70.217 BF1896 – Rannoch Looper – Geometridae – Macaria brunneata
Rannoch Looper – Geometridae – Ennominae – Macaria brunneata – colour code •
STATUS – As the name suggests this species is confined to the woodland areas of central Scotland. However it does occasionally occur as a migrant, usually on the east coast. On 15th/16th June 2023 several specimens were trapped at inland locations in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. This one, a male, was a first Derbyshire record, which was trapped overnight 15th/16th June, at a garden trap at Fenny Bentley, by Sam Goddard. An incredible record and a super addition to the county’s moth list. This specimen was also shown, by way of photographs, to a number of local “moth-ers” and also to the Fife county recorder, for confirmation on the identification. A unanimous decision was received on the ID. A similar influx took place in 2011, when there were high temperatures over western Europe, along with a moderate ENE wind. Similar conditions to this 2023 arrival. Incredibly Sam trapped a second individual overnight 17th/18th June 2023, again in his garden at Fenny Bentley. Another multiple record occurred in another garden in Yorkshire, so obviously there has been an extremely large influx of this species into the country. I was very delighted to be able to view the 2nd record, and very grateful to Sam for inviting me over to see it. Two more have been recorded from Staveley and Belper between 20th – 25th June 2023. Very grateful to all the contributors and for allowing me the use of their images.
ID POINTERS – A reasonably easy geometrid moth to identify, however away from Scotland, caution is required. It is a day-flying species and often rests with wings folded like a butterfly. The moth is delicately marked with darkish brown wavy diagonal cross-lines, across both fore and hind wings. The female can be brighter marked than the male, but the males show darker brown “notches” along the forewing costa (leading edge) and these are usually the first ID indicator. The ground colour being a rusty-orange/cinnamon brown. Very rounded forewing tips, with feathered antennae on the male. The confusion species, Dingy Shell, tends to show a chequered fringe and the male doesn’t show the extensive feathering on the antennae.
FLIGHT PERIOD – On the wing – June and July
IMAGES – 4th Record – Dave Evans©, Belper 24th/25th June 2023; 3rd record – Sid Morris, Norbrigg Flash NR, Staveley 21st June 2023; Fenny Bentley, Derbyshire – Tony Davison© – 2nd record; Fenny Bentley, Derbyshire – 1st record – photos by kind permission of Sam Goddard© 15th/16th June 2023 –
