Thursday 26 October 2017

Acleris logiana?

The elm-feeding Acleris kochiella, which is quite a variable species, has been recorded regularly here at Westcott for more than ten years now, both in its summer generation (June/July) and its autumn generation (which I've only ever seen in Feb/Mar/Apr after over-wintering).  Two fairly typical examples of kochiella are illustrated below, the first a summer brood specimen from 2012 and the second an over-wintered autumn specimen from earlier this year.

Acleris kochiella, Westcott 7th July 2012

Acleris kochiella, Westcott 3rd February 2017

Amongst the 14 species which came to the actinic trap here last night was the moth below which I think could be a good candidate for its confusion species, Acleris logiana (a birch feeder).  Since the millennium logiana has been spreading across the south of England, having previously been confined to the north of Scotland.  This one awaits dissection but if correct it would be a first for the garden and the Aylesbury Vale area, as well as only the 12th for Bucks since the first county record in 2009. 

Candidate Acleris logiana, Westcott 25th October 2017

Dave Wilton
Westcott, Bucks  

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