ID Confirmation

andy brown · #1 (**permalink**) 17-03-2010, 07:38 PM

Hi stuck between either Common Quaker or Clouded Drab especially as it was a bit larger that the other Common Quakers i have caught this week any positive confirmation would be great

Thanks

Andy

MikeS · #2 (**permalink**) 18-03-2010, 10:58 AM

Clouded Drab. The rich colouring (sort of purple-chestnut) is significant (I do not understand why they are "Drab"). Also the less defined outer cross-line, and the slightly larger size you mention. Which book are you using for i.d.?

andy brown · #3 (**permalink**) 18-03-2010, 03:39 PM

Thanks Mike the book is British Moths and Butterflies: A Photographic Guide!

Andy

MikeS · #4 (**permalink**) 19-03-2010, 08:51 AM

Andy - that is a very good book, and I use it quite a lot myself. However, the pictures give no sense of size. I realise that the wingspan is given in the description, but this does not convey the same impression. As you are getting serious about moths, I recommend that you get the Field Guide to Moths of Great Britain and Ireland by Waring, Townsend and Lewington. Make sure you get the second edition, published recently. The illustrations are life size (excet the pug moths). Alternatively, there is the much cheaper Concise Guide based on this book, which has briefer descriptions of adult form only, but does have the advantage that the pictures are opposite the description.
Cheers, Mike