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2 Id's please. (1 Viewer)

simondix

Well-known member
Can I have an ID on these two please. Not sure of the Thorn. Early or Purple? Also the micro if anybody is into those. Both trapped 28th March Redditch, Worcs, UK.
 

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The thorn is an Early Thorn, Simon. Can't help you with your micro - I don't do micros!

Chris
 
Simon,
The micro is a melanic form of Diurnea Fagella. I saw this form last year, but this year have seen none, even though the moth is much more abundant. The more common form is creamy white with me. The female has quite stunted wings.

With the thorns, Early rests with wings closed, and Purple rests with wings half open.

Angus.
 
Hi Angus and welcome to Bird Forum from all the Moderators and Admin. Staff.

It's always great to see fellow moth-ers on here (we almost have our own little community!), especially one from the Emerald Isle. Look forward to seeing you 'on the boards'.
Chris
 
CJW said:
Hi Angus and welcome to Bird Forum from all the Moderators and Admin. Staff.

Thanks Chris, Time is the enemy. I've looked in now and then. Some of the guys will know me from the Yahoo group.

Oh and Simon, don't look at me when you say micro-buff. I haven't been looking at moths 2 years yet, but I do try record whatever micro sp I can.
Recorders are very thin on the ground in Ireland, and as a result, the country is vastly underrecorded, so I'm starting to fill in the gaps in my little patch.

Angus.
 
When I started mothing the first year I sent my records in and I had about 10 first records for my 10km square. This included Yellow Shell and Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing. So I realised then that we are thin on the ground. However anybody who is brave enough to take on micros has my vote. They are even thinner on the ground.
 
Hi Simon,
I think if you get in touch with your County Recorder, you will find there are more Moth recorders around than you think. It's the lesser groups on insects that are under recorded. I do the 'Lacewings' and 'Bumblebees'. Locally, there are only one or two recorders per Century for these insects.

Harry Eales.
 
CJW said:
I think Harry Eales will be your man!

I will only try to help with the Tortricoid Moths, CJW. 'Micro' specialists are very few and far between. The small size of the majority of this 'artificial' group makes identification difficult.

Good identification guide's for micro's are few and not inexpensive. In a great number of instances reliable identification can only be made with the use of a good microscope, or by dissecting out the genitalia. Not many people are willing to spend the time involved in doing this. I have known one or two 'micro' specialists over the years and even they, occasionally, have had to send specimens to other specialists for confirmation of an ID.

Totting up the costs of purchasing a good set of 'micro' ID guides, a decent microscope, and other necessary equipment for dissection comes near the £800 mark. You may be able to do it slightly cheaper, but not by much.

Only a small percentage of micro's can be identified from photographs, and I think this is perhaps, one of the reasons why they are not as popular as the 'macro's.

Harry Eales.
 
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