: 5 Number of records: NOT RECORDED Earliest: - Latest: - 10km squares: - Notes: Last recorded in June 2004.

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383 THRIFT CLEARWING Synansphecia muscaeformis National Status: Nationally Scarce B. Restricted to western and northern coasts. Flying in June and July. County Status: Rare. Records prior to 2006: 3 Records ’96 to ’05: 1 Earliest date: 15th June (1994) 10km squares prior to 2006: 3 Number of records: NOT RECORDED Earliest: - Latest: - 10km squares: - Notes: Last recorded in June 2005.

1631 DECEMBER MOTH Poecilocampa populi National Status: Common and fairly widespread. Flying from October to January. County Status: Very under-recorded, due to flight season. The vast majority of county records are from Rothamsted traps. Records prior to 2006: 91 Records ’96 to ’05: 15 Earliest date: 2nd November (1972) 10km squares prior to 2006: 10 Number of records: 6 Earliest: 8th November Latest: 17th December 10km squares: SN53 Notes: All records from Julian Wormald and Martin Lovell in and around SN53. No trapping was done at other sites at this time of year, which explains the lack of records from elsewhere.

1632 PALE EGGAR Trichiura crataegi National Status: Widespread and common, though scarce in the west. Flying in August and Spetember. County Status: Rare. Records prior to 2006: 7, though 5 of these are Rothamsted records. Records ’96 to ’05: 3 Earliest date: 20th August (1997) 10km squares prior to 2006: 4 (SN21, SN23, SN32, SN33) Number of records: NOT RECORDED Earliest: - Latest: - 10km squares: - Notes: Last recorded in September 2003

1634 LACKEY Malacosoma neustria National Status: Widespread and moderately common resident species, flying in July and August. County Status: Patchily distributed. Locally very common. Records prior to 2006: 173 Records ’96 to ’05: 91 Earliest date: 14th June (2003) 10km squares prior to 2006: 15 Number of records: 13 Earliest: 1st July Latest: 26th July 10km squares: SN12, SN30, SN31, SS49 Notes: As with several other lasiocampidae, seemed to have a poor year in some areas, possibly as a result of parasitism. Nearly all records were from Pembrey where it was scarce in the Forest, but still abundant in the Burrows – with 50 on 23rd July and 60 on 26th July coming to MV light.

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1636 GRASS EGGAR Lasiocampa trifolii National Status: Nationally Scarce A. A very local species of sand-dunes, found in few localities, but not uncommon where it does occur. Flies in August and September. County Status: Recorded only from coastal sites. Records prior to 2006: 20 Records ’96 to ’05: 17 Earliest date: 28th July (2001) 10km squares prior to 2006: 5 Number of records: 5 Earliest: 5th August Latest: 4th September 10km squares: SS49 Notes: A final instar larva was found wandering near my moth trap in SS49 on 24th June. Numbers at Pembrey Burrows were good, with 12 counted at light on two dates in late August. No records this year from other sites.

1637 OAK EGGAR Lasiocampa quercus National Status: A locally widespread species of woodlands, sea-cliffs and other habitats, flying in July and August. County Status: Few records away from the south-east coast. Records prior to 2006: 46 Records ’96 to ’05: 39 Earliest date: 7th July (2005) 10km squares prior to 2006: 10 Number of records: 4 Earliest: 20th July Latest: 7th August 10km squares: SN30, SN54, SS49 Notes: Four singles is indicative of a crash in the population, as with others in this group, probably due to cyclical parasitation. See Fox Moth below.

1638 FOX MOTH Macrothylacia rubi National Status: A widespread and locally common moth of heaths, coasts, commons and downs, flying in May and June. County Status: Recorded mainly from coastal sites and uplands. Records prior to 2006: 105 Records ’96 to ’05: 61 Earliest date: 5th May (2005) 10km squares prior to 2006: 19 Number of records: 11 Earliest: 1st June Latest: 24th June 10km squares: SN53, SN54, SN64, SS49 Notes: Over the past few years this species had become very common in Pembrey Forest. It seemed during 2006 to have suffered a population crash. At the same time, the parasitic fly Tachina grossa, which preys on lasiocampidae was exceptionally common this year. It may be that Fox Moth numbers at Pembrey have been affected and it will be interesting to see how long it is before the population booms again.

1640 DRINKER Euthrix potatoria National Status: Widespread and common across Britain, flying in July and August. County Status: Widespread and common. Records prior to 2006: 351 Records ’96 to ’05: 174 Earliest date: 14th June (2006) 10km squares prior to 2006: 24 Number of records: 37 Earliest: 14th June Latest: 17th September 10km squares: SN12, SN30, SN32, SN40, SN51, SN53, SN54, SN61, SN63, SN64, SN74, SS49 Notes: A typical spread of records of this common and widespread species.

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1643 EMPEROR MOTH Saturnia pavonia National Status: Locally common species of heaths, moors and commons, flying in April and May. County Status: Records mainly from the uplands, wetter areas and coast. Records prior to 2006: 33 Records ’96 to ’05: 10 Earliest date: 12th April (2003) 10km squares prior to 2006: 16 Number of records: 3 Earliest: 21st April Latest: 16th May 10km squares: SN20, SN53 Notes: Only two records from Rhydcymerau of adults (ML, JW), and a larval record at Pendine (SDSB). Perhaps going through the same cycle of decline as the eggars.

1645 SCALLOPED HOOK-TIP Falcaria lacertinaria National Status: Widespread and fairly common species of birch woodlands and heaths. Double brooded, flying from April to June and again in July and August. County Status: Relatively rare or under-recorded. Records prior to 2006: 46 Records ’96 to ’05: 12 Earliest date: 28th May (1970) 10km squares prior to 2006: 8 Number of records: 3 Earliest: 5th June Latest: 17th June 10km squares: SN53, SN54 Notes: Two records from Rhydcymerau (ML, JW), and another from south of Llanybydder (ML). Never a common species in the county, it seems to be very local.

1646 OAK HOOK-TIP Watsonalla binaria National Status: Widespread and common in England, less common in Wales, and recently moving into southern Scotland. Flies from May to June and again from late July through to September. County Status: Moderately scarce, though seems to be increasing. Records prior to 2006: 68 Records ’96 to ’05: 46 Earliest date: 20th May (1995) 10km squares prior to 2006: 12 Number of records: 9 Earliest: 4th June Latest: 11th September 10km squares: SN22, SN31, SN32, SN52, SN61 Notes: Ones and twos seen at 5 sites. Mainly Carmarthen and Nantgwyn. A dead one in the floodlight housing at Llansteffan could have been present for a while. Also seen at Aberglasney (JW).

1647 BARRED HOOK-TIP Watsonalla cultraria National Status: Local, mainly in southern England, but scattered elsewhere. Two generations between May and September. County Status: Rare. Category A2. Records prior to 2006: 4 Records ’96 to ’05: None. Earliest date: 14th June (1971) 10km squares prior to 2006: 1 (SN74) Number of records: NOT RECORDED Earliest: - Latest: - 10km squares: - Notes: Last recorded in August 1971

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1648 PEBBLE HOOK-TIP Drepana falcataria National Status: Widespread and fairly common species of woods and heaths. Double brooded, flying in May, June and August. County Status: Recorded regularly in small numbers at all trapping sites in the county. Records prior to 2006: 176 Records ’96 to ’05: 85 Earliest date: 14th April (2003) 10km squares prior to 2006: 20 Number of records: 22 Earliest: 8th May Latest: 26th August 10km squares: SN22, SN30, SN31, SN32, SN52, SN53, SN54, SN61, SN64, SN74, SS49 Notes: Recorded in small numbers at a wide variety of sites, with a typical high count of just three.

1651 CHINESE CHARACTER Cilix glaucata National Status: Widespread and fairly common. Flying from April to June and again from July to early September. County Status: Records from a variety of sites. Never very numerous. Records prior to 2006: 162 Records ’96 to ’05: 79 Earliest date: 14th April (2003) 10km squares prior to 2006: 21 Number of records: 12 Earliest: 10th May Latest: 25th August 10km squares: SN12, SN22, SN30, SN31, SN32, SN53 Notes: Ones and twos from regular sites. No anomalous high counts. Always a pleasure to see this species.

1652 PEACH BLOSSOM Thyatira batis National Status: A common woodland species, flying from May to August. County Status: Widespread and fairly common across the county. Records prior to 2006: 274 Records ’96 to ’05: 171 Earliest date: 4th May (2006) 10km squares prior to 2006: 22 Number of records: 44 Earliest: 4th May Latest: 2nd September 10km squares: SN12, SN22, SN30, SN31, SN32, SN51, SN52, SN53, SN64, SN74, SN49 Notes: Three counts made it to double figures, but the rest were in the more typical range of one to six. A new earliest date in a year that saw few records in that field.

