Seven points were listed in section 1 which were considered helpful when 'moving on' from butterflies to larger moths. Let us now look at the possibility of moving directly from butterflies to micros (smaller moths) and consider some parallel points.

1) There are some 1,400 microlepidoptera. This is a lot.
However, one can always start by studying one small group only. Many groups contain similiar species with different food-plants. The effect of the larvae on the different food-plants is however often very characteristic of the group.

For example, in the genus Phyllonorycter, there are about 50 species, most of which are food-plant specific. The eggs are laid on a leaf and on hatching the larva bores straight in. It appears to consider the leaf as green meat (the parenchyma), sandwiched between two colourless skins (the cuticles). It seperates the cuticle from the parenchyma either on the upper side of the leaf or the underside (the side chosen being consistent for each species) and then spins silk on the cuticle. The silk contracts thus forming a hollow chamber in the leaf in which the larva feeds and subsequently pupates. Larvae such as these that feed entirely inside leaves are called leaf miners and the chambers or tunnels (galleries) they create are called leaf mines. The 'pucker' mines formed by Phyllonorycter larvae are very distinctive and very common.

2) Microlepidoptera frequently cannot be identified on wing pattern alone. However, if a moth has been bred from a known food-plant, the family to which it belongs may be obvious from its effect on the food-plant, and knowledge of the food-plant itself may reduce the possibilities to only one or two species, which may be distinguishable on wing pattern. For recording purposes, it may not be necessary to breed the adult out at all - the mine may be so characteristic that there simply is no need. And if the adult is bred out, there will be no need to kill it.

In the case of the species of Phyllonorycter, the wing patterns are all similiar, but even so, some are instantly recognizable. It is just about possible to key out the species on wing pattern alone, and two keys have been published. (Refs 4, and 5.)

Sometimes species are so similiar that it is necessary to examine the genitalia to be certain of an identification. For this purpose, the abdomen must be removed and boiled in caustic soda, and the genitalia dissected out and examined under a binocular microscope. With Phyllonorycter, this is only necessary for some of the species that feed on rosaceous trees and here there is much pleasure to be gained in breeding out the moths and trying to identify the species without going to such lengths.

3) There are no illustrated field guides covering all the microlepidoptera. A series of books "Moths and Butterflies of the British Isles" (Ref 6.) is in course of production and these will eventually cover all the species. Of the published volumes, only one deals with microlepidoptera.

However if one intends to specialise, there are already illustrated guides on several groups worthy of study. The species of Phyllonorycter, for example, are illustrated in (Ref 4.)

4) There are not many microlepidopterists around to help you get started. However there is a reference collection in the museum at Reading, Berkshire. which is immensely useful, and probably other museums will also have collections, which can be consulted.

5) Most adult microlepidoptera are small and are consequently very difficult to set in the traditional manner, without a great deal of practice. Phyllonocryter moths are only about 4mm long and have wingspans of about 8mm. To set these, use of a binocular microscope is desirable, but a headband magnifier as used by watchmakers will do. If anyone wishes to learn how to do it I am willing to help them get started.

On the other hand, it is not essential to make a collection at all, and if you do, it is not essential to set the moths in a formal manner. There is much pleasure to be obtained just in breeding them and examining them before release.

6) There are no good moth traps designed with micros specifically in mind.
Micro hunting is a sport for the man who likes to be out in the field. Note that he is usually out in the field during the day, not at night.

7) There are no recognised English names for most micros, but this may be a good thing. With macros some people know the latin name only, others know the English names only and some know both. This is confusing. With micros there is only the latin name.

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