Insects

Butterflies and moths

The Narroways area supports at least 22 species of butterflies and over 100 moths. The grassland areas are especially rich in species. Check out UK Moths website for illustrations and descriptions.

The marbled white is the classic Narroways butterfly and our logo! Large numbers have occurred in the past in meadow areas of Narroways and Boiling Wells. There were 49 in Church Field in June 2003 and over 50 on Narroways in July 2003. Numbers appear to be declining with no more than ten being seen at one time in the past couple of years.

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Name	Latin name	Notes
Small Skipper	Thymelicus sylvestris	Quite common on the hill (RH1995) At Boiling Wells(LB/PQ1994) Small numbers on Narroways. (DB 27.7.2002)
Large Skipper	Ochlodes venata	Quite common on the hill (RH1995) At Boiling Wells(LB/PQ1994). Small numbers on Narroways. (DB 15.7.2002)
Large White	Pieris brassicae	Common on Narroways, Boiling Wells, gardens and allotments
Small White	Artogeia rapae	Common in the area.
Green-veined White	Artogeia napi	Regarded as common in locality but less than other whites.
Brimstone	Gonepteryx rhamni	Often the earliest butterfly. Rare on Narroways(RH1986/89) Reports most years (HMcP 23.3.2003)
Orange Tip	Anthocharis cardamines	Another early butterfly occasionaly seen. Rare on Narroways(RH1986/89) (Male on church field HMcP20.5.1991) (2 JW 4.5.2003)
Small Tortoiseshell	Aglais urticae	Common in the area. 30 on Buddleia in City Farm (HMcP 31.8.1987) Possibly fewer than formerly.
Peacock	Inachis io	Fairly common – another butterfly to benefit from all the nettles in the allotments area.
Painted Lady	Cynthia cardui	Only occasional – by Ashley Hill allotment and in garden by Church Field (HMcP 4.9.1996) A migrant – several sightings in 2003 (HMcP 2.8.2003)
Comma	Polygonia c-album	Not unusual in area – seen at the City farm, on Narroways & Boiling Wells. They also benefit from prevalence of allotment nettles and caterpillars seen on Golden Hop(HMcP 6.9.2003). (DB 18.3.2003)
Red Admiral	Vanessa atalanta	Fairly common. Another nettle feeder. Also seen in Winter-at the new barn steps (HMcP 21.11.1999) and Montpelier (RS 19.1.2003)
Common Blue	Polyommatus icarus	Thrives in the meadow at Narroways. Large numbers (RG1988) Common in cutting & on the hill (RH1995) 8 in cutting (JW 7.8.2003) 6 Simons Grove (JW 6.72002)
Brown Argus	Aricia agestis	Single individual in cutting on Bird’s Foot Trefoil (HMcP 8.8.2003)
Holly Blue	Celastrina argiolus	Male on ivy in back garden St.Werburghs Park(HMcP 8.7.1990) Female on Ivy in back garden (HMcP 4.8.1996) On Ivy in Stoney Path (DB 2.7.2001) On Ivy in St.Werburghs Park garden (HMcP 12.7.2003)
Small Copper	Lycaena phlaeus	Occasionally in Narroways cutting(RH1995) 3 on cutting South slope (HMcP11.7.89) Has become scarce – last sighting in cutting (JW 22.6.2001)
Meadow Brown	Maniolo jurtina	Probably the commonest Narroways butterfly. Large numbers (RG 1988) 53 on Narroways ( HMcP 11.7.89) Over 50 (DB 2.7.2001)
Gatekeeper	Pyronia tithonus	Possibly increasing in area, especially in scrub areas. 9 on bramble edges (HMcP 11.7.89) 18 around Narroways (DB/HMcP 27.7.2002) Also in Boiling Wells area(LB/PQ1994)
Small Heath	Coenonympha pamphilus	Fairly common in cutting & on the hill (RH1995) No recent sightings.
Ringlet	Aphantopus hyperantus	Becoming common in areas of long grass. 2 on long grass (HMcP 12.7.92) 11 in cutting (JW 28.6.2003) Also at Boiling Wells(LB/PQ1994)
Speckled Wood	Pararge aegeria	Common on Stoney Path where several may be seen together in dappled light, also at Boiling Wells(LB/PQ1994) and wherever some tree canopy. 8 (DB 27.7.2002)
Marbled White	Melanargia galathea	The classic Narroways butterfly and our logo! Large numbers (RG1988) Common in cutting & on the hill(RH1995) Also at Boiling Wells(LB/PQ1994) 11 on Narroways (HMcP 11.7.89), 49 in Church Field (HMcP 28.6.2003) Over 50 on Narroways (DB 2.7.2003)
Humming-bird Hawk Moth	Macroglossum stellatarum	Three sightings. By City Farm cafe on Valerian (HMcP 20.7.1986) , in back garden of 200 Mina Rd. (19.7.2000), in cutting on Bedstraw (HMcP 12.7.2003)
Elephant Hawk Moth	Deilephila elpenor	Associated with Willowherb. One reported in Autumn 2000 In cutting (JW 15.7.2002) Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Common Swift	Hepialus lupulina	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Orange Swift	Hepialus sylvina	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Buff Arches	Habrosyne pyritoides	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Peach Blossom Moth	Thyatira batis	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Riband Wave	Sterrha aversata	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Garden Carpet	Xanthorhoe montanata	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Green Carpet	Colostygia pectinataria	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Common Marbled Carpet	Dysstroma truncata	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Purple Bar	Cosmorhoe ocellata	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Clouded Silver	Lomographa temerata	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
The Phoenix	Eulithis prunata	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Common Pug	Eupithecia vulgata	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Tawny Speckled Pug	Eupithecia icterata	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Toadflax Pug	Eupithecia linariata	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Foxglove Pug	Eupithecia pulchellata	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
White-spotted Pug	Eupithecia tripunctaria	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003) Local, on Elder & Wild Angelica
Double-striped Pug	Gymnoscelis rufifasciata	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Lime-speck Pug	Eupithecia centaureata	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Green Pug	Chloroclystis rectangulata	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Brimstone Moth	Opisthograptis luteolata	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Yellow-barred	Brindle Acasis viretata	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003) Local, associated with scrub.
Canary-shouldered Thorn	Ennomos alniaria	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
August Thorn	Ennomos quercinaria	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Waved Umber	Menophra abruptaria	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Mottled Beauty	Alcis repandata	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Willow Beauty	Peribatodes rhomboidaria	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Peppered Moth	Biston betularia	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
White Ermine	Spilosoma lubricipeda	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Heart & Dart	Agrotis exclamationis	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Setaceous Hebrew Character	Xestia c-nigrum	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Shuttle-shaped Dart	Agrotis puta	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Dark Sword-grass	Agrotis ipsilon	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003) Migrant
