Adela cuprella now on the wing.

Managed to see 8 Adela cuprella this afternoon at the golf course. All were resting on high twigs of flowering Sallow bushes (both male and female plants), catching the sun after a heavy rain shower. Didn’t see any flying. So now will be a good time to check Sallows near you for this moth, it’s very distinctive with metallic gold wings and very long antennae, and when it does fly I normally see it in small groups fluttering together over the tops. Last year I found it at Bromeswell, Rendlesham forest and Staverton Park. It must be at other locations just waiting to be discovered. A word of advice though if you do go looking, I would recommend taking binoculars as they are pretty essential for viewing this moth as it always seems to be high up!

Good luck!

Neil

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2 Responses to Adela cuprella now on the wing.

  1. paulb says:

    High up indeed! I spent late am / early pm at Lackford Lakes today checking every flowering sallow bush I could find. Eventually, I came across a small group of circa 10 cuprella doing just what Neil said they would be doing. It then took another 30 minutes or so before one came down low enough for me to be able to net it. Pretty pleased all round as this counts as a new (but probably overlooked) species for me and may even be a new VC record to boot.

  2. Neil says:

    Well done there Paul, glad my information on finding this species was useful. Hopefully with some sunshine more sites will be found for this moth.
    Neil

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