Moth species new to Ireland: recent additions

The list below covers species for which first Irish records had not been published formally at the time of compilation of:  Bond, K.G.M., Nash, R. & O’Connor, J.P. 2006. An annotated checklist of the Irish butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera). The Irish Biogeographical Society and the National Museum of Ireland, Dublin. 

For several of the species listed, 2008, 2006 or earlier records will be published in the “Report on migrant and notable Lepidoptera in Ireland, 2006” and "Report ..., 2008") (Irish Naturalists’ Journal, in prep.) and details should be treated as provisional until those reports are published, when this list will be updated.  Several further potential ‘firsts’ recorded in 2006 are not listed, pending formal validation or separate publication.

Anyone noticing omissions or errors below is asked to email details to migrants [at] mothsireland.com.  We would also encourage anyone who publishes further ‘firsts’ over the coming months and years to let us know as soon as details are in print.  And of course we would welcome brief details of firsts for inclusion in the Annual Report (to help make it a more comprehensive summary).

This list last updated 23rd April 2008.

2386c Spodoptera cilium (Dark Mottled Willow):  One, Brownstown Head, Co Waterford, 13 September 2008 [Walsh, P.M. & Bond, K.G.M. 2009. Atropos 36].

1874 Euchoeca nebulata (Dingy Shell):  One, near Newcastle, Co Wicklow, 26 July 2008 [Angus Tyner in Ir Nat J 2008 report, in prep.].

2043 Eilema sororcula (Orange Footman):  One, Cronykeery, Co Wicklow, 8 May 2008 [Angus Tyner in Ir Nat J 2008 report, in prep.].

1413 Hypsopygia costalis (Gold Triangle):  One, Cronykeery, Co Wicklow, 24 September 2006, and another there, 28 September 2006 [Angus Tyner in Ir Nat J 2006 report, in prep.].

Bactra venosana:  One,Tramore town, Co Waterford, 22 September 2006 [Bryant, T. & Bond, K.G.M. 2008. Bactra venosana (Zeller, 1847) (Lep: Tortricidae) new to the British Isles from Ireland. Entomologists' Record and Journal of Variation 120: 97-99.]

737 Monochroa palustrella:  Leagh South (M3210), Co Clare (H9), 5 August 2006 [S.P. Clancy in Langmaid, J.R. & Young, M.R. 2007. Microlepidoptera review of 2006. Entomologists’ Record and Journal of Variation 119: 241-266].

908 Sorhagenia rhamniella:  Coolortha (R350961), Co Clare (H9), 5 August 2006 [S.P. Clancy (det. M.S Parsons) in Langmaid, J.R. & Young, M.R. 2007. Microlepidoptera review of 2006. Entomologists’ Record and Journal of Variation 119: 241-266].

2404 Heliothis nubigera (Eastern Bordered Straw):  One, Tarmon, Mullet peninsula, Co Mayo, 4 June 2006 [Dave Suddaby in Ir Nat J 2006 report, in prep.].

1400 Antigastra catalaunalis:  One, Barnland, Co Wexford, 14 October 2005 [Michael O’Donnell in Langmaid, J.R. & Young, M.R. 2006. Microlepidoptera review of 2005. Entomologists’ Record and Journal of Variation 118: 241-265].  Three subsequent records: one, Cronykeery, Co Wicklow, 18 October 2005; two records in 2006 [Ir Nat J 2006 report in in prep.].

779 Bryotropha affinis: One (a male), Tramore, Co Waterford, 15 July 2005 [Bryant, T. 2006. Bryotropha affinis (Haworth) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), first confirmed Irish record in Co Waterford (H6). Ir Nat J 28: 341].  The species was erroneously listed by Bond et al. (2006) on the basis of incorrect information.

1691 Scopula emutaria (Rosy Wave):  Seven, Ballinoulart, Co Wexford, 12 July 2005 [Michael O’Donnell in Ir Nat J 2006 report, in prep.].  Subsequent records from at least two sites in two counties in 2006 [Ir Nat J 2006 report, in prep.].

