Review of the Lepidoptera of Essex for the year 2000
2165 Hecatera dysodea (Dennis and Schiffermuller) Small Ranunculus Reported as larvae at East
Tilbury, Stanford-le-Hope and Grays between 1 and 12 August (D.G Down, G Bailey), and as an
adult at a Plaistow garden on 14 June (G. Martin). Clearly the recolonisation continues.
2194 Mythimna albipuncta (Dennis and Schiffermuller) White-point A migrant, usually scarce,
which appeared in some numbers during 2000. It was reported from St Osyth, Dovercourt, Jaywick,
Brightlingsea, Lawford, Takeley, Wivenhoe, Mistley, and Bradwell-on-Sea, where 59 were trapped
between 23 May and 28 September (Dewick 2001).
2195 Mythimna vitellina (Hiibner) Delicate Landermere, 23 September (J.B. Fisher); Kirby-le-
Soken, 30 September (P. Bergdahl); Bradwell-on-Sea, seven between 1 and 7 October (Dewick
2001); St Osyth, Daltes Lane, 7 and 9 October (R.W. Arthur). A scarce migrant.
2202 Mythimna l-album (Linnaeus) L-album Wainscot Bradwell-on-Sea, 26 June, 22 and 28
September, and 2 October (Dewick 2001); Jaywick, 2 and 29 July (J. Wilde, J. Young); Kirby-le-
Soken, 17 July (P. Bergdahl); St Osyth, Daltes Lane, 13 September (R.W. Arthur); Dovercourt,
Oakley Road, 23 September (C. Gibson). Usually a scare migrant.
2203 Mythimna unipuncta (Haworth) White-speck St Osyth, Daltes Lane, 27 July and 20 October
(R.W. Arthur); Kirby-le-Soken, 25 August (P. Bergdahl); Bradwell-on-Sea, eleven between 16
September and 26 November (Dewick 2001). Migrant.
2223 Calophasia lunula (Hufnagel) Toadflax Brocade Dovercourt, Oakley Road, 30 May (C.
Gibson). First Essex record since 1954. This species has a high conservation profile and finding
evidence of breeding would be very desirable.
2230 Aporophyla australis pascuea (Humphreys and Westwood) Feathered Brindle Dovercourt,
Oakley Road, four in September (C. Gibson); Little Oakley, Rectory Road, 23 September (G Slater).
2295 Cryphia muralis f. impar Warren Marbled Green Dovercourt, Oakley Road, 26 July and 13
August (C. Gibson). First records since 1997. Possibly resident at four localities, but no larvae have
yet been found.
2385 Spodoptera exigua (Hiibner) Small Mottled Willow Bradwell-on-Sea, twelve between 29
June and 10 September (Dewick 2001); Jaywick, 1 September (J. Young); Dovercourt, Oakley
Road, 30 September and 1 October (C. Gibson). Migrant.
2396 Elaphria venustula (Hiibner) Rosy Marbled Epping Forest, Ditches, 15 and 21 June (G.
Martin). Also occurred at nearby Theydon Bois in 1998.
2400 Helicoverpa armigera (Htibner) Scarce Bordered Straw Dovercourt, Oakley Road, 11 June
and 21 September (C. Gibson); Bradwell-on-Sea, Curry Farm, thirteen between 6 July and 4 October
(Dewick 2001); Jaywick, Midway, 30 September and 1 October (J. Young); St Osyth, Daltes Lane,
2 October (R.W. Arthur). Migrant.
2403 Heliothis peltigera (Dennis and Schiffermuller) Bordered Straw A usually scarce migrant
which turned up at Dovercourt, Oakley Road, 24 June (C. Gibson); North Chingford, 28 June (B.
Pateman); Bradwell-on-Sea, Curry Farm, 25 August (Dewick 2001); Jaywick, June and September
(J. Young, J. Wilde); Frinton-on-Sea, 29 September (B. Lock); Great Leighs, Mann Wood (D. Boyle).
2428 Chrysodeixis chalcites (Esper) Golden Twin-spot Two records for this rare migrant, at Jaywick,
27 August (J. Young) and Great Horkesley, 12 November (B. Halley).
2436 Macdunnoughia confusa (Stephens) Dewick's Plusia Jaywick, 12 September (J. Wilde).
Seventh Essex record.
2444 Autographa bractea (Dennis and Schiffermuller) Gold Spangle Felsted, 17 July (G Geen.).
Second Essex record and new to VC 19 (the first was A.J. Dewick's at Curry Farm, Bradwell-on-Sea
on 23 July 1993). Migrant or vagrant.
2475 Parascotia fuliginaria (Linnaeus) Waved Black Reappeared at Theydon Bois (for the forty-
second time) (J.G Green), and North Chingford (seventh record), (B. Pateman), and at anew locality,
Epping Forest, Oak Hill Farm, five adults from 26 June to 10 August (T. Green).
2480 Hypena rostralis (Linnaeus) Buttoned Snout Mistley, School Lane, 21 December, hibernating
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 18 (2001)
99