We say new species, but in truth it’s only new in so far as we’ve seen them in the house before on many occasions, but never recorded one in the Garden. Even this one was recorded on the patio doors and came from inside. They are extremely common and widespread.
9th March 2024
A so called micro-moth from the Tineidae family. The family itself is massive with over 3000 species around the world. This species is so called because the larva (caterpillars) build themselves a little protective case in which they crawl about as they feed. They love being indoors as the larva like to feed on keratin in hair/fur but also carpets and other fabrics. For this reason many members of this family are referred to collectively as clothes moths. Making it unpopular in some households if an infestation builds up.
At the time of posting we have only recorded one other species from this family in the Garden, the slightly less drab Tinea trinolella, pictured here. The larva of which also build a case but are generally more associated with bird nests.
We managed to get some rather shaky video of the above individual, showing some of its features up close. We noted the light markings on the antenna, which we cannot find reference to elsewhere (about 8 seconds into the video). We check out our copy of Micro Moths* but this makes no refence to this characteristic.
A few things are appearing on the wing in the Garden now, even during windy grey weather. A sign spring is almost upon us.
DC:09/03/2024
*Sterling, P & Parsons, M (2012): Bloomsbury Wildlife Guides: Field Guide to the Micro moths of Great Britain and Ireland. Bloomsbury Publishing Ltd
Wildlife Garden 