Unidentified moth

goosey · #1 (**permalink**) 30-08-2009, 12:39 PM

This was in the phlox last night - it puts me in mind of a very worn Large Yellow underwing but I have my doubts.
Your thoughts please?

paul m · #2 (**permalink**) 30-08-2009, 01:44 PM

I don't think this is any relative but while we're in moth mode .... any ideas; about 1.5 cms long, I recall.

goosey · #3 (**permalink**) 30-08-2009, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul m

I don't think this is any relative but while we're in moth mode .... any ideas; about 1.5 cms long, I recall.

Hi Paul, I am not too sure on this one though if I had to opt for anything it would be a Neglected Rustic - Xestia castanea. Best to wait for Charlie or someone else, and see what they think.

charlieb · #4 (**permalink**) 30-08-2009, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goosey

it puts me in mind of a very worn Large Yellow underwing but I have my doubts.

Looks good for Large Yellow Underwing to me

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul m

I don't think this is any relative but while we're in moth mode

I think this is actually a close relative, the Lesser Yellow Underwing - just atypical

goosey · #5 (**permalink**) 30-08-2009, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goosey

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlieb

Looks good for Large Yellow Underwing to me

That's a shame I was hoping for something else - I always have LYU's around, but I have never seen one quite like this before. Is it the yellow from the hind wings that is showing through then? If so it must be terribly worn.
Thanks for the ID

.

charlieb · #6 (**permalink**) 30-08-2009, 04:23 PM

They do seem to suffer more than many other moths for loosing their scales - it doesn't help that they're so clumsy

paul m · #7 (**permalink**) 30-08-2009, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlieb

I think this is actually a close relative, the Lesser Yellow Underwing - just atypical

Hmm .... I'll take your word for it! I see it's quite variable, some of my other pictures look a bit more 'correct' - Lesser Yellow Underwing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Interesting thing is that my (only) butterfly-moth book doesn't have Noctua comes in it - probably changed names since I last studied Leipdoptera!

charlieb · #8 (**permalink**) 30-08-2009, 04:38 PM

Yeah, they are variable, although the posture is quite typical - broad shouldered and dumpy

charlieb · #9 (**permalink**) 30-08-2009, 04:42 PM

There's a couple, here: Lepidoptera - Noctuidae and here: Noctua comes 20050728_4448 on Flickr - Photo Sharing! that are similar to yours - with the half coloured kidney mark - also I think yours is slightly worn as well

Beverly Stayart · #10 (**permalink**) 31-08-2009, 08:05 PM

Broad-shouldered does seem to be a strong characteristic of this moth.