Pine Lodge Meadow
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Geology & landscape
Geological Period: Silurian
Description
Description Pine Lodge Meadow is of special interest for its stand of species-rich neutral grassland. Such grassland has declined markedly in recent times, principally through widespread agricultural intensification. The site consists of a single small hay-meadow situated on a moderate north-west facing slope, approximately 2km east of the village of Rhydargaeau to the north of Carmarthen. The underlying geology comprises rocks of Silurian age, overlain by freely draining brown earth soil. Altitude ranges from 225-235 metres. Common grasses in the sward include common bent Agrostis capillaris, sweet vernal-grass Anthoxanthum odoratum, red fescue Festuca rubra and cock’s-foot Dactylis glomerata. These are accompanied by a high cover and rich diversity of forbs, including common knapweed Centaurea nigra, common bird’s-foot-trefoil Lotus corniculatus, cat’s-ear Hypochaeris radicata, eyebright Euphrasia officinalis agg., yellow-rattle Rhinanthus minor and tormentil Potentilla erecta. In the west of the site, where the soil becomes more acidic, the sward is characterised by a higher frequency of tormentil, together with a scattering of heath-grass Danthonia decumbens and sheep’s fescue Festuca ovina. Pine Lodge Meadow also holds some uncommon species interest in the form of greater butterfly orchid Platanthera chlorantha and moonwort Botrychium lunaria.
Species mentioned
Show the 14 species mentioned in the description, with red-list status| English name search for this in other sites |
Latin name search with Google |
IUCN / Red List | Type | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| moonwort | Botrychium lunaria | VU | fern | ophioglossaceae |
| common bent | Agrostis capillaris | LC | grass | poaceae |
| sweet vernal grass | Anthoxanthum odoratum | LC | grass | poaceae |
| cock's foot | Dactylis glomerata | LC | grass | poaceae |
| heath grass | Danthonia decumbens | NT | grass | poaceae |
| sheep's fescue | Festuca ovina | LC | grass | poaceae |
| red fescue | Festuca rubra | LC | grass | poaceae |
| black knapweed | Centaurea nigra | LC | herb | asteraceae |
| English sticky eyebright | Euphrasia officinalis | LC | herb | orobanchaceae |
| cat's-ear | Hypochaeris radicata | LC | herb | asteraceae |
| birdsfoot trefoil | Lotus corniculatus | LC | herb | fabaceae |
| greater butterfly orchid | Platanthera chlorantha | NT | herb | orchidaceae |
| tormentil | Potentilla erecta | LC | herb | rosaceae |
| yellow-rattle | Rhinanthus minor | DD | herb | orobanchaceae |
Insects to look out for
These moths, butterflies and beetles are known to feed on plants recorded at this site, and carry a notable UK conservation status — but a host-plant being present doesn't mean the insect has actually been recorded here. Treat this as "worth watching for," not a confirmed sighting.
| Species | Status | Via host-plant |
|---|---|---|
| Black-veined moth Siona lineata |
Critically Endangered | Centaurea nigra, Lotus corniculatus |
| New forest Zygaena viciae |
Critically Endangered | Lotus corniculatus |
| Straw belle Aspitates gilvaria |
Endangered | Lotus corniculatus |
| Wood white Leptidea sinapis |
Endangered | Lotus corniculatus |
| Slender scotch Zygaena loti |
Endangered | Lotus corniculatus |
| Mouse moth Amphipyra tragopoginis |
Vulnerable | Lotus corniculatus |
| Dingy skipper Erynnis tages |
Vulnerable | Lotus corniculatus |
| Satyr pug Eupithecia satyrata |
Vulnerable | Centaurea spp., Rhinanthus minor |
| Grayling Hipparchia semele |
Vulnerable | Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra |
| Silver studded blue Plebejus argus |
Vulnerable | Lotus corniculatus |
| Grizzled skipper Pyrgus malvae |
Vulnerable | Potentilla erecta |
| Large nutmeg Apamea anceps |
Near Threatened | Dactylis glomerata |
| Small heath Coenonympha pamphilus |
Near Threatened | Agrostis spp., Festuca spp. |
| Autumnal rustic Eugnorisma glareosa |
Near Threatened | Festuca ovina |
| Grey pug Eupithecia subfuscata |
Near Threatened | Centaurea spp. |
| Silver-spotted skipper Hesperia comma |
Near Threatened | Festuca ovina |
| Scarce forester Jordanita globulariae |
Near Threatened | Centaurea nigra |
| Wall Lasiommata megera |
Near Threatened | Agrostis spp., Dactylis glomerata |
| Rosy minor Litoligia literosa |
Near Threatened | Dactylis glomerata, Festuca ovina |
Host-plant data: Cook et al. (2025), Traits data for the butterflies and macro-moths of Great Britain and Ireland, 2024, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology / Butterfly Conservation; and Padovani et al. (2020), Database of Insects and their Food Plants (DBIF), UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (both Open Government Licence). Contains data supplied by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.