Another diurnal Micro challenge

 

With Greater Stitchwort festooning the hedges (at least in NE Monmouthshire), now is the time to look out for Coleophora (Metriotes) lutarea.  This is a medium-sized Coleophorid with slightly shiny grey wings, and despite looking like many Coleophora species, is distinctive because it holds its antennae up at an angle (rather than straight forward as in Coleophora).  It also sits around on Stitchwort flowers, which I've never seen other Coleophora doing.  I saw one this morning during a brief stop in a lane near Dingestow, and sunny mornings are an ideal time to look.  As with so many other Micros, there are very few VC35 records: this is the 7th, and the 5th from Dingestow (whilst another was made by George Tordoff from a couple of miles to the east).

 

The same lane held Psychoides filicivora, Glyphipterix simpliciella, Esperia sulphurella, Adela reaumurella and two species of Phyllonorycter, plus a couple of Silver-ground Carpet and a Common Wave.  It's slow going though!