Ectoedemia Mines on Oak
Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 8:21 pm
Ectoedemia Mines on Oak:
I went up to Errwood, in the Goyt Valley on Monday (5th October 2012) to look for Ectoedemia subbimaculella mines, a species commonly found on the Cheshire Plain at this time of year but so far not from the Eastern hills. I eventually found a couple of mines, although these were the only ones. Whilst searching the oaks, I noticed a much commoner, yet still scarce, Ectoedemia, which I assumed would be albifasciella, although most were fresh and still tenanted. I wondered if some could be Ectoedemia heringi , so brought home three of the most obvious looking specimens, which turned out to be the first records of heringi mines for VC Cheshire.
The only previous county record of Ectoedemia heringi, was of an adult caught at MVL by Bill Hardwick at Brereton Heath on 28th June 1986, which was determined by Maitland Emmet. I have looked for the mines of this species in the past, although I was probably too early in the season.
Having found Ectoedemia subbimaculella mines on Monday, I went back up into the hills today but lower down the valley, to try my luck in the hectad to the North, SK08, ending up at Whaley Bridge. I found a small patch of woodland just south of Toddbrook Reservoir which contained a few oaks. Ectoedemia subbimaculella was far more common here, as was heringi and it wasn’t until I climbed out of the woodland that I found my first three definite albifasciella mines, one of which was still tenanted.
Many mines were easily found by looking for patches of green on the now brown leaves. The larvae of these late feeding species are able to prevent parts of the leaf from changing colour and these ‘green islands’ are distinctive, especially amongst fallen leaves on the ground.
I also managed to find tenanted mines of Ectoedemia intimella on fallen leaves of Goat Willow Salix caprea, which were also new at both sites.
Regards,
Steve
I went up to Errwood, in the Goyt Valley on Monday (5th October 2012) to look for Ectoedemia subbimaculella mines, a species commonly found on the Cheshire Plain at this time of year but so far not from the Eastern hills. I eventually found a couple of mines, although these were the only ones. Whilst searching the oaks, I noticed a much commoner, yet still scarce, Ectoedemia, which I assumed would be albifasciella, although most were fresh and still tenanted. I wondered if some could be Ectoedemia heringi , so brought home three of the most obvious looking specimens, which turned out to be the first records of heringi mines for VC Cheshire.
The only previous county record of Ectoedemia heringi, was of an adult caught at MVL by Bill Hardwick at Brereton Heath on 28th June 1986, which was determined by Maitland Emmet. I have looked for the mines of this species in the past, although I was probably too early in the season.
Having found Ectoedemia subbimaculella mines on Monday, I went back up into the hills today but lower down the valley, to try my luck in the hectad to the North, SK08, ending up at Whaley Bridge. I found a small patch of woodland just south of Toddbrook Reservoir which contained a few oaks. Ectoedemia subbimaculella was far more common here, as was heringi and it wasn’t until I climbed out of the woodland that I found my first three definite albifasciella mines, one of which was still tenanted.
Many mines were easily found by looking for patches of green on the now brown leaves. The larvae of these late feeding species are able to prevent parts of the leaf from changing colour and these ‘green islands’ are distinctive, especially amongst fallen leaves on the ground.
I also managed to find tenanted mines of Ectoedemia intimella on fallen leaves of Goat Willow Salix caprea, which were also new at both sites.
Regards,
Steve