Early stages: Nemapogon clematella

It is also worth having a close look at any Hazel branches that have the small black fruiting bodies of the fungus Diatrype disciformis on them, as the larvae of Nemapogon clematella feed within, given away by the tell-tale frass. The last image is of a pupa and cocoon found directly under these fruiting bodies that could be N. clematella, time will tell.

Early stages: Metzneria lappella

Another relatively widespread moth with a commonly occurring food plant whose larvae are easy to find at this time of year - Metzneria lappella.

The often abundant larvae can be found in their winter hibernacula within the seed heads of Greater Burdock.  This hard hibernacula can be felt once the seed head is opened and teasing this apart further will reveal the rather dumpy looking larva.

They are also easy to rear through, just pop a few seed heads in a container and wait...simple.

Burdock seed head, note lack of external signs of 'occupation' Larval hibernaculum made from several seeds Larva within opened hibernaculum Larva extracted from hibernaculum

Early stages: Carcina quercana

Here is a fairly widespread moth, Carcina quercana, with an almost ubiquitous foodplant, bramble.

These are relatively easy to spot right now; the patches of 'windowing' caused by the larvae feeding beneath the leaf can be quite obvious.  On turning the leaves over, the larval spinnings will betray the hiding place of the green larvae.






Definitely one worth keeping an eye out for during the lean times.

Although I'd say this generally about early stage searches and my year list clearly illustrates this as it now stands at 34 species but adult moths total just five species.

Some other micro finds to date this year include:

Metzneria aestivella - larvae in Carline Thistle seed heads
M. lappella - larva in Burdock seed heads
Epinotia immundana - larvae on birch catkins
Ectoedemia heringella mines
Cedestis subfasciella mines
Cochylis roseana - larvae in teasel heads
Endothenia marginana - as above
E. gentianaeana - as above
Limnaecia phragmitella - numerous larvae in Typha seed heads
and cases of Coleophora gryphipennella, C. glaucicolella, C. argentula and C. solitariella.