[Jamie D]

Hi,

I caught the following on 6/6 on Teesside. I suspect it is a Spruce Carpet but the jizz didn't feel correct and I think I may be missing something. Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Jamie

[Angus T]

Originally Posted by J Duffie

Hi,

I caught the following on 6/6 on Teesside. I suspect it is a Spruce Carpet but the jizz didn't feel correct and I think I may be missing something. Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Jamie

Hi Jamie and welcome aboard.

I'm tending to agree with you that it doesn't seem like Spruce Carpet, but don't have an alternative suggestion. Hopefully others may be of more help.

[harry eales]

Originally Posted by J Duffie

Hi,

I caught the following on 6/6 on Teesside. I suspect it is a Spruce Carpet but the jizz didn't feel correct and I think I may be missing something. Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Jamie

I've had a look as well, and Spruce Carpet fits better than any other. The difference in the forewing marking is interesting, possibly a gynandrous specimen.

Harry

[Angus T]

Originally Posted by harry eales

possibly a gynandrous specimen.

Harry

I can feel you were itching to get that word out.
Now that you have, would you explain it please.

[harry eales]

Originally Posted by Angus T

I can feel you were itching to get that word out.
Now that you have, would you explain it please.

Hello Angus,
A gynandromorph is a specimen which shows characteristics of both male and female of a species. It's not often apparent in moths but in certain species of butterfly the effect is quite startling.

E.G. in the Common Blue butterfly for instance a perfectly halved gynandromorph will show one side of the insect as male and the other side female. At other times the difference may only show on one wing.

Such specimens are caused by the fertilisation of a bi-nucleate egg and are quite rare. The term hemophrodite is sometimes used incorrectly to describe such specimens.

It is really only very apparent when the males and females of a species differ quite a lot in wing colouring, and that is more common in butterflies than moths.

In the picture of the Carpet there is a bar on the right hand forewing that appears to be missing on the left hand forewing, unless it has been lost by scales being accidently removed.

Such specimens cannot breed and their nads are a nightmare to prepare for microscopic examination as they tend to show similar characteristics, i.e. part male, part female. I've simplified the scientific explanation somewhat but thats about it.

Harry.

[Michael Frankis]

Don't know about the moth, but that looks like a Hessian Carpet behind

[Jamie D]

thanks for all the comment. I am very impressed by the format of this site and the easy way you can follow through ID discussions with the picutres easily avaliable also

Regards,
Jamie

[Surreybirder]

Perhaps Harry can explain 'picutres' while he's at it

[harry eales]

Originally Posted by Surreybirder

Perhaps Harry can explain 'picutres' while he's at it

NO! I googled the word and came up with 71,600 hits, take your pick.
lol.
Harry

[Angus T]

Originally Posted by harry eales

Hello Angus,
A gynandromorph is a specimen which shows characteristics of both male and female of a species.

Harry.

Thanks a lot Harry.