A new moth (but I know not what yet)

On the 15th, amongst the usual spring suspects in the garden moth trap was a white micro-moth I didn't recognise. I did a bit of research but couldn't find anything that really fitted. A post on Twitter didn't reaveal it's identity either. Today the county recorders for both Durham and Northumberland have seen it or the photos and seem to feel it is a new species for the county but one of two very similar species, either Acleris kochiella or Acleris logiana. I have handed the moth over to them and await with great interest. An excellent addition to the list  when it's sorted hopefully.

A species of Acleris micro moth - that I think when identified will be a first for County Durham

What I have identified  were a couple of new species for the year in the last two nights moth traps
192 Panolis flammea (Pine Beauty)
193 Plutella xylostella (Diamond-back Moth)

Plutella xylostella (Diamond-back Moth) - I have already had two in the trap which at this a time of year would normally be unusual but considering the mild winter and the millions that arrived last year its almost to be expected

Panolis flammea (Pine Beauty)- Another Spring moth.  The photos a bit blurred as it was whirring its wings ready to take off

Orthosia incerta (Clouded Draba) - another of the common spring Orthosia moths

Also a few  new plants
194 Ulmus glabra  (Wych Elm)
195 Holcus lanatus (Yorkshire-fog)
196 Lamium album (White Dead-nettle)
197 Teucrium scorodonia (Wood-sage)

Ulmus glabra  (Wych Elm) flowers which are hermaphrodite

and two Spiders, 1 in the house and 1 in the garden
198 Araneus diadematus(Common Garden Spider)
199 Tegenaria gigantea (Giant House Spider)


I don't find lichens particularly easy to identify,  to say the least,  but I have managed a couple of the easier and common ones. A species with the name Chewing Gum Lichen can be found quite easily on pavements as well as on trees, walls, lamp-posts and roofs. Smaller specimens look rather chewing gum on the pavemnet. It's very common. The other species I found is Lecanora chlarotera. This is a common species on tree trunks and looks like a grey, lumpy porridge.


200 Lecanora muralis (Chewing Gum Lichen)
201 Lecanora chlarotera