Note the upside-down posture is characteristic of this species
Monday, 20 July 2015
The vanishing Golden Plusia
When digging out the Endothenia image I also came across this image of the last Golden Plusia I recorded in the garden back in 2008. Checking the database it's only been seen in the county three times since, with Dave's 2012 garden record the latest. Has it disappeared for good I wonder?
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I haven't seen one for about 20 years (last seen in Yorkshire). My dad still catches them in Cumbria...perhaps commoner up north?
ReplyDeleteYou may add Garden Dart, Portland Moth, Wormwood, Mouse Moth & Dusky Sallow. All of low density perhaps, with the exception of Mouse Moth, but all have been fairly regular, maybe with exception of the Wormwood - which did turn up in my garden once but was never common. Portland Moth must still be present if anyone cares to trap in any of the county's sand dune areas. Dusky Sallow remains coastal, except for a record from Cwmbach! But where are Garden Dart & Mouse Moth?
ReplyDeleteI suppose species do come & go with time, look at Chocolate-tip, Orange Footman & Small Ranunculus, unheard of in VC41 until mid 90s, the former two now fairly widespread, with SR expanding out of Cardiff.
Another species species with a strange range is Small Dusty Wave, a species that in other counties seems to be widespread, yet in VC41 it is the Cardiff Moth with a few exceptions (229 recs from my garden & 106 at Whitchurch Hosp. yet none in central, northern or western districts - the wonder of moths!)
I had one in the garden back in 2007 - but then my garden had lots of Delphiniums. Coincidentally, I`ve planted a lot of young plants this year - but I`m not expecting `golden plusia results`!
ReplyDeleteDave is right about the changes in species` status. Back in c 1985, when I was `into` aculeates, the bee-wolf was extremely south-eastern (the quote I remember was `sand-hills at Deal`). But then it spread like the clappers and was very frequent in the early 2000s on eg Carms coastal sites, inc Llanelli `brownfield`. Now, it`s gone again.
Re Portland Moth, I hope you're right Jake that it's just lack of recording. As far as I know there haven't been any Welsh records since that one at Merthyr Mawr in the early 2000s. Surely someone must have trapped on dunes at the right time of year since then?
ReplyDeleteWe could make an effort to try and trap Portland Moth in mid August - teams at Merthyr Mawr, KNNR & Whiteford on a good w/e night. I'm sure Dave Carrington wouldn't mind ferrying a team out along the haul road. You can carry traps out at Merthyr Mawr from the carpark, as we did in 2002 & at Whiteford (with the key) you can drive to a good location.
ReplyDeleteWe could have a GMRG find the Portland Moth Night + other sand dune goodies!
Sounds like a great idea for sand dune species.
DeletePS. The other two dune species that are worth considering too in August are: The Buff Button (Acleris permutana) & Painted Neb Moth (Eulamprotes wilkella).
ReplyDeleteSounds an interesting prospect. I'd certainly be up for it on weekends, and occasionally on a Thursday.
ReplyDeleteI would be up for that too. The only night I could not do it would be Friday 14th.
ReplyDeleteTime, I think,for everyone who is interested in making this happen, to declare themselves, so that we can see if we have enough for three viable teams.
ReplyDeleteSounds fun - I'm in as long as I'm not elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteSounds a great plan. I've got permission from NRW to trap at Merthyr Mawr this year anyway, and was planning to get back there in August. Only thing is I'm away from about 19th August til the end of the month. Looking at existing records, most are from the middle of the month, so perhaps we could aim for Saturday 15th? The same date as the 2002 record, which has to be a good omen!
ReplyDeleteWhat about Pembrey (in Carms.) too.....the area just approx S of the RAF bombing range tower, with a mix of active and mature dunes, with much creeping willow looks good. Perhaps I can arrange access (key) via you George?
ReplyDeleteSat. 15th Aug. sounds fine for VC41 Sand Dunes Night. Both Mike & me are available on that date. We will trap at KNNR if Dave C. can accommodate our transport to the Haul Rd., otherwise we'll seek a trap site there accordingly. To keep travelling to a minimum, I would suggest that we make up 3 teams, east & central moth'ers to do KNNR & MMNNR and the boys in the west do south Gower (Oxwich NNR) or Whiteford. Sound ok to all?
ReplyDeleteI can arrange access at Whiteford, which has the best prospects.
ReplyDeleteI.e. the best prospects in Gower
DeleteThat all sounds good Jake. Maybe if I can do Merthyr Mawr, accessing from the main car park, along with anyone else from the east who's available...Mark, Dave, Paul? Unless you'd all rather do Kenfig!
ReplyDeleteI'll get in touch with Duncan Ludlow to check he's happy with arrangements at Merthyr Mawr.
I'd be up for Merthyr Mawr
ReplyDeleteI'm up for Merthyr mawr George.
ReplyDeleteExcellent, thanks.
ReplyDeleteThere seem to be enough doing Merthyr Mawr, so I'll join Mike and Jake at Kenfig, if they don't mind putting up with my incessant moaning about the weather.
ReplyDeleteYour very welcome Mark.
ReplyDelete