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Alabonia geoffrella
Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2018 10:33 pm
by GrahamJones
Alabonia geoffrella:
Having a drink outside the Harp Inn, Little Neston, this evening, when an Alabonia geoffrella landed beside me on the bench. With no pots or net, I took a few quick iPhone shots before it disappeared. It's a moth I've always wanted to find, but never expected to see it locally. According to the Cheshire moth charts website it's only the the 3rd record for the County, the last being in 1952, although interestingly the previous two were also nearby.
Re: Alabonia geoffrella
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2018 8:31 am
by melbellingham
Hi Graham,
What a find. I've only ever seen this species once, but that was a retained specimen, that the finder had found on a walk, and been able to pot.
Why aren't all micro's like this ?
Mel.
Re: Alabonia geoffrella
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2018 8:41 am
by SteveH
Hi Folks,
The first Cheshire record came from Puddington in 1940 and as Graham mentions the last was in 1952, at Burton. Has to be one of the most spectacular of British moths.
Mel, I remember you telling me about your 'chance encounter' some years back but I never expected my next 'experience' with the species would concern a Cheshire record !
Cheers,
Steve
Re: Alabonia geoffrella
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2018 6:06 pm
by GrahamJones
Thanks Mel and Steve. I agree it is one of the most stunning moths in the UK, and still can't quite get over my luck.
I have been thinking about having another look to see if I could find more adults, although the area that is accessible to search is a bit limited.
Re: Alabonia geoffrella
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2018 6:43 pm
by stevehind
Hi Graham,
You could try the local lanes around Little Neston, Burton & Puddington, as I have found them easily by disturbing vegetation or tapping hedges in the past. No reason to think they are not still in their old haunts, as I doubt anyone has looked for them in recent years.
Regards,
Steve
Re: Alabonia geoffrella
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2018 8:42 pm
by GrahamJones
Hi Steve,
Yes, will do some beating around Denhall Quay initially, and then will try around Burton and Puddington too. That's my June sorted.
Re: Alabonia geoffrella
Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2018 10:41 am
by SteveH
... where did you 'find them easily' Steve ...... presumably in some past non-Cheshire life ?
Cheers,
Steve
Re: Alabonia geoffrella
Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2018 10:18 am
by stevehind
I remember seeing them flying in morning sunshine and at other sites beaten from roadside hedges in Montgomeryshire/Shropshire several years ago.
Regards,
Steve
Re: Alabonia geoffrella
Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 10:33 am
by stevehind
Look what flew into my net last Sunday morning at Overton, near Malpas !
- Alabonia geoffrella - Overton - 10/06/2018
So not restricted to the Wirral and worth looking for throughout SW Cheshire.
Regards,
Steve
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Re: Alabonia geoffrella
Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 10:38 am
by SteveH
Wonderful Steve, well done you !
Cheers,
Steve