The status of this moth in Hertfordshire is rather sporadic with scattered records across the County, no doubt far more common than the map (2006) suggests.
It feeds on Way-faring Tree and less so on Guelder Rose.
At the front of our property we have a bush that does not seem to resemble either species, having looked through various books and online sources I have yet to find out what else Acleris schalleriana is prone to feeding on.
Records
Acleris schalleriana is a regular moth to the trap all year round though more regular in the Autumn months. My earliest record has been on the 03/01/12 and the latest (so far) on the 10/11/2013
Records in total for the 3 years at my property are
2012: 6
2013: 23
2014: 11 (so far)
Foodplant
Since finding 7 Acleris schalleriana's on the 17/10/13 over the front wall of the house, I made further investigations in the surrounding area, and found that a shrub underneath the windowsill, could have been responsible for the emergence of so manyn adults, the bush was inspected, but no caterpillars or pupa were found but extensive leaf damage was present, crumpled brown dry leaves.
I vowed to check next year at a similiar date, (he we are) and upon inspection of the bush this evening I disturbed three adults and uncurled various damaged leaves which had been spun together by a silken web.
I found 5 exited pupa and one tenanted pupa.
I have posted pictures of the bush and leaves from it to hopefully aid some identification, could this just be Way-faring Bush (Tree)? the leaves are quite smooth to the touch both sides with a distinct hairy edge with no toothing present.
Leaves from the bush |
Leaf 1 |
Leaf 2 |
The bush in question |
Exited Pupa of Acleris Schalleriana |
Larval damage |
Tenanted Pupa |
Distribution Map (-2006 Copyright HMG) |
Think your shrub is Viburnum tinus. Regards, Ross
ReplyDeleteThanks Ross, Someone on Flickr said the same species. Regards. Ben
ReplyDelete