Found within the stems of Creeping Thistle (Cirsium arvense) in early 2004, the larvae were initially identified as an Epiblema sp - either E. cirsiana or E. scutulana. Neither of these moths are currently known to feed on Creeping Thistle and the information is potentially new to science.

The latter species was found and identified here in 2003, so E.cirisana would represent a new species of micro moth for the Eakring/Kersall area.

I also conducted further extensive searches at other sites throughout the Eakring and Kersall area. Like other entomologists across the UK seem to have had, there was no more success until I recently came across another single larva, at a site approximately 300 metres from the original patch of Creeping Thistles. Up until this find, the site where larvae had originally been found, remained the only one to date. Detailed study of older stems which remained in-situ at both sites from 2002, revealed that both Creeping Thistle patches, had in fact been used before.

The other possible (though always unlikely) identification, that the larvae could have been Aethes cnicana, can now be ruled out completely.

Although the larvae did'nt match that species' given description, A.cnicana could'nt be eliminated from the equation at the time they were discovered. Now that the first adult has emerged, A.cnicana has been ruled out.