Welcome to the recording blog for the Carmarthenshire Moth and Butterfly Group. Could members please add any moth or butterfly records or any general items of interest by making a new post. Although everyone can comment on a post you will have to be a member to add a new post.
I have been recording Crocidosema plebejana for the last couple of years and it now seems resident in my garden. The moth could have two origins - the first being it's progress across Britain since it arrived in Devon in 1990. The second possibility is that it's come with a Mallow planted in my garden last year.
Noting Adam`s first box moth (or box tree moth), I`d like to make some comments on this pest alien which is ravaging box bushes all over southern Britain. I have a tall box hedge (c 15ft long x 12 ft high) which forms an invaluable visual barrier between my garden and that of a neighbour; it was planted in c 1981. Being aware of the impact of the box moth, I have been only doing minor pruning of the hedge in mid-winter, thinking perhaps that the smell of cut box might attract the adult moths in the warmer months. Up to this year, I`ve only had very minor damage, so I was hoping that there were advantages in my approach. However, summer 2026 has seen extensive damage with large areas of eaten leaves with, upon closer inspection, also web-like spinnings and frass (caterpillar droppings) to be seen. The consequent dead leaves are pale straw. in colour. Last year I noticed an increase in the frequency and numbers of adult moths in my trap, likely a sign of things to come. More generally, the only `good` thing is that the damage is so distinctive - basically pale straw patches - that it is easy to spot for recording purposes. I noted one such example last weekend whilst driving - a probably new 10km square record for SN50 (E Llanelli). Others may wish to keep a look out wherever there are box bushes in the county - I suspect that it is established elsewhere.
As well as the normal mostly white adults, a significant minority of the adults in my garden are the brown-purple form - a photo of one is given below. I also include a photo of part of my hedge showing the dead, pale leaves (with a little darker green live foliage in the `left-background`). This paleness is not due to this year`s long drought as box is a tough plant of chalky hills and it can handle desiccation, it`s because of the caterpillars` appetite and their consumption of the leaves.
My actinic attracted 140 moths of 42 species, excluding the sallow species that escaped while I tried to pot it. The total was boosted by at least 30 Agriphila tristella. I may have missed a few around the trap.
Box-tree Moth, sometimes called Box-worm Moth.
Whilst emptying my trap this morning I noticed an unfamiliar wave resting on the shed behind the trap. I quickly potted it and after a bit of research, and the usual resort to AI assistance, I decided it was my first Maiden's Blush.
