On July 23rd, we trapped a specimen of the attractively marked Gold Spangle Autographa bractea ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775).

Gold Spangle is a moth of north-western parts of the UK, but is regarded as a migrant to southern and eastern counties. In Nottinghamshire, it occurs either as a rare wanderer from populations in the north-west of the UK, or possibly as a migrant. The county recorder currently regards it as a 'sporadic resident'.

But in view of two moths occurring at seperate sites on the same date in July 2013, and these at the time being the first in Nottinghamshire since 1993, then it seems to us that any Gold Spangle in the county could just as likely be of continental origin.

Originally an Asian species first recorded from the UK as recently as 2008, what looks to be Nottinghamshire's first record of the Box Tree Moth Cydalima perspectalis (Walker, 1859) came from Bestwood Village in early July.

Probably introduced into the UK via the horticultural trade, this moth is now firmly established in the London area and spreading north. Regarded as a pest species of Box (Buxus sp), the moth shown left was trapped by Sean Tobin at Bestwood Village on July 5th 2018 and is the first record for VC56 Nottinghamshire, occurring about a fortnight before another was attracted to MV light at Ravenshead by David and Veronica McGeever.

Our thanks go to Sean for allowing us the opportunity to photograph the moth.

Phil Lee reports two records of the Tortrix Phtheochroa inopiana, from his Misterton garden on June 27th, with a further record two nights later on June 29th 2018.

Phil or ourselves, have been unable to trace any previous Nottinghamshire records of this sexually dimorphic species. The larvae develop and overwinter within the roots of Fleabane Pulicaria dysenterica, so this moth is potentially likely to occur if trapping near stands of the foodplant.

A specimen of the Pyralid Anania lancealis ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775), was recently found in Phil Lee's Misterton garden on May 25th 2018. Phil suspected the moth's identity, but posted an image for confirmation on a Lincolnshire lepidoptera forum.

The moth was retained until identification had been confirmed and at the time of writing, is believed to be the first Nottinghamshire record. There are thought to be no Lincolnshire records and only two from Yorkshire.

Late May and early June saw the arrival of both Silver Y and Plutella xylostella.

We recorded our first Silver Y at Clipstone Old Quarter in Sherwood Forest on May 24th, but noted a distinct increase and arrival from May 27th. Ten Silver Y came to our garden MV light on May 30th and 11 on June 3rd. Despite large numbers of P. xylostella (Diamond-back Moth) around southern UK coasts, we have only recorded small numbers to date, following the first on May 30th. The first Hummingbird Hawk-moth visited the Valerian in our garden twice on June 7th.

The arrival of our commoner migrant moths coincided quite nicely with records of Red Admirals Vanessa atalanta at Bestwood Sand Quarry and Nottingham City Hospital on May 22nd, and Painted Lady Vanessa cardui in the ASDA car park at New Ollerton on June 3rd.