6 recorders met up for this daytime meeting at Groton wood to look for moths, larvae and leaf mines. It was a hot, dry afternoon so we soon headed into the shady wood where the temperature was much more pleasant. Pity about the mosquitoes however!
Searching around the rides through the wood produced a list of just over 40 species, not too bad given that it is still early for a lot of leaf mines. It was hoped by having this meeting we could obtain some first brood mines to breed adults out of. Unfortunately the warm weather had pushed the season on further than we would have liked as we found most mines had already emerged.
Species of possible note found included: Stigmella aceris (mines on Field maple), Ectoedemia loisella (mines on Field maple keys), Euspilapteryx auroguttella (cones on St John’s wort), Antispila metallella (mine with cut out case hole on Dogwood), Stigmella tiliae (common on the abundant Small-leaved lime in the wood), Heliozella sericiella (cut out case on Oak) and Roeslerstammia erxlebella (early mine in tip of Lime leaf).
I did try a bit of beating for larvae but this was unsuccessful in obtaining any records, and Paul tried using some clearwing pheromones again to no avail.
Overall an enjoyable survey, just a pity that the planned night-time trapping didn’t take place due to other commitments for the 2 keyholders.
Neil