At least on Saturday morning 7th August 2010 the rain had abated from overnight to allow the Grey Daggers Moth Group to view the overnight moth trapping held at Perchhall Loch SSSI, just north of Lockerbie (Dumfriesshire VC72).
Five Heath Traps and a Robinson MV trap were used throughout the site of mixed wet woodland, fen and a small reedbed.
The first Heath trap produced a varied collection. July Highflyer was the most abundant moth followed closely by the star attraction, Marsh Oblique-barred, with over 60 recorded. Of course, the wet habitat was perfect for it. Haworth’s Minor, also a lover of the wet habitat was well recorded.
Iron, Coxcomb, Swallow and Lesser Swallow Prominent were present with the pugs being represented by V-pug, Double-striped Pug and White-spotted Pug. Dark Arches showed both the nominate form and the darker ‘aethiops.’ A couple of Oblique Carpets and The Suspected were further highlights.
On the micro side the second record for VC72 of Epinotia nisella was recorded and this specimen was also of the form ‘decorana,’ a two toned tortrix moth of black and chestnut colouring. It was the second record also for Dumfries & Galloway.
Acleris emargana, with its distinctive cut-outs (violin-shape) on each wing, another wetland species, was the first since the Grey Daggers met in 2006 at Edingham and only the fourth record. Apotomis betuletana, a birch lover and much recorded showed twice. Pyralids were represented with the Mother of Pearl Numonia advenella and the usual grass moths, mainly Eudonia mercurella in the traps with Catoptria margaritella kicked up as we walked from trap to trap.
Lastly, the second record for VC72 of Hypatima rhomboidella was recorded. It was the sixth for the Region with two each in VC73 and 74.The meeting was well attended with a dozen moth-ers and a representative of the Crown Estate whom we thank for the courtesy of the land.