1316 Catoptria falsella:  One, Cronykeery, Co Wicklow, 9 July 2005 [Angus Tyner in Davis, T. 2006. National Moth Night results: 9 July 2005. Atropos 29: 20-32].  Two further records in 2005, and three in 2006, all from the same site [Ir Nat J 2006 report, in prep.]

902 Chrysoclista lathamella:  One, Cronykeery, Co Wicklow, 18 June 2005 [Angus Tyner in Langmaid, J.R. & Young, M.R. 2006. Microlepidoptera review of 2005. Entomologists’ Record and Journal of Variation 118: 241-265].

1262 Cydia amplana:  One, Tramore, Co Waterford, 4 August 2004 [Tony Bryant in Clancy, S. 2008. The immigration of Lepidoptera to the British Isles in 2005. Entomologists’ Record and Journal of Variation 120: 49-84.]  Second record (originally published as first): one, Ashford, Co Wicklow, 11 August 2004 [Angus Tyner in Clancy, S. 2007. The immigration of Lepidoptera to the British Isles in 2004. Entomologists’ Record and Journal of Variation 119: 145-184].

2034 Lymantria dispar (Gypsy Moth):  One, Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, 8 August 2004 [D. Dennison & L. Taylor in Clancy, S. 2007. The immigration of Lepidoptera to the British Isles in 2004. Entomologists’ Record and Journal of Variation 119: 145-184].

1207 Clavigesta purdeyi (Pine Leaf-mining Moth):  One (a female), Tramore, Co Waterford, 4 August 2004 [Bryant, T. 2006. Pine leaf-mining moth Clavigesta purdeyi (Durrant) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), new to Ireland in Co Waterford (H6). Ir Nat J 28: 342].  Subsequently, two records from Tramore in 2006 [Ir Nat J 2006 report in in prep.] and one in Co Wexford in 2006 [Langmaid, J.R. & Young, M.R. 2007. Microlepidoptera review of 2006. Entomologists’ Record and Journal of Variation 119: 241-266].

1393 Udea uliginosalis:  Nephin Beg (F916133), West Mayo (H27), 17 July 2004 [J. Cromie in Langmaid, J.R. & Young, M.R. 2007. Microlepidoptera review of 2006. Entomologists’ Record and Journal of Variation 119: 241-266].

2371 Archanara dissoluta (Brown-veined Wainscot):  Two, Cronykeery, Co Wicklow, 8 August 2003, and eight further records there 2003-2005 [Angus Tyner in Ir Nat J 2006 report, in prep.].  Subsequent records: Three, Portumna Forest Park, Co Galway, 4 August 2006 and four there, 5 August 2006 [Ir Nat J 2006 report, in prep.].

1357 Evergestis extimalis:  One, Cronykeery, Co Wicklow, 24 July 2003 [Angus Tyner in Clancy, S. & Skinner, B. 2007. The immigration of Lepidoptera to the British Isles in 2003. Entomologists’ Record and Journal of Variation 119: 1-41].

284 Caloptilia rufipennella:  One, Belfast, Co Down, 17 July 2003 [J.B. Higgott in Langmaid, J.R. & Young, M.R. 2006. Microlepidoptera review of 2005. Entomologists’ Record and Journal of Variation 118: 241-265].

1865 Chesias rufata (Broom-tip):  One, Glenealy, Co Wicklow, 24 May 2003 [Michael O’Donnell in Ir Nat J 2006 report, in prep.].

2239 Lithophane leautieri (Blair’s Shoulder-knot):  One, nr Wicklow town, Co Wicklow, 5 October 2002 [O’Donnell, M. 2003. Blair’s Shoulder-knot Lithophane leautieri in Co.Wicklow – a species new to Ireland. Atropos 19: 69-70].  This published record was omitted from Bond et al. (2006).  Subsequent records from at least nine 10-km squares in four counties, up to 2006 [MothsIreland database, unpublished].

The prefix numbers are those used in: Bradley, J.D. (2000) Checklist of Lepidoptera recorded from the British Isles. D.J. & M.J. Bradley, Fordingbridge & Newent.