One moth for ID from last night, please

Pete Collins · #1 (**permalink**) 19-08-2011, 09:06 AM

What is this one, please:

Last night's trapping was rather disappointing, there must have been clearer skies than predicted. But I did get my first ever Marbled Beauty:

Adam Cheeseman · #2 (**permalink**) 19-08-2011, 02:42 PM

Off the top of my head it looks like a Large Ranunculus, Pete.

Cheers,

Adam

Pete Collins · #3 (**permalink**) 19-08-2011, 03:22 PM

Thanks Adam!

That's actually one of the ones I thought it might be, but it looked a bit faded for a Large Ranunculus and it's a little early for them - but then everything seems to have been early this year! The book says they are locally common, but I did have one here last September.

JRsbugs · #4 (**permalink**) 19-08-2011, 09:14 PM

Maybe the first is a Poplar Grey?

Deb London · #5 (**permalink**) 20-08-2011, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete Collins

Thanks Adam!

That's actually one of the ones I thought it might be, but it looked a bit faded for a Large Ranunculus and it's a little early for them - but then everything seems to have been early this year! The book says they are locally common, but I did have one here last September.

Yes, it's too early and it doesn't look right. I do like Janet's suggestion.

Edit: Peter, what a brilliant idea using graph paper! One large square = 1 cm?

Adam Cheeseman · #6 (**permalink**) 20-08-2011, 09:18 AM

Not a Poplar Grey. They don't have the gold dusting that is distinctive on Pete's moth.

Cheers,

Adam

Pete Collins · #7 (**permalink**) 20-08-2011, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deb London

...

Edit: Peter, what a brilliant idea using graph paper! One large square = 1 cm?

Yes, one large square = 1cm. But credit the idea of using graph paper to John, as I nicked the idea off him after seeing his wonderful moth photos in the WAB Gallery (I did tell him this, when I met him at the Priory Water WAB meet this year).

Pete Collins · #8 (**permalink**) 20-08-2011, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

Not a Poplar Grey. They don't have the gold dusting that is distinctive on Pete's moth.

Cheers,

Adam

Right, I'm even more confused than usual now!

Back on 3rd July I posted a photo for confirmation of ID, and the only response I got was from aeshna5 who seemed happy with my ID of Poplar Grey. I have posted that photo alongside this moth, for comparison, and I think they may be the same species:

3/7/11

19/8/11

Deb London · #9 (**permalink**) 20-08-2011, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete Collins

Right, I'm even more confused than usual now!

Back on 3rd July I posted a photo for confirmation of ID, and the only response I got was from aeshna5 who seemed happy with my ID of Poplar Grey. I have posted that photo alongside this moth, for comparison, and I think they may be the same species:

3/7/11

19/8/11

Same species?

It's the same moth.

Sorry, no idea what it is though Pete.

JRsbugs · #10 (**permalink**) 20-08-2011, 11:47 AM

I think the Poplar grey can have some gold dusting, that is one thing which I wasn't sure about but I recently had a moth with some which I named Poplar Grey, all the markings fit. There's one on Naturespot the same, the site seems to make sure of their ID's and if they are not certain they say so.

A google certainly finds plenty like that.

acronicta megacephala - Google Search

Big & Weeds states:

Quote:

It can be identified from other grey moths by the white outlined circular (orbicular) wing mark and a pale patch below the kidney shaped (reniform) mark lower down the wing.

Macro Moths Page 5