The Carmarthenshire Moth Group would like your help. They are looking for records for the day-flying Forester moth (Adscita statices). It is a Priority Species of Conservation Concern and, although there is suitable damp grassland habitat for it in Carmarthenshire, they have received few records since 2000.

Forester moths (12–15 mm) fly in sunshine from mid-May to July and are often found on flowers, such as those of Devil’s-bit Scabious, Ragged Robin, clovers and others, in unimproved meadows. (The meadow below is home to the Forester moths photographed here. It hasn’t been grazed for decades, and has an annual late winter burn off of foliage, yet the moths survive).The larvae initially make tiny ‘mined’ tunnels in the leaves of Common Sorrel and Sheep’s Sorrel and then feed externally on lower leaves until May, when they pupate in a cocoon amongst vegetation near the ground. Emerging shortly afterwards, they are transformed into these amazingly vibrant metallic green or turquoise moths.

If you do see this moth, then please get in touch through the contacts below. If possible take a photo and give the name of the site and date where it was on observed. Also, if you can, do record the grid reference (The UK Grid Reference Finder, will help you to do this – http://gridreferencefinder.com ).

Please Contact: Biodiversity Officer, 01558 825390, Biodiversity@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

With thanks to I.Morgan and I.Macho for much of the text.

 A YDYCH WEDI GWELD Y GWYFYN HWN? 

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Byddai’n dda gan Grŵp Gwyfynod Sir Gaerfyrddin gael help gennych.  Rydym yn awyddus i gael cofnodion o’r coediwr (Adscita statices) sef gwyfyn sy’n hedfan yn ystod y dydd. Mae’n Rhywogaeth â Blaenoriaeth sy’n destun pryder cadwraethol ac er bod cynefin addas i’r rhywogaeth, sef glaswelltiroedd llaith, ar gael yn Sir Gaerfyrddin prin yw’r cofnodion sydd wedi dod i law ers 2000.

Mae coedwyr (12–15mm) yn hedfan ar ddiwrnodau heulog rhwng canol mis Mai a mis Gorffennaf ac yn fynych fe’u gwelir ar flodau megis tamaid y cythraul, carpiog y gors, meillion, ac eraill. Ar y cychwyn mae’r larfâu’n turio i mewn i ddail suran y cŵn a suran yr ŷd ac yna maent yn bwydo’n allanol ar y dail isaf tan fis Mai, pryd y maent yn troi’n chwiler mewn cocŵn ymysg llystyfiant ar y ddaear.

Cofiwch gysylltu â ni os gwelwch chi’r gwyfyn hwn. Os oes modd tynnwch lun a rhoddwch enw’r safle a’r dyddiad. Os oes modd rhoddwch y cyfeirnod grid (Gall yr UK Grid Reference Finder –http://gridreferencefinder.com eich helpu i wneud hynny).

Manylion cyswllt: Y Swyddog Bioamrywiaeth, 01558 825390, Biodiversity@sirgar.gov.uk