Having helped out at an RSPB sleepout in Wytham Woods on Saturday, where most of the moth traps were infested with Hornets (but also had some quite good moths in - my favourite was an Olive, a species I've not seen before), I wasn't altogether surprised to have three of them buzzing around the trap on Sunday night. They're fairly amiable creatures, so I wasn't terribly worried. Otherwise, recent catches here in Wolvercote, Oxon., have been pretty standard - we were pleased to have a Lime-speck Pug on 5th August, a pleasingly identifiable species which we don't seem to be guaranteed of every year. More recently, we had either a Toadflax or a Foxglove Pug on 10th August - its size seems to indicate the former, but its markings closer to the latter; and we've not been able to reach a conclusion on the third species, a micro from 5th August - it's an
Acleris, but I've not decided which. Any help with those latter two very much appreciated!
Steve and Xander Goddard
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| Lime-speck Pug, 5/8/15 |
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| Toadflax or Foxglove Pug, 10/8/15 |
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| Unknown Acleris sp., 5/8/15 |
There's 2 main identifying features to separate Foxglove from Toadflax Pug. First - and most reliable - is the basal patch and degree of blackening in the area. I can't see any in your image, but it looks worn. Second, the outer edge of the median band kinks in in Foxglove. This second feature is not 100% reliable, but almost. So if I had to decide which I would say it looks more like a Toadflax Pug. I presume for the last image, the fog came down suddenly, but it is Acleris laterana.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, Peter -- sorry, the last image is especially rotten quality (not that the others are much better), but the only snap I managed to get of the critter.
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