Amongst the macros, Autumnal Rustic continue to appear: I had my highest-ever total of six on Thursday night. Merveille du Jour and Brick both put in their first appearances of the season. In addition to the 19 species of macro, there were four species of micro.
The inevitable Epiphyas postvittana/Light Brown Apple Moth was supplemented for the second time this autumn by an Udea ferrugalis/Rusty-dot Pearl, which is not unusual at this time of year. More of a surprise were what look to me like an Acrobasis suavella (with the larger dot at two-thirds vertically above the smaller dot) and a Dichrorampha acuminatana, FWL 5mm. Looking at the field guide and at some online sources, both of these species just about creep into early September (the Tortrix more so), but not as far as the end of the month. They're both slightly tricky species to ID, especially when well-worn, so have I got this right?
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| Acrobasis suavella Newton Longville, 29 September 2022 |
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| Dichrorampha acuminatana Newton Longville, 29 September 2022 |
Hello Tim,
ReplyDeleteI don't think there's enough visible on the first image to be absolutely sure of the species without dissection. A.suavella in good condition should be fairly easy to ID but this one is too worn to be sure. Whichever Acrobasis it is, this would presumably be a second brood which in itself would be unusual. I had consociella here a couple of times in mid-September, Andy Newbold had at least one in Banbury around the same time and I've seen reports elsewhere too, so that one definitely returned for a second go this year. Maybe suavella did too but I've seen no reports.
As you say, I suspect the Dichrorampha will be acuminatana. I think it is accepted that first brood specimens can be ID'd on sight but by the time the second brood comes around at the end of July/beginning of August there are other similar Dichrorampha species flying which make dissection the safest way forward.
Thanks, Dave. I'll get them both dissected.
ReplyDeleteJust in case anyone looks at this a long while after it was posted, Peter Hall kindly dissected these for me and they came back as Acrobasis suavella and Dichrorampha acuminatana respectively. So these are rather late appearances.
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