Wednesday 7 January 2015

Cefnglas Tunnel

On Sunday, as part of our annual survey of hibernating moths, Mike and I visited Cefnglas tunnel. It was getting dark by the time we got there and dark by the time we got out.
A total of 65 Herald moths were recorded and while in there, we met this genial old soul, guarding his box of treasure.


Not having time to photograph him, at the time, I nipped back down there this morning, then on my way back to the car I found some Cobalt Crust growing on a cluster of dead twigs, including Larch.

Cobalt Crust growing on dead Bramble and Larch.

This is the first time I have ever come across it growing on coniferous wood and I haven't seen any reference to it doing so anywhere.

7 comments:

  1. I been looking everywhere for cobalt crust and yet to see it ,

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  2. It's a bit of a challenge and you almost always need a torch to be able to see it.

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  3. It tends to be found on the underside of dead branches and twigs, usually in sheltered places. Because of its colour, and position, it doesn't reveal itself as more than the shadow under the branch. I use a torch and spend neck cricking hours crouching, or kneeling, looking up under branches and bushes and just occasionally I find some. The most common hosts are Sallow, Ash, Gorse and Bramble.

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  4. cheers mark i will try again .

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  5. Make no bones about it, there is some skulduggery afoot.

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