A Really Tiny Ladybird

One of the bits I potted yesterday was a tiny speck that despite it's size appeared to be a ladybird. A really tiny one, c1.2mm in length! There was no way I was going to get a proper photo of it alive, even using the USB microscope to get a snap of it deceased was a bit futile but for the sake of it, here is what I believe is Stethorus pusillus. It's heading to Graham Finch (VC55 Coleoptera Recorder) where I anticipate it will be confirmed as the second VC55 record.

Here's a couple of Gracillaridae from Croft Hill ....

Phyllonorycter harrisella - a couple netted flying around oak

Horse Chestnut Leaf-miner - 1000s on tree trunks around Horse Chestnut

I also netted a Phyllonorycter quercifoliella around oak, but it wouldn't play ball for the camera. One that was more amenable, though not looking as smart as a fresh one, was this from the garden today:

Esperia sulphurella

Some moths

I've been a bit lax when it comes to phtographing moths just lately. A few good nights in the traps at the end of last week and over the weekend, but I couldn't be bothered really to pot a few up for later photography. The only one I did pot up to have a go at was a NFG micro from 17th - Phyllonorycter harrisella. This is an oak feeder, so not exactly high on my expected list, but nevertheless it is the 649th species, 343rd micro and 12th Phyllonorycter on the garden list. Having potted it up, I then made a right hash of getting a good photo so here's a pants one .......

Phyllonorycter harrisella

Otherwise, a hawk-moth shot in low early morning light and three photographed with flash around the garden moth trap last night (I ran one until around midnight then packed up before the forecast deluge hit).

Eyed Hawk-moth

Diamond-back Moth

Argyresthia trifasciata

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