Of galls, blotches, folds and galleries

...just some of the guises of various early stages found in recent days:

Stigmella speciosa on Sycamore


Stigmella ruficapitella on Oak

Stigmella salicis on Goat Willow

Lyonetia clerkella on Silver Birch

Phyllonorycter hilarella/dubitella on Goat Willow

Mompha raschkiella on Rosebay Willowherb

Mompha sturnipennella on Rosebay Willowherb
 

Dave

Early stages: Mompha raschkiella

A fairly widespread species, not surprising in this case given that the foodplant is Rosebay Willowherb. Found several of these in Covert Wood, East Kent at the weekend.



The mines are distinctive as they often lead to red discolouration around the mines. Not too tricky to rear through either, and a smart adult too:


http://kentmicromoths.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/bonsai-banzai-bonanza.html

Dave

Bonsai banzai bonanza

Had an early evening trip to Bonsai Bank and Denge Woods in the Kent Downs yesterday.  A stunning display of Lady Orchids and Twayblades and of course of micro moths (inc. leaf miners).

Denge Woods and Bonsai Bank, sweep netting, 23 May 2012 (5:15 - 7:15 pm)

Pyrausta nigrata - 6


Mompha raschkiella - 1


Micropterix calthella - 45+


Epinotia subocellana




Aethes tesserana




Eucosma aspidiscana


Nematopogon swammerdamella
Eriocrania sangii - 3 mines

E. cicatricella - 3 larva in single mine
E. salopiella

Dave