Long-horn moth from April

[NickB]

Looking through my pictures, I found this one that we at our local branch (well, me really) could not agree on..
It is a spectacular metallic beast, but which one....

First guess from Branch was Adela reaumurella...but not sure...more likely Adela cuprella to me...

Nick

[m_galathea]

Hi Nick,

doesn't Adela cuprella have more colourful wings? I would have said this is Adela reaumurella but my moth knowledge is fairly limited.

Alex

[NickB]

You are probably right; it was just the pictures and description on UK Moths and my images/recollections swung me towards Adela cuprella ....
http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?bf=149

N

[NickB]

..another view...

N

[Gibster]

Wing shape looks good for cuprella. Both species (unfortunately for you!) fly in Cambridgeshire, although reaumurella is much the commoner. Did you happen to take notes on where the moth was seen. Numbers buzzing in hovering flight above sallows are very indicative of cuprella. A.reaumurella can swarm over many tree/shrub species, but (as far as I've experienced) does not target large (or isolated) bushy sallows. The individual in the pics seems to be settled on Blackthorn?

Gibster.

[NickB]

Yes - or some other form of prunus.....I saw a couple there - no great swarming as with Nemophora metallica on scabious...
I know it should be reaumurella , but it just looked more like cuprella...
N

[Gibster]

Why are you so keen to know, Nick? Is it for the record, or for your lifelist, or you just curious? (Hope that doesn't sound too offhand!)
Just wondering what you wanted to do with the record really!

Cheers mate,

Gibster.

[NickB]

For my own reference and to make sure that we don't miss-out on a record for the Branch....
and there are no butterflies at the moment.....

N