A nice Incurvariid in the greenhouse yesterday; my tentative ID as 141 Nematopogon schwarziellus was confirmed by James McGill - many thanks.
This morning in the trap there was what I was certain was a Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet Xanthorhoe ferrugata. However there is a lot of debate at the moment about confusion between the red form of this species, and the Red Twin-spot Carpet Xanthorhoe spadicearia.
The reliable diagnostic features for X. ferrugata (both forms) are the isolated twin spots and chalky terminal area on the upperside, and the relatively uniform markings on the underside. In X. spadicearia the spots are not isolted and the underside is more strongly patterned. As I get both species (and possibly, now I'm aware, I may get the red form of ferrugata) I hope to show more images.
Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet Xanthorhoe ferrugata.
While working on the allotment this afternoon I found a Brimstone Moth larva - the first I have seen.
Brimstone Moth larva
This morning in the trap there was what I was certain was a Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet Xanthorhoe ferrugata. However there is a lot of debate at the moment about confusion between the red form of this species, and the Red Twin-spot Carpet Xanthorhoe spadicearia.
The reliable diagnostic features for X. ferrugata (both forms) are the isolated twin spots and chalky terminal area on the upperside, and the relatively uniform markings on the underside. In X. spadicearia the spots are not isolted and the underside is more strongly patterned. As I get both species (and possibly, now I'm aware, I may get the red form of ferrugata) I hope to show more images.
Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet Xanthorhoe ferrugata.
While working on the allotment this afternoon I found a Brimstone Moth larva - the first I have seen.
Brimstone Moth larva