Unknown micro

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JohnR
Posts: 101
Joined: Mon May 11, 2020 5:21 pm
Location: Hazel Grove

Unknown micro

Post by JohnR »

It has been a decent enough start for me. Been trapping on warmish nights and caught the expected species: March Moths, Hebrew Characters, Small & Common Quakers, Clouded Drabs, and just singles of Grey Shoulder-knot, Satellite, Double-striped Pug and Yellow Horned.

Micros represented by a couple of Beautiful Plumes and this Caloptilia sp. I think it’s probably C. betulicola. Can this be sorted by a photo or is gen. det. necessary?

Cheers, John
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stevehind
Posts: 2908
Joined: Mon Aug 04, 2008 11:44 am
Location: Higher Poynton, Cheshire

Re: Unknown micro

Post by stevehind »

Hi John
Most likely Caloptilia betulicola with the pale trochanter but the NMRS guidelines do suggest that it should be dissected to be sure.
Regards
Steve
JohnR
Posts: 101
Joined: Mon May 11, 2020 5:21 pm
Location: Hazel Grove

Re: Unknown micro

Post by JohnR »

Thanks Steve,

I still have the moth. I would be grateful if you could confirm the ID by dissection should you have a spare moment.

Cheers, John
stevehind
Posts: 2908
Joined: Mon Aug 04, 2008 11:44 am
Location: Higher Poynton, Cheshire

Re: Unknown micro

Post by stevehind »

Hi John

I'll have a go at dissecting it for you. Females are easy enough, although I have struggled with males of these two in the past so no guarantee of success.

Regards
Steve
JohnR
Posts: 101
Joined: Mon May 11, 2020 5:21 pm
Location: Hazel Grove

Re: Unknown micro

Post by JohnR »

Thanks Steve,

You told me last year that C. betulicola has a white trochanter. In these better photos it is clearly white. Is this good enough for ID or is a dissection still required?

Cheers, John
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stevehind
Posts: 2908
Joined: Mon Aug 04, 2008 11:44 am
Location: Higher Poynton, Cheshire

Re: Unknown micro

Post by stevehind »

Hi John
Those with a white trochanter do tend to be Caloptilia betulicola but not always. I have heard of at least one dissected specimen of C.elongella which also had a white trochanter, so I would only record light trapped specimens to species having dissected them.
Regards
Steve
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