Two of the tricky to separate Xestia species

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Greg
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Joined: Sat Aug 02, 2014 11:10 am
Location: Davenham Nr Northwich

Two of the tricky to separate Xestia species

Post by Greg »

Evening All

Last night's trap produced two Xestia species that can be tricky to separate without care.
They were both fresh examples, showing off their different characteristics.
The Double Square-spot and Triple-spotted Clay. Pics below.

Greg
Attachments
Double Square-spot
Double Square-spot
Triple-spotted Clay
Triple-spotted Clay
MothNoggin
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Joined: Fri Jul 05, 2019 6:35 pm

Re: Two of the tricky to separate Xestia species

Post by MothNoggin »

Hi Greg
Nice photos.
I was thinking this attached photo of a moth from last week was a Double Square-spot, but now I'm not so sure and am tending towards a Triple-spotted Clay. Seems generally darker and 'purply'.
Any thoughts?
Thanks
Neville
Attachments
IMG_7089.jpg
Greg
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Joined: Sat Aug 02, 2014 11:10 am
Location: Davenham Nr Northwich

Re: Two of the tricky to separate Xestia species

Post by Greg »

Hi Neville

Your moth isn't immediately obvious from the photo. Having said that, the wing shape and
pale patch on the back of the thorax, even though it seems to lack some darker shading,
I'd say is a Triple-spotted Clay,
I'd wait for further confirmation from one of the Steve's.

Regards
Greg
SteveH
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Re: Two of the tricky to separate Xestia species

Post by SteveH »

Oh no... its that time of year again... :-)

OK - so, depending on who you talk to or what post on the interweb you read, this species pair is either identifiable in the hand or needs dissecting out. I'm not for dissecting but the two do seem particularly problematic and I doubt there's many folks out there who are actually confident enough to say its an X or a Y at first glance.

I'd say that Julian's query moth is a Double Square-spot; Why? well, two reasons primarily. I can see distinct pale sides to the head and the edges of both the dark blotches on the upperwing are edged pale... thoughts are that TSC are edged darker, as in Gregs photo. There are suggested differences in the upper and underwing patterns of both the forewing and hindwing too but I guess we are beyond being able to look at those features now.

If peeps want to get to grips with the pros and cons of an individual being one or the other then have a look at these two posts:

http://trappingsofsuccess.blogspot.com/ ... otted.html or

https://britishlepidoptera.weebly.com/x ... gulum.html

Cheers,
Steve
Greg
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Joined: Sat Aug 02, 2014 11:10 am
Location: Davenham Nr Northwich

Re: Two of the tricky to separate Xestia species

Post by Greg »

Steve,


The first site Trappingsofsuccess was very confusing. The other site was excellent.

Greg
SteveH
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Re: Two of the tricky to separate Xestia species

Post by SteveH »

the blind leading the blind - :-)
stevehind
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Re: Two of the tricky to separate Xestia species

Post by stevehind »

Neville's is a Double Square-spot
Regards
Steve
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