Sunday 6 July 2014

footman

This looks to me like a Hoary Footman which, according to the book, is quite rare. As our garden in Beaconsfield doesn't do rarities I thought I'd better check.  Dave Ferguson



7 comments:

  1. I'd like to check too, did you keep it? It looks a good candidate.

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  2. HI Dave, I too hope you kept it as I have one from the other night at Holtspur which looks very similar.

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  3. Over the last couple of weeks, I have been getting the occasional footman that looks just like this. Perhaps the Hoary Footman is expanding its range and becoming more common?

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  4. It is important that any possible Hoary Footmen are kept to have genitalia checked. This is particularly so if the specimen is from a new site for the species. It is unlikely that records for new sites will be accepted (at least in Bucks) if not confirmed by genitalia.

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  5. Hi Steve, all the signs are that it is expanding its range and fairly quickly, like a lot of the Footman moths. At the moment, we like to chop examples to be certain, so if you see any potential candidates, keep them in the freezer and let me know.

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  6. No, I didn't keep it. 2 other ID points: the f/w length was 15mm and the hindwing was pure white, which was very obvious when it flew off.

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