Oak feeders in good numbers

 Look back at August 2020

15th August

Buckle Wood, Chapel Hill

A good spread of moths this evening totaling 98 of 40 species. Thought I would feature two Oak feeders that were attracted to the light, both of which I have only recently discovered here at this site over the last year or two.

Oak Lutestring (pictured above) I discovered here in 2019 in quite good numbers and it seems it is continuing to do well. It is supposed to be a declining species and one of concern, hence classification as 'Local' in Britain. It actually overwinters as an egg attached to a twig on Pedunculate or Sessile Oak trees before larvae emerge around April-May when leaves are starting to appear. Adults then are on the wing from August through September.

Another Oak feeder that I have seen here in good numbers is Phycita roberella (Dotted Knot-horn) pictured below.

It emerges earlier than Oak Lutestring but crosses over into it's flight season in August. It's a common micro but quite striking when found newly emerged in reddish brown hues. It feeds mainly on Oak but has been reported on Crab Apple, Pears and Hazel.