Over recent days the Eriocrania species I collected as mines 10 months ago have begun to emerge and they are well worth a little rearing effort:
Eriocrania cicatricella ex mine on Birch
Eriocrania semipurpurella ex mine on Birch
The mines of the various Eriocraniidae will start to appear over the next few weeks (some species earlier than others of course) and I certainly recommend a spot of mine hunting and even a bit of rearing through, they're not that difficult, you just have a long time to wait.
Any special treatment of the leaves to keep them?
ReplyDeleteNot really, Dave.
DeleteI wait for mature mines, then use an old takeaway tub with a small amount of compost in the bottom, place the leaves on a small piece of kitchen towel and that's about it. I remove the leaves as soon as as larvae have vacated to prevent mould build up...then keep in cool place in an outbuilding until bringing indoors the following spring.
That reminds me, I must bring in my yoghurt pots tomorrow. I have had some hanging outside with Coleophora cases in them over the winter.
ReplyDelete