The night of 2.2.17 was windy with some heavy rain & 6°.
I did'nt hold out much hope of finding any moths under the works security lights when i checked them at 0615 prior to the start of a dayshift.
But i found this Acleris umbrana.
Sam tells me it is a new micro species for Gwent.
Acleris umbrana
Showing scale tufts.
What a stunning Micro! This seems to be the first Welsh record for many decades of this rare Tortricid. Apparently most recent British records are from SW England, and I suspect that Mel's moth was blown across the Bristol Channel on recent strong winds.
ReplyDeleteWell done Melvin! Excellent find.
ReplyDeleteIt has been difficult to find any moths I agree.
I come up with 14 records so far this year and I have not really 'gone at it' as yet (weather dependent).
You have to be a little lucky and very vigilant this time of year, which is not to distract from what you have found Mel by the way.
A little praise and encouragement with new discoveries be it on a personal level or county-wise goes a long way I find, so a well done from me (with a hint of jealousy)!
Many thanks Nick.
DeleteAmazingly, Lance Hutchings caught an Acleris umbrana east of Newport about 10 days after Mel's. Two in such quick succession suggests this rare species might have colonised VC35, whereas I thought Mel's might have been a blow-in from SW England.
ReplyDeleteLance has now caught two more Acleris umbrana, so they are definitely resident in the Newport area.
ReplyDelete