11th June 2016

One of the first moths pulled out of the trap was a weird looking plume - a quick browse of Sterling and Parsons and the distinctive resting posture in a 'Y' shape appeared to be diagnostic for Saltmarsh Plume Agdistis bennetii. I rattled off a few poor photos of the now potted and consulted a bit more widely. UK moths detailed that the species " has very distinctive resting posture, with its narrow wings held forward, and the front part of the body raised on the forelegs". So far so good!

Saltmarsh Plume Agdistis bennetii

Its vernacular name was a bit of a giveaway but it was clear that this was a rare moth in deepest VC29. It is a species of coastal saltmarsh restricted in the main to Norfolk, Suffolk and Lincs.... so what was it doing in Cottenham? Interestingly Norfolk Moths details that occasional wanderers can be found inland, and there are a handful of records not far from Cambs. There was also a record in Hunts in August 2014 which was identified at the time then further confirmed by dissection. The only confusion species is the even more unlikely Cliff Plume A. meridionalis found in the south-west and south Wales. 

After waiting a while, I let mine go after getting some better photos. Its not listed in the now dated spreadsheet of VC29 moths, so this is possibly the first for the county (assuming a photographic record is sufficient!).

There were quite a few other new for the garden species:

[75] Phycitodes binaevella

[76] Water Veneer

[77] Large Tabby

[78] Saltmarsh Plume

[79] Crambus pascuella

[80] Small Magpie

[81] Bud Moth

[82] Common Marbled Carpet

[83] Elephant Hawkmoth

[84] Pale Prominent

[85] Iron Prominent

[86] The Flame

[87] Dark Arches

[88] Brown Rustic

Iron Prominent Notodonta dromedarius

Poplar and Privet Hawk-moths

Elephant Hawk-moth Deilephila elpenor

Large Tabby Aglossa pinguinalis

Phycitodes binaevella

Red-barred Tortrix Ditula angustiorana

Water Veneer Acentria ephemerella