Each year Cambridge Natural History Society focusses on a particular area for its monthly field studies. In 2026 it is Grantchester Meadows between Newnham and Grantchester, last fully documented in 2006. On Sunday, we spent the afternoon recording all the Gall species that we could find. As expected with the low insect numbers this year, Galls were also a lot less frequent than previous visits. They were identified as we found them and entered on i-record. I have identified from my photos as far as possible! The Coleophora moth was a late find and is fascinating. The larvae initially feed on the seeds, flowers or leaves of the host plant by tunelling into the structures, but when larger, they feed externally and construct distinctive protective silken cases, often incorporating plant material. Many species have specific host plants; discarded larval cases are often scattered thickly on affected plants.
