Don't forget the leaf-mines...

I had a quick look at our garden hawthorn this afternoon in order to track down a mine of Stigmella crataegella.  One was duly discovered although unfortunately the larva had already vacated it to pupate.  Still, it was a useful exercise because a find now can only be crataegella and there is no confusion with the identical mine (and green larva) of Stigmella oxyacanthella which feeds in the autumn.  Other mines found in the garden today included those of Phyllonorycter rajella (on alder), Bohemmania pulverosella, Phyllonorycter messaniella & Stigmella incognitella (all on apple), Phyllonorycter leucographella (on firethorn), Phyllonorycter corylifoliella & Phyllonorycter oxyacanthae (both on hawthorn), Phyllonorycter coryli & Phyllonorycter nicellii (both on hazel), Bucculatrix thoracella & Stigmella tiliae (both on lime), Stigmella aceris (on Norway Maple) and Lyonetia clerkella (on just about everything!).  

Stigmella crataegella on hawthorn, Westcott 6th July

Stigmella tiliae on lime, Westcott 6th July

Bucculatrix thoracella on lime, Westcott 6th July

Dave Wilton Westcott, Bucks