Saturday 20 September 2014

Second broods here, too

A distinctly small Single-dotted Wave, some time after it supposedly ought to be about, in this morning's catch in Wolvercote, Oxon; and a micro, below, which despite the notorious difficulties distinguishing this group I hope may be a Paraswammerdamia albicapitella: any thoughts? Steve and Xander Goddard.

Possible Paraswammerdamia albicapitella, 19/9/14

3 comments:

  1. Hello Steve, it looks as though it might be, assuming that the thorax is white and not just worn (it is a bit difficult to tell from that picture).

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  2. Yes, the image is not good and too low resolution and a top view may have helped. This group are very tricky to separate, most have second broods in August/September too. Mr Wilton is alluding to the white thorax in albicapitella (I guess hence its name), but the others are pale grey also, so you can separate in fresh specimens but not so in worn ones. They are easy to do under the microscope luckily.

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  3. Thanks, both: unfortunately such other photos as I took of it are no better -- in particular, the only top view is horribly unfocused, so I think this will have to stay as a might-have-been.

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