Hi Everyone,
Been up Ng Tung Chai with the family today, so not much time for moth stuff. However, one that I couldn't really miss was the larval workings of a tortrix moth (Pseudacroclita hapalsapis; Tortricidae, Olethruetinae) in Rubus reflexus.
The mine is very distinctive, forming a blotch with side galleries (looks a little like an exploding firework!) on each side of the mid-vein of a leaf, often with several mines in one leaf, as per the attached photo. The larva feeds externally in the last instar, from within a shelter made from frass under the mine (see second photo). The pupa is formed inside a cut out circle near the centre of the mine and later drops to the ground. Plants that occur in semi-shade or on the forest floor in deep shade seem to be the preferred habitat.
As there's not that much moth activity at the moment, the next time you're out and about in the countryside, keep an eye open for these mines - once you know what to look for I suspect you'll see them pretty much everywhere. So far I've actually seen mines in Ng Tung Chai, Fung Yuen, KFBG, Wong Lung Hang in the NT and Lantau, and Tai Tam, The Peak, Cape D'Ag. and Aberdeen Country Park on HK Island.
Please post your sightings of this easy to see species here (with photos, if you're not entirely sure you're recording the right leafmines).
cheers,
Roger.
[ Last edited by hkmoths at 2015-2-7 23:35 ]
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