Pretty micro (1 Viewer)

[jimmyg]

I don't really know where to start with micros, so I can't ID this one even though it's very distinctive :-C any help greatly appreciated.

 

[davidg]

Lozotaeniodes formosanus.

David

 

[Steve Lister]

I don't really know where to start with micros

It is worth buying the photographic guide 'British Moths and Butterflies' by Chris Manley as it includes a good selection of the more identifiable micros. A lot easier than going through websites like UKMoths.

Steve

 

[Paul Chapman]

But if you do, find the right area in Manley and then on UK moths check the status, distribution and timing as well as the likely confusion species. It is a bit like a one page map of the British Isles. It will point you in the right direction but if you really want to find your location you need to look at something more comprehensive and detailed. On some species, a rare similar species is illustrated rather than the common one - it is (as it claims to be) simply a selection of the micro photos available to the author. An excellent resource nevertheless.

All the best

Paul Chapman

 

[jimmyg]

It is worth buying the photographic guide 'British Moths and Butterflies' by Chris Manley as it includes a good selection of the more identifiable micros. A lot easier than going through websites like UKMoths.

Steve

Thanks very much. Have made a mental note about that book for when I can afford it. For future reference is there a 'standard' guide book that goes into more detail than 'British Moths and Butterflies'?

 

[black52bird]

best Guide for moths

Thanks very much. Have made a mental note about that book for when I can afford it. For future reference is there a 'standard' guide book that goes into more detail than 'British Moths and Butterflies'?

The best guide is undoubtedly 'Field Guide to the moths of Great britain and Ireland' by Pau Waring and Martin Townsend, published by British Wildlife Publishing - but make sure you get the 2nd Edition. You will find it in most Waterstones Natural History sections. It costs just under £30 - but is worth every penny.

Best wishes

David

 

[jimmyg]

The best guide is undoubtedly 'Field Guide to the moths of Great britain and Ireland' by Pau Waring and Martin Townsend, published by British Wildlife Publishing - but make sure you get the 2nd Edition. You will find it in most Waterstones Natural History sections. It costs just under £30 - but is worth every penny.

Best wishes

David

Isn't that just macros? Well my copy doesn't have micros, so I'll be very annoyed if it should have :-O !

 

[Steve Lister]

Isn't that just macros? Well my copy doesn't have micros, so I'll be very annoyed if it should have :-O !

Don't worry there is nothing wrong with your copy - it does not include micros.
Apart from Manley the only book I have for micros is the old one on pyralids by Barry Goater. I don't think there are any others at sensible prices. I am fortunate in having a couple of local friends who are very keen on micros and between them have a good (and very expensive) library as well as lots of experience.
I tend to do as paul suggests - start with Manley and then check on UKmoths followed by a final check with the local experts if it looks like I might have something unusual. This worked well for a Staphmopoda pedella I caught last week - just the 8th county record.

Steve

 

[antshrike69]

I tend to do as paul suggests - start with Manley and then check on UKmoths followed by a final check with the local experts if it looks like I might have something unusual. This worked well for a Staphmopoda pedella I caught last week - just the 8th county record.

Steve

And what a great little moth! I had one last night.

 

[Paul Chapman]

I also had Stathmopoda pedella at the weekend. Cracking moth!

James - in addition to Waring and Townsend, in my view, it really is worthwhile to get Bernard Skinner's book on macros which has photos of set specimens. This has the drawback of not showing live resting positions but it does avoid the vagaries of some of the illustrations in Waring and Townsend as well as showing the hindwings - a number of moths are better identifiable by hindwing and Waring will contribute to some rather skewed data sets on moths like Autumn Green Carpet. There is definitely some doubt in my mind as a result which is the best field guide!!

A few suppliers available of specialist literature - one below:-

http://www.atroposbooks.co.uk/acatalog/Atropos_Bookshop_Moths_25.html

In addition to the pyralid book (a group of moths for which more uptodate books are promised soon), the main tortix book is pretty old and expensive second hand but now available on CD rom.

All the best

Paul Chapman