Records of Note, 2001

By Kevin McGee

Lepidoptera, Macro-Moths

Drab Looper. Minoa murinata (Geometridae).

One was photographed at Tiddesley Wood on 31.7.01. This is my 1st record for the site and one which puzzles me as I visit the wood regularly and have not seen it there before, and to-date I have yet to meet somebody that has! This nationally scarce species is readily seen during daytime at Monkwood, especially in May when the first brood is flying, I also have records for Wyre Forest. The larval foodplant is Wood Spurge (Euphorbia amygdaloides), which is common in Tiddesley. Mine would be a second brood adult, which are always more scarce than the first brood, but this would suggest that first brood adults of the species should be seen regularly earlier in the year. Has anyone else recorded Drab Looper at Tiddesley?

Hornet Moth. Sesia apiformis (Sesiidae).

A pair were in-cop amongst low vegetation at Mill Meadow, Drakes Broughton on 1.7.01. My 1st record for the species, which is nationally scarce. I first saw a large yellowish insect flying lazily in a peculiar swaying manner about three feet above the ground. I knew immediately that it was one of the Hornet Moths as it was too bright in colour to be a real Hornet. It then suddenly dropped to the ground amongst the grasses and lush vegetation and as I approached very carefully with my camera at the ready I became aware that another, the female, was already on the ground. I allowed the pair to settle down before taking some photographs. The larva feeds in the lower trunks and upper roots of the Black Poplar and other Poplars. There are no Black Poplars near to Mill Meadow, but plenty of Poplar spp. in the general area.

Hornet Moth. Sesia apiformis
Mill Meadow, Drakes Broughton, Worcestershire. 1.7.2001
Photo', K.McGee.

Lepidoptera, Micro-Moths

Parachronistis albiceps. (Gelechiidae).

One was tubed from the trunk of a pollarded Oak at Mill Meadow, Drakes Broughton, on 2.7.01. I sent the dead specimen to Dr.ANB Simpson who identified the species for me. This is a rare species with few records for the Midlands, the larva feeds in the buds of Hazel Corylus. Dr.Simpson has also previously encountered the moth at Mill Meadow.

Agrilus laticornis. (Buprestidae, Notable B).

This is one of the 'Jewel Beetles', all of which are uncommon and elusive in the British Isles. I managed to eventually capture a specimen from Oak foliage at Mill Meadow, Drakes Broughton, on 29.7.01. They are only active on very hot and sunny days. I have encountered them running quickly amongst the foliage of Oaks, only occasionally stopping to sun bathe momentarily on the hottest position of a leaf surface. A very careful approach is required for closer inspection or capture, they are shy and alert and take to flight readily! Paul Whitehead kindly determined my specimen. All examples of this family should be confirmed by an expert as identification to species level is difficult. The larva develops in the thin dying branches of Oak.

Podabrus alpinus. (Cantharidae, local).

This 'Soldier Beetle' was photographed on the stem of a Cow Parsley at a roadside verge along Mill Lane, Drakes Broughton, on 29.5.01. A rather localised species with very few recent records for the county according to Paul Whitehead, who was able to identify the beetle from my slide. I found it at the height of the foot & mouth crisis when access to reserves was impossible, so another example of a species that may well have been missed.

Orsodacne lineola. (Chrysomelidae, Notable B).

Identified by Paul Whitehead from a specimen tubed at Hawthorn flowers along Chevington Lane, Drakes Broughton, on 29.5.01. Very few modern records for Worcestershire.

Timarcha tenebricosa. (Chrysomelidae, local).

The 'Bloody-nosed Beetle'. Single specimens encountered on footpaths at Hartlebury Common on 30.5.01 and 28.7.01.

Plateumaris affinis. (Chrysomelidae, Notable B).

One of the rather striking 'Reed Beetles'. I tubed this one from poolside reeds at Hillditch Pool, Hartlebury Common, on 30.5.01. It was identified as a female of the species by Paul Whitehead. I have found three other Reed Beetle species at the site this year; Donacia simplex, Donacia vulgaris, and Plateumaris sericea. Hillditch Pool is a very good site for Reed Beetles and yet more species could well be present. Most members of this family are either localised or rare and should be sought after in suitable habitats.

Plateumaris affinis (female).
Hillditch Pool, Hartlebury Common. 30.5.2001.
Photo', K.McGee.

Mordellistena variegata. (Mordellidae, local).

One was tubed from Oak foliage at Mill Meadow, Drakes Broughton, on 22.7.01. Rarely recorded. Identified by Paul Whitehead.

Variimorda villosa. (Mordellidae, Notable B).

I encountered one at the flowers of Convolvulus at Mill Meadow, Drakes Broughton, on 14.7.01. My 1st record for the species at the Meadow. It is commonly seen on the flowers and foliage of Meadowsweet at nearby Tiddesley Wood during late summer, but as yet this is my only record for Mill Meadow.

Pyrochroa coccinea. (Pyrochroidae, Notable B).

One was found on Bramble foliage in roadside woodland near to Hillditch Pool, Hartlebury Common, on 30.5.01. This is the much rarer 'Cardinal Beetle' with the black head.

