Silky Wainscot (Chilodes maritimus) Spreads East

[stevehind]

Silky Wainscot (Chilodes maritimus) Spreads East:

A Silky Wainscot (Chilodes maritimus) was caught at Heald Green by Barry Shaw on 18th July 2011, which appears to be the most easterly Cheshire record.

This reedbed species was first recorded in the county at Rostherne Mere in 1986 and again in 1987, suggesting that it was already established at the site. It has since been found at other reedbeds in the county, such as those at Marbury (Northwich), Moore, Burton Marsh and Red Rocks and has also wandered into gardens at Allostock and Shavington. There is also a record from the Audlem hectad SJ64, although details are lacking.

There is an entry on the rECOrd database from Delamere in 1956, which seems very early. Does anyone have details of this, as at that time it was restricted to Southern England ? The 1980 map published in Vol. 10 of MOGBI shows a few Yorkshire records which were the start of the species spread north and as with most species as they move north it is firstly along the eastern side of the Pennines, which they then cross to reach us, rather than colonising from the south. The 1982/3 records from the Leighton Moss/Gait Barrows area would suggest that it reached Silverdale before Cheshire.

Steve