A Blog for moth recorders in Bucks, Berks and Oxon
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Sunday, 19 July 2020
Eucosmid, but which one?
Still quite hard going here in Wolvercote, Oxfordshire, but I had this potential lifer last night. I think it's Eucosma; and it looks to me most like Eucosma hohenwartiana, though I wouldn't rule out conterminana. Any thoughts?
Indeed, that is one of the Eucosma hohenwartiana group, but to get to species you need a) a female and b) to get it dissected. Getting the female is the difficult bit as most of the moths that come to light seem to be male! I've had all three species in Bucks so I imagine they will all be in Oxon too. Both hohenwartiana and parvulana appear in my garden so the latter obviously isn't quite as rare as the field guide suggests. The third species is fulvana which I've had at three or four different sites in Bucks.
Hi Steve,
ReplyDeleteIndeed, that is one of the Eucosma hohenwartiana group, but to get to species you need a) a female and b) to get it dissected. Getting the female is the difficult bit as most of the moths that come to light seem to be male! I've had all three species in Bucks so I imagine they will all be in Oxon too. Both hohenwartiana and parvulana appear in my garden so the latter obviously isn't quite as rare as the field guide suggests. The third species is fulvana which I've had at three or four different sites in Bucks.
Ah -- thanks, Dave. Well, I've let the individual go, so it'll have to stay as a Eucosma hohenwartiana agg. sort of entry...
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