just a quick question on plume moths

reefbirder · #1 (**permalink**) 12-10-2011, 01:10 PM

Hi All,

I caught what I thought was a Emmelina monodactyla in my flat last night, but a quick glance this morning as I was leaving for work showed it to be similar in colouration but smaller and with less tightly wrapped wings, the spurs are also quite small. However the major difference was the stance of the resting animal. It seemed to stand clear of the wall and horizontal to it. The hindlegs were raised out and above the body at an angle of 60 to 70 degrees behind it. Is that dignostic or do I need to post photos and really ask for help?

robert

MetalMoth · #2 (**permalink**) 12-10-2011, 01:47 PM

I am no expert on these but I would imagine you HAVE to post a photo for an ID on here.

reefbirder · #3 (**permalink**) 12-10-2011, 02:12 PM

Hi MetalMoth,

Yeah I guess, was just being lazy, but still would like to know if stance is diagnostic as it is not mentioned on any sites or reference material that I have looked at and it can be an important feature sometimes.

Anyway hopefully get a photo on the site tonight.

Rob

reefbirder · #4 (**permalink**) 12-10-2011, 05:09 PM

Hi All,

Photos as promised, Any Ideas please?

Rob

East Berks - 11th October 2011.

roundwood123 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-10-2011, 07:58 PM

Hi Rob, Emme mono for me, although not an easy group to id given flight time, location and general appearance that would be my opinion.
Steve.

Julian Howe · #6 (**permalink**) 13-10-2011, 10:05 AM

I have a virtually identical photo from trapping the night before last, and I called it Emmelina monodactyla. Although I do find plume moths very tricky.

reefbirder · #7 (**permalink**) 14-10-2011, 11:55 AM

Thanks all,

Will put it down as prob Emme Mono, I think I should just let certain families/genus of micro moths go without trying to ID them as I value what little hair I have left.

Rob