1653 BUFF ARCHES Habrosyne pyritoides National Status: A fairly common and widespread species in woods and other habitats. Flying from June to August. County Status: Widespread and common. Records prior to 2006: 296 Records ’96 to ’05: 162 Earliest date: 19th May (1990) 10km squares prior to 2006: 22 Number of records: 33 Earliest: 17th June Latest: 26th July 10km squares: SN12, SN30, SN31, SN51, SN52, SN53, SN61, SN63, SS49 Notes: Highest count was of 30 on 3rd July in Pembrey Forest. There were a couple of other large counts, but more typically this occurs in small numbers.

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1654 FIGURE OF EIGHTY Tethea ocularis octogesimea National Status: Fairly common and widespread in southern England, but scarcer in Wales and northern England. Flying from May to July. County Status: Scarce, though increasing. Records prior to 2006: 19 Records ’96 to ’05: 11 Earliest date: 29th May (2005) 10km squares prior to 2006: 7 Number of records: 4 Earliest: 8th June Latest: 3rd July 10km squares: SN30, SN31, SN32, SN53 Notes: Recorded at Nantgwyn (SN3623, two), Carmarthen (SN3919), Rhydcymerau (SN5739, ML) and Pembrey Forest (SN3803). Perhaps evidence of an increase. Still not a common sight by any means.

1655 POPLAR LUTESTRING Tethea or National Status: Local in southern England and scarce in Wales and Scotland. Flies from May to August. County Status: Rare. Records prior to 2006: 3 Records ’96 to ’05: 3 Earliest date: 18th June (2005) 10km squares prior to 2006: 2 Number of records: 1 Earliest: 23rd June Latest: - 10km squares: SN32 Notes: One to light at Nantgwyn (SN3623) on 23rd June is well away from the only other known site in the county, Pembrey Forest, where it was not recorded during 2006. Hopefully it will start appearing elsewhere.

1657 COMMON LUTESTRING Ochropacha duplaris National Status: Widespread and fairly common. Flying between May and August. County Status: Local. Records prior to 2006: 117 Records ’96 to ’05: 70 Earliest date: 9th May (2000) 10km squares prior to 2006: 15 Number of records: 17 Earliest: 14th May Latest: 9th July 10km squares: SN12, SN22, SN30, SN31, SN32, SN52, SN53, SN63, SN74 Notes: Not especially common, and may be going through a slight dip in fortunes. I remember seeing this species far more commonly and numerously a few years back. Hopefully a temporary downturn.

1658 OAK LUTESTRING Cymatophorima diluta hartwiegi National Status: Local and patchily distributed, though commoner is southern England. Flies in August and September. County Status: Many reported, but from just two sites in one area - both Rothamsted traps. Concern about data quality. Category A2. Records prior to 2006: 42 Records ’96 to ’05: 1 Earliest date: 22nd August (1971) 10km squares prior to 2006: 1 (SN74) Number of records: NOT RECORDED Earliest: - Latest: - 10km squares: - Notes: Last recorded 1996 (no date). Rothamsted record, as with all records of this species.

16

1659 YELLOW HORNED Achlya flavicornis National Status: Relatively common and widespread in woods and on heaths. Flying from March to April. County Status: Local to areas with extensive birch. Records prior to 2006: 56 Records ’96 to ’05: 14 Earliest date: 10th March (1997) 10km squares prior to 2006: 10 Number of records: 2 Earliest: 28th March Latest: 1st April 10km squares: SN53 Notes: Both records from Rhydcymerau (ML, JW). This species has a very short flight period and if that coincided with poor weather it can often pass undetected.

1660 FROSTED GREEN Polyploca ridens National Status: Local in the southern half of Britain. Flying in April and May. County Status: Local. Records prior to 2006: 71 Records ’96 to ’05: 35 Earliest date: 1st April (2000) 10km squares prior to 2006: 9 Number of records: 11 Earliest: 24th April Latest: 16th May 10km squares: SN12, SN32, SN52, SN53, SN74 Notes: One to ten seen on a scattering of dates within the expected flight period.

1661 ORANGE UNDERWING Archiearis parthenias National Status: Widespread but local. Flying by day in March and April. County Status: Extremely rare. Records prior to 2006: 2 Records ’96 to ’05: 1 Earliest date: 16th April (2002) 10km squares prior to 2006: 2 Number of records: NOT RECORDED. Was looked for in suitable habitat. Earliest: - Latest: - 10km squares: - Notes: Last record April 2002.

1663 MARCH MOTH Alsophila aescularia National Status: Widespread and common, flying in March and April. County Status: Common. Records prior to 2006: 132 Records ’96 to ’05: 58 Earliest date: 25th February (1971) 10km squares prior to 2006: 16 Number of records: 9 Earliest: 14th March Latest: 28th April 10km squares: SN12, SN32, SN52, SN53 Notes: Though four records did not have counts, the other five were just of single moths. This species is rarely abundant in traps, but perhaps there is evidence it did not have a good year. Always difficult to assess the true fortunes of any of these early season species, given that few traps operate consistently at this time of year.

17

1665 GRASS EMERALD Pseudoterpna pruinata National Status: Widespread and locally common on heaths and open woodland. Flying from mid-June to August. County Status: Relatively uncommon and local. Records prior to 2006: 39 Records ’96 to ’05: 13 Earliest date: 14th June (2003) 10km squares prior to 2006: 14 Number of records: 9 Earliest: 24th June Latest: 24th July 10km squares: SN30, SN53, SN54, SS49 Notes: With a 1.3 records per year average over the last decade, this was a very good showing for this species. Though the six records with counts attached were all of singles, this is typical of a species which is never abundant to light.

1666 LARGE EMERALD Geometra papilionaria National Status: Widespread and moderately common throughout. Flying from late June to August. County Status: Local. Records prior to 2006: 122 Records ’96 to ’05: 42 Earliest date: 18th June (2002) 10km squares prior to 2006: 17 Number of records: 9 Earliest: 3rd July Latest: 31st July 10km squares: SN12, SN30, SN31, SN51, SN53, SN61 Notes: Finally appeared, and in numbers at my traps in Pembrey Forest, having never done so before. I saw it more commonly than I normally do at other sites too, so from a personal perspective it seems to have had a really good year. Long may it be so, as this is always a wonderful species to find.

1669 COMMON EMERALD Hemithea aestivaria National Status: Widespread and Common in a variety of habitats. Flying from late June to early August. County Status: Relatively common, though seemingly absent in some areas. Records prior to 2006: 119 Records ’96 to ’05: 84 Earliest date: 16th June (2004) 10km squares prior to 2006: 16 Number of records: 23 Earliest: 17th June Latest: 24th July 10km squares: SN12, SN30, SN31, SN32, SN51, SN52, SN53, SS49 Notes: Two double figures counts, with a maximum of 20 seen in Pembrey Forest on 3rd July. More typically singles or small numbers at a wide range of sites during the expected season.

1674 LITTLE EMERALD Jodis lactearia National Status: Fairly common and widespread, although less so in Scotland. Flying in May and June. County Status: Relatively uncommon and local. Records prior to 2006: 58 Records ’96 to ’05: 35 Earliest date: 16th May (1988) 10km squares prior to 2006: 15 Number of records: 9 Earliest: 2nd June Latest: 3rd July 10km squares: SN22, SN30, SN32, SN53 Notes: Five of the nine records were of singles, with the others not attached to a count, so presumed singles also. So continuing its relative scarcity in the county for now.

18

1681 CLAY TRIPLE-LINES Cyclophora linearia National Status: Locally common in Beech woods in southern Britain. Flying from late May to early July, although a partial second generation is sometimes seen in late Summer. County Status: Once scarce but seems to be increasing, though still very local. Records prior to 2006: 18 Records ’96 to ’05: 13 Earliest date: 6th May (2002) 10km squares prior to 2006: 7 Number of records: 4 Earliest: 3rd July Latest: 25th July 10km squares: SN31, SN53, SN61 Notes: The status of this species has been steadily improving over the last few years, so it was a pity that just four records were made – twice in Carmarthen (SN3919), once in Brechfa (SN5232) and once at Glynhir Mansion (SN6315, BS). All were of singles.