Oedemera nobilis. (Oedemeridae, local).

Has anyone else noticed the rapidly increasing numbers of this distinctive beetle? Usually found feeding on nectar and pollen at flowers, it used to be found only occasionally at flower-rich sites. I am now finding the species almost everywhere that flowers are present, including our garden. On 23.6.01 I estimated a figure of approximately 50 at Mill Meadow, Drakes Broughton, and that is probably being a little conservative.

Hempitera, Heteroptera.

Alydus calcaratus. (Alydidae).

One was photographed amongst low ground vegetation at Hartlebury Common on 28.7.01. Possibly the 1st record for Worcestershire of this predominantly southern species. I only became aware of it when it flew a short distance from my feet; the bug displays a brightly coloured reddish orange abdomen which probably serves as a warning to ward off predators, otherwise the insect is a dull brown colour which blends in well with its surroundings. The photos are poor due to flash gun failure.

Heterocorydylus genistae. (Miridae).

This uncommon bug is solely associated with Dyer's Greenweed Genista tinctoria, which occurs in profusion at Mill Meadow, Drakes Broughton. Small numbers of adults can be found on the plants at the height of their flowering season towards the end of June. One was tubed for confirmation on 23.6.01 at the site.

Symphyta (Sawflies).

Xiphydria camelus. (Xiphydriidae).

A female was photographed ovipositing in the trunk of a dead Birch tree at Hartlebury Common on 30.5.01.

Diptera.

Dysmachus trigonus. (Asilidae).

I photographed this Robber Fly with prey on Oak foliage at Hartlebury Common on 24.6.01. The identification was determined from my slide by Malcolm Smart. This is an unusual species to be found in the Midlands, as it is mainly associated with coastal areas, and heathlands in southern and eastern counties.

Conops quadrifasciata. (Conopidae).

I am now able to readily identify this fascinating and somewhat localised species in the field following my first encounter with one at Mill Meadow during 2000. I managed a reasonable photo of one at Tiddesley Wood on 31.7.01. Another was found at Mill Meadow, Drakes Broughton, on 25.8.01.

Myopa buccata. (Conopidae).

Specimens were photographed in our garden, Drakes Broughton, on a variety of flowers which included Dandelion and Forget-me-not between the dates of 28.4.01 and 6.5.01.

Hymenoptera.

Ammophila pubescens. (Sphecidae).

This large and spectacular 'Digger Wasp' is one of the specialities of Hartlebury Common. I estimated at least 100 on 24.6.01 when I managed to capture one in order to safely confirm the correct identity, which was later established by John Meiklejohn who has retained the voucher specimen.

Hornet. Vespa crabro (Vespidae).

Up to three were regularly seen hunting amongst the flowers of Angelica, Fleabane and Devil's-bit Scabious at Mill Meadow, Drakes Broughton, in between 1.7.01 and 7.10.01. On 20.10.01 I found my first record of one at Tiddesley Wood when I encountered a Queen settling down for hibernation in an old Birch log.

Mammals.

Roe Deer. Capreolus capreolus (Cervidae).

Three were seen at midday on 25.2.01 in the middle of Tiddesley Wood. I think they were two bucks and a hind. They were making their way stealthily through a recently thinned out area towards the restricted area that backs on to the shooting range. An adult male was disturbed at the edge of Mill Meadow, Drakes Broughton, on 23.6.01. He quickly melted into the wooded area that borders the meadow.

Brown Hare. Lepus capensis (Leporidae).

One adult bounded across Chevington Lane, Drakes Broughton, on the evening of 21.6.01. My only record to date locally.

Stoat. Mustela erminea (Mustelidae).

One adult was searching amongst Rabbit burrows in the middle of Tiddesley Wood on 25.2.01 at the side of the main ride. My first and only encounter with the species at Tiddesley. One was a road casualty on the A44 through Drakes Broughton on 18.6.01.

Mink. Mustela vison (Mustelidae).

I saw one running along the waters edge of Dowles Brook in the Wyre Forest at midnight on 1.6.01. It was during a Moth-trapping session at Knowles Mill.

Reptilia.

Viviparous Lizard. Lacerta viviparia (Lacertidae).

One was disturbed at Hartlebury Common on 20.5.01.

Birds.

Goshawk. Accipiter gentiles (Accipitridae).

One female flew fairly low across Drakes Broughton towards the south at 5.30pm on 14.8.01. She then climbed higher on the thermals in the general direction of Pershore and Bredon Hill beyond. Watched through binoculars for fully five minutes.

Hobby. Falco subbuteo (Falconidae).

One adult flew over Mill Meadow, Drakes Broughton, on 1.7.01 being mobbed by about ten Swallows. A brown juvenile flew over our house, Drakes Broughton, on 2.9.01.

Nightingale. Luscinia megarhynchos (Turdidae).

A single bird was calling from Mill Rough, Chevington Lane, Drakes Broughton, from 19.5.01 to 29.5.01. Two could be heard calling from Dufty Coppice along Mill Lane, Drakes Broughton, on 29.5.01.