At last had a couple of migrant moths in the moth trap on my roof balcony in West St Leonards this morning. A Palpita vitrealis and a rusty dot pearl Udea ferrugalis were welcome additions to the heart and darts, dark arches and elephant hawkmoths that have been regular in numbers in the trap over the last couple of weeks.
Palpita vitrealis
The glow-worms are out in force near our house in Sedlescombe and it seems to be a good year for them. However, there is concern about their decline in Sussex and the Sussex Wildlife Trust have recently said “Data for this species is sadly lacking, even though we know that numbers have fallen so drastically in the last few decades.” The Trust, in partnership with the Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre, is carrying out a glow-worm survey this year and fuller details are available from Bob Platt at: sxbrc@sussexwt.org.uk (Tel: 01903 812404). Alternatively you may download a glow-worm survey pack if you want to get started straight away.
