Tissue Moth

[mikew]

Had a look in Queen's Parlour below the Sandstone Trail on Rawhead today

Found these two Tissue Moths & maybe 60 Heralds

Regards, Mike

[CliveJ]

Excellent - i'll have to have a delve around over there. I've often wondered how these moths find their hibernacula, given that the adults seem to spread out across the landscape and presumably aren't around to lead a return flight to the cave. Do the moths simply search for suitable places, do the caves emit some attractive odour, perhaps as a result of occupancy by bats???

[mikew]

Hi Clive

There are no bats in the cave

Regards, Mike

[CliveJ]

Bang goes that idea then!

[CliveJ]

Herald

Mike, thanks to your post I found the Queen's Parlour this morning - i've been up there on many occasions but didn't even know of its existence. I found tens of Heralds as you described, but couldn't find a Tissue, although my time was limited by other folk wanting to visit a location where social distancing is problematic! I shall return later in the winter. Have you explored Mad Allen's Hole too? Does it also act as a moth hibernaculum?

Cheers

Clive

Herald

[Greg]

Does Mad Allen know about his possible moth hibernaculum ? If not he's got a big problem.

[mikew]

Hi Julian

I believe Mad Allen's Hole is difficult to access. As you enter Queen's Parlour the Tissues were in the central part towards the rear on your right hand side below eye-level & near each other.

Regards, Mike

[mikew]

Apologies Hi CLIVE!

[CliveJ]

Thanks for directions to Tissues. I'll take precautions if I enter Mad Allen's Hole; will have to find it first!

Clive

[CliveJ]

I found my way to Mad Allen's Hole today. It was impossible for me to enter the lower of the two chambers as I was alone and did not want to risk slithering in but being unable to climb out via the knotty tree branch which seems to act as a ladder. Looking in from above with a decent light I saw no sign of moths and I suspect that too much light may enter to make it a suitable hibernaculum. Queen's Parlour below Raw Head appears a much more profitable location.

[mikew]

Found 3 Tissues in Queen's Parlour today

Regards, Mike

[CliveJ]

Hi Mike
I don't know if you follow the Cheshire Moths Facebook group, but in case you don't, I eventually managed to find all three caves - Mad Allen's Hole (no moths I could see with limited access), 'Bloody Bones Cave' below the Raw Head trig point (plenty of Heralds, plus Cave Spider but no Tissues, and the actual Queen's Parlour (Heralds aplenty, plus a few Tissues). Thanks for your initial steer in this direction.(One Tissue image from Queen's Parlour was used on Winterwatch last week, about which I was indecently chuffed.) Prompted by cave fever, I also managed, pre lockdown, to visit Frodsham Cave, where I found a handful of Heralds, plus hibernating Peacocks and Small Tortoiseshell.
Thanks again
Clive