Two Beauties: Confirmation and ID needed! (1 Viewer)

[Wandered Scot]

Hello Folks

I don't know if is just my eyes, or the complete inability to see there is no difference in Willow Beauty, but these two that hatched at the same time just don't quite match up to my eyes.

Is it just my imagination or how the photo was taken, or is the second one's hind wings more sharp/deeper than the one I believe is Willow Beauty?

Helpppppppppppp!

:t:

Jim

 

[Brian Stone]

Could it be that the hindwings haven't formed properly during emergence in one case?

 

[Wandered Scot]

Hi Brian,

No, I don't think so, but you do see what I am talking about?

The caterpillars were very similar, but the 'odd' one did not have the dark under-swelling that Willow Beauty normally has. Had a female hatched I would probably not have thought anything more about it, but two males have hatch and are showing also a slight, or if I am looking correctly, variance too.

What others are very similar?

Thanks just now

Jim

 

[Wandered Scot]

Hi folks!

They have been confirmed the same.

Why did I ask in the first place? Well the caterpillar never had a positive structure to what is considered normal for Willow Beauty, and it being so small, I didn't now if it could be classed as a structure or just a chance factor.

So for reference I enclose a photo of 3 variations of caterpillar I have had from within 1 km of each other. The one in question was the middle one No. 2.

Thanks and Cheers

Jim