Apart from a Treble-bar the night before last it has been a little while since I have added any new species to the garden list for this year.
The first photo is definitely a new species for me. I assume it is a
Caloptilia species but would appreciate some guidance as to which one.
I was hoping this next one might be a Lunar Yellow Underwing. The size was right for Lunar/Lesser. However on looking at the hindwings (see final image) I found the black mark was absent. I wonder if this is just a small specimen of a Large Yellow Underwing (along with the 88 normal size ones)
I though I was getting the hang of the various Grass moths but I'm not sure about this one.
Finally is this just another Square-spot Rustic?
See above Underwing question.
Andy Newbold, Sibford Ferris, Oxon.
Hi Andy, the first is indeed a Caloptilia but really needs dissection to separate between alchimiella and robustella, both of which are common and widespread locally. The Underwing is just a Large Yellow (Lunar Yellow is very unlikely in our three counties but do keep it in mind when looking at Lesser Yellows, with which it is more likely to be confused). The grass moth looks to me like a very tired and battered Agriphila tristella while the other is indeed an example of the highly variable Square-spot Rustic.
ReplyDeleteThank you. All very much as I expected but it was worth checking. The Large Yellow Underwing was definitely on the small side so worth bearing in mind.
ReplyDelete