@vc33moths.bsky.social
And why it’s not worth the bother - it’s so frustrating!
Details in Alt text.
Details in Alt text.
November 19, 2025 at 4:04 PM
And why it’s not worth the bother - it’s so frustrating!
Details in Alt text.
Details in Alt text.
Vacated Stigmella mines in Oak are very difficult to identify. It’s unlikely that this one will be resolved.
November 12, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Vacated Stigmella mines in Oak are very difficult to identify. It’s unlikely that this one will be resolved.
It’s the age old problem of trying to assess characteristics when the subject is in an egg box and lit artificially. Day light wins every time.
November 7, 2025 at 6:23 PM
It’s the age old problem of trying to assess characteristics when the subject is in an egg box and lit artificially. Day light wins every time.
Bottom left is probably not a mine. As for the others, not only is plant ID vital, but also consider what you can see on the leaves and compare that with what we can see. Context is vital so that size, shape and position can be assessed.
November 7, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Bottom left is probably not a mine. As for the others, not only is plant ID vital, but also consider what you can see on the leaves and compare that with what we can see. Context is vital so that size, shape and position can be assessed.
A late Vine’s?
November 6, 2025 at 7:06 PM
A late Vine’s?
The Beech mine is probably Stigmella tityrella
November 4, 2025 at 3:50 PM
The Beech mine is probably Stigmella tityrella
Third photo shows 2 contrasting parts of the mine where it switches from one side of the leaf to the other: a feature of S tiliae mines.
October 29, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Third photo shows 2 contrasting parts of the mine where it switches from one side of the leaf to the other: a feature of S tiliae mines.
Not a clear cut example of either of the Beech Phyllonorycters. P. maestingella mine is typically longer and forms an arch in the leaf. Messaniella is shorter.
October 24, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Not a clear cut example of either of the Beech Phyllonorycters. P. maestingella mine is typically longer and forms an arch in the leaf. Messaniella is shorter.
This is indeed tityrella.
October 24, 2025 at 3:30 PM
This is indeed tityrella.
Note the point of origin of the mine, between a vein and the midrib. The egg would be visible on the underside of the leaf among the cluster of hairs = Stigmella tityrella, an example where the mine is incomplete
October 24, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Note the point of origin of the mine, between a vein and the midrib. The egg would be visible on the underside of the leaf among the cluster of hairs = Stigmella tityrella, an example where the mine is incomplete
Final thought - Sorbus species are a pain, but can you identify the tree?
October 1, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Final thought - Sorbus species are a pain, but can you identify the tree?
Can you find the egg?
October 1, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Can you find the egg?
Definitely Stigmella species, but which one! The key here lists Whitebeam, but the Stigmella sp. are mainly associated with Rowan
leafmines.co.uk/html/mine-gu...
This has a longer list, including some rarities
bladmineerders.nl/host-plants/...
leafmines.co.uk/html/mine-gu...
This has a longer list, including some rarities
bladmineerders.nl/host-plants/...
October 1, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Definitely Stigmella species, but which one! The key here lists Whitebeam, but the Stigmella sp. are mainly associated with Rowan
leafmines.co.uk/html/mine-gu...
This has a longer list, including some rarities
bladmineerders.nl/host-plants/...
leafmines.co.uk/html/mine-gu...
This has a longer list, including some rarities
bladmineerders.nl/host-plants/...
Look again in a few weeks when the leaves turn to a yellowish tone. Cerasicolella mines show up well then - long, thin mines, arching the leaf which will still be green.
Your mine is not a textbook example of anything and is best ignored.
Your mine is not a textbook example of anything and is best ignored.
October 1, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Look again in a few weeks when the leaves turn to a yellowish tone. Cerasicolella mines show up well then - long, thin mines, arching the leaf which will still be green.
Your mine is not a textbook example of anything and is best ignored.
Your mine is not a textbook example of anything and is best ignored.
There is an iNat observation from Stratford-upon-Avon from 2024. The photographs are not clear and the entry has not gained “Research Grade” so hasn’t gone into the UK verification system
www.inaturalist.org/observations...
www.inaturalist.org/observations...
Royal Midget (Phyllonorycter pastorella)
Royal Midget from Stratford-upon-Avon CV37, UK on October 19, 2024 at 02:37 PM by mothdragon. on long leaved willow
www.inaturalist.org
September 30, 2025 at 4:15 PM
There is an iNat observation from Stratford-upon-Avon from 2024. The photographs are not clear and the entry has not gained “Research Grade” so hasn’t gone into the UK verification system
www.inaturalist.org/observations...
www.inaturalist.org/observations...
Agree with Rob on the left hand one. The middle one is a ?. The right hand one could be Aulagromyza tridentata (fly). A photo with transmitted light might be useful.
Interesting Staffs observation. Seen in the past week in Worcester City centre - details in iRecord.
Interesting Staffs observation. Seen in the past week in Worcester City centre - details in iRecord.
September 28, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Agree with Rob on the left hand one. The middle one is a ?. The right hand one could be Aulagromyza tridentata (fly). A photo with transmitted light might be useful.
Interesting Staffs observation. Seen in the past week in Worcester City centre - details in iRecord.
Interesting Staffs observation. Seen in the past week in Worcester City centre - details in iRecord.
A year ago today this was in the bottom of my trap: Britain's 1st Nodaria nodosalis, ID confirmed by DNA analysis at the NHM 10 days ago.
Still unsure what English name it'll have, getting a little CMR pushback about my desire to name it after my kids.
Maybe I should just call it Keen's 🤔
#teammoth
Still unsure what English name it'll have, getting a little CMR pushback about my desire to name it after my kids.
Maybe I should just call it Keen's 🤔
#teammoth
September 22, 2025 at 2:05 PM
The picture here is a good example of the problems that arise from photos with either flash or very bright light. Reflections off the scales obscure important features that could help in identification.
It’s also a good idea to publish multiple pictures simultaneously.
It’s also a good idea to publish multiple pictures simultaneously.
September 18, 2025 at 11:44 AM
The picture here is a good example of the problems that arise from photos with either flash or very bright light. Reflections off the scales obscure important features that could help in identification.
It’s also a good idea to publish multiple pictures simultaneously.
It’s also a good idea to publish multiple pictures simultaneously.