Moth ID

[JIMCOBB49]

What is this moth anyone?

[meiga]

It could be Adela rufimitrella, but I am no expert on these micro moths.
Cheers

Maurice

[JIMCOBB49]

Thanks Maurice Jim

[Padfield]

I'm not at all an expert either, but in the past I've identified things very similar to this as Adela reaumurella. I see them flying around hawthorn during the green hairstreak season in June:



It would be good to know if I was wrong and they are a related species.

Guy

[meiga]

Hi Guy
Yes you could be correct. A. reaumurella is a day flying moth, usually seen in May and June. Flies in numbers above trees, large swarms at times.

Cheers

Maurice

[Allan.W.]

I reckon its Cauchas Rufimitrella . Allan.W.
Shape of antennae and white Antennae endings .............................Happy to be corrected!

[meiga]

Hi folks
The name I used, Adela rufimitrella, is the one given in my British Moths, by Chris Manley. 2008. It would appear that it has changed it's name since then to Cauchas rufimitrella and is the one in current use. Still the same moth.

Cheers

Maurice

[Padfield]

Thanks Allan and Maurice. I can see that you're right. I think the moths in my picture (I said flying over hawthorn, though the tree there is obviously chestnut) are indeed reaumurella, though, as the antennae were much longer. Here's a closer crop of some:



They were flying with green hairstreaks, one of which is visible in the first picture.

Guy

[Neil Freeman]

Hi folks
The name I used, Adela rufimitrella, is the one given in my British Moths, by Chris Manley. 2008. It would appear that it has changed it's name since then to Cauchas rufimitrella and is the one in current use. Still the same moth.

Cheers

Maurice

Yep, the same moth. I have Manley 3rd edition published in 2021 which has the new name.
Adella reaumeralla is unchanged however just to prove that nothing is ever simple.

Cheers,

Neil.

[downland boy]

Hi chaps,

If I might throw in my penny’s worth, my instinct says that it is a female reaumurella. Her antennae are half the length of those of the male and the outer halves are white, not just the ends.

All the best, Nigel.

[Neil Freeman]

Hi chaps,

If I might throw in my penny’s worth, my instinct says that it is a female reaumurella. Her antennae are half the length of those of the male and the outer halves are white, not just the ends.

All the best, Nigel.

Looking again, I would agree.

Cheers,

Neil.