300th macro for my Little Hadham records

This morning was, as expected, better than average at the moth trap. A haul of 41 moths of 12 species included all the regulars: 10 setaceous hebrew characters, 11 square spot rustics, selection of lesser, large and broad bordered yellow underwing. However, 2 moths were unusual: a large wainscot that transpired to be my 300th macro record for the village, a Webb's wainscot and an interesting noctuid that looked like a pale mottled willow but was covered on both upper and underwing with orange dots. These, when the moth was potted, appeared to fall off and so I wondered if it was perhaps pollen. An inquiry to the county recorder gave me the answer: mites known as Cheletomorpha lepidopterorum. I was sent an interesting paper from the the Entomologist's Rec, J Var 127 (2015) written by Anne S Baker from the Dept.of Life Sciences, NHM and Roy Leverton from Banffshire, Scotland. I have now forwarded a photo to both of them, as shown below.
Apparently, not many records of this mite, which has been known for over 200 years, having first been noted in 1794 and pale mottled willow is the most common moth to be associated with infestations: 8 records, stretching from 1865 to present day. These records come from Scotland, Chester, Cheadle, County Durham, Penrith, Amsterdam, Tring (Herts 1970) and Ordiquhill, Scotland.
The motes also associate with Lesser yellow underwing, dark arches, smoky wainscot, Lempke's gold spot, dotted clay and large yellow underwing.
The mites are found in hay bales and old barns and it may well be that this is a favoured roost for pale mottled willow, hence their ability to become infested more than any other species.
All in all, an exciting morning after many days of the same moths.
Totals for 2015 now up to 191 macros and 177 micros; 368 species. Pushing it to get another 32 species by the end of December, but already my best year so far.

Webb's wainscot (I hope!!) If so: 300th macro for the parish

Pale mottled willow with mites.