Bridgend overnight 20May15 MV

A small catch overnight (12sp / 38 moths) was enlivened by a Scalloped Hazel (our first since 2004 and only the second for the garden), 10 Treble Lines and our first Large Yellow Underwing and Heart & Dart of the season.

 Then we noticed a tiny (c5mm) micro, which upon closer inspection appears to be Azalea Leaf Miner, a garden first for us (372nd).

Caloptilia surprise

I finally plucked up the courage to dissect this large Caloptilia caught in the garden last July. The dark band in the cilia made me think it might be the very rare hemidactylella, rather than the common betulicola or elongella, both of which lack this dark band.

It turns out to be none of the above! It is in fact the summer form of C. falconipennella. I've caught this species before in the spring, but that form (which overwinters) looks very different.

Caloptilia falconipennella - overwintering form

This is the 4th VC41 record of this species, three of which are from my garden. I suspect they breed on the native Alders by the River Taff, but they might be coming from one of the Italian Alder street trees, of which there are a couple not too far away. Dave has found larval cones at Dare Valley, but I keep forgetting to look for them at the right time of year.

George

Psychoides filicivora ?

Doing a bit of gardening yesterday and this little beast fell off one of my ferns. Remembering a post from Dave Slade at the end of last year, I think this must be Psychoides filicivora. Another new moth for me and my garden.

Micropterix envy...

Good work on the Micropterix Paul - having read your post i looked a bit more carefully at a photo i took (yesterday afternoon so after yours!) of Micropterix at Parc Slip. I'm probably being optimistic but the individual on the left doesn't appear to have the orange hairstyle of typical calthella but it's not very well marked either - just a calthella that's lost its hair??

Llangynwyd today. SS8787.

                              2 Micropterix mansuetella found today, one in the same bunch
                              of Bluebell as yesterday and another 20m away. Both were in
                              small isolated Bluebell clumps very close to Marsh Marigolds
                              on the edge of very damp ground. A close look at the Marigolds
                              only gave me M.calthella.

Bridgend overnight 16May15 (MV)

A small but varied catch overnight of 16 moths of 9 species. Our first trapping since 22/4.
Common Marbled Carpet, Brimstone, Poplar Hawkmoth, Flame Shoulder, Muslin moth (our first since 2007), Shuttle-shaped Dart, Rustic Shoulder-knot, Treble Lines and Hebrew Character.

Yesterday a walk to Broadlands and Craig-y-parcau produced a few butterflies, a male Orange Tip, 2 Peacock and a Speckled Wood.

Micropterix mansuetella, a county first?

                                   Micropterix mansuetella

                                 Micropterix mansuetella

                                 Micropterix calthella.
                                 Whilst photographing some Micropterix calthella
                                 in Llangynwyd today, I noticed this Micropterix
                                 mansuetella on Bluebell. Only the one was present
                                 and, on checking the Moths of Glamorgan, I could
                                 see the species was not listed. Unless there are any
                                 recent records, this could be a county first?