Summary

Following on from three successful survey sessions held between June and August 2005, it was decided to continue the survey on a monthly basis throughout 2006. This would cover the flight periods of the majority of the moth species and provide a good sample of the moth fauna present on and around the Middleton Hall site.

Eight recording sessions were finally managed, most of which were blessed with favourable weather conditions, and a summary of the number of species seen on each visit is given in the table below:


The specimens recorded in 2006 represented 149 different species of micro-moth and 216 species of macro-moth.

When combined with the species seen in 2005 and earlier this gives a total species count for the site of 170 species of micro-moth and 264 species of macro-moth.

The grand total of 434 species is impressive considering this has been achieved in only 14 recording sessions, and is largely attributable to the variety of habitats that are present on the site: wetland and reed bed around the lake and ponds, woodland (ranging from newly planted to mature), orchards and the sheltered walled garden.

Highlights

Whilst the majority of the species recorded are attributed a status of “common” within the County, and also nationally, there have been several records of scarcer species.

The Cream-bordered Green Pea (Earias clorana) has a national status of Nationally Scarce B and is very local and scarce within Warwickshire. A single specimen was recorded on 4/8/2006 (NJS) in a trap located next to the lake on the main driveway to the house. This species favours wetland habitats, using sallows, willows and osiers as the larval foodplant.