Friday 6 November 2015

Chepstow
5th November- New update

Had a little walk around the garden this morning and disturbed a micro from one of the garden plants.
I followed it as it flew off and luckily it stayed within the garden boundary eventually settling upon the edge of the summerhouse roof. Typically I was unprepared, but conveniently it stayed there long enough to allow me to capture it to have a closer look.
It was rather fidgety and difficult to picture especially in the poor light hence the picture is slightly out of focus.
Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure its a Leek Moth- Acrolepiopsis assectella.

New update
Sam Bosanquet informs me that the micro pictured below is
Acrolepia autumnitella (Bittersweet Smudge), and not Acrolepiopsis assectella (Leek Moth) as previous thought by myself.
He went on to say that having both Glyphipterigidae species recorded on site is a little unusual given they depend on completely different food plants.
It could well be that both food plants reside nearby possibly in neighbouring gardens and both were attracted in on site.
The Leek Moth that was recorded here at Chepstow in August feeds on Leek, Onion and Garlic, whilst the Bittersweet Smudge feeds on Bittersweet, Deadly Nightshade or Tomato. Both are Nationally 'localised' moths and both hibernate as adults.


1 comment:

  1. I think it's the closely related Acrolepia autumniella, judging by the distribution of black and white markings.

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