. . . . .that I'm getting the hang of some basic micros, this turns up. Came to light on Sept 3rd near Chesham- can't find anything that looks like it in the books. Someone please put me out of my misery?
Thanks, David
A Blog for moth recorders in Bucks, Berks and Oxon
Hello David,
ReplyDeleteI'd be happy to accept that as a well-marked example of Scrobipalpa ocellatella (Beet Moth). It underwent an explosion in numbers over the summer in those areas which grow sugar beet (East Anglia and the east Midlands) and dispersing moths appeared all across our area too. I had about 20 of them in the garden at Westcott during August and September and saw them at a few other sites in Bucks as well. Caution needs to be used with less obviously marked specimens which may well be the more widespread Scrobipalpa atriplicella (dissection required to separate). Neither species is illustrated in the micro field guide so try a Google image search to see examples.
Reassuring that I'm not going mad!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dave!