Mine, all mine

The leaf mining season is really starting to ramp up now, which is not a bad thing given that garden trapping remains decidedly well under par.

A few finds from recent days include Caloptilia rufipennella on Sycamore (early mines)  




 C. syringella on Privet


and Stigmella hybnerella on Hawthorn.



Dave

Early stages: Epermenia chaerophyllella

This one is pretty common and widespread and right now the gregarious larvae are very easy to find.

The windows and brown patches created by the feeding larvae are very obvious, most commonly found on Hogweed but also on other Umbellifers.  Look for these patches and turn over the leaf to reveal groups of larvae.

More net gains

Sweeping with the net continues to yield plenty of micros:

Hypochalcia ahenella


Agonopterix purpurea


Pseudargyrotoza conwagana


Epiblema cynosbatella


Clepsis consimilana

Notable net gains

Have been very lucky with the net during daytime searching of hedgerows and chalk grassland close to home this week with a good range of species added to the year list.

Highlights were two that were new for me, a very pleasant surprise indeed:

Aethes williana


Elachista subocellea


Who needs a light trap eh? (well I do of course, but it's good to use an array of methods as there are many species you'll never see if you restrict your activities).

Dave

Early stages: Coleophora follicularis

Another larval case, this time Coleophora follicularis, found on Hemp-Agrimony (Eupatorium) near Seaton Lakes, East Kent.

Another one that's not too hard to find as the feeding signs are very obvious.


Dave

My mate Geoff Goodwing

Otherwise known as Alabonia geoffrella or perhaps Geoffroy's Goodwing...

I look forward each year to the time when this moth is on the wing, it is just such a stunning moth.



I like the interpretation of the Generic name by Emmet - "good wing", which is written with the caveat that its formulation is so unusual as to cast doubt on this interpretation.  I for one wouldn't disagree that it has good wings!

Dave

Number 1 Moth

Micropterix tunbergella

Well it is #1 going by Bradley and Fletcher at least and it is such a gem that it's high on my favourites list.



Netted this little gem by the house by a patch of Greater Stitchwort yesterday morning, amongst dozens of Cocksfoot Moth (Glypihpterix simpliciella).

Dave