Yes,I know its a funny title so let me explain. As I was doing yesterday's blog the phone went and it was Tim Norriss out on Stockbridge Down with a fellow bird enthusiast when he found some Burdock with the typical feeding damage of the Spotted White Plume - Porrittia galactodactyla larvae and suggested that maybe I should go over later that day and take some photos so as to add yet another new species to the website.
Tim knows me well and it wasn't long before I met him on the down to see these larvae for the first time.
The moth which is a Nationally Scarce Nb species is rarely seen not being attracted to the light trap so a good way to find these is to do just what Tim had done by checking for feeding damage on Burdock that is growing more in the shade as they don't like open light situations.
The first instar larva tends to create a very small hole in the leaf which increases in size with the growth of the larva,finishing by leaving a white mark on the edge of the hole. see photos
Taking shots in the dark is difficult but when you a have a larva that is so camouflaged against the main rib of the leaf it is difficult for the lens to pick up the differences.So that's my excuses over with.
Technically we found 3 larvae,I say technically because as I have mentioned in a previous post predation is everywhere as we found one poor larva being dispatched by having his brains sucked out by some mysteriously and ghastly bug.
With his brother very close by what are the chances of survival? Only time will tell as at the end of the day moths are either a package of protein with wings or legs and sadly they are heavily predated.
Watch how quickly the Blue Tit learns you have moths left in the light trap and you will understand where I'm coming from.
So another moth for the website.
With the weather very calm we took a walk along the paths looking for the Adela species and did find Cauchas fibulella in among some Germander Speedwell as well as a group of about 6 micros flying in and around a small Laurel Bush which has turned out to be a relation of the Micropterix found in the Bilberry called Micropterix aruncella. Such moments are a good time to practice photographic skills not forgetting you need a good shot for the website.
We saw many micros in the hour or so looking,most there one minute gone the next or too difficult to photograph anyway.
So thanks Tim for the "Dial a larvae" service which worked out very well by adding another couple of moths to the website as well as having a very interesting field study.
Thanks Tim,most informative as usual.
Tim knows me well and it wasn't long before I met him on the down to see these larvae for the first time.
The moth which is a Nationally Scarce Nb species is rarely seen not being attracted to the light trap so a good way to find these is to do just what Tim had done by checking for feeding damage on Burdock that is growing more in the shade as they don't like open light situations.
The first instar larva tends to create a very small hole in the leaf which increases in size with the growth of the larva,finishing by leaving a white mark on the edge of the hole. see photos
Taking shots in the dark is difficult but when you a have a larva that is so camouflaged against the main rib of the leaf it is difficult for the lens to pick up the differences.So that's my excuses over with.
Technically we found 3 larvae,I say technically because as I have mentioned in a previous post predation is everywhere as we found one poor larva being dispatched by having his brains sucked out by some mysteriously and ghastly bug.
With his brother very close by what are the chances of survival? Only time will tell as at the end of the day moths are either a package of protein with wings or legs and sadly they are heavily predated.
Watch how quickly the Blue Tit learns you have moths left in the light trap and you will understand where I'm coming from.
So another moth for the website.
With the weather very calm we took a walk along the paths looking for the Adela species and did find Cauchas fibulella in among some Germander Speedwell as well as a group of about 6 micros flying in and around a small Laurel Bush which has turned out to be a relation of the Micropterix found in the Bilberry called Micropterix aruncella. Such moments are a good time to practice photographic skills not forgetting you need a good shot for the website.
We saw many micros in the hour or so looking,most there one minute gone the next or too difficult to photograph anyway.
So thanks Tim for the "Dial a larvae" service which worked out very well by adding another couple of moths to the website as well as having a very interesting field study.
Thanks Tim,most informative as usual.
 Typical feeding damage showing on the Burdock leaves with a larva on the underside of the leaf to the left. Can you spot him? |  Close up of the leaf shows the larger holes with the white mark in one corner which is typical of this larva |
 45.031 - Porrittia galactodactyla - Spotted White Plume larva - Stockbridge Down - 27 May 2016 |  45.031 - Porrittia galactodactyla - Spotted White Plume larva - Stockbridge Down - 27 May 2016 - larva that is so camouflaged against the main rib |
Two larvae had positioned themselves in the centre of the Burdock plant possibly thinking they were better protected than an open leaf but predators know this and this was the grisly scene to greet us,poor devil and look where his brother is. Wouldn't have thought the bug could eat a whole one!!!!
Thanks to Tim for managing the shot which I couldnt get right.
Thanks to Tim for managing the shot which I couldnt get right.
Larva being predated by a Nabis rugosus - Common Damsel Bug
Larva being predated by a Nabis rugosus - Common Damsel Bug
Time to leave this situation and lighten the mood with a couple of shots of the second new moth Micropterix aruncella
1.004 - Micropterix aruncella Male - (Scopoli, 1763) - Stockbridge Down - 27 May 2016
1.004 - Micropterix aruncella Male - (Scopoli, 1763) - Stockbridge Down - 27 May 2016
Whilst trying to keep all informed with changes and additions to the website the following have been added to the website mostly with the thanks belonging to Tim who has added so many species to this website giving me the chance to have far more than I ever anticipated.
| 8.001 - Incurvaria pectinea 49.300 - Pine Bud Moth 49.080 - Acleris hastiana 54.004 – Transparent Burnet 54.005 – Slender Scotch Burnet 54.010 – Five-spot Burnet 49.095 - Phtheochroa rugosana 49.142 - Falseuncaria ruficiliana 1.003 - Micropterix aureatella 70.221 - Little Thorn 48.007 - Apple Leaf Skeletonizer 48.003 - Prochoreutis sehestediana 49.194 - Bactra lancealana 1.004 - Micropterix aruncella 70.137 - Grass Rivulet 73.158 - Rustic Shoulder-knot 12.037 - Monopis weaverella 49.142 - Falseuncaria ruficiliana 73.301 - Shoulder-striped Wainscot 49.345 - Lathronympha strigana 35.058 - Metzneria metzneriella | 70.177 – Satyr Pug 73.314 – Garden Dart 11.002 - Narycia duplicella 70.223 – Barred Umber 59.029 – Large Tortoiseshell 72.057 – Plumed Fan-foot 69.004 – Convolvulus Hawk-moth 73.179 – Orange Sallow 73.246 – Lead-coloured Drab 70.223 – Barred Umber 73.030 – The Druid 73.050 – Wormwood – larva only 70.126 – Small Waved Umber 45.031 – Spotted White Plume 35.050 - Aristotelia ericinella 70.086 - Broken-barred Carpet 69.005 - Death's-head Hawk-moth 69.014 - Bedstraw Hawk-moth 63.115 - Water Veneer 35.040 - Bryotropha terrella 72.025 - Wood Tiger |
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