1682 BLOOD-VEIN Timandra comae National Status: Common in a variety of habitats throughout southern Britain. Flying in two broods from May to September. County Status: Common. Records prior to 2006: 198 Records ’96 to ’05: 93 Earliest date: 19th May (1990) 10km squares prior to 2006: 20 Number of records: 33 Earliest: 10th June Latest: 26th August 10km squares: SN12, SN22, SN30, SN31, SN40, SN51, SN52, SN53, SN62, SN64, SN74, SS49 Notes: Seventeen of the records were from my garden in Carmarthen (SN3919) where it was far more frequent than in previous years. Elsewhere a typical scatter of singles and twos from a wide range of sites and habitats.

1689 MULLEIN WAVE Scopula marginepunctata National Status: Local and mainly coastal. Flying in two broods from June to September. County Status: Only recorded once. Category A2. Records prior to 2006: 1 Records ’96 to ’05: None. Earliest date: 21st August (1991) 10km squares prior to 2006: 1 Number of records: NOT RECORDED Earliest: - Latest: - 10km squares: - Notes: Last recorded, indeed the only record was in August 1991.

1690 SMALL BLOOD-VEIN Scopula imitaria National Status: Has a southerly distribution but relatively widespread in open ground and sand-hills. Flying in July and August. County Status: Scarce and local. Records prior to 2006: 30 Records ’96 to ’05: 24 Earliest date: 13th June (2003) 10km squares prior to 2006: 8 Number of records: 10 Earliest: 17th June Latest: 17th September 10km squares: SN30, SS49 Notes: One to three on ten dates, all from the Pembrey area, which is the best known site for this species. Three records were in September, a good month after the summer brood had finished, and were highly likely to be individuals of a second brood.

19

1691 ROSY WAVE Scopula emutaria National Status: Nationally Scarce B. Local and almost exclusively coastal in southern Britain. Flying in June and July. County Status: Rare and confined to coastal areas in south-eastern Carmarthenshire. Records prior to 2006: 13 Records ’96 to ’05: 6 Earliest date: 6th June (2004) 10km squares prior to 2006: 2 Number of records: 1 Earliest: 24th June Latest: - 10km squares: SS49 Notes: A single netted at Pembrey Saltings (SS4299, SDSB, JSB) on 24th June. This is a very scarce and local species in the county, and any records away from the south–eastern coast need full verification for acceptance.

1692 LESSER CREAM WAVE Scopula immutata National Status: Widespread but local. Flying from late June to early August. County Status: Uncommon and local. Records prior to 2006: 44 Records ’96 to ’05: 31 Earliest date: 27th June (1970) 10km squares prior to 2006: 12 Number of records: 6 Earliest: 3rd July Latest: 28th July 10km squares: SN30, SN32, SN51, SN53 Notes: Three at Gelli Aur CP (SN5919) on the inaugural field outing of the moth group was the only count above singles. Other records were from a scattering of sites.

1693 CREAM WAVE Scopula floslactata National Status: Widespread and common. Flying in May and June. County Status: Common. Records prior to 2006: 91 Records ’96 to ’05: 53 Earliest date: 16th April (2003) 10km squares prior to 2006: 16 Number of records: 10 Earliest: 3rd May Latest: 10th June 10km squares: SN22, SN30, SN32, SN51, SN73 Notes: Noticeably scarcer than usual. Six at Pembrey Forest on 3rd June, but otherwise just ones and twos scattered about.

1694 SMOKY WAVE Scopula ternata National Status: Local in northern and western Britain. Flying in June and July. County Status: Scarce and restricted to the north-eastern uplands. Category A2. Records prior to 2006: 8 Records ’96 to ’05: None. Earliest date: 14th June (1992) 10km squares prior to 2006: 2 Number of records: 1 Earliest: 30th June Latest: - 10km squares: SN74 Notes: Recorded at Rhydygroes (SN7747), though no details or photo supplied (GL). Due to the difficulty of this group and the scarcity of this species, I would please ask for photographic proof on all records submitted.

20

1702 SMALL FAN-FOOTED WAVE Idaea biselata National Status: Common and widespread in all habitats. Flying from late June to mid-August. County Status: Common. Records prior to 2006: 246 Records ’96 to ’05: 139 Earliest date: 27th June (2003) 10km squares prior to 2006: 25 Number of records: 31 Earliest: 6th July Latest: 7th October 10km squares: SN12, SN30, SN31, SN32, SN40, SN52, SN53, SN61, SS49 Notes: Highest count was 25 at Pembrey Forest on 7th August. Seemed moderately common as usual. Two records in late September and one in October would indicate a partial and unusual second brood.

1708 SINGLE-DOTTED WAVE Idaea dimidiata National Status: Common and widespread, though less so in Scotland. Flying from late June to early August. County Status: Common. Records prior to 2006: 114 Records ’96 to ’05: 74 Earliest date: 10th June (1990) 10km squares prior to 2006: 16 Number of records: 12 Earliest: 3rd July Latest: 10th September 10km squares: SN30, SN31, SN40, SN51, SN52, SS49 Notes: A maximum of five at Pembrey on 15th July. This species is never as numerous as I. biselata. The individual on 10th September in my garden trap in Carmarthen seemed likely to be an unusual 2nd brood.

1709 SATIN WAVE Idaea subsericeata National Status: Rather local especially in Wales. Double-brooded and flying between June and early September. County Status: Rare Records prior to 2006: 8 confirmed (all Pembrey), plus 5 “Rothamsted” records under review. Records ’96 to ’05: 9 Earliest date: 24th May (2004) 10km squares prior to 2006: 2 Number of records: NOT RECORDED Earliest: - Latest: - 10km squares: - Notes: Last recorded in June 2005. Strangely absent from Pembrey this year, given that it was quite numerous there last year.

1713 RIBAND WAVE Idaea aversata National Status: Common and widespread. Mainly single-brooded between June and August, but sometimes a second brood in September. County Status: Very common. Records prior to 2006: 400 Records ’96 to ’05: 228 Earliest date: 30th May (2003) 10km squares prior to 2006: 24 Number of records: 37 Earliest: 22nd June Latest: 17th September 10km squares: SN12, SN30, SN31, SN32, SN51, SN52, SN53, SN54, SN61, SN63, SS49 Notes: All counts fell in the range one to ten. With the penultimate sighting being in mid-July, the final one on 17th September in Pembrey Forest, is likely to have been a 2nd brood individual. 37 records is somewhat disappointing.

21

1716 VESTAL Rhodometra sacraria National Status: A migrant from Europe in varying numbers, mainly to coastal Southern Britain. County Status: A moderately scarce migrant. Records prior to 2006: 28 Records ’96 to ’05: 11 Earliest date: 4th August (1994) 10km squares prior to 2006: 10 Number of records: 23 Earliest: 23rd July Latest: 29th October 10km squares: SN20 (1), SN31 (6), SN32 (1), SN40 (7), SN53 (4), SN64 (1), SS49 (3) Notes: Rewriting the record books in its best year so far. Full dates are available in the monthly bulletins. Highest count was the five at Llansteffan Castle on 5th September.

1718 OBLIQUE STRIPED Phibalapteryx virgata National Status: Nationally Scarce B. Local in southern Britain. Flying from May to June and again in August. County Status: Rare, and only recorded at Pembrey Burrows. Records prior to 2006: 8 Records ’96 to ’05: 6 Earliest date: 20th May (1987) 10km squares prior to 2006: 2 Number of records: 7 Earliest: 1st July Latest: 5th September 10km squares: SS49 Notes: All records from the established sole colony in VC44 at Pembrey Burrows (SS4199/SS4299). It can be easily found at dusk there.

1719 OBLIQUE CARPET Orthonama vittata National Status: A local but widespread species throughout Britain. Flies in May and June, then again in August and September. County Status: Widespread though somewhat uncommon across the county. Records prior to 2006: 76 Records ’96 to ’05: 30 Earliest date: 20th May (1995) 10km squares prior to 2006: 19 Number of records: 7 Earliest: 10th June Latest: 25th August 10km squares: SN22, SN31, SN53, SS59 Notes: Ones and twos seen at a scattering of sites, often associated with damp meadows.

1720 GEM Orthonama obstipata National Status: Migrant, predominantly to southern Britain. Has been seen from April to November. County Status: A scarce migrant. Records prior to 2006: 19 Records ’96 to ’05: 12 Earliest date: 18th April (2003) 10km squares prior to 2006: 9 Number of records: 3 Earliest: 25th July Latest: 29th October 10km squares: SN31 (2), SN61 (1) Notes: Singles at Glynhir Mansion (SN3615, BS), Carmarthen (SN3919) and Llansteffan (SN3510). Not as spectacular a series of records as other migrants, but still a good showing of what is a rare species for us.

