The Uncertain?

[Pete Collins]

I think this might be The Uncertain ... but I'm not really sure! (Sorry, couldn't resist it! )

Seriously, according to the UK Moths site, they are hard to distinguish from The Rustic. Any thoughts?

(BTW, The Uncertain was one of the moths that got me interested in the subject. I was fascinated by the bizarre names of moths that kept cropping up on WAB's 'Guess Who?' thread. I think my clue for The Uncertain was 'The Doubting Thomas of the Natural World?'. ).

[pressld2]

Can't help with the ID Pete, but I also love the names and trying to work out where they came from. At Priory Water, I'm sure I heard Adam say "That's definitely uncertain" which made me chuckle. As did Timothy Tortix - surely a Beatrix Potter character?

Dave P.

[Pete Collins]

Yes, Dave, I think Timothy Tortrix was another 'Guess Who?' question, along the lines of 'Timothy taught tricks'.

[GuyF]

Hi Pete,
If I had to I would probably say that this is a Rustic, but I find these two extremely tricky. I remember reading elsewhere that some people are now thinking that these species are not possible to separate without dissection, I'll see if I can find the reference.
Guy

[Cordaline]

Hi Pete,
I'd say your pic is of a Vine's Rustic.
An Uncertain normally has an obvious dark arched line between the 2 kidney marks.
Unless of course it's very worn, in which case, it's nigh on impossible to tell the 2 apart!
Vicki.

[poschiavanus]

I'd be inclined to go for Rustic. Seems too brown for a Vine's Rustic and like Cordaline I'd expect to see some trace of the line between the kidney spots for The Uncertain.

I don't see Vine's Rustic until later in the year (August) and then I spend ages over them each year.

[Cordaline]

Originally Posted by poschiavanus

I don't see Vine's Rustic until later in the year (August) and then I spend ages over them each year.

I've been getting Vine's Rustic since the middle of May.

They have two flight season's:-
May-July
August-September

[poschiavanus]

Yes, I know: just personal observations. These might be down to peculiarities of local population/ecosystem, or differences in location.

[Cordaline]

I had my first Rustic of the year in the trap last night.
So, will now change my ID of your moth to the same Pete!

[Pete Collins]

Thanks for all your replies - looks like it's The Rustic then!

I had my first Vine's Rustic of the year a couple of weeks ago.