22.003 Prays ruficeps (Cryptic Ash Bud Moth)
ws: 14-18mm (UKMoths), fw: 6.0-7.5mm (Sterling & Parsons); Apr-Oct; ash (Fraxinus excelsior); status uncertain - recognised as a full species in 2013 (See ID)
Prays ruficeps §2 male
ID: Prior to 2013 this 'species' was considered to be form rustica of P.fraxinella. DNA analysis has resulted in it being afforded full species status. The forewings are dark brown / blackish and the head orange-brown. Various sources suggest that form rustica is still considered to occur as a variant of P.fraxinella and may be recognised by showing some hint of the 'fraxinella' pattern and not having an orange-brown head.
There are no known larval or genital differences between the 2 'species'
Outstanding issues:
There are no known larval or genital differences between the 2 'species'
Outstanding issues:
- I have been unable to confirm that the reported genetic difference is between ruficeps and form rustica and that there is no genetic difference between forms rustica and fraxinella.
- I have been unable to find any convincing images of fresh specimens labelled as form rustica which show a 'fraxinella' pattern - I have found a worn specimen showing this pattern amongst my own images, but cannot be sure that the pattern has not resulted from wear.
- References to "Langmaid 2013" cited by Norfolk Moths (and referring to a Yahoo Group comment rather than to any published work) state that the forewing of ruficeps is 'unremittingly black' and the head 'reddish-brown' (hence 'ruficeps') - but few web images show a truly black forewing and those that do may be due to photographic artefact, and no images show any hint of rufous (as opposed to orange) in the head
- Sources reporting that form rustica does not have the orange-brown head of ruficeps are non-comital about what colour head it does have; Sterling & Parsons states that the melanism (of rustica) does not extend to the head - however I can find no web images of a form rustica with a white head, so I think this statement needs some qualification. My impression is that, assuming that rustica is a valid form, its head is 'off-white' or pale brownish-white.
§1 Foulness, Essex; 13/09/2009; female; fw 7.3mm
§2 Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk; 29/04/2011; male; fw 7.9mm
§3 Whiteshill, Gloucestershire; 13/05/2011; female; fw 7.9mm
§4 Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk; 08/05/2018; male; fw 6.8mm
§5 Westcliff-on-sea, Essex; 10/08/2020; male; fw 7.0mm
§6 Corfe, Dorset; 09/09/2020; female; fw 6.9mm
§7 Corfe, Dorset; 09/09/2020; female; fw 6.1mm
§8 ??; 2020; male
All images © Chris Lewis
§2 Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk; 29/04/2011; male; fw 7.9mm
§3 Whiteshill, Gloucestershire; 13/05/2011; female; fw 7.9mm
§4 Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk; 08/05/2018; male; fw 6.8mm
§5 Westcliff-on-sea, Essex; 10/08/2020; male; fw 7.0mm
§6 Corfe, Dorset; 09/09/2020; female; fw 6.9mm
§7 Corfe, Dorset; 09/09/2020; female; fw 6.1mm
§8 ??; 2020; male
All images © Chris Lewis
Page published 11/09/2018 (§1-3) | §4 added 24/02/2019 | §5 added 05/02/2021 | §6&7 added 09/02/2021 | §8 added 07/04/2021
