Pale November?

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macchi
Posts: 108
Joined: Mon Nov 09, 2009 4:01 pm
Location: Shocklach, Cheshire

Pale November?

Post by macchi »

Pale November?

I know these are notoriously difficult to identify and to separate from E. dilutata and E. autumnata but is it possible to say whether this is a Pale November moth (Epirrita christyi) ? I've seen quite a few recently, this one last night.

Thanks.

Alison

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Pale November Moth (Epirrita christyi) ???
Pale November Moth (Epirrita christyi) ???
SteveH
Posts: 2072
Joined: Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:50 am
Location: Elton, Cheshire

Re: Pale November?

Post by SteveH »

Hi Alison,

I'm not sure the four UK species can be identified with certainty from external characters alone. As you know, they are so much alike and with overlaps in just about every department it is one of the hardest groups to split into species.

I've managed a few times to expose male genitalia with a damp paintbrush, gently removing scales and other 'debris' such that you don't have to kill the poor things to get an ID. Even this isn't always successful however and I'm obliged more often than not to 'Epirrita spp.' them. Fortunately we don't get more than a few (<10) per year and haven't had one in 2012 yet, so for us at least its not a major headache.

Cheers,
Steve

macchi
Posts: 108
Joined: Mon Nov 09, 2009 4:01 pm
Location: Shocklach, Cheshire

Re: Pale November?

Post by macchi »

Thanks Steve.

Alison

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