Monmouthshire Moth and Butterfly Group
Thursday 21 December 2023
Hebrew Character brings Seasons Greetings on Winter Solstice
Monday 13 November 2023
Friday 27 October 2023
Tuesday 10 October 2023
Monday 9 October 2023
Bulwark Chepstow
Good Afternoon everyone,
This is my first addition to the findings as I am a complete novice having gained interest through helping a friend of mine when he was visiting his daughter.
As of yet, I have only had one successful trapping.
The date of this was October 2nd, the evening was damp and misty.
Two Large Yellow Underwings
Eight Box
Two Epiphyas Postvittana
One Acleris Sparsana,
I apologise for any scientific spelling erros as I am just learning.
Saturday 30 September 2023
Lyonetia prunifoliella - a new leaf miner to look out for.
Lyonetia prunifoliella has been spreading rapidly across England, having recolonised the country a few years ago following a period of around 100 years with no records. It was first recorded in Wales as a leaf-mine on Anglesey last year, and soon after I found a mine at Kenfig (Glamorgan). I couldn't find any mines in Cardiff last year, but this year they have been present on Blackthorn suckers in two of my local parks.
After a trip to the Lamby Way recycling site yesterday I called in at Lamby Lake to look for leaf-mines. Lyonetia prunifoliella mines were frequent on Blackthorn suckers in several places, the larvae mostly having recently finished feeding and busy spinning their elaborate hammock cocoons (similar to those of L. clerkella) on the underside of leaves.
It could be anywhere in the county already, so well worth looking out for. It seems especially fond of suckering Blackthorn between 2 and 5 feet tall.