More Mines

The active mine of Phyllonorycter klemannella found on alder in our garden on 17th September (mentioned here) produced a smart-looking adult today, a new species for the site.  The mines are not all that conspicuous but the upper epidermis becomes a little bit mottled while the lower is covered in many small creases.

 

Phyllonorycter klemannella, Westcott 2nd October

This prompted me to have another look for active mines in the garden and in a few minutes I managed to find Stigmella oxyacanthella (green larva) on apple and Stigmella hybnerella (whitish larva with brown head) on hawthorn.  Another species found on hawthorn was a parasitized mine of Stigmella regiella and the wasp pupa can be clearly seen inside the deceased larva.

Stigmella regiella, Westcott 2nd October

Dave Wilton
Westcott, Bucks