Dear Chris,

Can you please add an entry for a new Tortrix moth named as:  Tetramoera langmaidi Plant 2014, sp. nov.  It has recently been described by Colin Plant.

In the new checklist of British Lepidoptera (Agassiz et al, 2013), Tetramoera langmaidi Plant, 2014 should be inserted between 49.200 Enarmonia formosana (Scop.) and 49.201 Ancylis unguicella (L.). For the benefit of computerised recording
programs that currently retain the Bradley & Fletcher (1979) numbering system, the code number 1216a is appropriate.

TETRAMOERA LANGMAIDI SP. NOV. (LEP.: TORTRICIDAE,
OLETHREUTINAE, ENARMONIINI): A NEW SPECIES OF PROBABLY
ORIENTAL TORTRICID MOTH FROM ENGLAND
COLINW. PLANT
14 West Road, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire CM23 3QP
(E-mail: cpauk1@ntlworld.com)

Abstract

Tetramoera langmaidi Plant, 2014, sp. nov. is described from specimens taken at light traps in the southern English counties of Hampshire and Hertfordshire. Both sexes are described and illustrated; the genitalia of both sexes are figured. The species is likely to be associated with bamboo that was imported from propagated stock from the south of Ireland.
Keywords: Tortricidae, Enarmoniini, Tetramoera langmaidi sp. nov.

Background to the discovery:

On the night of 17 July 2014, Andrew Wood caught an unfamiliar tortrix moth in his garden in the northern part of Hertford town in Hertfordshire, England. A photograph was circulated by Andrew on an Internet discussion group concerning Hertfordshire moths, as a result of which it was agreed that a more critical examination of the moth was called for. The moth was, therefore, delivered to CWP who determined that it was a male and dissected it. The genitalia, however, did not resemble any known Western Palaearctic species, a view that was agreed with by Jon Clifton, Brian Goodey and Rachel Terry, to whom images were e-mailed for an opinion. The photograph of the moth and a sketch of the genitalia were next e-mailed by CWP to John R. Langmaid (JRL) in Southsea, Hampshire – an act that stimulated an almost instantaneous response of “that’s my moth”. In the ensuing telephone conversation it was revealed that John had caught an identical insect, with identical genitalia, in his garden on 28 July 2008.

After catching his moth, JRL had a significant exchange of e-mails with various authorities on the Tortricidae, all of which he has most kindly copied to me. These reveal that none of the “world’s experts” on the group could recognise the species,
with some going as far as to suggest that it was in fact undescribed. After some discussion between us, JRL and CWP agreed that whilst JRL was undoubtedly correct not to name this moth on the basis of his single specimen, the discovery of a second example at a different geographical location made this act rather more desirable. However, we were agreed that it would be most desirable to obtain a female, in order to confirm its precise taxonomic position, before “rushing into print”.
Unfortunately, two additional examples that had been retained in Andrew Wood’s freezer were found to have been accidentally discarded; we were extremely pleased, therefore, that a further example caught on 24 July 2014 and sent to CWP was indeed a female. Having somewhat fluffed the earlier dissection of the male, I decided that the honour of dissecting the female should fall to Brian Goodey, whose website at www.dissectiongroup.co.uk enjoys world-wide recognition.

The above is an extract from Colin Plant's paper published in Entomologist’s Rec. J. Var. 126 (2014).  I can e-mail you a copy of the paper if you feel it would help Chris.  See here: http://www.entrecord.com/abstracts14.htm

- TETRAMOERA LANGMAIDI SP NOV (LEP.: TORTRICIDAE, OLETHREUTINAE, ENARMONIINI): A NEW SPECIES OF PROBABLY ORIENTAL TORTRICID MOTH FROM ENGLAND. Entomologist's Record and Journal of Variation, 126(5), Sep 2014: 164-174. [Zoological Record Volume 151]

Cheers, take care and have a good Xmas and New Year.

Steve