22

1722 FLAME CARPET Xanthorhoe designata National Status: Widespread and common across Britain. Flying in May and June and again in August. County Status: Common. Records prior to 2006: 275 Records ’96 to ’05: 169 Earliest date: 21st April (2002) 10km squares prior to 2006: 23 Number of records: 32 Earliest: 7th May Latest: 6th September 10km squares: SN12, SN22, SN31, SN32, SN40, SN51, SN52, SN53, SN61, SN62, SS49 Notes: High count was four, but more typically just singles seen at all sites as expected.

1724 RED TWIN-SPOT CARPET Xanthorhoe spadicearia National Status: Generally common throughout Britain, flying in two broods between May and August. County Status: Common. Records prior to 2006: 189 Records ’96 to ’05: 123 Earliest date: 14th April (2003) 10km squares prior to 2006: 19 Number of records: 28 Earliest: 4th May Latest: 6th September 10km squares: SN12, SN22, SN30, SN31, SN32, SN40, SN52, SN53, SN54, SS49 Notes: Mainly single figure counts with the bulk of the records coming from Pembrey, as is typical. Small numbers reported from a variety of habitats elsewhere.

1725 DARK-BARRED TWIN-SPOT CARPET Xanthorhoe ferrugata National Status: Relatively common and widespread, flying in two broods between May and August. County Status: Slightly unclear, as identification errors have been made with X. spadicearia. Probably less common than records indicate, but still relatively widespread especially coastally and in uplands. Records prior to 2006: 150 Records ’96 to ’05: 85 Earliest date: 20th April (2002) 10km squares prior to 2006: 18 Number of records: 18 Earliest: 3rd May Latest: 7th August 10km squares: SN30, SN31, SN51, SN52, SN53, SN61, SN63, SS49, SS59 Notes: Half the records came from Pembrey, where it was less common than spadicearia.

1727 SILVER-GROUND CARPET Xanthorhoe montanata National Status: Very common and widespread. Flying from May to July. County Status: Common across the county. Records prior to 2006: 373 Records ’96 to ’05: 192 Earliest date: 2nd May (2002) 10km squares prior to 2006: 28 Number of records: 28 Earliest: 2nd June Latest: 7th July 10km squares: SN12, SN22, SN30, SN31, SN32, SN52, SN53, SN54, SN74, SS49 Notes: A comparatively poor number of records of what can often be a ubiquitous species in the right habitat. This may be an anomaly thrown up by observer coverage rather than indicative of a decline.

23

1728 GARDEN CARPET Xanthorhoe fluctuata National Status: Common throughout. Up to three overlapping broods between April and October. County Status: Common. Records prior to 2006: 298 Records ’96 to ’05: 158 Earliest date: 27th April (1999) 10km squares prior to 2006: 20 Number of records: 38 Earliest: 9th May Latest: 17th October 10km squares: SN22, SN31, SN32, SN51, SN53, SN64, SS49 Notes: One record of four, but otherwise all of ones and twos. A couple of late individuals showing a probable third brood.

1732 SHADED BROAD-BAR Scotopteryx chenopodiata National Status: Widespread and fairly common in grassy areas. Flying in July and August. County Status: Local, but moderately common. Records prior to 2006: 104 Records ’96 to ’05: 63 Earliest date: 21st June (2003) 10km squares prior to 2006: 15 Number of records: 14 Earliest: 24th June Latest: 26th August 10km squares: SN30, SN31, SS49 Notes: Ten records were from Pembrey, and three more from other coastal sites. An inland record was of one at Green Castle Woods south of Carmarthen (SN3916) on 23rd July.

1733 LEAD BELLE Scotopteryx mucronata National Status: Local with a northern and western distribution. Flying in May and June. County Status: Scarce and local. Records prior to 2006: 30 (only 2 of which are not Rothamsted records) Records ’96 to ’05: 3 (only 1 of which was not Rothamsted) Earliest date: 25th May (2004) 10km squares prior to 2006: 3 Number of records: 1 Earliest: 13th June Latest: - 10km squares: SN53 Notes: With just three records in the previous ten years, this species is indeed a rare sight, and may be in trouble. There are bound to be undiscovered colonies, and hopefully we can find a couple in the near future. This year’s single record came from Mynydd Llanllwni (SN507389) on 13th June (ML, JW). Two were seen in 2004 at Mynydd Moelfre (SN3334), so that may be a site worth visiting again.

1734 JULY BELLE Scotopteryx luridata National Status: Locally common throughout Britain. Flying from June to August. County Status: Moderately scarce and local. Records prior to 2006: 46 (of which only 8 are not Rothamsted) Records ’96 to ’05: 8 (of which 4 are not Rothamsted) Earliest date: 17th June (2004) 10km squares prior to 2006: 5 Number of records: 2 (though one not supported) Earliest: 13th June (provisional) Latest: 1st July 10km squares: SN53, SN74 Notes: No details attached to the June 13th Record from Centeneray, north of Nant-y-Bai (SN7645, G Lyons) and therefore it must remain provisional. One at Rhydcymerau (SN5739, ML) on 1st July. Not quite as scarce as Lead Belle, but not far off it.

24

1737 SMALL ARGENT & SABLE Epirrhoe tristata National Status: Locally common in upland areas in the north and west of Britain. Flies from May to July. County Status: Very local, and under-recorded. Common where it is found. Records prior to 2006: 20 Records ’96 to ’05: 9 Earliest date: 19th June (2005) 10km squares prior to 2006: 5 Number of records: 2 Earliest: 27th June Latest: 3rd July 10km squares: SN31, SN53 Notes: Found very commonly by day on roadside verges around Mynydd Llanybydder (eg SN5439) on 27th June, wherever the foodplant (heath bedstraw Galium saxatile) occurs. A more atypical record on 3rd July when one turned up in my garden trap in Carmarthen (SN3919) on a strange night, along with other upland species – on a north easterly breeze.

1738 COMMON CARPET Epirrhoe alternata National Status: Widespread and Common. Flies in May and June and then again in August and September. County Status: Abundant and widespread. Records prior to 2006: 432 Records ’96 to ’05: 265 Earliest date: 15th April (2003) 10km squares prior to 2006: 28 Number of records: 54 Earliest: 10th May Latest: 4th September 10km squares: SN12, SN21, SN22, SN30, SN31, SN40, SN51, SN52, SN53, SN54, SN61, SN62, SN64, SS49 Notes: A typical scattering of records. Never more than five seen.

1739 WOOD CARPET Epirrhoe rivata National Status: Widespread but local in Southern Britain. Very local further north. Flying from mid-June to early August. County Status: Extremely scarce, possibly under-recorded. Records prior to 2006: 16 Records ’96 to ’05: 11 Earliest date: 6th June (2004) 10km squares prior to 2006: 5 Number of records: 6 Earliest: 19th June Latest: 23rd August 10km squares: SN30, SS49 Notes: Ones and twos seen at Pembrey Burrows and Forest on 6 dates. All records from elsewhere require a clear photo for acceptance.

1740 GALIUM CARPET Epirrhoe galiata National Status: Local, with a coastal and upland distribution. Flies in two generations from May to August. County Status: Scarce and under-recorded, with 39 of the 46 records coming from SN74 Rothamsted traps. Records prior to 2006: 46 Records ’96 to ’05: 11 Earliest date: 9th June (1970) 10km squares prior to 2006: 4 Number of records: 5 Earliest: 6th July Latest: 18th August 10km squares: SN53, SN54 Notes: Ones and twos seen on higher ground in central Carms. This species is bound to be more numerous in upland grassland, but at present it remains a rarely seen species.

25

1742 YELLOW SHELL Camptogramma bilineata National Status: Common and widespread throughout Britain. Flying between June and August. County Status: Relatively abundant. Records prior to 2006: 187 Records ’96 to ’05: 124 Earliest date: 29th May (2003) 10km squares prior to 2006: 21 Number of records: 33 Earliest: 1st June Latest: 11th September 10km squares: SN12, SN22, SN30, SN31, SN32, SN40, SN53, SN62, SS49 Notes: This is a species which in relative terms only comes to light in small numbers – highlighted on 24th June at Pembrey Burrows where only a couple came to the lights, while it was estimated a minimum 300 could be seen feeding at nearby nectar sources. Several counts in three figures were made away from traps at Pembrey. Small numbers carried on into September – a very late date.

