12th August

Small Ranunculus still hanging on in there!

A few weeks ago after hearing about Small Ranuculus arriving at Abergavenny in Sam's post dated 23rd July, I went in search of some at Chepstow.
I've found larvae and indeed captured an adult in the garden over the last few years, but I was very worried about a development that had started to place on a site that had contained 10's of larvae.
My worsts fears were realised when they tarmacked over the group of Prickly lettuce creating an entrance to the building site.

2017 larvae, 4 in view.

After searching on scattered plants that were starting to re-colonise gaps in pavements, rough stony ground, that was nearby, I come came up with a complete blank.

Still, it was positive that other plants were beginning to grow on edges of  pavements after seeds had been scattered, until unfortunately they were then sprayed by the council. (This seems to happen everywhere with councils.)

One larvae here, which are sometimes difficult to see as they lay along the stem

Then several weeks later I came across a patch of wild flowers that presumably the council had seeded to encourage bees and insects. Looking closer I then espied Prickly Lettuce was in amongst the flower mix and rushed to have a look.
Great news as several minutes later a Small Ranuculus larvae came into view, then another and another.
I found 7 in all, but I'm sure others are there because these were at a quite small stage of development.

Adult found in garden in 2013.

It is very positive news but I do wonder how the moth will fare and survive in the near future when on one hand plants are sprayed and possibly larvae killed and on the other, plants are inadvertently re-introduced in a seeded flower mix every year in selected areas by the council, time will tell.