Tuesday 3 January 2012

Winter moth?


Moth 1

Moth 2
Put the trap out a couple of nights ago as it was so mild and caught two of these.

5 comments:

Bomber said...

Hi Pete, the rather greyish colour and silky white hindwing would lean me towards Northern Winter Moth. Not a species I'm very familiar with though, it's a real rarity down here and I've only ever seen one! Any idea of status in Surrey? Cheers

Nick Tanner said...

I'd go with Northern Winter Moth,did the wings have a slightly glossy sheen to them? According to Plant, Northern Winter Moth is commoner south of the Thames; it might be worth sending one to Graham Collins for verification

regards Nick Tanner

Peter Alfrey said...

Hi Paul and Nick,
happy new year.
I've added a pic of the 2nd moth (moth 1)that I had which looked browner then moth 2.
Could they be Southern and Northern?
Cheers Peter

Bomber said...

Hi Pete, having now seen Moth 1 I'm certain that we have Northern Winter and Winter here. I was concerned that the perceived greyish colour was photographic effect but don't now think that can be the case. Would entirely concur with Nick, always worth finding a local expert to check the actual specimen, can be tricky to do some species from a photo.
Cheers Paul

Peter Alfrey said...

Brilliant stuff,
that's two new moth ticks in mid winter.
Cheers!