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Discover how many alien moths have been killed by pest controllers in your leaf, by recording which insects hatch from it.
All you need is:
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an infected conker tree
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a 'zip-lock' bag
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a magnifying glass or eye lens
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a few minutes in early July to collect a leaf
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a few minutes in late July to record your results
Your mission in brief:
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Find your infected conker tree (see here for help with tree identification). Record any information you will need to find the tree on a map. If you can't find an infected tree, please complete Mission: alien moth survey instead.
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Pick a leaf that is within your reach; choose from it one leaflet (a ‘finger’ of the hand-like leaf).
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Record the number of leaf mines (whitish blotches) in the leaf.
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Seal your leaf in a 'zip-lock' bag.
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Wait until late July, then count and identify the tiny insects that emerge – are they alien moths, pest controllers, or other insects, like aphids? If you can see one pest controller, that means one alien moth has been killed by it!
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Release the insects.
Submit your records
(Optional) To take part in Conker Tree Science, all you need to do is identify insects as alien moths, pest controllers and others with the insect identification guide. However, we have also produced an illustrated guide to the different species of pest controller (large file: 1.6Mb). Identifying the different species is optional and for those who like a challenge.
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Tiny Eulophid wasps like this one, only 1.85mm long, may be attacking the alien moths in your leaf
(photo: Brian Valentine)
An adult alien moth (photo: Paul Kitchener)
The pest controllers are shiny, with transparent wings
(photo: Brian Valentine)
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