Turnip Moth	Agrotis segetum	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003) Migrant
Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing	Noctua fimbriata	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Large Yellow Underwing	Noctua pronuba	Garden of St.Werburghs Park (HMcP 5.7.2003)
Lesser broad-bordered yellow underwing	Noctua janthe	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Square spot rustic	Paradarisa consonaria	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Six-striped rustic	Rustic Xestia sexstrigata	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Small square spot	Diarsia rubi	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Bright-line brown-eye	Lacanobia oleracea	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
The Flame	Axylia putris	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Flame shoulder	Ochropleura plecta	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
The cabbage	Mamestra brassicae	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Common wainscot	Mythimna pallens	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Copper underwing	Amphipyra pyramidea	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Old lady	Mormo maura	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003) local, scrub and woodland
Mouse moth	Amphipyra tragopogonis	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Angle shades	Phlogophora meticulosa	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003) Garden on Narroways Rd (CR 2003)
Straw underwing	Thalpophila matura	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Lychnis	Hadena bicruris	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Knot Grass	Acronicta rumicis	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Poplar grey	Acronicta megacephala	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
The coronet	Craniophora ligustri	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003) local, ash and wild privet
Centre-barred sallow	Sallow Atethmia centrago	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Marbled beauty	Cryphia domestica	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Common rustic	Mesapamea secalis	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Marbled minor	Oligia strigilis	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Tawny marbled minor	Oligia latruncula	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Pale mottled willow	Caradrina clavipalpis	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Mottled rustic	Caradrina morpheus	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Vine’s Rustic	Hoplodrina ambigua	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
The uncertain	Hoplodrina alsines	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Silver Y Moth	Plusia gamma	On Honeysuckle in evening (HMcP 15.9.1991) Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003) In cutting (HMcP 8.8.2003) A migrant.
Burnished brass	Diachrysia chrysitis	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Straw dot	Rivula sericealis	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
The snout	Hypena proboscidalis	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
	Carcina quercana	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
	Celypha lacunana	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Dark Fruit-tree Tortrix	Pandemis heparana	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Chequered Fruit-tree Tortrix	Pandemis corylana	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Light Brown Apple Moth	Epiphyas postvittana	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)introduction
Red-barred Tortrix	Ditula angustiorana	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
	Pseudargyrotoza conwagana	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
	Ptycholomoides aeriferanus	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
	Acleris latifasciana	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
	Eucosma campoliliana	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
	Ancylis badiana	Caught in moth trap and seen during day (RH 7.6.2003)
	Agriphila tristella	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Crambid Moth	Agriphila stranuella	On Narroways (RH).
Crambid Moth	Agriphila geniculae	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Crambid Moth	Crambus lathoniellus	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
	Scoparia pyralella	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Garden Pebble	Evergestis forficalis	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
	Udea olivalis	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Rusty Dot Pearl	Udea ferrugalis	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003) migrant
Rush Veneer	Nomophila noctuella	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003) migrant
Mother of Pearl	Pleuroptya ruralis	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
–	Sitrocha verticalis	On Narroways. Very rare. (RH 1996) Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)scarce, species-rich sparse grassland/wasteland
Gold Triangle	Hypsopygia costalis	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Gold Triangle	Hypsopygia costalis	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Wax Moth	Galleria mellonella	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Bee Moth	Aphomia sociella	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
The Drinker	Euthrix potatoria	(larva) seen during day (RH 7.6.2003)
Small Dusty Wave	Idaea seriata	seen during day (RH 7.6.2003)
Yellow Shell	Camptogramma bilineata	seen during day (RH 7.6.2003)
Latticed Heath	Semiothisa clathrata	seen during day (RH 7.6.2003)
Burnet Companion	Euclidia glyphica	seen during day (RH 7.6.2003)
Cocksfoot Moth	Glyphipterix simpliciella	seen during day (RH 7.6.2003)
	Cydia succedana	seen during day (RH 7.6.2003)
The Lackey Moth	Malacosoma neustria	On abandoned allotments on Narroways(RH 1996)
Cinnabar Moth	Callimorpha jacobaeae	Fairly common on Narroways.
Buff Ermine Moth	Spilosoma lutea	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Yellow Shell Moth	Euphyia bilineata	On abandoned allotments on Narroways(RH 1996).
Common Moth	Epirrhoe alternata	On abandoned allotments on Narroways(RH 1996)
Swallow-tailed Moth	Ourapteryx sambucaria	Evening indoors in house, St.Werburghs Park(HMcP 6.7.1993)
Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet Moth	Zygaena lonicerae	Common on Narroways.
Six-spot Burnet Moth	Zygaena filipendulae	7 on Narroways (DB 27.7.2002) In cutting (JW 8.6.2002)
Mother Shipton	Callistege mi	seen during day (RH 7.6.2003)
Hebrew Character	Ortosia gothica	Caught in moth trap (RH 7.6.2003)
Six-belted Clearwing Moth	Aegeria	On Narroways (RH 1996) Very rare in region.
–	Marasmarcha lunaedactyla	On Narroways (RH 1996)
–	Chrysoteuchia culmella	On Narroways (RH 1996)

