A small group of us were given access to part of the MoD rifle range at Otmoor, Oxon today in order to search specifically for caterpillars of the priority micro-moth Agonopterix atomella. It feeds within spun leaves of Dyer's Greenweed Genista tinctoria, a plant in decline but which is abundant on this particular site. About 20 small larvae of atomella were tracked down in one particular meadow, with a handful more found in an adjacent one. Young larvae of Mirificarma lentiginosella were also found on the Dyer's Greenweed, as were those of a couple of other micros which are assumed to have been Cnephasia species (they would have needed rearing to identify).
Adult moths disturbed within the meadows, even though it was quite dull with a chilly easterly breeze for much of the time, included Glyphipterix fuscoviridella, Aethes piercei, Crambus lathoniellus, Yellow Shell, Light Emerald, Burnet Companion & Silver Y.
Agonopterix atomella was discovered at Otmoor during a larval survey in 2021 (see here) and it is good to know that this rare moth continues to thrive at the site.
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| 7mm larva of Agonopterix atomella, Otmoor 29th May |
Two Narrow-Bordered Bee Hawks in the afternoon as well, including one egg-laying female. That was discovered in 2021, but atomella has been known at Otmoor for a bit longer. George Tordoff had done surveys before (from 2018) and I think it was originally discovered at Otmoor by Martin Corley in 2013. Also one Endothenia ustulana/pullana (I think the former, lots of Bugle) netted along the edge of the rifle range in the afternoon.
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