Those little grey jobs in the grass...

[Deb London]

Can anyone give me some information about the grass moths that I'm likely to find in the London area? I know some people turn their noses up at these moths but I reckon they are interesting.

I found a list for Berks and it said that all 11 species that were commonly found could potentially be ID'd using visual characteristics. Here is the list with some useful info.:



Are there any other grass moths that I might be expected to find?

[peter2009]

Deb,
Try this site National Biodiversity Network Gateway

peter

[Kayleigh]

I think they are interesting too I didn't realise there were so many different species sorry cant help you..

[Deb London]

Originally Posted by peter2009

Deb,
Try this site National Biodiversity Network Gateway

peter

Thanks Peter. I find that site difficult to use but if I find something "unusual", I can check there.

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

I think they are interesting too I didn't realise there were so many different species sorry cant help you..

LOL, no I'm not sure if anyone can. I think my interests are sometimes a little obscure.

Just realised where I might be able to find a list. I'll add it here if I do, in case someone else wonders.

[Gill Catton]

Fair play to you Deb, these little chaps are still firmly filed in the 'too hard' section of my brain and generally plants and animals have to filter through to the 'oh maybe I'm starting to get it' part of my brain before I can develop an actual interest. So I have huge respect for you for tackling them!

[Kayleigh]

Are these moths listed under different names as I have just got this book (Concise guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland) and cant find any of the moths you listed.

Its very hard to ID them from pics when your new to mothing.

[Deb London]

I guess they are micro moths Elaine. Most of the species are not covered by these guides I find.

Thanks Gill, ha, ha!

I have seen what the London Wildlife Trust do to study day-flying/day-disturbed species. They get out their aquarium nets (e.g. Google Images) and sample pots and away they go. Just like big kids. Not totally sure I'd have respect for me if I saw me with that net, prancing about the grass, but they certainly made it look easy.

[Domco]

Hi Deb,

If you are really interested the book you need can be found at British Pyralid Moths: A Guide to Their Identification Guide to Identification: Amazon.co.uk: Barry Goater BSc MIBiol, Geoffrey Senior, Robert Dyke, Michael Tweedie: Books although it is little dear. It will give you all the grass moths and a few more besides. After that if you want more 'micros' comprehensive reference guides aren't easy to get hold of and you are basically limited to trawling through somewhere like UKMoths | Guide to the moths of Great Britain and Ireland hoping to stumble upon the exact same one or accumulting knowledge through websites and groups like this! If anyone knows different please tell me too!

As a first step the usual suspects tend to be (in my limited experience)either Agriphila geniculea or Chrysoteucha culmella

But if it is neither then try

A.straminella
A.trisitella
Crambus pascuella
C.Perlella

I live North Herts but not sure things will be that different in London. Hope that narrows things down to get you started!

Cheers

Dom

[Deb London]

Thank you Domco! That's useful information.

I am really interested, but then I have to admit I am quite "faddy" so not sure if a book would be the right investment. Although I just found what I am fairly certain was an A. trisitella, and I have to admit to getting far more excited than is "normal". Who knows?