Help With ID Please

[bobhelencoan]

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

[Greg]

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

[bobhelencoan]

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

[Greg]

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

[stevehind]

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

[bobhelencoan]

Thanks Greg & Steve.

[stevehind]

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.

Ectoedemia atricollis - Mottram St. Andrew - 19/09/2017

Regards,
Steve

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[SteveH]

Hi Folks,

Had one tenanted mine on Gowy Meadows yesterday too - first for the year also.

Cheers,
Steve