Unknown very pubescent invert - any ideas?

ChrisA · #1 (**permalink**) 13-10-2011, 04:02 PM

Hi all,

I found this invertebrate in my moth trap located in the mature pine woodland of the upper spey valley in the Cairngorms NP back in July. The moth trap is situated about 3ft off the ground on a metal frame so i have no idea how it got in.

The speciemen is approx 20mm and is very densley pubescent with long setae. It has 6 feather like false appendages. I have taken a closeup photo of one to give an idea. The left image is a dorsal view, with the thorax most densley pubescent, whilst the central image is a view of the underside (head and thorax to left).

Does anybody have any ideas of what this might be? - i'm not even sure where to start!

Klaas Reißmann · #2 (**permalink**) 13-10-2011, 08:14 PM

If it was windy at this night, I guess it was blown in by the wind. to me it looks like a dried of caterpillar of a butterfly or the skin of one left over after a moult.

Regards
Klaas

ChrisA · #3 (**permalink**) 14-10-2011, 09:28 AM

Thanks Klaas,

I agree its probably a lepidoptera of some sort. It has 5 pairs of pro-legs on the abdomen (to go with 3 pairs of appendages on the thorax) so that gives it away somewhat. Just have to take the next step now to figuring out which!