Early stages: Argyresthia brockeella

This moth is one of the many whose larvae feed on the catkins of Birch, so has to be reared through for confirmation of ID.  But that said, it is definitely worth keeping a few pots of catkins to see what   emerges.

Whilst there may not be many visible external signs early on, if you keep these in pots you will soon see frass begin to accumulate as it is expelled from the catkin through a small hole.





This moth emerged a few days ago from catkins collected in early January at Fowlmead Country Park near Deal.