Dragonflies and Damselflies

Dragonflies and damselflies have been seen on local ponds and grassy areas and include the impressive emperor dragonfly seen, for example, on the pond at Boiling Wells Lane in July 2002. The others seen include southern hawker, migrant hawker, common darter, broad-bodied chaser, common blue damselfly, large red damselfly, blue-tailed damselfly and azure damselfly.

Name	Latin name	Notes
Emperor Dragonfly	Anax imperator	Occasional sightings of this largest dragonfly. (DB 2.7.2001) On pond, Boiling Wells Lane (DB/HMcP 27.7.2002)
Southern Hawker	Aeshna cyanae	Late summer hawker over small ponds. Simons Grove (JW 26.7.2002) and (JW 16.10.2002)
Migrant Hawker	Aeshna mixta	Late summer hawker. Not common. Simons Grove (JW 26.8.2002)
Common Darter	Sympetrum striolatum	On pond, Boiling Wells Lane (DB/HMcP 27.7.2002) Simons Grove (JW 13.10.20020
Broad-bodied Chaser	Libellula depressa	Common. 2 in Simons Grove (JW 8.6.2002) 4 in Simons Grove (JW 9.6.2002)
Common Blue Damselfly	Enallagma cyathigerum	Common. Simons Grove (7 – JW 7.6.2002) (6 – JW 8.6.2002)
Large Red Damselfly	Pyrrhosoma nymphula	Lynmouth Rd. allotment (HMcP 24.7.2002) 3 in Simons Grove (JW 7.6.2002) Briavels Grove garden (GW 15.5.2003)
Blue-tailed Damselfly	Ischnura elegans	Common. On pond, Boiling Wells Lane (DB/HMcP 27.7.2002) Lynmouth Rd. allotment (HMcP 24.7.2002)
Azure Damselfly	Coenagrion puella	On pond, Boiling Wells Lane (DB/HMcP 27.7.2002)

Other Insects

There are many other insect species on Narroways. Some notable ones are the patchwork leaf-cutter bee and rose chafer. There have been regular sightings of these large metallic green insects in allotments and Narroways on cardoon, feverfew, hemp agrimony and hogweed and they seem to be increasing. Eight were seen on flowering rhubarb in May 2006.

