There be monsters about

[Bonsaidad]

Being fairly new to Macro photography i am only just starting to recognise some insects, but this one has not only myself baffled, but even the more experienced macro photographer.
So i hope that a member on this forum can put a name to this beasty.

Please both latin name if possible, and common name.






A slightly out of focus full length image.





This will be most apriciated by myself and my fellow photographers.


Best regards Paul

[Jason Green]

Morning Paul and welcome to WAB!

Two suspects sping to mind - the Large Yellow Underwing moth Noctua pronuba and Angle Shades moth Phlogophora meticulosa. I err to the latter... I think.

You'll find most members on here swear by Latin! I certainly do. Any more ID requests, post them and we'll be waiting!

See you around I hope - enjoy the photography

Take care,

Jason

[Lance Morgan]

Latter for me too Jason

[Susie]

It's the dark form of Angleshades, a very attractive type of moth, no doubt about it.

[Bonsaidad]

Wow guys i did not expect to have the answer that quick!, but a big thanks for getting back to me so soon.
I can now inform all my fellow photographers not only from the UK, but across the pond in the good old US of A who are also interested to find out.


This forum is a major rescource for me as a budding macro photographer, and now i have your conscent i will not hesitate in contacting you in the near future especialy come the summer.



Best regards Paul

[Jason Green]

That's a pleasure Paul. We'll look forward to your requests - we have some very knowledgeable members here, and well-known UK Recording Scheme organisers who are always happy to help.

As a secondary note of caution though - and as odd as it might seem, we may not always be presented with photographs showing essential parts for a identification. Sometimes it might be the leg colour, number of antennal segments or a ratio between certain body parts. We may even say an identification is only possible if we have a dead specimen to put under a microscope. In such instances it may be that we need to see the shape of the male's genetalia which requires microscopic dissection and examination!

Still, a lot of insects can be identified fully to the two-part Latin name without problem even with just a single, average top-down shot - but it's always best to aim for a head, top-down and side-ways shot so we have as many angles of a specimen as possible, should we need them.

Entomology is a great hobby, and will always throw up something new. The more you learn, the more you find there is to learn! You'll always keep that interest.

Roll on Spring!

[Bonsaidad]

A big thanks Jason for this reply.

It is fully understandable that occasionally as you say, may not be able to identify a particular sub-species from a few photos, even if they are from all angles.
I will try my utmost to capture an image that is clear, and if possible in full length.

Entomology is exactly like photography then, you never stop learning.



Best regards Paul