Tinea pellionella

Checked a bag of wool in the same room as the potential Tinea pellionella. There are hundreds of them in there munching their way through the wool.

The case of the strange caterpillar

Have got about 80 of these on the walls and ceiling of the spare bedroom. They are about 8 - 9mm long. The case appears to be attached to the surface at a single point. The grub extends itself approx half way out of the case, but withdraws back in when there is movement nearby.

Douglas thinks they are Tinea pellionella (case-bearing clothes moth). I am going to rear some on to try and confirm this. Will attempt to feed them on bits of wool.

Deadline for sending in your 2016 'Moth Night' records is 30th November

This is just a reminder to all recorders to ensure all Moth Night 2016 datasets (records from 09th to 11th June) are submitted via the Butterfly Conservation online recording system (www.mothnight.info) or email to lhill@butterfly-conservation.org by close-of-play Wednesday, 30th November 2016, after which the online system will be closed and the data shortly afterwards will be forwarded to all County Moth Recorders for verification.

Peter.