Friday 30 December 2016

Late November at Howick and Shirenewton.

As it has gone quiet on the blog I thought I would 'put up' some things of interest that happened several weeks ago but considered fairly important by Sam Bosanquet.

They involve leaf-mines.
I touched on leaf-mining last year but this year I have made a big effort to try and understand the process and identify some 'Leaf miner's' with help from Sam. It is difficult but rewarding when you get a few correct!
The two Leaf mines shown here are on Lime and Oak.

The first example on Lime leaves was found both at Howick on the 19th November and near Shirenewton just five days later on the 24th.
The micro Stigmella tiliae or Lime Pigmy larvae was at work here. (picture below).
It has been found in the vice county to the NE and SE, but Sam informs me it is scarce in Wales overall.

Stigmella tilliae mines

The second micro in larval form, called Stigmella samiatella or Chestnut Pigmy, was found by pure chance in an isolated copse at Howick again on the 24th November in a 'green' Oak leaf that had been blown down by the winds a day or so before.
In fact several examples were found in Oak leaves on that visit, although I believe it can also be found 'mining' Sweet Chestnut leaves.

 One example of Stigmella samiatella 

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