The Burial Park GMS trap this morning held new-for-year-at-the-site Small Phoenix, Iron Prominent and August Thorn, plus this Bar; after having stared at the photo, I'm thinking Lesser Treble Bar, but I would appreciate a more informed opinion (it wasn't in the best position for a photo).
Dave Morris
Not sure about that one, Dave. It is best to pot them up and then look at (or take a picture of) the underside rear of the abdomen. You can easily separate the males that way - refer to the text in the field guide for more info.
ReplyDeleteThe first line is sharply and pointedly angled at 90 degrees, which would point to Lesser Treble-bar
ReplyDeletePersonally I would never go by the angle of that cross line - too subjective.
ReplyDeleteThen perhaps you should write to Bernard Skinner
ReplyDeleteIf you have a look at Skinner's little drawings and compare them to Dave's picture you could make it fit either species.
ReplyDeleteWhy don't you pot up some examples and I'll chop them Dave. But I have used this criteria for years now and there are cases where it is not clear, but the sharp point in Dave's image makes this one ok to id. If you get a selection together, I'll use Skinners references and make an id, then chop. If I get one wrong, the Mars bars are on me for 2016.
ReplyDeleteThanks chaps! I have previously been able to id males of these species from the "rear ends" but I didn't have a pot on this occasion.
ReplyDelete