There are cockchafers, soldier beetles, harlequin ladybirds (first seen in the area in 2007, but groups of over 50 suggest they are here to stay), pond-skaters (widespread on local ponds with 20 to 30 seen on the Lynmouth Road allotments water butt), water boatmen, churchyard beetles, oak bush-crickets, common field grasshoppers, meadow grasshoppers, dark bush crickets (frequent in bramble patches and hedges with the earliest chirring being observed in July), speckled bush crickets, green shield bugs and hawthorn shieldbugs. Ants can be observed flying en masse on certain days during the summer, predated by gulls and other birds. There are some large ant hills in the grasslands which show the land hasn’t been cultivated for a long time.

Name	Latin name	Notes
Patchwork Leaf-cutter Bee	Megachile centuncularis	4 on Self-build site (JW 12.7.2003)
Ichneumon Fly	Amblyteles armatorius	Simons Grove (JW 9.6.2003)
Devil’s Coach Horse Beetle	Staphylinus olens	One seen on Narroways with tail poised. (HMcP 25.9.1988)
Stag Beetle	Lucanus cervus	On Narroways (JW 8.2000)
Rose Chafer	Cetonia aurata	Regular sightings on allotments and Narroways on Cardoon, Feverfew, Hemp Agrimony, Hogweed. Seems to be increasing. On Narroways. (JW 7.1998) 2 in allotments (HMcP 12.7.2002) 6 on Narroways (DB 27.7.2002)
Cockchafer	Melolontha melolontha	In house in St.Werburghs Park (HMcP 25.7.2000)
Soldier Beetle	Rhagonycha fulva	On Narroways. (JW 8.2000) Many in Simons Grove (JW 13.7.2003)
Seven-spotted Ladybird	Coccinella 7-punctata	Common
Fourteen-spotted Ladybird	Propylea 14-punctata	Simons Grove (JW 20.7.2003)
Thick-legged Flower Beetle	Oedemera nobilis	On flowerheads (DB 27.5.2002) On bramble (JW 5.6.2003)
Common Pondskater	Gerris lacustris	Widespread on local ponds. 20-30 on Lynmouth Rd allotments water butt (HMcP 24.7.2002)
Water Boatman	Notonecta glauca	In Simons Grove, eating tadpoles in pond (JW 4.3.2003)
Lily Beetle	Lilioceris lilii	5 in Simons Grove (JW 4.5.2003)
Churchyard Beetle	Blaps mucronata	(JW 31.7.2002)
Long-winged conehead	Conocephalus discolor	nationally scarce but increasing (RH 7.6.2003)
Oak bush-cricket	Meconema thalassinum	(RH 7.6.2003)
Common Field Grasshopper	Chorthippus brunneus	Very common on Narroways.
Meadow Grasshopper	Chorthippus parallelus	Very common on Narroways
Dark Bush Cricket	Pholidoptera griseoaptera	Frequent in bramble patches and hedges. Earliest chirring in back garden St.Werburghs Park (HMcP 23.7.2000)
Speckled Bush Cricket	Leptophyes punctatissima	In Narroways cutting. (RH 1995)
Green Shield Bug	Palomena prasina	Often seen in local gardens. 2 in Simons Grove (JW 9.6.2003)
Hawthorn Shieldbug	Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale	(JW 9.9.2003)
Slender groundhopper	Tetrix subulata	(RH 7.6.2003)
Squashbug	Coreus marginatus	58 in Simons Grove (JW 9.6.2003) 28 on Rhubarb in Simons Grove (JW 10.8.2003)

Possible sightings

Name	Latin name	Notes
Clouded Yellow	Colias croceus	One possible sighting on Church Field (HMcP 12.7.1992).
Purple Hairstreak	Quercusia quercus	One unconfirmed sighting by St.Werburghs Park (NR 12.6.2003)
Ruddy Darter	Sympetrum sanguineum	One unconfirmed sighting in Simons Grove (JW 10.8.2003)

RH = Rupert Higgins LB = Lisa Best PH = Phil Quinn JW = Jan Walters RG = Ralph Gaines HMcP = Harry McPhillimy NR = Naomi Roberts CR = Christine Rumble DB = Des Bowring RS = Richie Smith GW = Guy Watson

Records updated December 2003