In the course of collecting some goosegrass (
Galium aparine), I came across this growth which I think may be the gall of
Dasineura aparines. Is the record of any interest?
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3MZfpuOojjO9FcV0CSZHIzj56DvEP8js1zjdqXI2aBPzZ2__zliBYJjg5LhTEnNMKTyQtTOiQYc6PcPAbMFqsjRUWbeAxz-awZm_ewBFMNpjSBwca3rrADD3Gz2qvSLl67uMCsPYOdB8/s320/5d_15029.jpg) |
Gall on Galium aparine |
The link with moths? I recently had a Small Elephant Hawk-Moth in my trap, and whilst potted, it (she) obliged with three bright green eggs. I now have three empty egg-shells and two minute larvae (a case of cannibalism, perhaps?) in a container with some fresh goosegrass for food. Not sure whether to try and grow them to adulthood, or to release them when a little larger...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ROTNGuhYHBsUYvLNCwFcgzVH6vhg8oAsT9uQg-344OiYLY1Fl-XZ3utRJdvly8Nj5352FWAAjRw093FWVueymYmYPUBJB3K3IDJFFBKR7dyV__gJAjXo2iw4Y5z_EvyRzg6fWGpw2oI/s320/5d_15020.jpg) |
Small Elephant Hawk-moth hatchling |
Very interesting to anyone into Diptera, 'midges' are something we seem to ignore as moth-ers and positively avoid if they are the biting kind!
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping your little charges make it through to the winter and pupate. I would let them take their chances when they get a little larger but I am not very good at nurturing them. They stand a better chance in the wild than in my care I'm afraid. ;-)
I thought there just might be a dipterist on or reading the blog.
ReplyDeleteGrow the caterpillars on a bit and then release was rather my inclination, too. One is looking a bit of a runt, the other looks good so far, but a long way to go!