Help With ID Please:
Wondered if this leaf mine on Hawthorn was the Ectoedemia atricollis ? Not finding any tenanted leaf mines !
The dark moth preferring a thin profile resting position is causing some problems. Various features seem to suggest different species. Photographed it with Square-spot Rustic for comparison. Hind wings are dark. It has a line mark in its underneath view and a line on its forehead. All suggestions welcome.
It took while to get a view of its hind wing, hence the different lighting for the photo.
Bob & Helen
Help With ID Please
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- Location: Waverton, Chester
Re: Help With ID Please
Hi Bob & Helen,
I think both of your macros are Square Spot Rustics. There is a lot of variation in markings and size with this species. The square kidney mark is a diagnostic feature, which your specimens have.
Regards,
Greg
I think both of your macros are Square Spot Rustics. There is a lot of variation in markings and size with this species. The square kidney mark is a diagnostic feature, which your specimens have.
Regards,
Greg
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- Posts: 657
- Joined: Thu Mar 12, 2015 6:25 pm
- Location: Waverton, Chester
Re: Help With ID Please
Thanks Greg.
We always thought a Square-spot Rustic had a pale hind wing, obviously not. We had not realised just how variable this moth was.
Bob & Helen
We always thought a Square-spot Rustic had a pale hind wing, obviously not. We had not realised just how variable this moth was.
Bob & Helen
Re: Help With ID Please
Hi Bob & Helen,
I don't know if you have a copy of Chris Manley's latest British moths book. If you have there is a photo on page 337 which clearly shows a pale curved chevron mark on the thorax, which is also evident on your head shot photo. This is a feature I hadn't noticed before, so I've learnt something too.
Regards,
Greg
I don't know if you have a copy of Chris Manley's latest British moths book. If you have there is a photo on page 337 which clearly shows a pale curved chevron mark on the thorax, which is also evident on your head shot photo. This is a feature I hadn't noticed before, so I've learnt something too.
Regards,
Greg
Re: Help With ID Please
Hi Bob & Helen,
Your mine is Stigmella hybnerella. Not finding Ectoedemia atricollis on Hawthorn yet, just the once so far this autumn on Apple. Ectoedemia atricollis mines along the leaf edge before making a blotch.
Also, not finding many tenanted Stigmella mines at the moment, all but one I looked at yesterday were vacated.
Regards,
Steve
Your mine is Stigmella hybnerella. Not finding Ectoedemia atricollis on Hawthorn yet, just the once so far this autumn on Apple. Ectoedemia atricollis mines along the leaf edge before making a blotch.
Also, not finding many tenanted Stigmella mines at the moment, all but one I looked at yesterday were vacated.
Regards,
Steve
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- Posts: 657
- Joined: Thu Mar 12, 2015 6:25 pm
- Location: Waverton, Chester
Re: Help With ID Please
Thanks Greg & Steve.
Re: Help With ID Please
Hi Helen & Bob,
Here is a tenanted Ectoedemia atricollis mine I found yesterday on Hawthorn. The early mine follows the leaf edge before it starts blotch feeding. The mines are normally larger and the frass is usually more scattered. The blotch is often whiter than the yellowish tinge of a fresh Stigmella hyberella mine.
Regards,
Steve
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Here is a tenanted Ectoedemia atricollis mine I found yesterday on Hawthorn. The early mine follows the leaf edge before it starts blotch feeding. The mines are normally larger and the frass is usually more scattered. The blotch is often whiter than the yellowish tinge of a fresh Stigmella hyberella mine.
Regards,
Steve
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Re: Help With ID Please
Hi Folks,
Had one tenanted mine on Gowy Meadows yesterday too - first for the year also.
Cheers,
Steve
Had one tenanted mine on Gowy Meadows yesterday too - first for the year also.
Cheers,
Steve