Pachyrhabda or ?

 Continuing my daily checks on Soft Shield-fern in the garden here, and found this (one of two or three) on one plant. What I don't know is what else feeds on fern spores and whether other creatures might produce similar protective spinnings.

Possible Pachyrhabda larval spinning

Less doubt about this rather more attractive little moth:

Acrobasis advenella

Four spotted footman

A male four spotted footman was the highlight from my trap in Aberaeron overnight - a first for me. 

129 individuals for 37 species of macro last night plus a number of micros I am working through. 

Plain speaking

By leaning out of the bedroom window with a net on the end of an 8ft pole, I was able to secure this pug which was attracted to light last night. An inappropriately named Plain Pug.

In total, 91 moths of 36 species, including Crescent Dart, Dusky Thorn, Small Rivulet, Pebble Hook-tip (2), and Yponomeuta sedella.

Another pretty chalk carpet at Aberaeron

 My fourth this year.

Aberporth Small Marbled

 

Surprised and pleased to find this well coloured Small Marbled on the clifftop at Aberporth. Lewington's illustration  doesn't do it justice!

Only had phone to hand hence the quick photo grab. 

Blomer's rivulet

A new species for me in Aberaeron last night. More recently 2-8 records per year in the county but historically 0-2 per year.

Pachyrhabda 0 - Psychoides 1

 Ian Morgan's recent post about Pachyrhabda steropodes prompted me to check the soft shield ferns and others in the garden here.

Alas, so far no sign of steropodes, but plenty of spore eating activity in evidence: some on soft shield fern, a little on male fern, and lots on the Japanese and Chinese fern, Dryopteris uniformis:

Dryopteris uniformis

Dissecting one of the little heaps revealed a larva, which I take to be Psychoides filicivora. I have yet to see an adult. 

Psychoides filicivora, larva

The few hartstongue ferns here are some way off from having mature sporangia. I shall keep checking these and other ferns here.