1744 GREY MOUNTAIN CARPET Entephria caesiata National Status: Mainly northern Britain, though more scattered in upland western areas. Flying from June to August in the south. Later in Scotland. County Status: Local, and only found in extreme uplands. Probably becoming increasingly rare due to habitat erosion in upland crags from overgrazing. Records prior to 2006: 5 Records ’96 to ’05: 2 Earliest date: 3rd July (2003) 10km squares prior to 2006: 2 Number of records: NOT RECORDED Earliest: - Latest: - 10km squares: - Notes: Last recorded in July 2003 at Llyn y Fan Fach.

1745 MALLOW Larentia clavaria National Status: Common in England but local elsewhere. Flies from September to November. County Status: Extremely rare. Neither record well documented and there must remain some doubt. Category A2. Records prior to 2006: 2 Records ’96 to ’05: 1 Earliest date: both records on file are undated except by year. 10km squares prior to 2006: 2 Number of records: NOT RECORDED Earliest: - Latest: - 10km squares: - Notes: Last reported in 2002. Any future records of this species require full photographic proof and details.

1746 SHOULDER STRIPE Anticlea badiata National Status: Common and Widespread in England and Wales, less so in Scotland. Flying in March and April. County Status: Common and widespread. Records prior to 2006: 148 Records ’96 to ’05: 69 Earliest date: 5th February (1992) 10km squares prior to 2006: 18 Number of records: 11 Earliest: 2nd April Latest: 5th June 10km squares: SN12, SN30, SN40, SN52, SN53, SN54, SN74 Notes: A typical showing of singles, with a late one on June 5th (SN5343, ML) being slightly unusual.

26

1747 STREAMER Anticlea derivata National Status: Widespread and Common throughout Britain, flying in April and May. County Status: Moderately common and widespread. Records prior to 2006: 126 Records ’96 to ’05: 58 Earliest date: 25th March (2003) 10km squares prior to 2006: 16 Number of records: 7 Earliest: 19th April Latest: 4th May 10km squares: SN12, SN32, SN40, SN52, SN53, SN74 Notes: The high count was five at Nantgwyn (SN3623) on 26th April. Otherwise, numbers seemed a little lower than I would expect.

1748 BEAUTIFUL CARPET Mesoleuca albicillata National Status: A local and uncommon species found throughout Southern Britain. Flying in June and July. County Status: Locally frequent in a few favoured woodlands. Records prior to 2006: 88 Records ’96 to ’05: 43 Earliest date: 16th May (1988) 10km squares prior to 2006: 15 Number of records: 7 Earliest: 17th June Latest: 24th July 10km squares: SN30, SN32, SN53, SN64 Notes: Records were of singles except for four at Nantgwyn (SN3623) on 23rd June. Less records than expected.

1749 DARK SPINACH Pelurga comitata National Status: Widespread and locally common, on waste-ground and other open habitats. Flying in July and August. County Status: Very scarce, with all records from the SE coastal area. Records prior to 2006: 4 Records ’96 to ’05: 2 Earliest date: 20th July (1993) 10km squares prior to 2006: 2 Number of records: NOT RECORDED. Earliest: - Latest: - 10km squares: - Notes: Last recorded in July 2002.

1750 WATER CARPET Lampropteryx suffumata National Status: Widespread and common throughout Britain. Flying from late March to May. County Status: Widespread and common across the county. Records prior to 2006: 180 Records ’96 to ’05: 113 Earliest date: 13th March (1993) 10km squares prior to 2006: 22 Number of records: 26 Earliest: 24th April Latest: 13th June 10km squares: SN12, SN22, SN30, SN31, SN32, SN40, SN52, SN53, SN63, SN74 Notes: A notably late start to its season and no big counts. May be going through a dip in fortunes.

27

1751 DEVON CARPET Lampropteryx otregiata National Status: Nationally Scarce B. A local species of damp woodlands mainly confined to south-west Britain. Double-brooded, flying in May and June and again in August. County Status: Locally common in suitable woodland. Records prior to 2006: 123 Records ’96 to ’05: 78 Earliest date: 21st April (2002) 10km squares prior to 2006: 17 Number of records: 11 Earliest: 14th May Latest: 23rd September 10km squares: SN21, SN22, SN32, SN52, SN53, SN54 Notes: Seems to be considerably scarcer than it was a few years ago, but still occurring at a range of sites across the county. A late individual at Rhydcymerau (SN5739, ML) on 23rd September was unexpected.

1752 PURPLE BAR Cosmorhoe ocellata National Status: Common in a wide range of habitats throughout Britain. Double-brooded in the south, flying from May to early July and again in late August. County Status: Common. Records prior to 2006: 231 Records ’96 to ’05: 77 Earliest date: 10th May (2006) 10km squares prior to 2006: 19 Number of records: 39 Earliest: 10th May Latest: 23rd September 10km squares: SN12, SN30, SN31, SN32, SN40, SN53, SN54, SN74, SS49 Notes: There were some relatively large counts at Pembrey Burrows (a maximum of 18), but more typically single figures at most regular traps across the county. Ten records from September are indicative of a protracted late season.

1753 STRIPED TWIN-SPOT CARPET Nebula salicata National Status: Common in the north, less so in western uplands. Flying from May to July, occasionally again later. County Status: Extremely local and under-recorded. Just 2 of the 164 records are not from the SN74 Rothamsted traps, and 138 of the SN74 records come from the period 1970 to 1975. Records prior to 2006: 164 Records ’96 to ’05: 7 Earliest date: 4th May (1972) 10km squares prior to 2006: 3 (SN71, SN74, SN82) Number of records: NOT RECORDED. Earliest: - Latest: - 10km squares: - Notes: Last recorded in May 2004.

1754 PHOENIX Eulithis prunata National Status: Widespread but local and not abundant, across most of Britain. Flying in July and August. County Status: Recorded at most sites in small numbers. Records prior to 2006: 110 Records ’96 to ’05: 63 Earliest date: 28th June (2004) 10km squares prior to 2006: 15 Number of records: 10 Earliest: 5th July Latest: 8th August 10km squares: SN12, SN31, SN32, SN51, SN53 Notes: Five of the records were from my garden in Carmarthen (SN3919). Nine of the records were, as is typical of this species, of singles, the exception being 10 to MV at Nantgwyn (SN3623) on 28th July.

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1755 CHEVRON Eulithis testata National Status: Generally distributed and moderately common in more open habitats across Britain. Flying in July and August. County Status: Recorded from across the county, although commoner in the uplands. Records prior to 2006: 121 Records ’96 to ’05: 38 Earliest date: 6th July (1995) 10km squares prior to 2006: 17 Number of records: 7 Earliest: 22nd July Latest: 23rd September 10km squares: SN30, SN53, SN54 Notes: Small numbers seen at Pembrey and Brechfa areas, but not from elsewhere. A scarce species and local.

1756 NORTHERN SPINACH Eulithis populata National Status: Has a northern and western distribution and is fairly common in suitable habitats where bilberry grows. Flies from late June to August. County Status: Local, but very common where it does occur. Records prior to 2006: 137 Records ’96 to ’05: 51 Earliest date: 29th May (2003) 10km squares prior to 2006: 13 Number of records: 10 Earliest: 28th June Latest: 25th July 10km squares: SN51, SN53, SN54, SN61, SN74 Notes: The moderately few records is partly a reflection of the fact that little trapping was done at a broad range of sites where this species occurs. It is actually very common still in the right habitat, as shown by the 88 caught by ML on 7th July at Llwyndrissi Forest (SN5641).

1757 SPINACH Eulithis mellinata National Status: Moderately widespread and common, though decreasing. Flies from June to August. County Status: All records pended and under review. Photos or specimens required for future acceptance. Category B (pended). Records prior to 2006: 17. All currently pended. Records ’96 to ’05: 3 Earliest date: 14th June (1997) Record pended. 10km squares prior to 2006: 8, though all pended. Number of records: NOT RECORDED Earliest: - Latest: - 10km squares: - Notes: Last reported in June 2004, but as with all records, pended.

1758 BARRED STRAW Eulithis pyraliata National Status: Widespread and moderately common. Flying from mid-June to early August. County Status: Relatively common. Records prior to 2006: 193 Records ’96 to ’05: 67 Earliest date: 14th June (1997) 10km squares prior to 2006: 23 Number of records: 18 Earliest: 17th June Latest: 21st July 10km squares: SN12, SN22, SN30, SN31, SN51, SN52, SN54, SN63, SN64, SS49 Notes: Single figure counts from a wide range of sites and habitats is typical of this species.

