A brief session of roadside beating & sweeping at Cynghordy Viaduct (SN798403) on my way home this afternoon produced 13 spp of Micro and 3 mundane Macros. Highlight was an adult Stigmella betulicola swept from a clump of very young birch on a wide road verge. Despite its very, very small size it shows the suite of features: mix of yellow & fuscous scales on the head, white eyecaps, very slightly shiny white fascia beyond mid-wing, darker area beyond the fascia, and indistinct cilia. Supporting cast included a male Coleophora lutipenella from oak, a couple of Carcina quercana, several Argyresthia goedartella and an A. retinella. This was an entirely blank tetrad until today, so everything was new!
Shows what can be achieved by daytime recording, albeit by an experienced recorder. Well done, Sam.
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