Semioscopis species

Two micro-moths to be on the look-out for now, both classed as "local".  Semioscopis steinkellneriana is the more widespread species, a moth of woodland and old hedgerows and its larvae feed mainly on blackthorn.   

Semioscopis steinkellneriana, Finemere Wood 10 April 2018

The other one, similar in some ways but with the black markings arranged differently, is Semioscopis avellanella.  This species is understood to be found mainly in established birch or small-leaved lime woodland, those being its main larval food-plants.   

Semioscopis avellanella, Chorleywood 15 March 2011

There are about 140 records of Semioscopis steinkellneriana for Bucks and it is spread right across the county, but there are far fewer records for Berks and Oxon.  For Semioscopis avellanella there are about 20 records for Bucks but from only three sites in the south of the county.  The majority have come from the Rothamsted Insect Survey trap at Burnham Beeches, while the other two locations are at Farnham Common (on the edge of Burnham Beeches) where Jonathan Jones had one on 16th March this year and at Chorleywood where Andy King had the one illustrated above in 2011.  In Berks there are only six records for avellanella, the most recent being from Temple Golf Course at Maidenhead (2010) and the earlier ones all from the area around Bucklebury.  In Oxon the moth has yet to trouble the scorers so you could make a name for yourself with a find in VC23!