Three moths for ID please

[Pete Collins]

These three were in my trap this morning:

1 Lunar Underwing, possibly, although the lines at the top of the forewings don't seem right for that

2

3

Thanks for your help!

[MetalMoth]

1. Looks like a Lunar Underwing to me.

2. Beaded Chestnut maybe?

3. Very worn. Maybe a Common Marbled Carpet?

[RobSutton]

I think the first is a Beaded Chestnut and the second a Yellow-line Quaker not sure about the third.

[MetalMoth]

I don't think Yellow-line Quaker is right at all. The kidney markings have the right shape for a Beaded Chestnut and I cannot see any markings on it to make it look like the quaker.

I find it difficult to tell some Beaded Chestnuts apart from Lunar Underwings. The best way I have found is to look at the hindwing. You need to do this to check rather than rely on photo ID.

[Pete Collins]

Thanks very much MetalMoth and Rob.

I think I agree with Rob about Beaded Chestnut for the first - it's different to the others I've seen, but I've now seen that it resembles examples in my moth book.

But I agree with MetalMoth about the second one possibly being a worn Beaded Chestnut. I don't think it's a Yellow-line Quaker, because the yellow line is too irregular.

I had other examples of Beaded Chestnut, Yellow-line Quaker and Lunar Underwing in the trap this morning (the star find was a Large Ranunculus).

I did think of a worn Common Marbled Carpet for the third. But I think that, like Number 2, it's probably too worn for a clear ID.

[Julian Howe]

Hi Pete,

The first are both Beaded Chestnuts, the 3rd one looks like a very worn carpet moth, could well be Common Marbled, but I had a similar one today and let it go unidentified!

Julian

[MetalMoth]

How can you be sure that the first is a Beaded Chestnut?

[Julian Howe]

Beaded Chestnut has several weak spots along the leading edge of the wing, and the edge also has a whitish tinge, which you can see on the right wing. Lunar underwings don't have these spots, and Brown-spot Pinions tend to have darker more pronounced marks on the wing edges, especially on each shoulder.
You need to look carefully at all 3 of these moths, but you do get your eye in eventually!

Cheers,

Julian

[MetalMoth]

But surely do you not need to check the hindwing to be sure?

[Julian Howe]

I just use the excellent drawings and descriptions in Waring & Townsend, and with care you shouldn't have too many problems.