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Wednesday, 31 May 2017

Dingy Shears?

I think this moth, caught here last night, may be a Dingy Shears, but would appreciate comments or suggestions.  I have had Dingy Shears every other year in the past, but usually in July.


Also a Birch Mocha, seen here before in 2006 and 2013 but again these were later in the year.


Richard Ellis
Chorleywood
at

5 comments:

  1. Dave Wilton31 May 2017 at 12:33

    You are safe with Birch Mocha, Richard, as it has two broods. Nice to get in the garden! I'm not sure about the noctuid though (your pictures seem to be in black and white rather than colour!). It is rather too early for Dingy Shears and to my eye doesn't seem to fit that species anyway. Have you ruled out something like Small Clouded Brindle?

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  2. Richard Ellis31 May 2017 at 13:08

    Thanks Dave. The picture on my computer looks a reasonable colour match to the moth itself. Small Clouded Brindle was my first thought but then I noticed the dark V shaped 'shears' marks inboard of the ovals. There is a dark dot in the centre of the underside of the hind wing, if that helps at all . . . . . .

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  3. Richard Ellis31 May 2017 at 13:20

    Having looked at the upper side of the hindwing and consulted Skinner's book, Fig 46 on p 161 shows Small Clouded Brindle (Apamea unanimis) with hindwing discal spot, so I think that settles the matter.

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  4. Peter Hall31 May 2017 at 13:24

    Yes, that's a Small Clouded Brindle

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  5. Richard Ellis31 May 2017 at 13:57

    Thanks Peter and Dave

    ReplyDelete

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