Wingspans of moths

[Miss Caretaker]

This is probably a daft question but if I don't ask, I'll never know as they say!
So, in literature about moths when stating their size it always refers to their wingspan. Now, to my mind a 'wing span' would be tip to tip when open but surely when attempting to identify a moth their wings are almost always closed. So does it actually refer to the length of the wing or am I looking at it all the wrong way? I have never been able to visualise sizes; if it says 12-24mm, I need a ruler to see what that looks like but at least if I knew which part of the moth was being measured I'd have somewhere to start!
Thanks for looking at this probably obvious question!
Jo

[widiot]

In most literature,and on some websites wingspan refers to the distance from one wing tip to the opposite wing as if the moth was mounted. Usually the wing is 50% of this measurement. Other literature often gives forewing length,as this measurement is usually easy to gauge no matter what postion the moth is in. As a general guide forewing length is usually half of the wingspan. Hope this helps

[Miss Caretaker]

Ah, I hadn't thought of mounted specimens being the point of reference. It's obvious when you think about it that the length of the wing would be hlf the wing span! Where's that head slapping smilie when you need it . Thanks for answering such a dumb question!
Jo

[faz]

Originally Posted by Miss Caretaker

Ah, I hadn't thought of mounted specimens being the point of reference. It's obvious when you think about it that the length of the wing would be hlf the wing span! Where's that head slapping smilie when you need it . Thanks for answering such a dumb question!
Jo

no question is dumb i have now learned some thing