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1759 SMALL PHOENIX Eclipotera silaceata National Status: Common and widespread across England and Wales. Less so in Scotland. Double-brooded, flying in May and June and again in late July and August. County Status: Common across the county. Records prior to 2006: 503 Records ’96 to ’05: 313 Earliest date: 14th April (2003) 10km squares prior to 2006: 28 Number of records: 55 Earliest: 26th April Latest: 2nd September 10km squares: SN12, SN22, SN30, SN31, SN32, SN40, SN51, SN52, SN53, SN54, SN61, SN62, SN63, SN74, SS49 Notes: One of our commonest geometers, though seemingly going through a slightly rough patch. A few years ago I was catching dozens of these a night, but there were no counts above 15 this year. Still, no cause for concern.

1760 RED-GREEN CARPET Chloroclysta siterata National Status: A local species of woodland across Britain. Flying in September and October before hibernating and re-appearing in April and May. County Status: Recorded from only a small number of sites, but probably under-recorded. Records prior to 2006: 68 Records ’96 to ’05: 36 Earliest date: 16th September (2000) 10km squares prior to 2006: 7 Number of records: 22 Earliest in Spring: 22nd April. In Autumn: 23rd September. Latest: 12th November 10km squares: SN20, SN31, SN32, SN42, SN52, SN53, SN73, SN74 Notes: Twenty-two records compares very well to thirty-six priors in the last decade, so this species does seem to be currently going through a sharp increase. No big numbers, but diverse habitats. Latest in Spring was 8th June, which was notably late, and still in mint condition.

1761 AUTUMN GREEN CARPET Chloroclysta miata National Status: Widespread, but more common in the north. Flying from September and hibernating through the winter, re-emerging from March to May. County Status: All records pended and under-review. Category B (pended). Records prior to 2006: 32 claimed records from various Rothamsted traps – some known to be highly suspect data sets, yet none seen alive anywhere, and none validated by a county recorder. Records ’96 to ’05: 4 Earliest date: All records are dated only to year. 10km squares prior to 2006: 3 Number of records: NOT RECORDED Earliest: - Latest: - 10km squares: - Notes: No reliable records yet on the county database.

1762 DARK MARBLED CARPET Chloroclysta citrata National Status: Locally widespread across Britain. Single-brooded, flying in July and August. County Status: Widespread but infrequent. Perhaps under-recorded. Records prior to 2006: 99 Records ’96 to ’05: 57 Earliest date: 6th July (2000) 10km squares prior to 2006: 11 Number of records: 10 Earliest: 21st July Latest: 7th September 10km squares: SN31, SN32, SN40, SN53, SN54 Notes: Apart from 15 at Nantgwyn (SN3623) on 28th July, all records were of very small numbers or singles.

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1764 COMMON MARBLED CARPET Chloroclysta truncata National Status: Very common in all habitats across Britain. Double-brooded, flying in May and June and then again from August to early November. County Status: Abundant in woodlands across the county. Records prior to 2006: 481 Records ’96 to ’05: 301 Earliest date: 4th May (2002) 10km squares prior to 2006: 23 Number of records: 121 Earliest: 23rd May Latest: 29th October 10km squares: SN10, SN12, SN20, SN22, SN30, SN31, SN32, SN40, SN42, SN51, SN52, SN53, SN54, SN62, SN74, SS49 Notes: As per usual, very common and very widespread. Often recorded in big numbers.

1765 BARRED YELLOW Cidaria fulvata National Status: Locally widespread across Britain. Flying in June and July. County Status: Relatively uncommon. Records prior to 2006: 98 Records ’96 to ’05: 33 Earliest date: 9th June (1993) 10km squares prior to 2006: 16 Number of records: 9 Earliest: 24th June Latest: 15th July 10km squares: SN30, SN31, SN51, SS49 Notes: An amazing 30 came to MV at Pembrey Forest (SN3803) on 3rd July. Otherwise all records were more typical, in the 1 to 5 range.

1766 BLUE-BORDERED CARPET Plemyria rubiginata National Status: Widespread and locally common across Britain. Flying from late June to early August. County Status: On the whole scarce and never abundant. Records prior to 2006: 55 Records ’96 to ’05: 19 Earliest date: 9th July (1992) 10km squares prior to 2006: 14 Number of records: 1 Earliest: 25th July Latest: 25th July 10km squares: SN61 Notes: The only record was of a single to MV at Glynhir Mansion (BS). Never commonly found, this is still a bit disappointing.

1767 PINE CARPET Thera firmata National Status: Common and widespread across Britain. Single-brooded flying from August to November. County Status: Very local, though seems to be increasing. Records prior to 2006: 8 Records ’96 to ’05: 5 Earliest date: 30th September (1995) 10km squares prior to 2006: 3 Number of records: 8 Earliest: 22nd September Latest: 29th October 10km squares: SN31, SN40, SN53 Notes: By far its best year on record, and now seems to be spreading across the county. Recorded from Pembrey (as in previous years) but now also at Llansteffan and Rhydcymerau. Highest count was 10 at SN4001 Pembrey Forest on 25th September.

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1768 GREY PINE CARPET Thera obeliscata National Status: Common and widespread across Britain. Double-brooded flying from late May to mid-July and then again in September and October. County Status: Assumedly relatively common in areas with extensive coniferous woodland. But under-recorded. Records prior to 2006: 90 Records ’96 to ’05: 37 Earliest date: 6th May (2002) 10km squares prior to 2006: 13 Number of records: 10 Earliest: 25th May Latest: 9th October 10km squares: SN30, SN31, SN32, SN40, SN51, SN53 Notes: Not many records of what seems to be either a very under-recorded or maybe “not as common as thought” species. No more than 5 seen, and most records were from Pembrey. Can be a difficult species for non-experts to differentiate from Spruce Carpet, which is commoner.

1769 SPRUCE CARPET Thera britannica National Status: Widespread and locally common in Conifer plantations across Britain. Double-brooded, flying from May to early July and again in September and October. County Status: Relatively common across the county. Records prior to 2006: 124 Records ’96 to ’05: 85 Earliest date: 12th April (2003) 10km squares prior to 2006: 21 Number of records: 44 Earliest: 6th May Latest: 12th November 10km squares: SN12, SN22, SN30, SN31, SN32, SN40, SN42, SN51, SN53, SN54, SN61, SN62, SN74, SS49 Notes: Single figure counts from a very wide range of sites across the county.

1773 BROKEN-BARRED CARPET Electrophaes corylata National Status: Widespread and moderately common through Britain. Flying in May and June. County Status: Relatively common at a wide range of sites. Records prior to 2006: 133 Records ’96 to ’05: 69 Earliest date: 15th April (2003) 10km squares prior to 2006: 18 Number of records: 14 Earliest: 10th May Latest: 3rd July 10km squares: SN12, SN22, SN30, SN31, SN32, SN40, SN52, SN53, SN54 Notes: Most records were of singles, but a couple of fives were recorded. Never abundant at light.

1774 BEECH-GREEN CARPET Colostygia olivata National Status: Local, and most frequent in northern Britain. Flying in July and August. County Status: Extremely rare. Twice recorded in SN74. Once to MV and one Rothamsted record. Category A2. Records prior to 2006: 2 Records ’96 to ’05: 1 Earliest date: 30th July (1984) 10km squares prior to 2006: 1 Number of records: NOT RECORDED Earliest: - Latest: - 10km squares: - Notes: Last reported in 2000 from SN74 via Rothamsted (unverified record).

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1775 MOTTLED GREY Colostygia multistrigaria National Status: Widespread and locally common throughout Britain. Flying in March and April. County Status: Local. Records prior to 2006: 106 Records ’96 to ’05: 16 Earliest date: 11th March (1971) 10km squares prior to 2006: 10 Number of records: 7 Earliest: 28th March Latest: 3rd May 10km squares: SN53, SN74 Notes: Only recorded at a couple of upland sites. Highest count was 5 at Dinas RSPB reserve on 25th April (GL).

1776 GREEN CARPET Colostygia pectinataria National Status: Widespread and common throughout Britain. Flying from late May to early July and again in late Summer. County Status: Abundant and widespread. Records prior to 2006: 384 Records ’96 to ’05: 191 Earliest date: 20th April (2002) 10km squares prior to 2006: 27 Number of records: 65 Earliest: 10th May Latest: 7th October 10km squares: SN10, SN12, SN20, SN22, SN30, SN31, SN32, SN40, SN41, SN51, SN52, SN53, SN54, SN62, SN63, SN74, SS49 Notes: One of our commonest moths and found at all sites, but perhaps some slight indication that numbers were down this year as there were no “big” counts submitted. Highest count was 30 on 3rd June in Pembrey Forest. Such fluctuations are likely in the populations of even our commonest species.

