www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

A very small moth seen today on the garage wall in the cloudy, cool, windy, rainy south of France .
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Colin

Looks like a Pug of some species Eupithecia sp.. There's a lot of species and they are often quite variable within the species as well. Hope that helps point you in the right direction

Don't think it's a pug from the body shape. Have a look at the smaller continental 'waves'.

Tony M.

Thanks Buggy and Tony.
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Colin

Hi ,cfb,
I'm not sure but I think your moth could be a Small Dusty wave (Idaea seriata),which I've trapped here in Kent from time to time, Regards Allan .W.

Hello Allan,

Thanks for suggesting Small Dusty wave. I consulted Google and found that this is a very variable moth . But some of the photos I saw were very similar to mine .
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Cheers,
Colin

Hello again Colin
You may find the website UK MOTHS . your guide to the moths of Great Britain and Ireland. Worth a look ,I know you're in France but I'm sure there must be something similar available for European moths , anyway I find this one very useful for my neck of the woods ! Regards Allan.W.

If possible, it's always worth including a ruler in any moth photos . The size is often diagnostic...

Tony M.

Tony Moore wrote:Don't think it's a pug from the body shape. Have a look at the smaller continental 'waves'.

Tony M.

What is it about the body shape that seperates the Waves from the Pugs Tony?

It looks a bit as though it's shrugging its shoulders and the abdomen is too long; the wings are also 'wave' shape.
When you get on to the 'pugs' with any seriousness, you will find them VERY difficult unless you rear them through - and even then some of the larvae are tricky. I heard of one real moth expert, who dissected every slightly dubious pug during one season of trapping. His pre-dissection IDs were 70% wrong!! What hope is there for mere mortals? .

Tony.

Tony Moore wrote:It looks a bit as though it's shrugging its shoulders and the abdomen is too long; the wings are also 'wave' shape.
When you get on to the 'pugs' with any seriousness, you will find them VERY difficult unless you rear them through - and even then some of the larvae are tricky. I heard of one real moth expert, who dissected every slightly dubious pug during one season of trapping. His pre-dissection IDs were 70% wrong!! What hope is there for mere mortals? .

Tony.

Ha, I'll stick with micro's then

Hi Guys,

Rain permitting, what time of year can you use the trap; now?

Flutter on!

CJB

Any time through to December. Warm, still nights with no moon are best, especially after rain, but you can catch stuff in howling gales and tipping rain if you're up for it .

Good luck (buy lots of pots!).

Tony M.

Hi Tony,

I have piles of egg boxes; are they as good as pots? I recall have seen them used.

Weather permitting I am hoping to give it its first outing this weekend........

I will update on Monday with the results

Flutter on!

CJB

Hi CJB,

Egg boxes for the trap, pots to put your catch into for identification and photogarphy. Clear medical urine sample pots are good and cheap. Do buy them new though .

Tony.

I have been recording moths in woodland over the last 6-9 months; there are many more species to be found there, particularly in late autumn and early spring. Only in late December, January and early February are there very few moths to be found in the woods. Here are some from last night:

Hi Tony,

Thank you for the info! Urine sample pots, eh? Are you sure you're not taking the p.....

I haven't given the trap its first outing yet but this Friday is looking likely!

Interesting pictures from Matsukaze.

Still yet to see my first butterfly!?!?!?!?!

Flutter on!

CJB

HI UK B'ers,

Having given my moth trap its first outing in early April, I have failed to upload the images of the first 5 visitors.
Given the depth of your collective knowledge, please can anyone confirm the species of the unknowns?
Thank you in advance for any assistance.

Flutter on!

CJB

Hi Cjb,

You have in order:-

Pale Pinion

Common Quaker

Clouded Drab

Regards
Scott

Hi CJB,

First unknown is Pale Pinion, second - Common Quaker and last is Clouded Drab.

Tony M.