48.002 Prochoreutis myllerana (Small Metal-mark)
ws: 10-14mm (MBGBI2), fw: 4.5-6.0mm (Sterling & Parsons); May-Sep; skullcap species (Scutellaria spp); NS-B - damp grassland and moorland in England, N.Wales and parts of Scotland
Prochoreutis myllerana §2 female
ID: The two Prochoreutis species have a similar pattern with a variegated brown forewing with white spots; a darker median fascia with pale speckling is discernible when fresh (but both the darkness and the speckling fade with wear); a diffuse antemedian line marked by white spots, one of which is on the costa; a more distinct but incomplete pale metallic postmedian line with a white spot on the costa; a subterminal white dash from the costa; a short metallic dash within the subterminal fascia. Both species occupy similar habitats and share the same foodplants; P.sehestediana has a more restricted distribution. P.myllerana is larger but there is overlap (fw 4.5-6.0 vs 4.5-5.0mm); with larger, more rounded, white spots; the white specking of the median fascia is confined to the dorsal half in P.myllerana, it extends further towards the costa in P.sehestediana; in P.sehestediana there is a paler brown postmedian fascia, in P.myllerana this fascia is not so well-demarcated due to incursions of the darker brown colour of the median fascia; the apex is more rounded in P.myllerana, more pointed in P.sehestediana. Worn specimens can probably not be identified to species without genital dissection.
§1 Elter Water, Cumbria; 17/06/2017; female; fw 5.3mm; netted by day over foodplant
§2 Elter Water, Cumbria; 17/06/2017; female; fw 5.6mm; netted by day over foodplant
§3 Elter Water, Cumbria; 17/06/2017; male; fw 5.2mm; netted by day over foodplant
§4 Elter Water, Cumbria; 17/06/2017; male; fw 5.0mm; netted by day over foodplant
§5 Orlestone Forest, Kent; 18/05/2020; male; fw 5.5mm; netted by day
All images © Chris Lewis
§2 Elter Water, Cumbria; 17/06/2017; female; fw 5.6mm; netted by day over foodplant
§3 Elter Water, Cumbria; 17/06/2017; male; fw 5.2mm; netted by day over foodplant
§4 Elter Water, Cumbria; 17/06/2017; male; fw 5.0mm; netted by day over foodplant
§5 Orlestone Forest, Kent; 18/05/2020; male; fw 5.5mm; netted by day
All images © Chris Lewis
Page published 24/06/2017 (§2) | §1,3 & 4 added 16/01/2018 | §5 added 30/05/2020
