Friday, 26 June 2020

August Thorn and 2 micros for checking

In my garden trap on Wednesday 24th June I found this thorn which looks to me like August Thorn. Would 24th June be a particularly early record for this moth?

August Thorn - Cookham 24-Jun-20

I am also posting 2 micros for confirmation of my ids. The first I am pretty sure is Eucosma cana.

Eucosma cana - Cookham 24-Jun-20

The second I think is Endothenia marginana, but I always find this group a bit tricky.

Endothenia sp. - Cookham 24-Jun-20

Steve Trigg, Cookham
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4 comments:

  1. Adam Bassett26 June 2020 at 11:35

    Hi Steve, I usually start getting August Thorn at the beginning on July, 30th June is my earliest here, 4 in 2017, so slightly early maybe.

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  2. Martin Albertini26 June 2020 at 14:28

    Yes, early but not too surprising with the weather. I know of two others over the last few days.

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  3. Dave Wilton27 June 2020 at 10:41

    Of the micros, the first is indeed Eucosma cana but it is difficult to be sure about the Endothenia. It could well be marginana but size and hind-wing colour are quite important in separating those three confusing species. Probably one best kept back for dissection!

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  4. Steve Trigg27 June 2020 at 15:02

    Thanks for your comments. My previous earliest record for August Thorn was 9th July in 2018.
    I have taken your advice Dave, and retained the Endothenia.

    ReplyDelete

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