In anticipation of some large catches in the forecast heatwave, I'm scrambling a bit to catch up on a backlog of records for my garden in Wolvercote, Oxfordshire, dating back a week or two. I've a few individuals which I've not managed to pin down despite poring over the books for some time, and would be grateful for any suggestions.
This was from 9th June, and looks vaguely like Cabbage Moth, Dusky Brocade, etc., but not quite right for any of them. Around 15mm long.
This on 21st June is perhaps too faded and nondescript to be identifiable - it got away before I could measure it at all.
And this, from 17th June, is about 5mm long, and looks like some sort of Mompha - but doesn't quite tick the boxes for any of them.
All suggestions gratefully received!
Steve Goddard
Hi Steve, I think that given its size and markings that the first 'unknown macro' is likely to be Small Clouded Brindle. This can be confused with the very variable Common Rustic agg since this is a time when they overlap, but to me on balance the features fit better with the former (one difference is supposed be that SCB has two dark basal streaks, and either none or only the dorsal streak for CR - but I find this is often difficult to make out). The second 'unknown macro' is as you suggest probably too far gone to be certain of an identification (Large Nutmeg?). The micro is likely to be Mompha substrigella; the confusion species is M. sturnipennella which is apparently relatively rare and if suspected would require dissection.
ReplyDeleteSorry that should be M. subbistrigella!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, John! -- that all looks good.
ReplyDelete