With very few leaves to peruse in the garden in Longwick (Bucks) remaining I had a look at some of our patio roses. I noticed a few quite striking mines. I understand they are not easy to decipher but I was wondering if they are Stigmella anomalella?
The trap was a little better last night with 5 December Moths, Feathered Thorn, Dark Chestnut, Winter Moth and Blair's Shoulder Knot. Noticeably the bats re-appeared after an absence of ten days so clearly the milder air had an effect.
I think you are safe with Stigmella anomalella there, Andrew, because the early part of the mines are clearly filled with frass. Stigmella centifoliella can sometimes look rather similar but the frass is in a central line with clear margins right from the start. We do get centifoliella in Bucks but it is an uncommon species and would really need to be reared through to get a record accepted.
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