A challenge for the experts

Stevanovich · Post by **Stevanovich** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 9:29 pm

Sorry I have no picture for this but it was pretty distinctive.
The moth/butterfly was VERY small, body was probably little over 1cm in length. Its flight seemed quite hampered by the slight wind and I followed it to where it landed because at first I had tried to brush it away from my face thinking it was a large midgy and was shocked at the size of such a tiny butterfly. The topside of its wings were dark brown at the tips, clear yellow band about a quarter/third of the way up and then the brown became gradually lighter as you neared the head. At the top there were some yellow verticle dashes in amongst the light brown.
What really attracted my attention though, was the size of the antennae. Literally over 2 and a half times the length of its body.

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks a lot

Post by **Pete Eeles** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 5:37 am

Hi there,

This sounds like a moth to me and, given the size of the antennae, could be Nemophora degeerella.

See http://www.ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?id=3721

Cheers,

- Pete

BrianP · Post by **BrianP** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 7:54 am

Hi
I think Pete is correct - I have seen lots of these about recently. I photographed this one in Coppetts Wood, North London.

Brian

Stevanovich · Post by **Stevanovich** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 11:23 am

That's great guys - thanks very much

Apparently these are pretty common - I'm from Dumfries which is south-west Scotland and have never seen one of these before. Thanks again for your help