1777 JULY HIGHFLYER Hydriomena furcata National Status: Widespread and very common throughout Britain. Flying from June to August. County Status: Abundant and widespread. Records prior to 2006: 449 Records ’96 to ’05: 214 Earliest date: 13th June (2003) 10km squares prior to 2006: 25 Number of records: 27 Earliest: 28th June Latest: 23rd September 10km squares: SN12, SN20, SN30, SN31, SN32, SN40, SN51, SN52, SN53, SN54, SN74, SS49 Notes: Given that this is a contender for commonest geometer in the county, there were a very low number of records in comparison to other species – and though there were a couple of large counts, this species too might be undergoing a temporary dip in numbers.

1778 MAY HIGHFLYER Hydriomena impluviata National Status: Widespread but local throughout Britain. Flying from late May to early July. County Status: Local. Recorded from a relatively small number of sites. Records prior to 2006: 97 Records ’96 to ’05: 40 Earliest date: 7th May (1995) 10km squares prior to 2006: 16 Number of records: 14 Earliest: 14th May Latest: 13th June 10km squares: SN12, SN22, SN31, SN32, SN52, SN53, SN54, SN63, SN74 Notes: With a running average of 4 records annually in the last decade, these 14 records are a healthy improvement – especially given that they came from such a broad range of sites.

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1779 RUDDY HIGHFLYER Hydriomena ruberata National Status: Locally widespread in the north, scarce in South Wales and southwest England. Flying in May and June. County Status: Extremely scarce, with only a few substantiated records. Records prior to 2006: 10 Records ’96 to ’05: 9 Earliest date: 24th April (2005) 10km squares prior to 2006: 3 plus 3 Rothamsted. Number of records: 1 Earliest: 16th May Latest: 16th May 10km squares: SN53 Notes: A rare species in the county and very local. So, good to have a photographically confirmed record this year from Rhydcymerau (SN5739) with four on 16th May (ML). All future records from new sites will also require photographic proof for acceptance.

1781 SMALL WAVED UMBER Horisme vitalbata National Status: Local to habitat where the foodplant grows in southern Britain. Double-brooded, flying in May and June and again in August. County Status: Scarce, due to restricted range of wild clematis. Records prior to 2006: 6 Records ’96 to ’05: 2 Earliest date: 21st May (1991) 10km squares prior to 2006: 5 Number of records: 1 Earliest: 23rd July Latest: 23rd July 10km squares: SS49 Notes: The tiny area of clematis in the dunes at Pembrey Burrows finally turned up a single of this species, attracted to light nearby. This species is very scarce in the county, as the foodplant is so restricted, although there is perhaps evidence that railways may actually harbour previously un-noticed populations.

1782 FERN Horisme tersata National Status: Local to habitat where the foodplant grows in southern Britain. Flying from June to August. County Status: Scarce, due to restricted range of wild clematis. Records prior to 2006: 6 Records ’96 to ’05: 3 Earliest date: 2nd June (1974) 10km squares prior to 2006: 5 Number of records: 1 Earliest: 24th June Latest: 24th June 10km squares: SS49 Notes: As with its close relative above, this species is very localized in the county, but the same little patch of clematis turned one up on 24th June – a new species for the Pembrey list. Netted at dusk. .

1784 PRETTY CHALK CARPET Melanthia procellata National Status: Relatively common throughout southern Britain, where the foodplant grows. Flying from late June to early August. County Status: Scarce, due to restricted range of wild clematis. Records prior to 2006: 8 Records ’96 to ’05: 3 Earliest date: 7th June (2004) 10km squares prior to 2006: 6 Number of records: NOT RECORDED Earliest: - Latest: - 10km squares: - Notes: Last recorded in June 2004

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1789 SCALLOP SHELL Rheumaptera undulata National Status: Locally widespread as far north as southern Scotland. Flying in June and July. County Status: Fairly local but not too uncommon where it occurs. Records prior to 2006: 74 Records ’96 to ’05: 44 Earliest date: 24th June (2006) 10km squares prior to 2006: 13 Number of records: 4 Earliest: 24th June Latest: 24th July 10km squares: SN30, SN31, SN53 Notes: A very poor showing, below the annual average even with the massively increased recording this year. Disappointing.

1790 TISSUE Triphosa dubitata National Status: Local, mainly in southern Britain. Flies from August to October before hibernating and reappearing in April and May. County Status: Extremely scarce and under-recorded. Just one record that isn’t from SN74 Rothamsted. Category A2. Records prior to 2006: 18 Records ’96 to ’05: 1 Earliest date: 2nd August (1970 and 1973) 10km squares prior to 2006: 2 Number of records: NOT RECORDED Earliest: - Latest: - 10km squares: - Notes: The only non-Rothamsted record was in August 1995.

1794 SHARP-ANGLED CARPET Euphyia unangulata National Status: Local in southern Britain, becoming scarce further north. Flies from June to August. County Status: Very local, mainly in upland wooded areas. Records prior to 2006: 41 Records ’96 to ’05: 28 Earliest date: 5th June (2000) 10km squares prior to 2006: 7 Number of records: 2 Earliest: 7th July Latest: 9th July 10km squares: SN12, SN31 Notes: Another species which was very noticeably scarce this year, well below the expected numbers. It is however very local, and the lack of records may in part be due to a lack of recording in the right place at the right time. Singles at Penrhiw (SN1924) on 7th July (Melanie Collier) and Carmarthen (SN3919) on 9th July.

1795a NOVEMBER MOTH agg. Epirrita sp The four species that make up this group are a complex problem, with examination of genitalia often the only way to prove to species level. Historically there is no evidence that observers have carried out this verification process, so most of the records on the database must be considered with caution. The table below shows the number of records on the county database, how many of those are from Rothamsted, how many from other sources and finally, how many are known to have been confirmed through genitalia determination.

No. Scientific Name: English Name: Records: R'sted Non-R Gen D 1795 Epirrita dilutata November Moth 86 68 18 5 1796 Epirrita christyi Pale November Moth 53 44 9 2 1797 Epirrita autumnata Autumnal Moth 41 38 3 1 1798 Epirrita filigrammaria Small Autumnal Moth 3 3 0 0 179- Epirrita sp, unspecifiied November Moth agg. 52 40 12 n/a

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1795 NOVEMBER MOTH Epirrita dilutata National Status: Widespread and common. Flying in October and November. County Status: Common Records prior to 2006: 86 (plus 52 November Moth agg.) Records ’96 to ’05: 21 (plus 16) Earliest date: 20th September (1971) 10km squares prior to 2006: 13 Number of records: 7 (+18 Epirrita sp.) Earliest: 7th October (gen det) Latest: - 10km squares: SN20, SN30, SN31, SN32, SN52 (+ SN40, SN41, SN51, SN53) Notes: Several confirmed by dissection, with others being clearly marked individuals.

1796 PALE NOVEMBER MOTH Epirrita christyi National Status: Widespread and common. Flying from September to November. County Status: Seemingly quite uncommon. Records prior to 2006: 53 (plus 52 November Moth agg.) Records ’96 to ’05: 11 (plus 16) Earliest date: 14th October (1995) 10km squares prior to 2006: 8 Number of records: 2 Earliest: 14th October (gen det) Latest: 18th October (gen det) 10km squares: SN20, SN31 Notes: I confirmed two specimens through dissection from Morfa Bychan and Llansteffan headland.

1797 AUTUMNAL MOTH Epirrita autumnata National Status: Widespread and locally common. Flying in September and October. County Status: Seemingly scarce. Records prior to 2006: 41 (plus 52 November Moth agg.) Records ’96 to ’05: 6 (plus 16) Earliest date: 16th October (1993) 10km squares prior to 2006: 4 Number of records: 2 Earliest: 16th October Latest: 12th November 10km squares: SN53 Notes: There were two claims of this species from Rhydcymerau (ML and JW), although neither were confirmed with dissection.

1798 SMALL AUTUMNAL MOTH Epirrita filigrammaria National Status: Widespread and common. Flying in October and November. County Status: Rare. All records unverified and without detail. From Rothamsted trap at Rhandirmwyn. Category A2. Records prior to 2006: 3 Records ’96 to ’05: 1 Earliest date: No date attached to any of the records. 10km squares prior to 2006: 1 (SN74) Number of records: NOT RECORDED. Earliest: - Latest: - 10km squares: - Notes: Last reported in 1996 from SN74 via Rothamsted (unverified record).

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1799 WINTER MOTH Operophtera brumata National Status: Widespread and very common. Flying from October to January. County Status: Widespread and common. Records prior to 2006: 157 Records ’96 to ’05: 53 Earliest date: 3rd November (1972) 10km squares prior to 2006: 18 Number of records: 9 Earliest in year: 2nd January In Autumn: 29th November Latest: 5th February 10km squares: SN12, SN32, SN53 Notes: Very few records, due to lack of recording at the time of year.

