Is the first a Coleophora species and if so can it be narrowed down any further?
Is this second one a Tortrix and again can it be identified from the photo? This one was stuck back down in the condensation on the outside of the trap which has done nothing for any markings it may have had! It is approximately 13-14 mm in length.
Andy Newbold, Sibford Ferris, Oxon.
The first is indeed a Coleophorid. It's not one that I can identify by wing pattern unfortunately and would require dissection. The second looks like a candidate for Aphelia paleana.
ReplyDeleteI'd be happy to accept the tortrix as Aphelia paleana based on size, shape, the yellow head and the fact that it still has some of its creamy-coloured wing scales.
ReplyDeleteThank you both for your quick and helpful replies. Please do say if I am asking too many questions but I have always ignored micros in the past (apart from the really obvious ones) and as a beginner it is sometime difficult to know where to start.
ReplyDeletePlease continue to ask away, Andy. While we do also like to see 'newsworthy' reports about what people are catching, one of the main purposes of the blog is for people who've developed expertise in this fascinating subject to share their knowledge and provide help where they can.
ReplyDeleteKeep in mind, though, that you won't always get the answer you might want! There is no substitute for having a moth 'in the hand' when it comes to determining an ID and it is not always possible to identify even some seemingly well-marked moths to species from a photograph.