Sunday 17 April 2022

Coptotriche marginea on 5th September 2021

Another rare moth.... 

On the night of 5th September 2021, my Skinner moth trap was out in the garden. Whilst sitting watching the moths fly about the garden, I noticed a very small micro resting on the top of the trap. The shape suggested something a but different so I put it in a pot for closer inspection.

Sadly the moth would not behave and sit for a photograph, so rather than risk losing it the photographs were taken in the pot and lid.

The photographs below are of Coptotriche marginea (10.003) with a wing span of 7 - 8 mm.

It is classed as a common species throughout Britain with two generations in May / June and again in August. The larvae mine the leaves of Bramble, creating a funnel shaped blotch, the second generation feed during the winter. The moth is small indistinct brownish insect, with a slight metallic sheen.

I was pleased to receive the news from the VC66 county recorder that Coptotiche marginea is very rare in our county and not recorded for 25 years.






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