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" Welcome to the florafaunauk site , hope you enjoy the pictures and posts giving a detailed insight into the Natural History of our Country throughout the seasons and year "All that the Sun Shines on is beautiful, so long as it is Wild" John Muir "



Saturday 25 March 2017

Bag Worms

Bagworms

The Psychidae (bagworm moths, also simply bagworms or bagmoths) are a family of the Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) which are much overlooked

"Bags" resemble caddisfly cases in their outward appearance – a mass of (mainly) plant detritus spun together with silk on the inside.. The case is based on a silk tube, to which the larva attaches various bits of plant, matter such as lichens, algae, sand, insects and debris. Like Caddis Psychidae larvae construct cases that can be identifiable through combinations of shape, size and material , this is not always reliable due to similar constructions in other species so rearing is recommended

In the larval stage, bagworms extend their head and thorax from their mobile case to devour the leaves of host plants, often leading to the death of their hosts

Bagworm caterpillars make distinctive 1.5 to 2 inch long spindle-shaped bags that can be seen hanging from twigs of a variety of trees and shrubs. Sometimes the bags are mistaken for pine cones or other plant structures. 

Adult females of many bagworm species have only vestigial wings, legs, and mouthparts. In some species, parthenogenesis is known. The adult males of most species are strong fliers with well-developed wings and feathery antennae but survive only long enough to reproduce due to underdeveloped mouthparts that prevent them from feeding. Their wings have few of the scales characteristic of most moths, instead having a thin covering of hairs.
Some Bagworm Species


11.006 ... B&F 0181 Taleporia tubulosa (Retzius, 1783)

11.005 ... B&F 0179 Dahlica lichenella .. Lichen Case-bearer (Linnaeus, 1761) (Recorded VC63 )

11.004 ... B&F 0177 Dahlica inconspicuella .. Lesser Lichen Case-bearer (Stainton, 1849)

11.009 ... B&F 0184 Luffia ferchaultella (Stephens, 185

11.012 ... B&F 0186 Psyche casta (Pallas, 1767)

11.002 B&F 0175) Narycia duplicella

11.001 B&F 0180) Diplodoma laichartingella (Recorded VC63 )

11.003 B&F 0176) Dahlica triquetrell



11.001 B&F 0180) Diplodoma laichartingella


The larva builds a case, covered with small fragments of plant matter and other particles, and feeds on lichens, decaying plant matter and detritus. The larval period usually lasts for two years.During the Winter months, cases can be found tucked well into the characteristic hollows around the roots of mature Beech trees, the larvae becoming active from late March and early April, moving back up the tree trunks to begin feeding.

11.009 ... B&F 0184 Luffia ferchaultella (Stephens, 185


Chris Manley (in his `British Moths`, 2nd Edition 2015) states that it can be `abundant on tree trunks in damp woods` and other sources mention old fence posts (or other wooden objects) or old walls where powdery grey lichens grow. The latter can be locally frequent, even in urban areas. Luffia is said to prefer `shady places` rather than tree trunks and walls etc in full sun.March/early April) is said to be the best time to find the distinctive larval cases. as cases are, by then, full sized (up to 6mm) and easier to spot.

Tuesday 14 March 2017

Common Footman Eilema lurideola ABH 72.045 BF2050

These small caterpillars 0.8 mm - 1.2 mm where found at the base of a lichen covered wall .

Its likely this is the Caterpilar of the Common Footman

72.045 BF2050    Common Footman Eilema lurideola





Sunday 5 March 2017

Quote of The week 14

He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature.

Socrates