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| Not yet identified* |
I am pretty certain I haven't seen this moth before. It looks like it should be a member of the
Crambidae - which contain the grass moths and the china-marks. The moths in this family are, it seems, superficially familiar, particularly if they have been living a turbulent and wearing life-style. This one is clearly marked and it rests with its abdomen slightly curled and elevated. It is almost translucent but doesn't appear to be worn. It didn't like captivity and its restlessness gained its liberty after this photograph was taken - partly because I thought it would be simple to identify.
Anania perlucidalis looks the closest but the website UK Moths doesn't have an image where a comparison might be drawn. In fact there are only two
Ananias on the website - yet there are nine in the new Micromoths guide. The
perlucidalis part of the Latin name (
per intensive,
lucidus bright) would seem to fit as the moth is similar to the Mother of Pearl (
Pleuroptya ruralis) although much smaller. Looking for other photographs for comparison has been inconclusive and
Phlyctaenia perlucidalis would be a contender if it wasn't described as scarce.
Phluktaina is Greek for a blister: from the circular pale blotches on the wings. So, if you aren't one of those - who are you?
*
Anania coronata - Dave Chesmore informs me. I was fooled by the colour - still lots to learn. So that's species number 234 - crowned with a wreath at Shandy Hall.
Below is another micro. This is
Ypsolopha scabrella - high-crested (
Ypsolopha) with rough (
scabrella) raised scale tufts, behaving just as it is illustrated in the guide.
Last night there were over a hundred Lesser Yellow Underwings, Broad-bordered Yellow Underwings and Large Yellow Underwings in the trap. The bats will be happy.
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| Ypsolopha scabrella |
