Review of the Lepidoptera of Essex for the year 2003
BRIAN GOODEY
298 Ipswich Road, Colchester, Essex C04 GET
Introduction
A total of 983 species were recorded during 2003, one of our most productive years so far. Seven
of these were new to the county, over twice the usual rate, bringing the Essex Lepidoptera total to
1,845. These were:
New to Essex:
Stigmella aceris at East Ham Nature Reserve (vc 18) on 30 October
Calybites phasianipennella at Epping Forest (vc 18) on 25 August
Phyllocnistis saligna at Dovercourt (vcl9) on 22 July
Balsam Carpet Xanthorhoe biriviata at Jaywick (vc 19) on 2 July (a second was reported at Bradwell-
on-Sea on 23 July and was new to vc18 South Essex)
Red-headed Chestnut Conistra erythrocephala at Dovercourt (vc l9) on 9 November
Tree-lichen Beauty Cryphia algae at Little Oakley (vc l9) on 22 July (another was trapped at
Kirby-le-Soken on 25 July)
Eastern Bordered Straw Heliothis nubigera at Maldon (vc 18) on 8 June
New species to vcl8 south Essex:
Eucosma metzneriana at Canvey Island on 26 June
New species to vcl9 north Essex:
Caloptilia semifascia at Stour Wood on 18 July
Stored-nut Moth Paralipsa gularis at Layer-de-la-Haye on 14 June
Rest Harrow Aplasta ononaria at Jaywick on 10 August
Other highlights included two successful attempts to attract Clearwings moths by using pheromone
traps, the rediscovery of Festoon Apoda limacodes in south Essex woodlands, and the sheer numbers
of Humming-bird Hawk-moths Macroglossum stellatarum, which seemed to be everywhere.
Convolvulus Hawk-moths Agrius convolvuli and Small Mottled Willow Spodoptera exigua, were
also numerous and Painted Ladies Vanessa cardui appeared in some impressive swarms. Also
notable were the very early dates some species were on the wing, for example a Garden Carpet
Xanthorhoe fluctuata was trapped at Boreham on 26 January (April being the previous earliest
date!).
Systematic List
Nomenclature follows Checklist of Lepidoptera recorded from the British Isles second edition
(revised) by J.D. Bradley.
Eriocraniidae
7 Eriocrania chrysolepidella Zeller Friar's Grove, High Woods CP, Colchester, mines on Hornbeam,
11 May (B. Goodey). First record from this site since it was coppiced about ten years ago
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 21 (2004)
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