1800 NORTHERN WINTER MOTH Operophtera fagata National Status: Widespread and moderately common. Flying from October to December. County Status: Scarce and very under-recorded. Records prior to 2006: 28, of which 26 are Rothamsted and unverified. Records ’96 to ’05: 7 Earliest date: 23rd October (2000) 10km squares prior to 2006: 1, plus two Rothamsted. Number of records: NOT RECORDED Earliest: - Latest: - 10km squares: - Notes: Larval record in 2001. Last/only non-Rothamsted adult record was October 2000.

1802 RIVULET Perizoma affinitata National Status: Widespread across Britain in open woodland and roadsides. Flying from late May to early July and then occasionally again in August. County Status: Common and widespread throughout the county. Records prior to 2006: 205 Records ’96 to ’05: 123 Earliest date: 5th May (1999) 10km squares prior to 2006: 18 Number of records: 15 Earliest: 4th June Latest: 14th August 10km squares: SN22, SN30, SN31, SN32, SN40, SN51, SN53 Notes: A comparatively poor year, with all records being of single figure counts. Eight being the highest.

1803 SMALL RIVULET Perizoma alchemillata National Status: Widespread and relatively common throughout Britain. Flying in June and July. County Status: Less common than the previous species, being fairly local in most areas of the county. Records prior to 2006: 109 Records ’96 to ’05: 66 Earliest date: 1st June (1998) 10km squares prior to 2006: 18 Number of records: 10 Earliest: 30th June Latest: 28th July 10km squares: SN12, SN30, SN31, SN32, SN51, SN53 Notes: Just ones and twos seen. Again, seemingly scarcer than normal.

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1804 BARRED RIVULET Perizoma bifasciata National Status: Patchily distributed but locally common in the south. Flying in July and August. County Status: Half a dozen unsubstantiated records. The only confirmed records so far being from the Pembrey peninsula. Records prior to 2006: 6 confirmed and 7 unconfirmed Rothamsted records. Records ’96 to ’05: 9 Earliest date: 22nd July (2002) 10km squares prior to 2006: 3 plus 3 Rothamsted. Number of records: NOT RECORDED Earliest: - Latest: - 10km squares: - Notes: Last recorded in August 2005.

1807 GRASS RIVULET Perizoma albulata National Status: Widespread and locally common throughout Britain. Flying from late May to early July. County Status: Fairly local and uncommon, although seemingly abundant where good areas of the foodplant occur. Records prior to 2006: 80 Records ’96 to ’05: 60 Earliest date: 12th May (2002) 10km squares prior to 2006: 8 Number of records: 14 Earliest: 25th May Latest: 26th July 10km squares: SN30, SS49 Notes: All records were from Pembrey, where it was perhaps slightly less common than it usually is. Still, relatively abundant on warm evenings in areas where yellow rattle is common.

1808 SANDY CARPET Perizoma flavofasciata National Status: Fairly common throughout much of Britain. Flying in June and July. County Status: Recorded from most studied sites in the county. Records prior to 2006: 121 Records ’96 to ’05: 63 Earliest date: 21st May (2001) 10km squares prior to 2006: 19 Number of records: 11 Earliest: 7th June Latest: 14th July 10km squares: SN12, SN22, SN30, SN31, SN32, SN51, SN52, SS49 Notes: Typical singles and twos from a wide range of sites.

1809 TWIN-SPOT CARPET Perizoma didymata National Status: Fairly common throughout much of Britain, though more local in southern and eastern England.. Flying from June and August. County Status: Local, though often common where it does occur. Records prior to 2006: 73 Records ’96 to ’05: 33 Earliest date: 5th June (1993) 10km squares prior to 2006: 10 Number of records: 2 Earliest: 7th July Latest: 28th July 10km squares: SN12, SN32 Notes: This species is very local in the county and can be missed if no recording is done at those sites where it does occur. The two records of singles are a poor showing indeed, but not cause for concern – yet.

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1811 SLENDER PUG Eupithecia tenuiata National Status: Widespread and locally common in damp woodland. Flying in June and July. County Status: Records from half a dozen sites in small numbers. Records prior to 2006: 25 Records ’96 to ’05: 16 Earliest date: 8th July (2002) 10km squares prior to 2006: 8 Number of records: 3 Earliest: 24th July Latest: 13th August 10km squares: SN31, SN54 Notes: Three singles. Twice seen in my garden trap in Carmarthen.

1813 HAWORTH’S PUG Eupithecia haworthiata National Status: Locally widespread in England and Wales, where the foodplant occurs. Flying in June and July. County Status: Only known from three areas, one of them being Pembrey. Records prior to 2006: 8 Records ’96 to ’05: 4 Earliest date: 1st July (2006) 10km squares prior to 2006: 5 Number of records: 2 Earliest: 1st July Latest: 4th July 10km squares: SN31, SS49 Notes: Two at Pembrey Burrows where there is wild clematis is expected, but the single in my garden in Carmarthen is further evidence that this species may be living on garden varieties of clematis.

1815 CLOAKED PUG Eupithecia abietaria National Status: Red Data Book and migrant. Flying in June and July. County Status: There is a single record. However it is a Rothamsted record, unverified by county recorder, and no specimen or photo has been seen. Therefore it is a Category A2 species. Records prior to 2006: 1 Records ’96 to ’05: None. Earliest date: 1st August (1986) 10km squares prior to 2006: 1 (SN74) Number of records: NOT RECORDED Earliest: - Latest: - 10km squares: - Notes: -

1816 TOADFLAX PUG Eupithecia linariata National Status: Fairly common throughout Britain. Flying in July and August. County Status: Records under review. Currently, only confirmed from three locations in the county. Records prior to 2006: 18 plus 13 pended Rothamsted records. Records ’96 to ’05: 18 Earliest date: 17th June (2005) 10km squares prior to 2006: 7 Number of records: 6 Earliest: 19th June Latest: 5th August 10km squares: SN32, SS49 Notes: Very common (up to ten) at Pembrey Burrows, where there is a large amount of the foodplant. One inland at Nantgwyn.

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1817 FOXGLOVE PUG Eupithecia pulchellata National Status: Common throughout Britain. Flying from May to July, and rarely again in August. County Status: Common. Records prior to 2006: 142 Records ’96 to ’05: 94 Earliest date: 28th April (1993) 10km squares prior to 2006: 17 Number of records: 18 Earliest: 4th June Latest: 7th July 10km squares: SN12, SN22, SN31, SN32, SN51, SN52, SN53, SN54, SN74, SS49 Notes: Moderately common, with single figure counts from most regularly trapped sites.

1819 MOTTLED PUG Eupithecia exiguata National Status: Common throughout Britain. Flying in May and June. County Status: Common. Records prior to 2006: 72 Records ’96 to ’05: 55 Earliest date: 10th May (2006) 10km squares prior to 2006: 14 Number of records: 10 Earliest: 10th May Latest: 13th June 10km squares: SN12, SN22, SN32, SN52, SN53, SN74 Notes: Highest count was seven at Nantgwyn.

1821 VALERIAN PUG Eupithecia valerianata National Status: Nationally Scarce B. Widespread but fairly local across Britain. Flying in June and July. County Status: Scarce. Records prior to 2006: 12, though a couple are unsupported Rothamsted records. Records ’96 to ’05: 7 Earliest date: 21st May (2005) 10km squares prior to 2006: 5 Number of records: 1 Earliest: 10th June Latest: 10th June 10km squares: SN22 Notes: A Single in damp water-meadows at Gellywen (SN2723) on 10th June is a new site for this scarce species(JSB with Lee Walker).

1822 MARSH PUG Eupithecia pygmaeata National Status: Nationally Scarce B. Very local across Britain. Flying in May and June. County Status: Very rare. Records prior to 2006: 3 Records ’96 to ’05: 1 Earliest date: 25th May (1994) 10km squares prior to 2006: 3 Number of records: NOT RECORDED Earliest: - Latest: - 10km squares: - Notes: Last recorded in June 2003.

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1823 NETTED PUG Eupithecia venosata National Status: Local across Britain. Flying in May and June. County Status: Extremely rare. All records between 1983 and 1986 at Rhandirmwyn. Category A2. Records prior to 2006: 3 Records ’96 to ’05: None. Earliest date: No precise dates on any of the 3 records. 10km squares prior to 2006: 1 (SN74) Number of records: NOT RECORDED Earliest: - Latest: - 10km