Saturday 27 May 2017

ID Help, please

I've been puzzling for a while over these two moths from last night and would welcome any comments or suggestions:





Having seen my first ever Alder Moth for this site on 15 May, there were two more in the trap this morning, also another Figure of Eighty.

Richard Ellis
Chorleywood

8 comments:

  1. The second one is a rather tired Seraphim.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Dave. I can see it now although with 30mm wingspan it is bigger that Seraphims I've seen here before.

      Any ideas on the first one . . . . . .?

      Richard

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    2. Not really sure, one of the dark forms of Marbled Minor perhaps?

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  2. Replies
    1. Thanks, Dave and Nigel. Mottled Rustic was my first thought although the markings and wing shape don't seem quite right. Having said that, mine is 16 mm FW, which would be consistent with Mottled Rustic, and I have seen this species before in May. I think the size would rule out a dark form Marbled Minor. Maybe I should ask Peter to check its bits, just to be sure.

      Richard

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  3. As it's a dark specimen I did fiddle with your photo a bit to highlight the salient features and Mottled Rustic was the only one that came close. If you do send it to Peter could you let us know the outcome?

    Thanks,
    Nigel

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    Replies
    1. Yes, I'll ask Peter to have a look at it and will let you know what it turns out to be.

      Richard

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  4. To me that's a Mottled Rustic, but if you want to be 100% sure, put it in the next batch. The dissection site could do with a better image anyway.

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