Not a great deal gained by putting out the trap a couple of recent nights in Wolvercote, Oxon., but the individual below was on top of the trap on 13th December. I'm assuming it's an
Amblyptilia acanthadactyla lured out of hibernation by the mild temperatures, but it looks a little faded: if anyone knows of a similar species which ventures out on winter nights, do let me know!
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| Presumed Amblyptilia acanthadactyla, 13/12/16 |
Steve Goddard
Hi Steve, acanthadactyla would seem the most likely but I can't rule out the similar but rather less common punctidactyla from that picture. Both species feed on hedge woundwort and both over-winter as adults so a December record for either is theoretically possible.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dave: I wondered about punctidactyla, but I agree that the picture probably isn't going to sort them out (it was the best I could manage with a camera which, it turns out, no longer displays an image on its viewfinder screen, but does still take and allow me to download photos... I think acquiring a new camera will be necessary before next year's season kicks in!).
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