Saturday 20 April 2013

Phyllonorycter esperella

This female Phyllonorycter esperella emerged recently from some mines I collected from fallen hornbeam leaves in the autumn, from Forestganol, North Cardiff.

Dave and I have found mines on hornbeam over the last few years in North Cardiff, but as there are no previous county records Dave wanted to see the moth too - so this will be the first confirmed VC41 record I think.


P esperella
 The moth has periodically been raising its abdomen as shown in the photo below - I presume this is a way of releasing pheromones to attract males.
P esperella - displaying?

5 comments:

  1. It's a handsome beast, George. Great photos, too.

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  2. Nice one George. Does it pupate within the leaf?

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  3. Yes, Phyllonorycters pupate within the leaf and so are easier to rear than Stigmella etc which don't. I just left the leaves in a plastic box in an out-house over the winter - as simple as that.

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  4. Congratulations George, and an interesting behaviour shot too.

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