Last night, there were a welcome couple of micros for me to ponder. The first would be new to the garden, I think Caloptilia semifascia. The second perhaps one of the Scrobipalpa which require dissection?
Hi Keith, The Caloptilia does indeed look like semifascia but nowadays it is worthwhile (in fact probably a necessity) to get critically checked any of the acer-feeding species which have some kind of costal marking because there are new species around. The other is a Scrobipalpa and almost certainly a typical poorly-marked acuminatella (the black dots in the middle of the wing are just about visible if you enlarge the image). Again, best to get critically checked especially if it is a first for site.
Hi Dave, Norfolk Moths indicates that dissection is required for yellow banded summer broods ( [C.W. Plant (2022) Ent. Rec. 134]), but this Caloptilia is presumably of the autumn brood (hibernating), showing the "distinctive angled light streak starting at the leading edge of the forewing"? I really must start retaining my micros for more detailed examination!
Hi Keith,
ReplyDeleteThe Caloptilia does indeed look like semifascia but nowadays it is worthwhile (in fact probably a necessity) to get critically checked any of the acer-feeding species which have some kind of costal marking because there are new species around. The other is a Scrobipalpa and almost certainly a typical poorly-marked acuminatella (the black dots in the middle of the wing are just about visible if you enlarge the image). Again, best to get critically checked especially if it is a first for site.
Hi Dave,
ReplyDeleteNorfolk Moths indicates that dissection is required for yellow banded summer broods ( [C.W. Plant (2022) Ent. Rec. 134]), but this Caloptilia is presumably of the autumn brood (hibernating), showing the "distinctive angled light streak starting at the leading edge of the forewing"?
I really must start retaining my micros for more detailed examination!