Micromoth Identification:
Hi All,
Just received this email from Roger W, can you help with the identifications?
Thanks
Hi Tom
Steve Hind suggests I should post these on the moth forum for comment. The Argyresthria could be pruniella or bonnetella ( I have both Cherry and Hawthorn in the garden). Steve suggests my query Bud Moth may be either Gypsonoma dealbana or sociana. We are both unsure about the Epermenia/Mompha. Any help would be appreciated.
Best wishes
Rog
Micromoth Identification
Re: Micromoth Identification
Regarding these - I can't get any of them to species.
The Olethreutid may well be dealbana - I'd think more that than sociana, but am not sure either way - I hate them all There is a new guide out on these, the so-called Bird Dropping Tortrix moths of the British Isles by Clifton and Wheeler - available from Anglian Lepidopterists - a very useful addition to the library.
The Mompha... for I think its more likely that as it seems to be holding itself flat - is something I can't be sure about.
The Argyresthia has lost a lot of scales, so again its not easy - we are catching only bonnetella of late though, with pruniella being an earlier moth for us.
Not much help - maybe buying the book will help for next time with the tort.
Steve
The Olethreutid may well be dealbana - I'd think more that than sociana, but am not sure either way - I hate them all There is a new guide out on these, the so-called Bird Dropping Tortrix moths of the British Isles by Clifton and Wheeler - available from Anglian Lepidopterists - a very useful addition to the library.
The Mompha... for I think its more likely that as it seems to be holding itself flat - is something I can't be sure about.
The Argyresthia has lost a lot of scales, so again its not easy - we are catching only bonnetella of late though, with pruniella being an earlier moth for us.
Not much help - maybe buying the book will help for next time with the tort.
Steve
Re: Micromoth Identification
Hi Steve,
Thanks for looking at these. I do already have the 'birdshit' book but it doesn't help me distinguish from the pics i took, mainly because it gives little or no idea of extent of variation and also because it does appear to require a pinned specimen to see some of the distinguishing detail. Frustrating being unable to ID these moths.
Rog
Thanks for looking at these. I do already have the 'birdshit' book but it doesn't help me distinguish from the pics i took, mainly because it gives little or no idea of extent of variation and also because it does appear to require a pinned specimen to see some of the distinguishing detail. Frustrating being unable to ID these moths.
Rog
Re: Micromoth Identification
Hi Roger,
Sounds like you are ready to start on the next stage of identification, which is to dissect them. This is the only way to be sure with a lot of these worn specimens.
Regards,
Steve
Sounds like you are ready to start on the next stage of identification, which is to dissect them. This is the only way to be sure with a lot of these worn specimens.
Regards,
Steve