Early Stages: Metzneria aestivella

The larvae of this moth feed inside the seed head of Carline Thistle.  I was lucky enough to locate these at a coastal site in Kent at the weekend and will hopefully rear them through.








I noticed that all of the affected seed heads would show a small, darkened clump of seeds that betrayed the feeding larva below.  Gently teasing the seed head apart revealed the larva feeding on the seeds at the base of the seed head.

If you do go looking for these, wear gloves.

Dave

Rearing success: Lozotaenia forsterana

This smart, yet brute of a Tortrix emerged from its pupa over the weekend: Lozotaenia forsterana.

The larva, given away by its spinning of leaves together, was collected from Hawthorn three weeks ago and duly emerged on 12.v.12.

I am always fascinated by what's left behind too so have also included a picture of the exuvia.

Dave

Early Stages: more on Coleophora serratella

Following up on the previous post, now managed to find Coleophora serratella larvae in their new, spring cases:



The discarded first case can be seen towards the top of this image and the larva can be seen in the mine






I observed this one for some time while it was in the process of constructing its new case.

Regards

Dave

Early stages: two more Coleophorids

Managing to find plenty of cases of late, these two were on Alder.  The feeding signs are quite obvious and these only took a few minutes to find.


Coleophora binderella - case on Alder


 Coleophora serratella - case on Alder

Dave

Early stages: Coleophora lineolea

Successfully targeted Hedge Woundwort (Stachys sylvatica), one of the foodplants of the case-bearing larvae of Coleophora lineolea yesterday.

The feeding signs are quite obvious from above, betraying the larval cases below, and don't take too long to find at all.

One to look out for.









Dave

Early stages: Timothy Tortrix (Aphelia paleana)

The larvae of Timothy Tortrix feed on a range of plants and are relatively easy to find right now as the feeding signs can be quite obvious; the larva is also distinctive.  I find this species most often on Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata), growing on waste ground in various locations.



Larva in leaf fold of Ribwort Plantain


Feeding signs


Feeding signs, again

Covert Wood, 29th April 2012

Spent a few minutes sweeping across the heathland areas within this woodland complex at the weekend with pretty pleasing results, including these two:


Neofaculta ericetella


Ancylis uncella

Also quite a few mines around, including this one:


Eriocrania unimaculella