Bits of twig and mothy things
When Neil Randon kindly awarded me a Rambler for my blogging last year, he did mention that one of the things that he particularly liked about North Downs and beyond in 2013 was a certain lack of 'bits of twig and mothy things'. Neil, look away now... Up at Box Hill this afternoon I decided to check the leaves that are still left on the trees for mines. I'm no expert (pure novice), but I thought that I'd give it a go. First up was Holly, and, if I've got it right, there is only one species that mines a holly leaf, and that is the fly Phytomyza ilicis . There were plenty of mined holly leaves on show. Is it all this easy? Next up was this mine on a bramble: Looking at the leafminer website (all interests are catered for on the web!!) I first plumped for this mine being made by Stigmella splendidissimella , but then decided upon Stigmella aurella . Looking at the Smaller Moths of Surrey book, maybe these two species are best left lumped on a mine alone. Any...