Plume moths - Amblyptilia sp.

2dogs2000 · #1 (**permalink**) 15-09-2011, 10:24 PM

Right I have had a go at identifying these two and now I am confused.

I know it don't take much to confuse me.

These are two separate individuals.

The first is the larger of the two.

Photo taken 12.08.2011
1.

Photo taken 04.09.2011
2.

Is there anyway to differentiate between Amblyptilia acanthadactyla/punctidadactyla from these photos?

Moth 1 appears to have 1 spur on its legs whereas moth 2 appears to have two spurs. Does this help with i.d?

I have checked on google and can't make my mind up. Any help much appreciated.

htcdude · #2 (**permalink**) 16-09-2011, 07:21 AM

Hope these 2 links make sense to you:

A. acanthadactyla
Amblyptilia acanthadactyla - UKMoths

A. punctidactyla
Amblyptilia punctidactyla - UKMoths

Nige

2dogs2000 · #3 (**permalink**) 16-09-2011, 07:22 PM

Thank you. I think I have it sorted.

Jason Green · #4 (**permalink**) 16-09-2011, 07:36 PM

I'd say you have two acanthadactyla moths there. I've never (knowingly) encountered punctidactyla, but believe that to have a colder and more cryptic pattern.

Nice observation with the tibial spines! I think both have two though, the hind legs (stretched-out and running parellel with the abdomen in #1) look to have two with mid-legs having one each.

2dogs2000 · #5 (**permalink**) 16-09-2011, 07:55 PM

Thank you Jason.

Apart from the tibial spines

I was also going by size. The first was much larger but looking at the size range quoted on UK moths there is not much difference.

I will go with both being the same though.