Moth (Butterfly?) ID help, please... (1 Viewer)

birdman

Орнитол&

• Jun 28, 2003

• #1

No picture I'm afraid, but I saw a moth/butterfly brand new to me in Northumberland this week.

Total wingspan approx. 1.5cm, Glossy Black in colour with white or very pale blue on the very tip of the forewings. When settled, its wings were left open.

Any ideas...???

 

C

cjay

Well-known member

• Jun 28, 2003

• #2

Sounds like a melanistic Small Tortoiseshell to me.

 

C

cjay

Well-known member

• Jun 28, 2003

• #3

or a female Purle Hairstreek.

 

S

simondix

Well-known member

• Jun 28, 2003

• #4

Try Chimney Sweeper Moth

 

birdman

Орнитол&

• Jun 29, 2003

• #5

Thanks for your help folks...

Well, unless there is something extremely similar, I think simondix has solved my little mystery

I've managed to Google a pic here...

http://website.lineone.net/~butterflies.dells/media/Chimney Sweeper Moth.jpg

 

Surreybirder

Ken Noble

• Jun 29, 2003

• #6

Birdman,
Just in case it's a help there's a site devoted to UK moths (and you can email for advice--I just had one identified).
Click on:
http://cgi.ukmoths.force9.co.uk/show.php?bf=171
(This is the one I had identified but you should be able to get to the home page from here.)
Ken

 

S

simondix

Well-known member

• Jun 29, 2003

• #7

We get Chimney Sweepers in Worcestershire but they tend to like old meadows and as there are not a lot of those left they are not common. Nice looking moth though.

 

C

cjay

Well-known member

• Jun 29, 2003

• #8

Yes of course Chimney Sweeper! I never thought of that one. It is a distinct possiblity.

CJ

 

birdman

Орнитол&

• Jun 29, 2003

• #9

Thanks, Ken...

I'll probably make good use of that, as I have very little idea about butterflies, and almost no idea about moths.

And of course, there are just so many moth species that none of your "pocket" books do more than scratch the surface!

 

Surreybirder

Ken Noble

• Jun 29, 2003

• #10

You're right Birdman. there's a moth ID book on Ebay at the moment and the bidding is already around £60, so these books are not cheap!!