Bucculatrix maritima

If you have Aster tripolium growing nearby chances are that you have Bucculatrix maritima too. This moth is so small that it is easily overlooked in the trap. The best way to find it is by checking the leaves of Aster tripolium for mines. Fortunately I found the one below in the skylight window of the roof of my house before setting the trap for the next night.

Bucculatrix maritima

Svensson's Copper Underwing identification

It's the time of year when lots of Copper Underwings are turning up in the moth trap but just how many are the Svensson's Copper Underwing. I started looking at the labial palps of many looking for the one's that were dark with pale tips. The one below was the first I found and dissection confirms it as Svensson's Copper Underwing.

Svensson's Copper Underwing upper side

Svensson's Copper Underwing under side

Svensson's Copper Underwing upper hind wing

Svensson's Copper Underwing under hind wing

Svensson's Copper Underwing labial palp

Svensson's Copper Underwing aedeagus spines

Choreutis pariana

On 11th August I found several larval webs on Hawthorn. After some digging around I eventually found out that they were the larvae of Choreutis pariana. A lovely little moth which I found farther up the road on Apple last year.

Choreutis pariana larval web and larva

Caloptilia elongella

I found this leaf cone on Alder on 19th August which I believe is Caloptilia elongella. This is a moth I have never found before as an adult or immature so I hope my ID is correct.

Caloptilia elongella leaf cone

Caloptilia elongella larva

Anthophila fabriciana

A mid August walk produced different stages of Athophila fabriciana. on 18th August I found an adult and plenty of larvae.

Anthophila fabriciana adult

Anthophila fabriciana larval web

Anthophila fabriciana larva

Acrolepia autumnitella

Whilst out walking on the weekend I noticed a fair amount of Bittersweet Solanum dulcamara along the roadside. Much of the plant had blister mines from the micro Acrolepia autumnitella.

Acrolepia autumnitella blister mine

Cydia Amplana

A fitting start to the blog with a short note on Cydia amplana. This is a rare migrant tortrix that has been turning up along the south coast from Kent to Cornwall  in the last few weeks. The best count I have heard of so far is 79 + 13 at Portland and many other places have trapped double figure numbers. I've still yet to trap one in my garden so here is a specimen from a neighbouring moth trappers trap.

Cydia amplana