Here in the west of Wales the first half of April has more than our fair share of frosty nights - 16 out of 19 nights have been below zero with the coldest night on the 11th. falling to a very cold -4.7c. So our 'lockdown target species' challenge has stalled somewhat, but hopefully things will pick up again soon.
The Montgomeryshire Moth Group are a friendly group of people who study moths in Montgomeryshire, Wales. This blog gives everyone a chance to share their moth news. If you'd like to contribute, please get in touch!
Tuesday 20 April 2021
Mid-month assessment of the 'Lockdown species chalenge
Wednesday 14 April 2021
A few early micro-moth stages to be on the look out for in April
Not much in the way of leaf-mines yet; however, there are a few interesting species that can be found at this time of the year
On Quercus ilex (evergreen/holm oak).
This is not a common tree in north Wales but there are isolated individuals (see BSBI map). These are worth checking for leaf mines made by Stigmella suberivora or Ectoedemia heringella. Both species tend to be very conspicuous. Either would be new for north Wales.
Ectoedemia heringella. Image: leafmines.co.uk |
On Erica/Calluna (heather & heath)
Two species of Coleophora can be found on heather at this time of year. Coleophora pyrrhulipennella constructs large, dark cases that stand out, whilst C. juncicolella cases are exceptionally well camouflaged. These are best obtained by sweeping or beating heather to dislodge the cases. Then place the resulting material in a container and wait for bits of heather to appear to start crawling up the walls!
Images of the cases can be found here: http://www.ukflymines.co.uk/Keys/CALLUNA.php
There is a 'Mine of Month' challenge currently going on the MMG Facebook group, which I'd enourage people to join if they haven't already.
Saturday 3 April 2021
Lockdown species Challenge 03-04-21
Hello Moth-ers,
The
data for March in our ‘lockdown Target species challenge’ is now in and can be
viewed on our Facebook group page as well as here on our blog.
It was a variable month as regards weather conditions, but the last few days of the month were in general, very good for mothing and there were a lot of recorders adding species to the main table.
Please note the following points:
1)
That all target species will remain active in the challenge (although some may
have finished their flight time), so please let me know if you record one of
these at any time and I’ll update your points on the table.
2)
Also, it may well be you’ve already recorded a species before I add it to the
target list, that’s fine, just let me know and I’ll add the record to the main
table.
3)
This challenge is open to everyone without any restrictions and you can join in
whenever you like, just let me know and I'll add your name to the chart.
The target species added in April (or let me know if you’ve already have recorded one) are; -
6) White-marked (1 point)
5)
Pine Beauty (2 points)
The target species to look out for which were added in previous months are; -
4) Oak Nycteoline (1 point)
3)
Blossom Underwing (2 points)
2)
Shoulder Stripe (1 point)
1)
Small Brindled Beauty (2 points)
Good luck to all.