Thought I would kick this years thread off with the beautiful Peacock spotted today - I have had quite a few moths around the front door but not deployed the lights recently
Edit: 2021 thread can be found here community.rspb.org.uk/.../butterflies-moths-2021
Cin J
That’s ok. I think the white on the back of the head might be a giveaway aswell. But don’t worry I I will defanatly let you know if I find out what type it is.
Billysdad said:
Is this a moth?
It was only tiny - possibly 10mm in length. I was lucky, I had my macro lens on. I have had a look through my 'Collins Complete Guide to British Insects' - known to me as my bumper book of bugs ... , but can't find anything. Any ideas?
Hi Billysdad. Yes it's a moth but I doubt you will find it in your Bumper book as they rarely cover micro moths. I think it's Argyresthia trifasciata - it is tiny comes in at around 5mm but the description seems to fit
"Head white, thorax golden. Forewing shining golden with three narrow white cross-bands"
HTH
I reckon you are absolutely bob on there Cin J. Well done and thanks a lot for your help. As you say my bumper book only covers a few micro moths and this isn't one of them ... just my luck! It was probably smaller than I said too, as I was looking at the pansies and spotted this tiny insect, so I ran inside to get my camera and quickly attached my macro lens, hoping it hadn't gone before I got back. I got 4 shots all about the same then it was gone, so I didn't get long to study it. And in macro, even tiny looks bigger! Thanks again ...
I think this is a large white ?
i love robins said:
That is a bit tricky - I think you will have to go with your feel. I can't see any spots that would lead me towards Small but the flare could have washed them out. The black on the tips looks a bit odd so the other possibility is a Green-veined but I can't see any veining - so it's down to what you observed - did it's flight seem different, what made you stop and look closer?
I'd be tempted with Green Veined, as the black patches at the wing tips don't extend far enough for Large, I don't think... but I'm as good at butterflies as I am at birds
wrong wing shape for Wood White - they are really quite rounded and fairy like
I would lean towards one of the others and go with gut instinct