@ruthnewby.bsky.social
Officially moth-obsessed, also easily distracted by birds, butterflies, flies, wasps and spiders. Musically devoted to an (un)holy trinity of Bruce Springsteen, Nick Cave and Leonard Cohen.
@ruthnewby.bsky.socialI managed to breed a few Phyllonorycter which I overwintered in the garage. I followed the recommended technique for Nepticulid mines but they all rotted, probably a result of the very wet winter.
@ruthnewby.bsky.socialNo, nothing obvious. As you say, breeding through recommended but I haven’t managed to breed any Stigmella mines as yet.
@ruthnewby.bsky.socialI think it’s all down to the prothoracic plates…
@ruthnewby.bsky.socialI kept mine on a step under the sill of the patio window, which is SW facing, but we had a very wet winter in the Midlands. Probably prevailing wind direction plays a role too.
@ruthnewby.bsky.socialI need to find a place to keep Nepticulid mines where they are cold but don’t get wet. The ones I tried to rear last year all rotted (despite drainage holes). Pity I don’t have a greenhouse.
@ruthnewby.bsky.socialStill waiting for those two…
@ruthnewby.bsky.socialHi Rob, I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on this mine on Raspberry I found yesterday. Presumably must be Stigmella aurella, as it’s too late in the year for S. splendissimella? Thanks again for your help. @vc28nature.bsky.social
@ruthnewby.bsky.socialSome more shots of last night’s Vestal. I thought it would be a nightmare to photograph, but it struggled in the breeze and seemed quite happy to treat me as shelter, setting first on my jeans and then my finger! #teammoth
@ruthnewby.bsky.socialThank you 🙏
@ruthnewby.bsky.socialYes, not taking my trap as the gardens where we are staying are communal, but hardly worth it anyway with the drop in temperatures.
@ruthnewby.bsky.socialI certainly thought I’d missed the boat! I’m glad I decided to trap as it was quite breezy & I almost didn’t. Next couple of nights look pretty rubbish and then I’m away in Yorkshire for a week.
@ruthnewby.bsky.socialExcellent, time to get planting!
@ruthnewby.bsky.socialIndeed, @pmandrews1973.bsky.social has had 3 and he lives less than half a mile from me!
@ruthnewby.bsky.socialThanks Clare, I was convinced I’d missed out, so it was a real pleasure to see as well as being smaller than I had imagined.
@ruthnewby.bsky.socialBetter late than never, a Vestal finally made it into my moth trap! Feathered Thorn was NFY and added bonus was a Hummingbird Hawk-moth on my Salvia as I was going through the trap at about 7.30am. #teammoth @pmandrews1973.bsky.social @bcwarwickshire.bsky.social
@ruthnewby.bsky.socialEspecially if you have its food plant Holm Oak in the vicinity #teammoth
@ruthnewby.bsky.socialWelcome! to BlueSky. It sounds like you are doing some fascinating work.
@ruthnewby.bsky.socialMe neither!
@ruthnewby.bsky.socialYes, it does seem odd that one hasn’t made its way here yet.
@ruthnewby.bsky.socialNice to get the two colour forms of Satellite in one trap!
