A Trio of confusing moths for ID (1 Viewer)

[Overread]

Got a trio of moths confusing me here. All taken on the same night - 18 July:

1-2 - A wainscot of some type, I'm thinking common but I'm not sure.

3-4 - Its another of the Mythimna, but not sure - Clay, Brown-line Bright-eye - Wihte point - sort of warming to that one but, again not really sure

5 - really unsure on this one and I wonder if age and the wings fraying is leaving me confused.

 

[Farnboro John]

No 5 is a Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing unless you can think of a legitimate reason for (a) the existence of and (b) the identification as "Langmaid's Yellow Underwing".

John

 

[aeshna5]

Agree with John on 5.

I would err towards Smoky Wainscot for 1/2
3/4 is Brown-line Bright-eye.

 

[Overread]

Thanks both! Farnboro John I am in Suffolk so a Langmaid is "potentially" possible. However it seems that only examination of the genitalia is the way to tell the two apart. As I don't retain the moths (they are freed after the photos) that's not an option, so I'd err that its far more likely the common variety.

 

[Paul Chapman]

Agree with John on 5.

I would err towards Smoky Wainscot for 1/2
3/4 is Brown-line Bright-eye.

I'd agree with those.

 

[dantheman]

I think Langmaid's is at least potentially possible on the underwing. But they are still rare (possibly overlooked) so wouldn't get overexcited ...

It's a case of popping in the freezer for 1 - 3 minutes (depending on freezer, species and original temperature - do it in increments) and teasing wings up to inspect underwing pattern. Set a timer though so you don't forget and perish the moth.

Not encountered Langmaid's myself, so open to correction

On the original question of id of 5) above as LBBYU - they are pretty distinct (unique even) in the appearance of the clean creamy front of the thorax and 'frosty' wing patterning imo, along with shape and size.