I believe that this beautiful orange moth might be an August Thorn, but I'm not absolutely sure so it's open to scrutiny.
Even less certainty surrounds this mini-micro. I'm thinking that it may be a Mompha species, and if so the lack of dorsal scale tufts suggests that M.divisella is a likely candidate.
These were the highlights from last night's MV trap. It was a clear, cool night here, so expectations were not high. It might be OK tonight, but thereafter everything weather-wise looks to be going downhill fast. It's amazing to think that NMN 2013 was exactly a year ago!
I agree on both IDs. The August Thorn is a particularly boldly-marked individual. Very nice!
ReplyDeleteI'd have said that was Mompha propinquella - the palps and head look too white for divisella.
ReplyDeleteGeorge
I was put off M.propinquella by the absence of significant dorsal scale tufts, which are very prominent on the examples (and illustrations) of propinquella that I've seen. However, I do see George's point about the whiteness, which also seems to extend back further dorsally on divisella.
ReplyDeleteThe scale tufts are prone to being worn off, so they are a useful feature if they're there but not if they're not!
ReplyDeleteGeorge