John Baker, the county moth recorder, has produced his annual report for 2008. This detailed report provides interesting information on the moths of Carmarthenshire and how they fared last year. Jon is supported by committed volunteers who take time to send their records into and contribute to learning as much as we can about this important group of insects in the county.

In 2008 6481 records were submitted of 405 species. As with 2007 the poor summer weather had an adverse effect on our moths – moths can cope with some bad weather but the long-term effects of a series of poor summers could be detrimental.

Five new species were recorded for the county, including the Kent Black Arches, a nationally scarce species normally found on or near the coast  of England from Devon to Norfolk.

I was a poor year for migrants, with even the commonest migrant, the SilverY being poorly recorded but a number of species broke records for their first sightings – 54 species out of 405 broke or equalled records for emergence. This continues the trend of recent years.

The report can be viewed on the Carmarthenshire Biodiversity Partnership website: www.carmarthenshirebiodiversity.co.uk